The Ramapo College Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program is specifically designed to address a critical need in this ever-changing education landscape. It is the mission of the Ramapo College Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program to provide prospective educational leaders the opportunity for professional growth and development that is effectively balanced in both theory and practice, allowing for experiential learning in authentic contexts that reflect the changing social, economic and political climate that currently shape our contemporary educational communities. In the last year, the pressure on educators to adapt virtually was immense, now more than ever, is the time for aspiring educators to become leaders in their organizations to better the education and services provided to all students.

We offer the full 36-credit MA program in a two-year and one-year accelerated cohort model, and collections of courses for supervisor, principal, and superintendent certification.

Harnessing the power of modern communication and distance learning technologies, students can effectively and comfortably complete all program requirements within a two-year sequence. Students who successfully complete all MAEL program requirements, have practiced successfully for five (5) years as a NJ teacher and pass the School Leadership Licensure Assessment (SLLA) PRAXIS are eligible for the Standard NJ Supervisor Certificate, as well as NJ Certificate of Eligibility as Principal (including Assistant Principal and Curriculum/Program Director).

New: Higher Education Leadership Concentration

Director’s Message: The Need for Exemplary Educational Leaders

Dear Prospective Educational Leaders!

The skills that our students will need to thrive in our post-pandemic, 21st century global economy, are vastly different than that of the Industrial Age – an age for which our schools were built. While the research certainly justifies the need for high quality educational leadership, it comes at a time when the school principal has increasingly become one of the more challenging and stressful leadership positions in contemporary society. The challenges confronting the educational leader are most daunting. School communities are faced with unprecedented societal forces and challenges including, but not limited to:

• a rapidly changing global economy that requires a different skills set of its laborers;
• increased performance standards, accountability and academic expectations;
• increased parental demands for quality education and alternative school choices;
• a changing, more diverse and increasing student population;
• increased incidents in school violence and demands for student safety;
• inadequate facilities and budgetary shortfalls;
• an overall lack of teacher quality; and
• the exponential growth of knowledge and the ongoing emergence of new technologies.

It is difficult to accurately project how the school community of this new era will be different from that of the Industrial Age. However, it is certain that the educational communities, and the schools that comprise them, will require leadership that is vastly different than that which has been typically required of an administrator. Therefore, ensuring exemplary instructional leadership for our schools will be evermore critical.

Our Ramapo College Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program is specifically designed to address the aforementioned critical needs. To this end, the mission of our MAEL program is to provide prospective educational leaders the opportunity for professional growth and development that is effectively balanced in both theory and practice, allowing for experiential learning in authentic contexts that reflect the changing social, economic and political climate that currently shape our contemporary educational communities. The program curriculum and course offerings are uniquely designed to realize this mission.

On behalf of my RCNJ colleagues, I enthusiastically encourage you to explore the contents of our Master of Arts in Educational Leadership Program website. Always know that I welcome the opportunity to meet with you, therefore, please feel comfortable to reach out to me anytime to learn more about our program, address your questions, or seek advice.

Wishing you all the very best – Dr. Brian Chinni, Director of the MAEL Program 

Why is the Ramapo MAEL right for you?

The program is designed in a manner that is practical, flexible and accommodating to the unique needs of the practicing educational professional. Summer (May), Spring (January) and Fall (September) start options are available.

Ramapo offers this program in a very affordable and flexible manner. Payment plans, employer reimbursement cooperation, and financial aid is available. Off-site in-district cohort options are available as well.

The 1-on-1 dedication from our faculty to you while in our program is a hallmark to this degree. We are committed to your success in the program from Day 1.

Our program aims to provide students extensive opportunities to study under exemplary school leaders, those individuals who specifically demonstrate the essential behaviors, beliefs, characteristics and research-based best practices. Opportunities that will serve to be unique to the program include:

1. Extensive field-based experiences with exemplary educational leaders who have consistently implemented research-based best practices with success.
2. Individual and/or collaborative action research in an authentic context.
3. Differentiated learning driven by the development and implementation of an individual Professional Growth Plan (PGP), consistent with the NJDOE-required model.
4. Collegial discourse with fellow educators, outstanding educational leaders and researchers, and representatives of prominent educational organizations.
5. The option for authentic international study and collaboration.
6. The integration of technology to allow for enhanced learning and performance.

Furthermore, course objectives and desired outcomes are achieved through learning experiences that promote collegial discourse, collaborative problem solving, reflective practice, and performance-based applications that require participants to apply specific content and competencies in their professional practice.