Department of Educational Leadership and Professional Studies

This concentration focuses on developing the school library media specialist as a teacher, information specialist, instructional partner, program administrator and leader for preschool through high school. Recognized by the American Association of School Librarians this concentration strives to develop school library media specialists who foster a love of learning and support equitable access to information for all students. Principles of inquiry and application are addressed in every course and are assessed by professional application projects, field experiences, and research. Two courses (ELLM 6110 and ELCL 6110 or ELCL 6120) count toward the 12-credit New Jersey Supervisory certificate. This concentration includes options for state endorsement as a school library media specialist.

Coordinator:
Professor Ellen Pozzi
pozzie@wpunj.edu
Phone: 973-720-3784
Office: 1600 Valley Rd. Rm 4028

Entry Requirements

Each applicant must demonstrate that he or she can fulfill the requirements of the program, including the ability to read and write at a graduate level, the capability to do graduate level academic work, and an interest in educational theory and practice. Toward this end the requirements for admission are:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended.
• A cumulative grade point average from past degrees of at least 2.75 on a 4.00 scale*.
• A minimum verbal score of 450 (older scale: prior to August 1, 2011) or 150 (current scale) on the Graduate Record Examination or a minimum score of 388 on the Miller Analogies Test*. 
• A two-page essay by the applicant about how the degree will enhance professional development and what the important issues are in the proposed field of study.
• A copy of a teaching certificate and/or a resume of any teaching or educational work the applicant has performed.
• Two professional letters of reference, at least one from a professor or other person who can attest to the applicant's academic abilities.
• Each applicant should have a personal interview before being accepted for matriculation.

*Applicants who do not meet the grade point average or standardized test requirements may supplement the application with additional materials in support of their academic potential for the successful completion of the graduate degree. Additional materials may include the achievement of a grade of B or higher in one of the program courses recommended by advisement.

Exit Requirements

• The completion of 33 credits of prescribed graduate study for all concentrations including one three-credit course in the social sciences selected with advisement and six credits in educational research culminating in the production of a master's thesis.
• The completion of a multi-chapter empirical/action research thesis in the field of specialization to be developed during Research in Education I and Research in Education II courses.
• Satisfactory completion of a concentration-specific exit portfolio requirement. This latter requirement carries no course credit but must be completed before graduation.