M.A. in Education

The Master of Arts in Education (MAED) Program helps certified professionals develop into master teachers by offering 100% online coursework leading to an array of graduate level instructional and educational services endorsements.

Through the MAED program, students will strengthen content knowledge, learn new instructional strategies to meet the needs of diverse students, and develop as teacher researchers.

Our programs are CAEP-accredited, New Jersey Department of Education-approved, and eligible for interstate reciprocity. For more details, visit https://www.teachercertificationdegrees.com/reciprocity/  


About the Program

Track Offerings

The MAED programs offers the following degree options:

  • Alternate Route/CE Initial Certification*
  • Content, Instruction, and Assessment Track
  • Principal/Supervisor Track
  • Literacy Track (with option of Reading Specialist)
  • Special Education Track (with options of Reading Specialist or Literacy)

Stockton University's Master of Arts in Education Program, which is designed to help certified professionals develop into master teachers, is CAEP-accredited and New Jersey Department of Education-approved.

*Click on the following link to learn more about the Certificate of Eligibility (CE) Alternate Route Program.

Curriculum

Content, Instruction, and Assessment Track (Online)

The Content, Instruction, and Assessment track is designed to meet the needs of practicing teachers through a flexible course of study. Students take a core of pedagogy and research courses that prepare teachers to meet the needs of their 21st century students through instruction and assessment. The remaining courses emphasize furthering content knowledge and may be taken from the areas of ESL, or Special Education. Endorsements can also be earned in Bilingual/Bicultural, and ESL as part of the Content, Instruction, and Assessment track. The flexibility of the track provides the opportunity for teachers to tailor the program to their own individual needs.

Content, Instruction, and Assessment Curriculum Worksheet


Principal/Supervisor Track (Online)

The Principal/Supervisor track graduate program for practicing educators leads to administrative certification in both the school supervisor and principal endorsements. The program reflects current research that educational leaders must be prepared to lead schools to higher student achievement. The program is designed to develop educators into instructional leaders who:

  • Provide a vision for the future
  • Create and sustain a culture for learning and growth
  • Manage and align resources to provide a safe, efficient and effective organization
  • Collaborate with school and community stakeholders
  • Serve with integrity, fairness and in an ethical manner
  • Advocate for learners at all levels

New Jersey Department of Education Licensure Code requires three years of successful teaching and/or educational services experience for applying to the State for a Supervisor certificate and five years of successful teaching and/or educational services experience for applying to the State for a Principal certificate. The school leader candidate will have to possess a valid provisional or standard certificate and a Master's degree.

The following options are available to you in Stockton's MAED program:


Literacy Track (with option of Reading Specialist) (Online)

Our Literacy Track prepares teachers to plan literacy programs appropriate for children of differing abilities and diverse cultural backgrounds.

Reading Specialist Option: If students are interested in pursuing the Reading Specialist endorsement with this track, applicants for the track with the endorsement must hold a Standard certificate and have successfully completed a minimum of one year of teaching, with the understanding that two years of successful teaching must be completed before being allowed to apply for the Reading Specialist Endorsement.

Reading Specialist Curriculum Worksheet


Special Education Track (Online)

The Special Education track leads to a New Jersey Endorsement as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD). Through the Special Education track students will be prepared to work with students with a wide range of disabilities. Students who already hold a TOSD certificate can use their course of study to expand their knowledge and expertise in the field of Special Education.

Special Education Curriculum Worksheet


Dual Tracks in Literacy and Special Education (Online)

Recognizing the importance of preparing teachers for planning and implementing literacy programs appropriate for children of differing abilities and diverse cultural backgrounds, we offer two pathways designed for teachers to develop competencies in both literacy and special education. 

The MAED degree with Special Education and Reading Specialist endorsement pathway allows leads to both a special education and reading specialist endorsement. 

Dual Track in Special Education and Reading Specialist Curriculum Worksheet

The MAED Degree and Special Education endorsement and Literacy pathway emphasizes a focus in literacy to provide opportunities for teachers to develop expertise in literacy instruction while earning a special education endorsement. 

