John Avella, Ed.D.

Adjunct Faculty,
Department of Leadership and Administration

Dr. John Avella’s career in public education spanned over 30 years in New Jersey public schools. Prior to his retirement in 2010, he served as a teacher, principal, and superintendent of schools. His tenure in higher education began in 2005 and has included teaching at both the master’s level and the doctoral level, as well as serving as a dissertation committee person and a dissertation chair.

Dr. Avella has published his work in both scholarly journals and books with topics including ethical and moral leadership, educational leadership, learning analytics, the flipped classroom, and meditation practices. He is presently co-editor of a symposium publication which addresses ethical leadership.

Dr. Avella’s philosophy of learning is centered on the principles of lifelong learning and achievement. He believes that all may learn successfully and that educators must take an active role in the learning process while serving as teacher, mentor, and coach.

Education

  • Doctorate in Education Leadership
    Nova Southeastern University
  • Master's in Educational Administration
    Georgian Court University
  • Bachelor's in Special Education
    Trenton State College

Research Interests

  • Educational leadership
  • Ethical and moral leadership
  • Special education

Program Affiliations

Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction Doctor of Education

This customizable degree is designed to help you advance your understanding of a wide range of curriculum development and instructional methods that can improve teaching and learning in diverse educational settings.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Instructional Technology Doctor of Education

This customizable degree is designed to help you advance your understanding of methods of instructional technology for a wide range of educational settings. Through a tailored approach to the dissertation process, you can complete the program in as little as three years.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Leadership Doctor of Education

The Doctor of Education in Leadership program is designed to help you advance your leadership and research skills within your chosen discipline, whatever that may be. Through a tailored approach to the dissertation process, you can complete the program in as little as three years.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Nursing Education Doctor of Education

The Doctorate in Nursing Education is for master’s degree nurses who want to help address the growing need for more RNs in today’s ever-expanding healthcare system. The American College of Education Ed.D in Nursing Education program is a fully online curriculum to prepare nurses as educators in either an academic or professional development setting. The program uses a unique interdisciplinary approach to focus on the science of teaching and learning. Students will engage in scholarly research to support their dissertation while developing the competencies to create and evaluate curriculum, develop effective teaching strategies, use innovative technology to promote learning and much more as they prepare to educate the next generation of nurses.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Public Health Education Doctor of Education

The customizable Doctorate in Public Health Education is designed for healthcare educators and professionals who wish to address public health issues through education in local, national and international communities at the post-master’s level.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Second Language Instruction Doctor of Education

The Doctorate of Education in Second Language Instruction is designed for professionals with a master’s degree who wish to advance their second language instruction skills and knowledge at the post-master’s level. Through a tailored approach to the dissertation process, you can complete the program in as little as three years.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction Educational Specialist

The Educational Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction degree is for leaders who wish to advance their skills in curriculum development and instructional methods at the post-master’s level without having to complete a dissertation.

34

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Instructional Technology Educational Specialist

The Educational Specialist in Instructional Technology degree for leaders who want to advance their knowledge in instructional technology at the post-master’s level without needing to complete a dissertation. You will use theoretical foundations and current real-world practices to support the development of relevant technology that meet the needs of diverse learners.

34

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Leadership Educational Specialist

The Educational Specialist in Leadership degree is designed for leaders who wish to pursue advanced training at the post-master’s level without having to complete a dissertation. You will learn advanced leadership skills and competencies that will make you a more effective leader.

34

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Nursing Education Educational Specialist

This program is perfect for nurses who want to advance their knowledge in nursing education beyond a master’s degree without completing a dissertation. It’s also stackable, if you decide after completing the Ed.S. program that you would like to continue and complete an Ed.D. program with a dissertation. This means that you can apply your Ed.S. credits to the Ed.D. in Nursing Education and complete that program in just 37 credits.

34

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Public Health Education Educational Specialist

The Education Specialist in Public Health Education degree is designed for educators and healthcare professionals who wish to address public health issues through education in local, national and international communities at the post-master’s level without having to complete a dissertation.

34

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Second Language Instruction Educational Specialist

The Educational Specialist in Second Language Instruction is for professionals with a master’s degree who wish to advance their second language instruction skills and knowledge at the post-master’s level without having to complete a dissertation. Students will become more effective leaders in the field of Second Language Instruction through in-depth knowledge of research-based theories of language acquisition, assessment and instructional methods, strategies that promote cultural understanding, and current best practices to meet the needs of second language learners across diverse educational settings.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction Master of Education

This program provides PreK-12 educators with a thorough background of current scientific research and pedagogy to help them learn how students learn. It is designed around the “learn, apply, assess” model to maximize gains in student performance.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction for Graduates of the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership Master of Education

16

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Educational Business Administration Master of Education

The Master of Education in Educational Business Administration program was designed for those who want to develop business and leadership skills in an educational setting. Framed by the standards from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO), the program prepares strategic leaders for senior administrative positions in a variety of settings including public, charter, and private schools, as well as community colleges and other educational institutions or learning organizations.

35

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Educational Leadership Master of Education

Designed to help you become a school principal, the Master of Education in Educational Leadership program will teach you to effectively lead, run, and manage a PreK-12 school.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Educational Leadership Florida Licensure Master of Education

The program is aligned with Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) for effective leadership and is designed to create culturally aware and competent administrators.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Elementary Education Master of Education

Specifically designed for elementary teachers who wish to advance their expertise and skills, the Master of Education in Elementary Education degree will build on their current understanding of young students’ learning needs and introduce them to new ways of incorporating technology into the classroom.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership Master of Education

This degree is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to help other teachers reach their full potential. You’ll learn to interpret research on leadership models, teacher evaluation, and motivation, and use it to develop professional learning opportunities that promote continuous improvement

31

Semester Credits

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Texas M.Ed. in Educational Leadership Master of Education

The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership program instructs aspiring school administrators in current scientific research, pedagogy, and instructional technology. Students are empowered to maximize school effectiveness and improve supervision and leadership skills in diverse P-12 school settings. Students will develop the strategies required to lead for learning, including creating a school-wide vision and using data to inform decision-making. The program is aligned with Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) for effective leadership and is designed to create culturally aware and competent administrators.

34

Semester Credits

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Certificate in Advanced Graduate Study Certificate

This program is designed for students wishing to design their own program of study at the post-master’s, advanced level. Students can choose from a variety of courses to study the topics they want to study.

30

Semester Credits

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Certificate in Leadership Certificate

This program is for graduate students who wish to develop their personal and professional leadership skills. This certificate provides leadership skill development that spans all disciplines, including education, nursing and other healthcare roles, administration and business.

18

Semester Credits

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Certificate in Teacher Leadership Certificate

Developed to enhance professional skills, this program provides an opportunity for teachers to learn how to support other teachers through learning how to help them reach their potential in teaching.

18

Semester Credits

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Certificate in Texas Educational Leadership Certificate

This program is offered in Texas only. It is for educators who wish to become an assistant principal or principal and need the Principal as Instructional Leader (EC-12) certification. It will prepare candidates for the Principal as Instructional Leader (EC-12) licensure exam and ensure they are ready for school leadership.

18

Semester Credits

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Micro-Credential in Leadership Micro-Credential

Leadership is more than managing tasks; it involves investing in individuals, pursuing effective policies and procedures to ensure an organization is successful. Enhancing personal and professional abilities and traits, this micro-credential identifies practices of exemplary leadership, asking students to engage in actions leading to change through shared vision, analyzing processes, and enabling others to reach their potential through shared modeling and advocacy. Leaders make a difference as they bring change.

9

Semester Credits

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