New Jersey regularly releases lists of in-demand careers in the state. In the latest publication, more than 10 of these jobs fall within the field of education. Many, such as working as an instructional coordinator or education administrator, require a master’s degree. These degrees can also serve as a path to teaching licensure, if you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field.
No matter which situation applies to you, an online Masters of Education in New Jersey will be easier to complete alongside work and life obligations than an in-person program. To help you find the best online master’s program, we’ve compiled some information for you: stand-out programs in New Jersey, including an accelerated program; the state’s licensure requirements; and NJ-specific financial aid opportunities.
Deep Dive: Standout Education Master’s in NJ
When researching online Masters of Education degrees in New Jersey, it can be difficult to tell which program is the best. That’s because “best” is subjective, and your search should center on finding the right program for you. That said, there are some schools that objectively rank well in terms of academics, student support, and affordability, including the three spotlighted ones below.
Rowan University
Rowan University offers a graduate program that easily ranks among the best online education master’s degrees in New Jersey. This program is specifically designed for people who want to transition into teaching from another field. As a result, the program meets the state’s licensure requirements, prepares students for the licensure exam, and offers a student teaching option.
While coursework is delivered online, student teaching may have to be completed in-person, depending on the school district where a student is placed. The online curriculum covers teaching foundations and provides students specialization opportunities in a specific education area such as math, English, or social studies. Most students in the program go on to teach at the middle school or high school level, so this may not be the best program for future elementary or higher education teachers.
New Jersey City University
This university offers a robust Master’s of Education program through its school of education. While administered through an on-campus department, New Jersey City University offers eight 100% online programs from which students can choose. These cover specific education areas, including education technology, reading specialist certification, special education, English as a second language, and urban education.
The education technology degree also includes multiple specializations, and New Jersey City University is a leader in this field. When it comes to affordability, the university also ranks high among online Masters of Education in New Jersey. Since all its programs are more advanced, these master’s degrees are designed for those who are already licensed teachers or are interested in pursuing administrative or non-licensed teaching roles, such as in higher education.
William Paterson University
When looking at online Masters of Education in New Jersey, the master in educational leadership program at William Paterson University is worth your consideration. This fully online degree can be completed in as little as 12 months and is designed to be completed alongside a full-time teaching job. Unlike the other spotlighted programs, this one prepares students for a very specific role: working as a principal in a K-12 school. Because of this focus, students should already be licensed teachers with some classroom experience.
The curriculum is designed to be different, with coursework divided into three main modules: supervision, educational leadership, and curriculum development. This program does align with the National Educational Leadership Preparation program’s standards and qualifies students to take the principal licensure exam in New Jersey.
Popular NJ Education Specializations
Not all online education master’s degrees in New Jersey were designed with the same student in mind. Instead, most programs offer specializations that relate to different areas of teaching or education administration. The type of degree that’s right for you depends on your personal interests, though the five up-and-coming concentrations below may be good choices.
Adult Education
Post-secondary education is a fast-growing field, and a master’s degree in adult education sets you up to be a leader in it. After graduating with this specialized master’s degree, you can work at a university, community college, or other educational setting where you instruct students over age 18.
Special Education
Special education teachers are almost always in high-demand. Getting a master’s degree in special education positions you as a leader in this field and as a valuable resource to school districts’ special education classrooms. Depending on the program, there may be an option for teaching licensure, or the program may be designed for already licensed educators.
Elementary Education
New Jersey has added elementary school teachers to their list of in-demand jobs, making this a timely specialization. Programs for a master’s degree in elementary education are usually for students seeking teaching licensure, though some programs may offer a route for already licensed teachers.
Higher Education
If working in an administrative role in a university, community college, or other adult learning setting is more your speed, consider getting a master’s degree in higher education. Often, these programs focus on teaching and learning theories, as well as the administrative side of operating a higher education institution.
Health Education
Health specialty teachers are another in-demand career in New Jersey. Getting a master’s degree in health education sets you up to help fill this need and is an ideal career route for people who are equally passionate about education and health.
In-Demand Education Careers in New Jersey
Teaching, while a relatively steady career, isn’t a fast-growing one at the moment. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a -1% job growth rate for most teachers. That said, educational administration is growing faster (3% growth rate), and roles in this field almost always require a master’s degree. By choosing a master’s program, you are future-proofing your professional life and setting yourself up for more in-demand career paths.
| Career | NJ 10th Percentile Pay | NJ Median Pay | NJ 90th Percentile Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $64,600 | $79,170 | $101,870 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $64,240 | $84,930 | $155,900 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $48,740 | $90,680 | $170,730 |
Source: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2023
Career and Technical Educators
A role as a career and technical educator may be a good fit if you’re passionate about teaching and want to help students find their own career paths. These individuals work in high schools, technical colleges, or universities to teach professional development courses. Plus, this educational career is growing at a healthy pace and offers decent salaries.
Educational Administrators
Educational administrators work for schools, higher education institutions, and nonprofits or companies who want to develop their learning and training program. It’s a versatile field with high salaries and a 3% job growth rate. While there are a variety of roles within the field, most involve project management, communicating with multiple parties, and administrative work. This career path is a good fit for someone who prefers to look at higher education from the managerial side, as opposed to teaching in the classroom.
