Fairleigh Dickinson University

What you'll study

The programme combines advanced study of pedagogy for specific grade levels and subject areas with courses focused on adult learning, instructional leadership and professional development design. Core topics typically include curriculum development and alignment, formative and summative assessment strategies, instructional coaching and mentorship, methods for teaching particular subjects or age ranges (for example early childhood, elementary literacy, secondary STEM or content-area pedagogy), and technology-enhanced instruction.

Students also complete practicum or residency experiences in schools or district offices, and undertake a capstone project or action research study that addresses a real-world professional development need. Typical modules and seminar topics include:

• Foundations of Professional Development: theories of adult learning, needs assessment, and designing sustained professional learning.
• Specific Levels and Methods: subject- and level-focused pedagogy (e.g. elementary literacy methods, secondary science methods, ESOL strategies, differentiated instruction for diverse learners).
• Curriculum Design and Assessment: aligning standards, designing curricula, assessment literacy and data-informed instruction.
• Instructional Coaching and Leadership: coaching cycles, feedback techniques, leading faculty learning communities and change management.
• Educational Technology and Blended Learning: tools and approaches for supporting teacher learning and student engagement across settings.
• Action Research or Capstone Project: applied research in a school/district setting resulting in a practical intervention, programme evaluation or resource for practitioner use.

The programme is offered with flexible delivery options, including coursework in the evening, hybrid and online formats where available, to accommodate working educators.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Typical entry expectations include a background in education or a related field and some professional experience in schools or educational settings. Licensed or certificated teachers and candidates currently working in schools are particularly well suited to this programme.

Standard application components usually include:

• A completed application form and official undergraduate transcript(s).
• A personal statement outlining professional goals and reasons for pursuing advanced study in teacher education and professional development.
• Letters of recommendation (often one or more from school administrators or supervisors).
• Professional résumé or CV describing teaching and related experience.
• Where applicable, proof of teaching certification or licensure and a record of classroom experience.

Some applicants may be asked to attend an interview or provide examples of professional practice. Specific requirements can vary by campus and delivery format, so consult the School of Education admissions office for details relevant to your application pathway.

Career prospects

Graduates work in a range of roles that bridge classroom practice and system-level improvement. Common career paths include instructional coach, professional development coordinator or specialist, curriculum developer, mentor teacher, curriculum and assessment specialist, and district-level trainer. Other graduates move into school leadership roles, positions in curriculum and instruction offices, roles with non-profit education organisations, or teach/advising posts in higher education.

The programme is also suitable for teachers seeking to deepen subject-specific pedagogical expertise or to build the applied research skills needed to lead evidence-based change in schools and districts.

Why study at Fairleigh Dickinson University

Fairleigh Dickinson University offers a teacher education programme designed for working professionals, with flexible scheduling and multiple delivery options to fit educators’ calendars. The School of Education emphasises applied learning—practicum placements and capstone action research connect coursework to immediate practice in classrooms and district settings.

Students benefit from small cohort sizes, faculty who have classroom and district leadership experience, and partnerships with local schools that support practicum placements and collaborative projects. The curriculum is structured to align with professional standards and to prepare candidates for state certification pathways where applicable, while also emphasising instructional leadership, adult learning theory and evidence-based practice to advance careers beyond the classroom.