Dual Track in Literacy and Special Education Curriculum Worksheet


Alternate Route/Certificate of Eligibility Program (Online)

The Alternate Route (CE) program is a non-traditional teacher preparation program designed for those individuals who have complete undergraduate or graduate degrees with a 3.0 or higher* GPA, but have not completed a formal teacher preparation program at an accredited college or university who wish to obtain the necessary training to become a NJ certified teacher.  A traditional program is referred to as a CEAS.  The Alternate Route Program is termed as a CE. To learn more about obtaining your CE, click here

Since 2017-18, the NJDOE requires teachers with a CE to complete the equivalent of 400 credit hours.  This program includes the 50 hour non-credit preservice course along with the 350 hours of graduate coursework.  Twenty-one of the 24/25 credits in the program can be used towards the MAED degree program. 

Sequence of Courses

Course Worksheet for Elementary CE Holders- 25 credits

Course Worksheet for K-12 Subject Specific CE Holders- 24 credits 

Educational Endorsements

This program is designed for certified teachers wishing to add ESL and/or Bilingual/Bicultural endorsement to their existing certifications. To be eligible for an ESL endorsement, students will need to complete the necessary five graduate courses and take the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and Written Proficiency Test (WPT) in English. To be eligible for a Bilingual/Bicultural endorsement, students will complete the necessary four graduate courses and take the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and Written Proficiency Test (WPT) in English and another language in order to be eligible for this endorsement. All courses can count towards the MAED degree.

Additional FAQ for ESL

ESL Curriculum Worksheet

Bilingual/Bicultural Curriculum Worksheet

The LDT/C special services endorsement enable the holder to become a member of a child study team in New Jersey. To be eligible for the program, two successful years of teaching must be documented by the applicant. Upon completion of the program, the student must have completed three successful years of teaching and hold a Master's degree in order to qualify for the New Jersey LDTC endorsement. There are two basic routes students may take to complete the LDT/C P-12 endorsement. Students considering this program must have their graduate transcripts reviewed by the sub-coordinator of special education to determine if any exceptions may be made to requirements.

  • Without a Master's or SPED Endorsement. Track 1
  • With a Master's in Education and a specialization other than Special Education. Track 2

Our Reading Specialist track leads to the New Jersey reading specialist endorsement and prepares teachers to plan literacy programs appropriate for children of differing abilities and diverse cultural backgrounds. Applicants for the track must hold a Standard certificate and have successfully completed a minimum of one year of teaching, with the understanding that two years of successful teaching must be completed before being allowed to apply for the Reading Specialist Endorsement.

Reading Specialist Curriculum Worksheet

Dual Certification in Reading Specialist and Special Education 

The Special Education track leads to a New Jersey Endorsement as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD). Through the Special Education track students will be prepared to work with students with a wide range of disabilities. To be eligible for the endorsement, students will need to complete the necessary graduate level courses (see curriculum work sheet). All courses can count towards an MAED degree.

Special Education Curriculum Worksheet

Dual Certification in Reading Specialist and Special Education 

The supervisory certificate is a joint program between MAED and MAIT (Master of Art in Instructional Technology). Students who are already matriculated in a Master's degree program at Stockton University and want to pursue a supervisory endorsement may begin to take courses from the restricted elective list at any time in the program and may take the required courses upon completion of 24 credits. Students must have taught for three years before being eligible for the certificate.

Supervisor Curriculum Worksheet

The Principal Endorsement program is for students who have already earned a Master's Degree and a supervisory endorsement. A transcript review audit is required prior to admission to the endorsement program. Program completers must file an application for the Principal endorsement. Applicants for the Principal endorsement must pass the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (6011). Successful candidates for this endorsement must have at least five years of teaching experience.

Admissions Criteria

Application Deadlines

While graduate admissions selection committees review applications until the start of the semester, by applying prior to the Priority Deadline, you can ensure that your transition to Stockton is as smooth as possible: you will be invited to the New Student Orientation Event, and have access to priority registration which means you may have more options for monthly installments of a payment plan, as well as greater options for class selection.

Priority Deadlines

Fall: July 1
Spring: December 1
Summer: March 15

Prerequisite Requirements

  • A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education;
  • A minimum grade point average of 2.75 (3.0 for Principal track); or Alternate Route only: Limited CE Waiver
  • NJ teaching certificate (standard, provisional, or certificate of eligibility with advanced standing; CE for Alternate Route only).