Postsecondary Teachers
Postsecondary educators teach at higher education institutions, including community colleges, universities, and adult education centers. Usually, their duties are a mix of teaching and research, with many higher education professors researching the best learning strategies and course design ideas, among other related topics. This field is also one of the fastest growing in the education sector and getting a master’s degree is required to apply for these jobs. This path is a good fit for those who are equally passionate about teaching and discovering best practices.
Becoming an Educator in New Jersey
Step 1: Choose a Specialization
New Jersey’s teaching licenses are provided based on grade level and subject. That means to become a licensed educator, you first need to decide what subject you are interested in teaching and the grade level at which you’d like to teach. Most subject-specific licenses in the state are classified as “standard,” meaning a student must graduate from a corresponding academic program. Some programs may be available through the state’s alternate licensure route, which is for students who haven’t completed a traditional education program but meet other teaching licensure requirements.
Step 2: Earn Your Online Master's Degree
Once you decide on a subject matter and grade level for your license, it’s time to enroll in an online master’s degree. The state’s licensure requirements state this program must be regionally or nationally accredited, and that students should earn a 3.0 GPA at their program. There may be some flexibility on the GPA requirement for extenuating circumstances, though even in special cases a GPA must be above 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
Step 3: Gain Field Experience
Alongside completing a degree, New Jersey requires a clinical component be completed before a license is granted. This mainly consists of student teaching, under the supervision of a faculty member. Unlike other states, New Jersey doesn’t have a set number of clinical hours or student teaching semesters. Instead, they state a student must complete a state-approved teaching program that features a clinical component.
Step 4: Pass Your State Exams
Before becoming a licensed teacher in New Jersey, you must complete a licensure exam. New Jersey uses a set of nationally available exams, offered through the company Praxis, to test future teachers. Praxis also offers continuing education exams that teachers must complete throughout their career. These exams are subject-level specific and geared toward teaching a specific grade level. Many master’s degree programs in New Jersey will offer free study resources and groups for these exams.
Step 5: Become Credentialed
The final step is to become a licensed educator — and maintain that license throughout your career. New Jersey requires teachers to take continuing education courses and exams in order to ensure their teaching skills are relevant and constantly improving. If you are already a teacher, a master’s degree in education may count toward this requirement.
The Average Cost of an Education Master’s in NJ
A master’s degree costs about $20,513 per year on average. Considering some Masters in Education programs take two years to complete, that means you may need to budget more than $40,000 for your degree. But before you panic, it’s important to know that this is a national average — not what all students pay. In New Jersey, there are many programs that are more affordable, especially if you’re a state resident.
For a more state-specific cost estimate, explore the program costs in the table below. As you do, keep in mind that financial aid opportunities and state-specific funds can help lower costs, which we’ll discuss in more depth in the next section.
| School | Program | No. of Credits | Est. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rowan University | MS in Teaching | 33 | $827 |
| New Jersey City University | Master of Education | 30-36 | $824.72 |
| William Paterson University | MEd, Educational Leadership | 34 | $624.55 |
Financial Aid Options for NJ Education Majors
Tuition is just the ticket price for your degree. There are many financial aid opportunities that can lower the price you actually pay. Some of the most common options include scholarships, fellowships, student loans, and grants. Some schools even offer graduate assistant programs where you can get a tuition waiver and stipend in exchange for teaching undergraduate courses or helping a professor with their research.
Many of these financial aid opportunities are offered through the federal government, individual universities, or national organizations. There are also options specific to future or current educators in New Jersey. Some of the most lucrative include New Jersey state-sponsored grants and scholarships for all academic disciplines and the state-sponsored stipend for student teachers. The New Jersey Education Association always highlights additional opportunities on its website for current educators and future teachers.
FAQs from NJ Education Master’s Students
Is an online education degree a worthwhile investment in New Jersey?
An online education degree, when taken through an accredited university, is viewed the same as an in-person one. The only difference is that online students save on transportation costs and student fees. Considering that New Jersey’s cost of living is above the national average, the money saved on commuting to classes could make a dent in other expenses, like rent or groceries. Plus, online programs are more flexible, making it easier to work full-time and juggle personal obligations alongside your education.
Are education master’s only for people who want to become teachers?
There are two types of graduate education programs. The first, for a master of arts in teaching, is a more hands-on program designed for people who want to become licensed teachers in New Jersey. The second is for a master’s degree in education, which is a much more versatile type. While it is possible to find a master in education program that leads to teaching licensure, these programs also prepare students for other careers in education, such as working as educational administrators, as instructional coordinators, or at ed-tech startups.
Does New Jersey offer any regional programs for educators?
At this time, New Jersey doesn’t offer any regional programs specifically for educators. They do, however, offer a grant for child care workers who want to pursue future education or those who are attending school with the aim of working in child care centers. Individual school districts within New Jersey may also offer grants and scholarships for teachers and educational staff who want to continue their education, though this is highly dependent upon your local area.
Can I legally work in New Jersey if I am credentialed as an educator in another state?
New Jersey does offer reciprocity to educators credentialed in other states. To be able to teach in New Jersey with a degree from another state, you must graduate from an accredited education program and earn a grade-level and subject-area-specific certificate from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards.
Can I earn a graduate certificate in education?
Yes, you can, and a graduate certificate in education is a great way to dip your toes into a specific area of that field. For example, if you are a current teacher who would like to explore leadership roles in your district, a graduate program in educational leadership may provide an idea of what those programs are like — and it will boost your resume when applying for these roles.