Stackable Certificate and Degree Pathways

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Earn a certificate, master’s, or doctorate — one step at a time.

Big goals start small at Rider. Start with a certificate that fits your career path, then stack it into a master’s without losing time or credits. With flexible online and hybrid options, you can keep moving forward on your terms.

How stackable leadership credentials work:

Step 1 — Earn a certificate.
Choose a short, focused credential aligned with your goals.

Step 2 — Add on (optional).
Combine certificates or choose a concentration to deepen your expertise.

Step 3 — Stack into a master’s.
Apply certificate coursework toward a master’s degree to save time and money.

Step 4 — Go further.
When you’re ready, continue to the Doctor of Educational Leadership (Ed.D.).

Start with a certificate (choose one or both):

• Supervisor of Instruction Certificate (NJDOE) — may be completed as a standalone credential and is included in both the Educational Leadership (EDLP) M.A. and the Teacher Leadership (TCHL) M.A..
   
• Principal Certificate (NJDOE) — may be completed as a standalone credential; also included in the EDLP M.A. and available as a concentration path within the TCHL M.A..

Why “one or both”? Many students complete one certificate to qualify for a specific role, then add the second to broaden leadership options. Both certificates apply toward the M.A. in Educational Leadership, so coursework isn’t duplicated.

Stack into the M.A.:

• Apply certificate courses directly to the M.A. in Educational Leadership.
   
• Internship requirements align by program (EDLP vs. TCHL) so students don’t repeat experiences.

Start with these built‑in credentials:

• Teacher Leadership Endorsement (NJDOE) — included in the M.A. in Teacher Leadership (not offered standalone), and/or
   
• Supervisor of Instruction Certificate (NJDOE) — included in the M.A. in Teacher Leadership and also available as a standalone certificate option.

Choose one concentration:

• Principal (NJDOE)
• ESL (NJDOE)
• Inclusive Practices / Special Education (NJDOE)
• Literacy (Rider PD certificate + may include NJDOE endorsement) 
• Math (Rider PD certificate).
• Science  (Rider PD certificate).
• Gifted & Creativity (Rider PD certificate.

Stack into the M.A.:

• With your endorsement + supervisor certificate + concentration, you complete the M.A. in Teacher Leadership by adding a small set of remaining courses. Some concentrations lead to additional NJDOE or Rider credentials.

Start with one certificate:

• Higher Education Leadership (HELC) - offered fully online
   
• Talent & Organizational Development (TODC)  - offered fully online
   
• Life & Career Coaching (LCC) - hybrid courses

Add a second certificate (optional):

• Many students stack two certificates by completing 6–12 additional credits, thanks to shared coursework.

Stack into the M.A.:

• Complete the 30‑credit M.A. in Organizational Leadership using shared core courses.
   
• Depending on your sequence, you can graduate with one certificate + the M.A., or two certificates + the M.A.. (Selected pathways show example totals and how overlapping courses reduce time to degree.)

Already have your master’s? Keep going with the Doctor of Educational Leadership (Ed.D.), designed to be completed in three additional years. Choose from concentrations in higher education leadership or PK-12 leadership.