To be considered for admission to either the M.A. in Education or any of the Educational-Related Endorsements, applicants must submit the following prior to the deadline:

  1. Click here to start your application 
  2. Application fee: $50 (non-refundable), submitted with your online application
  3. Graduate application essay
  4. Copy of teaching certificate (standard, provisional or certificate of eligibility with advanced standing);
  5. Two current letters of recommendation written specifically for MAED/Educational-Related Programs admission from current/former administrators sent electronically via the Stockton Application
  6. Resume
  7. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (including Stockton) should be emailed, mailed or dropped off directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

    By mail:
    Office of Graduate Admissions, Campus Center Suite 101
    101 Vera King Farris Drive
    Galloway, NJ 08205-9441

    Electronically:

    gradschool@stockton.edu

Candidates seeking an LDT/C Endorsement must meet the above requirements and in addition have two years of successful teaching experience. Similarly, those seeking a Principal Endorsement must meet all requirements listed above and have:

  1. A cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.00 when a GPA of 4.00 equals an A grade in a baccalaureate degree program, higher degree program or in a State-approved post-baccalaureate certification program with a minimum of 13 semester-hours.
  2. Three (3) years of successful teaching experience under provisional and/or standard certificate.
  3. Three (3) current letters of recommendation written specifically for admission to the MAED Program from current or former administrators familiar with your work who can comment on your background, experiences, capacity to succeed, etc. Employers, supervisors, superintendents, principals, or other professionals are appropriate choices; friends, family or fellow students are not.
  4. Completion of the supplemental MAED Essay answering the following 2 questions:
    • In what ways do your academic background and your professional experiences provide evidence or your potential for success in the program you selected and in your eventual career? Please give specific examples of relevant coursework and/or experience?
    • Describe your vision of educational leadership and explain why others would want to be led by you?     

Frequently Asked Questions

All courses are offered online in either accelerated (7 week) or full semester (15 week) time frames. Online courses offer the ultimate flexibility in managing course work and homework around your full-time work responsibilities. In general, graduate students can expect to spend at least 12 hours per week on every accelerated course, and at least 6 hours per week on every full semester course.

Students are admitted in both Fall and Spring semesters.

While graduate admissions selection committees review applications until the start of the semester, by applying prior to the Priority Deadline, you can ensure that your transition to Stockton is as smooth as possible: you will be invited to the New Student Orientation Event, and have access to priority registration which means you may have more options for monthly installments of a payment plan, as well as greater options for class selection.

Priority Deadlines

Fall: July 1
Spring: December 1
Summer: March 15

You may attempt up to two courses (6 credits) on a non-matriculated basis, provided you meet the program's admissions requirements. You need to consult with the Program Chair to select courses.

Please fill out the non-matriculated application and Graduate Admissions will provide you with registration information.

Requests for transfer of graduate credits earned at another institution must be submitted at the time of application utilizing the Graduate Transfer Equivalency Form.

For degree seeking students, the University may accept up to 9 credits that sufficiently match corresponding Stockton courses, provided that the grade earned is a B or better.

For endorsement seeking students, the college may accept up to 6 credits that sufficiently match corresponding Stockton courses, provided that the grade earned is a B or better.

Students are not permitted to take further courses at other institutions, once enrolled in Stockton’s MAED. Once students have matriculated at the University, students will be required to finish the remainder of their course work at Stockton.  View the Graduate Transfer Equivalency Form.

Yes, you need a NJ teaching certificate (Standard, Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing, or Provisional). Students with a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) are required to complete most of the Alternate Route program in order to begin working on additional endorsements in the MAED program. 
Stockton University is pleased to offer our 100% online MAED-Certificate of Eligibility (CE) Alternate Route Program which prepares individuals who have not yet completed a formal teacher preparation program at an accredited college/university, but wish to obtain the necessary training to become a NJ certified teacher. For more information, please click here.

The endorsement programs vary according to NJ Department of Education requirements, and all may be “stacked” to reach a total of 36 credits for the degree, to be completed in no more than 6 years. It is up to you to decide whether you want to complete the program on a full-time basis or as a part-time student.

 No, we do not require any special computer skills. However, because of the nature of the program, you are expected to have basic computer skills, such as file management, word processing, Internet research and e-mail skills.
 Stockton University's Master of Arts in Education Program, which is designed to help certified professionals develop into master teachers, is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) for a period of seven years, from 2020 to 2027. 
All of our education related programs are online.

Apply today. If you have further questions you can Request More Information or call the Office of Graduate Admissions at (609) 626-3640 or E-mail gradschool@stockton.edu.

Kimberly Lebak, Ed.D.
Chair, M.A. in Education Program
Professor of Education