Frequently Asked Questions
Master of Arts (M.A.) FAQs
Program Description for Applicants
The MA in Curriculum & Teaching (MA-CURR) is a flexible 32-credit program designed to engage educators at all levels in critical questions about knowledge, pedagogy, and society. The program is designed for early and mid-career educators with a range of experience levels in formal and informal learning contexts. Many applicants have worked in schools as teachers, administrators, coaches, tutors, and curriculum designers. Educators from museums, community-based organizations, professional workplaces, and other places of learning also find the program to be a good fit. We welcome students who are just getting started in the field, as well as seasoned professionals who wish to deepen their knowledge, skill, and vision as teachers, educational leaders, and developers of curriculum.
The MA in Curriculum and Teaching (MA-CURR) does not lead to teaching certification.
The Department of Curriculum and Teaching offers MA programs leading to initial elementary teacher certification and elementary and secondary professional certification in New York State. Learn more here:
- Initial Teacher Certification www.tc.columbia.edu/curriculum-and-teaching/elementary-inclusive-education/
- Professional Certification www.tc.columbia.edu/curriculum-and-teaching/curriculum-and-teaching-professional-certification/.
For advice on New York State licensure requirements, interstate reciprocity, alternative routes to certification, and related matters, please consult the Office of Teacher Education (OTE): www.tc.columbia.edu/office-of-teacher-education/
No credits may be transferred into this MA program.
Students with a prior masters degree and requisite experience may consider applying to the Master of Education (EdM) program: www.tc.columbia.edu/curriculum-and-teaching/curriculum-and-teaching/degrees--requirements/curriculum-and-teaching-edm/
Program Structure and Requirements
A 50-hour fieldwork requirement, also known as the practicum, provides structured observation to support your development as an educator. The practicum fieldwork is completed in the one-credit course called, C&T 4200 Fieldwork in Curriculum & Teaching, which students take in the fall and spring semester of their first year in the program. The fieldwork is also tied to the independent Master’s Action Research Project.
Host classrooms are arranged for students or students may choose their own placement. At the start of the course, C&T 4200 Fieldwork in Curriculum & Teaching, a Placement Coordinator will send you a survey to help identify an appropriate classroom to satisfy your certification needs.
If students are currently teaching, it is possible to use their own classroom to complete the fieldwork needed for the practicum.
As a culminating activity in the program, students design and conduct a disciplined and substantial inquiry into an issue, problem, and question of particular interest that emerges from fieldwork, classroom practice, and courses. The project may take multiple forms, such as teacher inquiry, curriculum analysis and design, an arts-based creation, or an academic paper synthesizing and critiquing prior research. The project is initiated in the course, C&T 4502: Master’s Project Seminar, with an instructor who assists you in designing a study and completing a research proposal in the fall. The research is completed independently in the spring term.
While it is possible to complete all 50 hours of fieldwork in the fall semester, students have until the end of the spring semester to complete fieldwork. Time commitments for the master’s project vary depending on the nature of the project. Generally students average 5 hours a week on fieldwork and independent project planning from October through mid-April.
Academic Planning and Enrollment
Students typically take 16-24 months to complete the degree and have a maximum of 5 years. Students may apply for a leave of absence if extensions are needed, but must adhere to a college requirement that at least 16 credits be completed in the 5 years prior to graduation.
Yes. Program requirements include required core courses and electives in and out of the department. New students are assigned an advisor and receive a program guide with comprehensive information for planning a course of study. New students are required to consult with their advisors before registering for their first courses.
Nine points is considered a full-time load in each fall, spring, or summer semester. The summer semester consists of two sessions (A and B) so nine points may be taken across both sessions to be considered full-time. With approval from your advisor, you can take up to 12 points each academic semester.
This is permitted during your first semester if you are an international student and need support to adjust to studying in a new context; and during your final semester if all you have left to complete is your master’s project and/or one or two courses. In either situation, your advisor can sign a “certificate of equivalency” (COE) form indicating that the college considers you a full-time student.
It is advisable to only take one or two courses per semester while working full-time.
