Master of Arts
A flexible degree that allows students to pursue their own interests, conduct research, and develop special projects in the field of art education. Designed for current and prospective museum and community educators, teaching artists, school-based art teachers, and others who wish to strengthen their theoretical background. Does not lead to Initial Art Teacher’s Certification (PK-12). Two years minimum.
Please visit our FAQ to learn more about the difference between degrees and other pertinent program information.
Optional Concentrations
(for M.A., Ed.M., Ed.D., and Ed.D.C.T. students—not available for M.A. Initial Certification students)
Students may choose to take a Museum Education area of focus as part of their degree. This area of focus explores the art museum as a civic and educational institution, examines the role of museum education departments, and introduces students to innovative museum education programs and pedagogical practices.
Students who seek to sharpen their expertise designing pedagogically sound, imaginative studio art learning opportunities may complete the Art Pedagogy area of focus. This concentration equips students to teach people of different ages in different learning contexts—schools, museums, community centers, and beyond. It combines courses in the artistic development of children and adolescents, curriculum development, studio-based practice with applications for teaching, cultural diversity in art education, and special education, along with an optional art teaching internship.
Students may choose to take the Creative Technologies area of focus as part of their degree. This area of focus explores and strengthens the relationship between art, technology, and education. The goal is to prepare artists and art teachers to be leaders in educational ecologies that interweave digital tools and creative materials in multi- and cross-disciplinary, collaborative, and playful pedagogies.
If your aim is to be an art educator in community settings, you may take the Community Arts area of focus as part of their degree. Students in this concentration take the courses below, along with other pertinent courses identified with advisement.
- Shaping Priorities: The Arts and Community Engagement
- Community Arts Pilot Project
- Designing for Social Impact: Community-Based Art Education Initiatives
Open to MA and EdM students. Not suitable for MA Init, Studio Practice MA (Hybrid), Ed.D., or Ed.D.C.T students.
An academically demanding specialization for students who are particularly interested in conducting rigorous, high-level scholarly research in art education. Applicants must be comfortable rereading demanding academic texts, have excellent English writing skills, and possess strong analytical abilities.
Specialization courses: Art and Visual Culture (3 credits), Research Methods in Arts and Humanities (3 credits), Proseminar I (3 credits), Proseminar II (3 credits), Advanced Seminar I (3 credits) and Advanced Seminar II (3 credits).
Admission Information
Displaying requirements for the Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 terms.
Master of Arts
- Points/Credits: 34
- Entry Terms: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Enrollment Formats: Full-Time, Part-Time
Application Deadlines
| Entry Term Available | Priority Deadlines | Final Deadlines | Extended Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | November 15, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | N/A |
| Summer | January 15, 2025 | June 1, 2025 | N/A |
| Fall | January 15, 2025 | July 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 | |
| Two (2) Letters of Recommendation | |
| Academic Writing Sample | |
| Supplemental application required (included in online application) | |
| Digitial portfolio required (included in online application) |
For admission-related inquiries, please contact AHadmission@tc.columbia.edu.
Additional Information
- Students pursuing this degree are also eligible to apply for an Advanced Certificate in Creative Technologies.
Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2023-2024)
Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 terms.
Required courses in Art Education:
-
A&HA 4080 - Artistic development of children OR A&HA 4088 - Artistic development: Adolescence-adulthood (2 points)
-
A&H 5001 - Research methods in arts and humanities (3 points)
-
A&HA 5086 - Art in visual culture (2 points)
-
A&HA 5922 - Master’s seminar in art education (2 points)
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A&HA 6510 - Advanced seminar (2 points)
-
Three studio courses (2-3 points each)
Required courses outside the program (6 points minimum): Chosen with advisor approval.
Students in the M.A. program must take six (6) points offered outside the Art and Art Education Program at Teachers College. Any course that does not start with A&HA qualifies as an out-of-program, or breadth, course.
Additional courses within and outside the Program:
To be planned in consultation with the advisor and in support of individual needs and interests.
Students in this M.A. degree program are required to complete an advisor-approved integrative project on a theme or research topic arising from their interests.