Master of Education in Higher & Postsecondary Education
The Master of Education Program develops breadth of understanding of higher and postsecondary education, though emphasizing particular domains of study and practice, among them, academic learning and development, organizational and institutional processes, and social/cultural and civic perspectives. Students in the Ed.M. Program typically use these offerings to elaborate and deepen their experience-based knowledge and intellectual interests in policymaking, curriculum development, student development, etc. Ed.M. students conclude their programs of study by writing an Integrative Paper focused on a particular topic of professional and personal interest and drawing on the knowledge resources availed by the three curricular domains.
Admission Information
Displaying requirements for the Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 terms.
Master of Education
- Points/Credits: 60
- Entry Terms: Fall
- Enrollment Formats: Full-Time Campus-Based, Part-Time Campus-Based
Application Deadlines
| Entry Term Available | Priority Deadlines | Final Deadlines | Extended Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Summer | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Fall | January 15, 2025 | April 1, 2025 | N/A |
Select programs remain open beyond our standard application deadlines, such as those with an extended deadline or those that are rolling (open until June or July). If your program is rolling or has an extended deadline indicated above, applications are reviewed as they are received and on a space-available basis. We recommend you complete your application as soon as possible as these programs can close earlier if full capacity has been met.
Application Requirements
| Requirement | |
|---|---|
| Online Degree Application, including Statement of Purpose and Resume | |
| Transcripts and/or Course-by-Course Evaluations for all Undergraduate/Graduate Coursework Completed | |
| Results from an accepted English Proficiency Exam (if applicable) | |
| $75 Application Fee | |
| Three (3) Letters of Recommendation | |
| Academic Writing Sample | |
| At least two (2) letters of recommendation should be academic |
For admission-related inquiries, please contact ORLadmission@tc.columbia.edu.
Statement of Purpose
- For more information on our application process and guidelines for the statement of purpose, please visit the Admissions website.
Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2024-2025)
Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 terms.
The Ed.M. degree program requires a minimum of 60 points and an integrative paper prepared as a culminating project.
Core courses (36 points):
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ORL 5521 Introduction to research methods in education (3) or equivalent with advisor approval
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ORLH 4010 Purposes and policies of higher education (3)
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ORLH 4011 Curriculum and instruction in higher education (3)
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ORLH 4020 College and university organization and administration (3)
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ORLH 4031 Financial administration of higher education institutions (3)
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ORLH 5011 College teaching and learning (3)
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ORLH 5044 Theories of diversity in higher education (3)
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ORLH 5526 Advanced professional seminar: The literature of higher education (3)
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ORLH 5527 Advanced professional seminar: The college professoriate (3)
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ORLH 5545 Advanced professional seminar: The civic mission of higher education (3)
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ORLH 6511 Coordinating seminar in higher education (3)
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ORLH 6900 Research and independent study in higher education or equivalent with advisor approval (3). (The integrative paper is prepared in this course.)
Remaining eight courses (24 points):
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Five courses within the HPSE Program, with the purpose of developing a concentration in one of the curricular domains (Academic and Developmental Analysis, Organizational and Institutional Analysis, or Social/Cultural and Civic Analysis). To substitute an out-of-program course requires advance approval from the HPSE faculty advisor.
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Three courses outside the Program, with at least two of these outside the Department of Organization and Leadership. All extra-Program courses should relate conceptually, substantively, and/or methodologically to the student's concentration and area of interest. All out-of-Program electives require advisor approval.
Changes or other adjustments to requirements and distributions, as shown for the Ed.M. in Higher and Postsecondary Education, require approval of the HPSE faculty advisor. The above plan assumes advisor approval for all courses of enrollment.
A limited number of internships may be available to Ed.M. students pending advisor consultation and approval of the Program Director. For information, please contact the Program’s Internship Coordinator.