Why study teacher leadership at Rider University?

Rider’s M.A. in teacher leadership expands your influence beyond the classroom, preparing you for supervisory and leadership roles that shape instruction, curriculum and school culture. Developed by Rider’s respected and CAEP-accredited College of Education and Human Services, and aligned with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL), this program blends mostly online coursework with structured in-person sessions, internship hours, and performance-based projects. You’ll build the tools to mentor peers, lead professional development, collaborate with families and communities, and even prepare for principal certification if you choose that path.

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The Rider advantage

Advance your leadership through hands-on projects, flexible study and career-ready credentials that prepare you to guide schools and shape education beyond the classroom.

Lead through practice and performance

Each semester, you’ll take on leadership growth projects aligned with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL). These projects build into a professional portfolio that showcases your growth as a mentor, coach, and school leader. With guidance from faculty, you’ll practice real-world problem-solving that directly connects to the needs of your school or district.

Teacher Leadership students in classroom
[M]y administration has started to see me in a different light and given me more responsibility and leadership … this program has given me more confidence in my leadership within the school.”
Yuliya Tsypenyuk
Teacher leadership program
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What you'll learn

In Rider’s teacher leadership graduate program, you’ll gain the skills to inspire colleagues, strengthen instruction, and drive school improvement. Coursework covers curriculum design, mentoring and coaching, professional development, school culture, and data-driven decision-making, while your concentration lets you tailor expertise in areas such as principal preparation, ESL/Bilingual, Literacy, Science, Inclusive Practices, or Gifted Education and Creativity. Each semester, leadership growth projects connect theory to your school’s needs. You’ll graduate with a professional portfolio and a 150-hour clinical internship experience, preparing you for advanced credentials and leadership roles.

Concentrations

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Build your degree step by step

At Rider, you’ll earn valuable credentials as part of the M.A. in Teacher Leadership. As you progress through the program, you’ll automatically complete the requirements for both the Teacher Leadership Endorsement and the Supervisor of Instruction Certificate with no extra coursework needed. Then, you’ll choose a concentration such as principal preparation, ESL/Bilingual, Literacy, Science, Inclusive Practices, or Gifted Education and Creativity. Each step builds on the last, so you graduate with multiple credentials that strengthen your résumé.

Career opportunities with an M.A. in teacher leadership

Your master’s degree in teacher leadership equips you for leadership-rich educational roles across schools and districts. 

Graduate ready for roles such as:

  • Instructional supervisor (including areas like literacy, elementary education, or special education)
  • Curriculum coordinator
  • Mentor or instructional coach
  • Reading, math, or intervention specialist/coach
  • District-level staff developer
  • School principal or assistant principal (with the Principal concentration)

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Contact

Bonnie Lehet

Assistant Professor, Director of Teacher Leadership/Principal Leadership, Director of Doctorate in Education Leadership

Graduate Education, Leadership and Counseling

Bierenbaum Fisher Hall 202 I

blehet [at] rider.edu

609-896-7750

Academic Focus: Educational Leadership

Education building with flowers in front of it.