Students must be enrolled at least half-time to qualify for federal student loans. Half-time status is considered 5-8 points. Additionally, there are some scholarship and grant programs that require full-time status so students should check with the Financial Aid Office for details about their specific package.
Admitted students are expected to begin the program in the fall semester immediately following their acceptance. Deferrals to the spring or summer may be requested by contacting the Admissions Office.
Students must be enrolled at least half-time to qualify for federal student loans. Half-time status is considered 5-8 points. Additionally, there are some scholarship and grant programs that require full-time status so students should check with the Financial Aid Office for details about their specific package.
Admitted students are expected to begin the program in the fall semester immediately following their acceptance. Deferrals to the spring or summer may be requested by contacting the Admissions Office.
Admitted students may contact the Admissions Office to request an early start. However, keep in mind that financial aid packages do not begin until the fall semester. This means that scholarships and federal loans may not be used for summer courses taken before the official start of your program.
Information about current tuition and fees can be found here: www.tc.columbia.edu/admissions/tuition-and-fees/
Prospective students may find it helpful to start at the Teachers College Admissions website: www.tc.columbia.edu/admissions/
For information on scholarships and financial aid, please consult the Teachers College financial aid website: www.tc.columbia.edu/admissions/financial-aid/ When an applicant creates an admissions account, they will have full access to financial aid information and guidelines.
This link takes you to the schedule of classes organized by semester: www.tc.columbia.edu/academics/courses/
Selected courses are also described in the Academic Catalog: www.tc.columbia.edu/curriculum-and-teaching/curriculum-and-teaching/courses/
Additional information about Teachers College campus events, living in New York City, orientation sessions, and other materials for prospective students is available at:
Office of Admissions: www.tc.columbia.edu/admissions/
Office of Residential Services: www.tc.columbia.edu/housing/
TC News and Events: www.tc.columbia.edu/newsroom/
Admissions and Application
Applications are submitted online. Step-by-step directions are available at: www.tc.columbia.edu/apply.
The requirements for admission to the MA Program include:
- Experience working as a teacher or directly with learners in an educational context and demonstrated interest in a career focused on teaching, teacher development, curriculum design, and/or education-related fields.
- The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or an equivalent national assessment is optional, but not required.
- TOEFL scores are required for international students for whom English is a second language.
It is Teachers College policy to assess applicants from a holistic perspective in which no single test score is considered to be a determinant in admissions decisions. The admissions committee will consider grade point average, letters of recommendation, your personal essay, and your teaching-related experiences.
You may email questions to the Program Manager, Dorsa Fahami dif2121@tc.columbia.edu or to the Program Director.
Master of Education (EdM) Program FAQs
Program Description for Applicants
The Master of Education (EdM) in Curriculum & Teaching (ME-CURR) is a flexible 60-credit advanced master’s degree (between an MA and EdD degree) for experienced educators who wish to advance in their careers and develop a capacity for leadership in curriculum and pedagogy. Applicants have excelled as classroom teachers, administrators, coaches, mentors, curriculum design specialists, and professional development facilitators across a range of educational settings. Students typically enter the program with a prior master’s degree and a minimum of two years of teaching experience, or the equivalent. Graduates of the program are prepared to take their deepened knowledge and skills to serve as educational leaders in the field.
The applicable experience depends on your prior career accomplishments and future career goals. For example, if you have been working in children's television and want to continue that work and gain experience in curriculum design, then two years in children's television would be the applicable experience. Or, if you have been working in a youth organization or in a research or policy organization, then two years of experience in similar organizations would be sufficient. Combined experience across multiple fields (ex. one year of teaching and one year in an education organization) would also be considered applicable experience. It does not matter how many years of work experience you have in another career; applicants still need to demonstrate at least two years of teaching experience or the equivalent in education related fields.
If you lack prior experience in education related fields, consider applying to the Master of Arts in Curriculum & Teaching program. Our MA in Curriculum & Teaching offers a flexible master’s program designed for early and mid-career educators with a range of experience levels in formal and informal learning contexts. Learn more here: www.tc.columbia.edu/curriculum-and-teaching/curriculum-and-teaching/degrees--requirements/curriculum-and-teaching-ma/
The EdM in Curriculum and Teaching does not lead to certification as a teacher or school administrator.
