Teacher Leaders

Offered by Rider’s respected and NCATE-accredited School of Education, the new Master of Arts (M.A.) and certificate options in Teacher Leadership are designed to prepare experienced teachers to assume a greater leadership role in their schools, and share their skills and knowledge while remaining active in the classroom.

Degree and Certificate Options
Teacher Leadership Certificate • 21 credits
This option builds teacher leadership skills through mentored field experiences, face-to-face and online courses, and on-the-job training. Participants who complete the Teacher Leadership core, which consists of seven core courses, will receive a Rider University Professional Development Certificate in Teacher Leadership.
Professional Development Certificate in Core Curriculum and Common Core Standards • 15 credits
In this option teachers participate in face-to-face and online courses, and internships. These activities are designed to enhance knowledge and ability to deliver instruction in a common core or core curriculum content, or related area of specialization. Participants of these five courses will be awarded a Rider University Professional Development Certificate in the specific discipline of study.

Credits earned in either certificate track can be applied toward the M.A. in Teacher Leadership.
Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership • 36 credits
Teachers who complete the full master’s degree will acquire both content knowledge and the skills needed to be effective teacher leaders in their schools and school districts. The full master’s degree program includes both the 21-credit Teacher Leadership core and the 15-credit core curriculum and subject specialization. Program completion meets the requirements for New Jersey supervisor certification.
Admission Requirements
Admission to Rider's Teacher Leadership program is a selective process.
To be considered, candidates must submit the following documents:
  • Three letters of recommendation (one each from a supervisor, principal and colleague)
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Copies of teaching evaluations for the most recent two years 
  • A professional résumé 
  • A 500-word personal reflection on leadership in teaching
A Teacher-Focused Delivery Model
This new low-residency program combines the best of face-to-face learning with the convenience of online learning. Its innovative design gives participants the flexibility they need to balance work and family demands while advancing their skills as teacher leaders.
  • The 36-credit M.A. in Teacher Leadership can be earned in just two years of study, including two summer residency experiences. Certificate studies can be completed in 12 to 18 months, with at least one summer residency.
  • Each summer residency features two weeks (four days per week) of dialogue and engagement on Rider’s Lawrenceville campus, giving teachers the opportunity to meet and interact with their colleagues and professors.
  • Online studies combine reading assignments, online discussions and posts, web-based presentations and other formats.
Program Highlights
Participants engage in mentored field experiences that apply what is being learned to an actual project or problem. Additionally, Rider faculty are available to provide follow-up to districts with one or more teams of teachers participating in the program.

Instruction, coursework and on-the-job training further develop each participant’s skills in collaboration, communication, observation, problem solving and decision making.

Teachers can also increase their knowledge of content in select areas and their ability to provide effective instruction to increase student achievement through selected options in:

  • English as a Second Language (ESL) Education
  • English/Language Arts 
    This program is not fully available online at this time. 
  • Inclusive Practice
    This program is not fully available online at this time. 
  • Mathematics Education
  • Science Education
Program Outcomes
Graduates of Rider's Teacher Leadership programs will be prepared to:
  • Facilitate and lead outside of their classroom walls
  • Coach and mentor new teachers
  • Observe and provide constructive feedback to teachers at all stages of their careers
  • Assist in implementing newly emerging teacher evaluation systems
  • Coordinate efforts to design and develop curriculum
  • Make decisions based on analysis of data
  • Assess performance to improve instruction and initiate instructional and programmatic changes to enhance student achievement
To Learn More
If you are interested in pursuing one of Rider University’s Teacher Leadership options — or to learn how you can build a team of teacher leaders in your school or district — please contact:

Office of Graduate Admission
Rider University
2083 Lawrenceville Road
Lawrenceville, NJ, USA 08648-3099
Email: gradadm@rider.edu
Phone: 800-257-9026 or 609-896-5036