CONVENIENT: A rapid yet rigorous off-campus graduate program completed in one calendar year at local school sites. DYNAMIC: A blend of theory and practice, using projects that make the student’s workplace a learning laboratory. PRACTICAL: A program that pairs the candidate with a local administrator to gain experience managing critical issues. RELEVANT: A program that prepares candidates to assume the role of principal in a way that directly relates to their school’s needs. OCLD Fast Track is a program designed to meet ISLLC standards |
Off-Campus Leadership Development (OCLD)
Fast Track Master of Arts in Educational Administration
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the questions that we have received from candidates or school districts or dioceses interested in the Off-Campus Leadership Development program.
Q: What is the Off-Campus Leadership Development (OCLD) program?
A: Caldwell College’s new OCLD program is a 36-credit Master's degree in Educational Administration. In recognition of the need to prepare qualified school principals for public and parochial schools in the short term, without sacrificing quality, the College is offering an M.A. that meets N.J. certification requirements in one calendar year. The program includes 4 strands—a Summer, Fall and Spring semesters, and the subsequent Summer.
Q: Where will the OCLD program take place?
A: The course work and related project assignments will take place in the candidate’s school, or, if students enroll from a variety of schools, a central location will be used. The program design is heavily based on pre-approved and highly practical activities that can be completed at the student's school site.
Q: Who will provide the instruction?
A: Instruction will be provided by a combination of Caldwell College faculty and selected local district or diocesan personnel. A College liaison will be assigned to provide advisement and ongoing communication with the district or diocese, the College, and the student.
Q: How can I apply for the OCLD and how will I register?
A: Applications for OCLD will require the candidate to gain the cooperation of the district or diocese in so far as securing an administrator mentor to “shadow”, and a schedule to enable him/her to do so. Registration can be accomplished on-line, by mail, fax, or in person through the College’s Office of Graduate Studies.
Q: When will the program begin?
A: New cohorts begin in the summer, only, usually in the last week of June.
Q: What do I have to do to be accepted into the program?
A: In addition to the typical admission requirements (completed application with $40 fee, one letter of reference from someone other than your superintendent who can speak to your professional competence, undergraduate/graduate transcript(s), writing sample, and GRE or Miller Analogies scores for applicants without a prior Master's degree), OCLD candidates will require a letter of permission from the superintendent of schools or diocese including the name and signature of the designated administrator-mentor. The administrator-mentor must be a certified principal and his/her agreement to mentor must also be in writing.
Q: When will classes take place?
A: The OCLD program will follow the College's academic calendar. During the fall and spring semesters, classes will take place from 4:30-7:00 p.m. or 7:00-9:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday evenings. However the number of class meetings compared to a traditional graduate course will be approximately one-half. The remainder of the time will consist of project work related to the course content. These assignments will be established by the College liaison. They will be germane to activities underway in your school or district. They will be practical but will draw on theory acquired in your courses.
Q: How will the summer classes be scheduled?
A: As you can imagine a one calendar year program must be rather intense. The summer will require you to take the equivalent of 9 credits, the same as the regular academic year. Summer classes will meet on Monday through Thursday. Each of the three scheduled three credit courses will meet for two hours of class time on two days per week with an equivalent time requirement for related project assignments. Class meetings will be scheduled at 4:15-6:15 p.m. and/or 6:30-8:30 p.m. This will comprise a total of twelve hours of class time and twelve hours of project work per week, over five weeks. The assigned project activities can be flexibly scheduled, but they must lead to a prearranged work product and will be recorded in the project log.
Projects will be provided along with the recommended reading list on the first night of classes.
Q: When are the specific courses scheduled?
A: See the listings for the four “strands” above, under “Program Requirements.”
Q: How will I be expected to pay for the 36 credits?
A: Tuition will be paid in four 9-credit payments for each of the four semesters enrolled. Students will register through the Office of Graduate Studies and will be billed by the Office of Student Accounts. All tuition accounts must be settled two weeks prior to the start of each semester. Students with financial holds will not be permitted to begin classes. A customized student loan opportunity can be obtained through the Office of Financial Aid.
Q: Is there a thesis for this Master's?
A: No, the problem-based learning externship will engage you in a major project that will serve as a capstone experience in lieu of a thesis.
Q: How will the location of these off-campus courses be determined?
A: The program requires a cohort of at least 8 students to be viable. If a school district or diocese can identify 8 candidates, we will locate a site within its boundaries. If students enroll from a range of school locations, a site will be selected for classes that is geographically central to most schools.
Q: How will I find time to “shadow” an administrator-mentor? Will I have to quit my job?
A: The “shadowing” will take place during the school year. It will have to occur, before and after school, during lunch-time, and during preparation periods. You will have to make time to experience as many of the responsibilities of a school leader as possible. A schedule of these activities will have to be developed with the administrator-mentor. It may include activities as mundane as bus and lunch duty, or as significant as pre-observation teacher conferences. Your colleagues will know that you are serving as an administrative intern in your school. The College liaison will direct students as to log requirements for the "shadowing" process. The liaison will meet with all administrator-mentors at least twice per semester, and once during each summer session.
Q: How will I arrange to ensure that my district enables me to participate in these activities?
A: This is the reason we insist on the signature of your superintendent of schools. Without the support of the chief school officer, this process to increase the pool of candidates for school principal positions in your school district or diocese will not succeed. The superintendent’s letter must express recognition of your responsibilities and a willingness to provide that cooperation.
Any other questions? Feel free to email additional questions to or contact the Graduate Studies office (973)618-3408 or .