The Department of Curriculum and Teaching offers MA programs leading to initial elementary teacher certification and elementary and secondary professional certification in New York State. Learn more here:
- Initial Teacher Certification www.tc.columbia.edu/curriculum-and-teaching/elementary-inclusive-education/
- Professional Certification www.tc.columbia.edu/curriculum-and-teaching/curriculum-and-teaching-professional-certification/.
For advice on New York State licensure requirements, interstate reciprocity, alternative routes to certification, and related matters, please consult the Office of Teacher Education (OTE): www.tc.columbia.edu/office-of-teacher-education/
Up to 30 credits from a recent masters degree may be transferred to the 60 credit program. Once admitted to the Ed.M program, you may apply to have your graduate transcripts reviewed by the Registrar’s Office for eligible transfer credits. Your advisor will then approve the courses permitted by the program, not to exceed 30 transfer credits. This assessment is completed during your first semester of enrollment.
If your prior masters degree is from Teachers College, all of your credits will transfer to the Ed.M program, with the exception of credits earned for student teaching, fieldwork and practicum courses, and internships.
Find more information about applying for a transfer credits review here: www.tc.columbia.edu/transfercredit/
Program Structure and Requirements
The following core courses are required:
- C&T 4002 Curriculum Theory & History (3 credits)
- C&T 4005 Principles of Teaching and Learning (3 credits)
- C&T 4052 Designing Curriculum and Instruction (3 credits)
- C&T 5500 EdM Integrative Project Seminar (1 credit)
An additional 6 points must be taken within the C&T department. These elective courses should address the social context of educational issues to provide a foundation for critical analysis.
An additional 6 points must be taken outside of the C&T department to meet the Teachers College breadth requirement. These electives, as well as remaining course selections, will be made in consultation with your faculty advisor.
The program is extremely flexible and allows for study in the wide array of courses offered at Teachers College.
There is no fieldwork requirement for the EdM degree since most applicants have significant experience in the field and no certification is offered.
If you wish to gain experience observing teaching and learning in NYC schools, consider applying to the Master of Arts in Curriculum & Teaching program, which requires a 50-hour fieldwork placement. Learn more here: www.tc.columbia.edu/curriculum-and-teaching/curriculum-and-teaching/degrees--requirements/curriculum-and-teaching-ma/
The EdM is an umbrella degree that allows for specialization in any of the Department of Curriculum & Teaching programs. Applicants cannot indicate a specific programmatic focus on the EdM application. However, the program is intentionally flexible to allow students to take courses to address their interests and specializations. Once admitted, you will be assigned an advisor to support your course selection.
The integrative project is the culminating requirement of the EdM program. The individually designed project will integrate each student’s learning experiences and expand their knowledge and practice of leadership. The project may take a number of forms, including an article for publication, curriculum analysis and design for an authentic audience, an arts-based creation, such as a podcast or educational app, or action research to create impact or build knowledge that will support one’s own teaching, context, or professional development.
Here are selected titles from previous EdM integrative projects:
- A Proposal for Service-Learning at a Rural School in India
- Complicating Nonformal “Girls Only!” Educational Programs
- The Privilege of Play: The Role of Play in Early Childhood Education
- Developing Students’ Historical Thinking Through Primary Source Analysis and Argumentation: A Curriculum Design and Analysis Project
- Learning Literacy and Empathy Through Virtual Reality
- Uncovering the Purpose(s) of Professional Development: Teacher Learning Driven by Student Outcomes
- New York State Civic Readiness Initiative: A New Approach to Civics
- Where My Girls At: Black Girls and Music Education
- Becoming Nabi: A Digital Multimodal Field Journal
- Building Persistence: Trauma, Agency, and Adult Education
Students begin the project by taking the course, C&T 5500: EdM Project Seminar, usually in the fall semester of the first or second year of the program, depending on each student’s individual timeline for program completion. After the start of the seminar, students have 2 years to complete the integrative project.
