Online Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS)

Convenient, Flexible Continuing Education for Teachers and Administrators

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Why Choose NEC for Your
Master’s Degree in Education?

Designed for Working Educators:

NEC’s online program offers busy working educators like you access to the professional development they need in a convenient format that blends synchronous (live) and asynchronous learning experiences.

Reach Today’s Students:

Our courses teach relevant knowledge and skills for today’s technologically driven classrooms—and diverse student populations. Build on your knowledge and grow as a teacher, leader, and colleague.

Faculty with Real-World Experience:

The instructors for our online CAGS program all bring years of experience teaching and leading in K-12 settings to your classes—experience that you can benefit from as you develop your skills.

InTASC-Aligned Curriculum:

Our program is built to meet Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) standards, covering 10 key areas of competence and knowledge.

Personalize Your Program:

Complete coursework that reflects the kind of educator you want to be with a choice of 11 concentration options—or develop your own in consultation with our program director. We also offer two licensure prep options for aspiring principals and superintendents.

Program Overview

Earn a professional development certificate that can advance your knowledge, skills, and career opportunities as an educator. Gain insight into how data analytics can inform your instruction, explore the latest understanding of brain development and how that connects to student learning, and boost your confidence in your ability to help all students achieve—all in an online format that respects your
busy schedule.

What You Will Learn

As a graduate of NEC’s program, you will be able to demonstrate competence in the following InTASC standards:

The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.

The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.

The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

– The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.
The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.
Standard #1: Learner Development
The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
Standard #2: Learning Differences
The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
Standard #3: Learning Environments
The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
Standard #4: Content Knowledge
The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
Standard #5: Application of Content
The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
Standard #6: Assessment
The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.
Standard #7: Planning for Instruction
The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
Standard #8: Instructional Strategies
The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
Standard #9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice
The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
Standard #10: Leadership and Collaboration
The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

Concentration Options

As an NEC CAGS student, you can declare a concentration in one of five areas or choose to pursue licensure as a principal or superintendent. 

Concentration areas include:
Licensure areas include:
Please note:
Please note that the School Principal and School Superintendent licensure programs require you to complete a greater number of courses than the concentration options.

Courses and Curriculum

To complete the online CAGS, you will take 20 credits in the program core plus 12 credits of electives in your concentration area (32 credits total). If you choose the School Principal licensure prep program, you will take a total of 40-46 credits depending on the state in which you plan to work. If you pursue the School Superintendent licensure program, you will complete
a total of 46 credits.
CAGS Core Courses:
ED 5820 - Progressive Trends in Education
ED 6415 - Leading Systems Change and School Reform
ED 7003 - Educational Leadership and Critical Issues
ED 7004 - School Law: ME, NH, and Federal
ED 6550 - Research and Data-Based Decision-Making
ED 7950 - Capstone Leadership Project

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Clicking the button above constitutes your express written consent to be called, texted, and/or emailed by New England College at the number/email address you provided, regarding furthering your education. You understand that these calls may be generated using automated technology.

By clicking "Learn More" you agree to the disclosure.
Clicking the button above constitutes your express written consent to be called, texted, and/or emailed by New England College at the number/email address you provided, regarding furthering your education. You understand that these calls may be generated using automated technology.

Take the Next Step on Your Career Path

Contact New England College today to learn more about our online Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies program!

Transferring made easy!Learn more about our generous credit transfer policy!

Before you leave, fill out the form below and we’ll send you information about transferring to NEC!

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Clicking the button above constitutes your express written consent to be called, texted, and/or emailed by New England College at the number/email address you provided, regarding furthering your education. You understand that these calls may be generated using automated technology.

By clicking "Learn More" you agree to the disclosure.
Clicking the button above constitutes your express written consent to be called, texted, and/or emailed by New England College at the number/email address you provided, regarding furthering your education. You understand that these calls may be generated using automated technology.