Social-Org Psych

The Social-Organizational Psychology program allows students at all stages of their careers to choose the track that best suits them. 

Students with 1-8 years of experience pursue the M.A. degree, where they learn how to think critically about issues facing organizations in today’s world and how to develop and implement solutions that work. We offer part-time and full-time tracks, including in-person and online courses, along with plentiful advising, in order to help all our students tailor the program to meet their needs.

Those with 8+ years of work experience have the opportunity to study in the Executive Master’s Program in Change Leadership (XMA). Here, they will increase their capacity for leading organization change efforts.  Our XMA program is designed for professionals around the world who want to earn their master’s degree while working full-time and who do not want to interrupt their careers. The layered curriculum includes four modules, each one week in length, across in-person and online modalities, with guided independent study/action research in between. Each XMA cohort is made up of a highly selective group of professionals, creating a safe space to tackle real-world challenges and create a network of strategic relationships inside and outside the classroom

Students learn from professors who conduct cutting-edge research and actively engage in coaching and consulting in organizations, bringing evidence-based strategies to address workplace challenges. Our curriculum emphasizes the study of essential areas of theory and research along with their practical application to organizational settings across a wide variety of industries and geographies. 

What You Will Learn:

• Systems Thinking: The ability to understand the interconnected forces shaping organizational behavior, rather than simply treating symptoms.
• Action-Oriented Research: Skills to rapidly assess problems, collect meaningful data, and translate findings into scalable solutions.
• Practical Impact: Hands-on expertise in areas like organizational development (OD), change management, leadership coaching, and talent strategy.

Students in our M.A. program take at least two practice-based courses to complete the program and are strongly encouraged to take additional electives to build their applied skills. All students in our XMA program conduct an Applied Change Project, where students take the skills and theories they have developed in the program and apply them either to their own organization or with a client organization. 

Whether you are early in your career and exploring the MA or a seasoned professional considering the XMA, the Social-Organizational Psychology program provides the knowledge, practical tools, and developmental experiences to help you advance to the next stage of your career. Our curriculum blends cutting-edge theory with real-world application, equipping students to drive change, develop strong organizational cultures, and lead with purpose.

Graduates of both the MA and XMA programs go on to impactful roles across Fortune 500 companies, global consulting firms, startups, nonprofits, and educational institutions. MA graduates enter positions in organizational development, talent management, leadership development, and change management, prepared to apply their knowledge from day one. XMA graduates deepen their leadership capability and broaden their strategic impact, advancing as senior executives in multinational organizations, leading complex people operations, and overseeing large-scale organizational initiatives. Many establish their own consultancies or accelerate their entrepreneurial endeavors while continuing to receive personalized faculty guidance as they navigate evolving challenges.

With coursework online and on campus, you will have access to the vast resources and opportunities that come with Teachers College. Our alumni network spans more than 100,000 worldwide and, together with Columbia University, we boast one of the world’s most impressive library and scholarly electronic resource collections, along with offering colloquia and debates with some of the foremost academic minds in the world.