The seminar instructor guides students’ design and completion of their independent project. The final project is evaluated by two readers: the seminar instructor and one other faculty member in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching.
Students who have completed a Master of Arts program in the Department of Curriculum & Teaching also design and write a master’s action research or integrative project as a requirement for that degree. However, the EdM Project is not a duplication of the MA requirement and allows for more extensive independent reading and research to support work that might be shared more broadly in the field.
Academic Planning and Enrollment
Students typically take 2 years to complete the degree and have a maximum of 5 years. Students may apply for a leave of absence if extensions are needed; however, there is a college requirement that at least 16 credits must be completed in the 5 years prior to graduation.
New students are assigned an advisor and are required to consult with them to plan a course of study before registering for their first courses. Since the program is flexible and students study at their own pace, we suggest starting with the required core courses to build foundational knowledge about curriculum history, theory, and analysis to bring to subsequent courses.
Yes, many EdM students complete the degree part-time while continuing to work full-time.
It is advisable to only take one or two courses per semester while working full-time.
Nine points is considered a full-time load in each fall, spring, or summer semester. The summer semester consists of two sessions (A and B) so nine points may be taken across both sessions to be considered full-time. With approval from your advisor, you can take up to 12 points each academic semester.
This is permitted during your first semester if you are an international student and need support to adjust to studying in a new context; and during your final semester if all you have left to complete is your integrative project and/or one or two courses. In either situation, your advisor can sign a “certificate of equivalency” (COE) form indicating that the college considers you a full-time student.
Students must be enrolled at least half-time to qualify for federal student loans. Half-time status is considered 5-8 points. Additionally, there are some scholarship and grant programs that require full-time status so students should check with the Financial Aid Office for details about their specific package.
Admitted students are expected to begin the program in the fall semester immediately following their acceptance. Deferrals to the spring or summer may be requested by contacting the Admissions Office.
Admitted students may contact the Admissions Office to request an early start. However, keep in mind that financial aid packages do not begin until the fall semester. This means that scholarships and federal loans may not be used for summer courses taken before the official start of your program.
Information about current tuition and fees can be found here: www.tc.columbia.edu/admissions/tuition-and-fees/
Prospective students may find it helpful to start at the Teachers College Admissions website: www.tc.columbia.edu/admissions/
For information on scholarships and financial aid, please consult the Teachers College financial aid website: www.tc.columbia.edu/admissions/financial-aid/ When an applicant creates an admissions account, they will have full access to financial aid information and guidelines.
This link takes you to the schedule of classes organized by semester: www.tc.columbia.edu/academics/courses/
Selected courses are also described in the Academic Catalog: www.tc.columbia.edu/curriculum-and-teaching/curriculum-and-teaching/courses/
Additional information about Teachers College campus events, living in New York City, orientation sessions, and other materials for prospective students is available at:
Office of Admissions: www.tc.columbia.edu/admissions/
Office of Residential Services: www.tc.columbia.edu/housing/
TC News and Events: www.tc.columbia.edu/newsroom/
Admissions and Application
Applications are submitted online. Step-by-step directions are available at: www.tc.columbia.edu/apply
The minimal requirements for admission to the EdM Program include:
- Two years of full-time teaching experience or the equivalent. See the section above on Program Description for Applicants for further explanation of “equivalent” teaching experience.
- Most, but not all students hold an initial masters degree.
If you do not meet the two criteria above, please consider the MA Program in Curriculum & Teaching or the MA Programs in Elementary or Secondary Professional Certification.
Additional requirements include:
- The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or an equivalent national assessment is optional, but not required.
- TOEFL scores are required for international students for whom English is a second language.
It is Teachers College policy to assess applicants from a holistic perspective in which no single test score is considered to be determinant in admissions decisions. The admissions committee will consider grade point average, letters of recommendation, your personal essay, and your teaching-related experiences.
You may email questions to the Program Manager, Dorsa Fahami dif2121@tc.columbia.edu or to the Program Director.