The Communication and Education degree programs relies primarily on social science inquiry to understand, interpret, and shape how information, communication technologies and new media influence culture and education, including areas such as literacy, social justice, youth development, and teacher education.
This program uses a broad range of methods -- including both qualitative and quantitative approaches -- to study the intersections of communication and learning. It asks, in particular, how education and other social systems change under the impact of emerging media. The program encourages students to:
Students graduating from the program in Communication and Education have pursued a wide variety of career paths, in accordance with their goals and interests. Some of these include:
The Communication and Education degree program relies primarily on social science inquiry to understand, interpret, and shape how information, communication technologies and new media influence culture and education, including areas such as literacy, social justice, youth development, and teacher education.
This program uses a broad range of methods -- including both qualitative and quantitative approaches -- to study the intersections of communication and learning. It asks, in particular, how education and other social systems change under the impact of emerging media. The program encourages students to:
Master of Arts (32 points required)
To earn the Master of Arts (M.A.), students must satisfactorily complete 32 points of coursework and an integrative project. In CMLTD programs, the M.A. degree serves two main functions: a mark of entry-level professional qualifications in the fields covered and a grounding for further, more advanced specialization in the field.
Students must take coursework totaling at least 32 points. The following are required:
Core Requirement: (1 point)
MSTU 4000 Core Seminar in Communication, Computing, and Technology (1 point)
Foundational Knowledge: At least three areas must be represented. (9 points)
Cognitive Issues and Technology
MSTU 4133 Cognition and Computers
MSTU 4088 Introduction to Learning Sciences and Educational Technology
Social Issues and Technology
MSTU 4005 Equity, Ethical, and Social Issues in Educational Technology
MSTU 4020 Social and Communicative Aspects of the Internet
Cultural Issues and Technology
MSTU 4028 Technology and Culture
MSTU 5002 Culture, Media, and Education
Educational Practice and Design
MSTU 4001 Technology and School Change
MSTU 4050 Online Schools and Online Schooling K-12
MSTU 4083 Instructional Design of Educational Technology
Breadth Requirement: (6 points)
All students (at both master’s and doctoral levels) must complete 6 points at Teachers College outside of the Communication, Media and Learning Technologies Design Program (that is, courses with a prefix other than MSTU).
Additional Requirements: for M.A. students in Communication and Education (TECM)
MSTU 4016 The History of Communication
13 points additional MSTU courses
Other courses chosen in consultation with an advisor
Integrative M.A. Project
Candidates for the M.A. degree are expected to culminate their work with an integrative project. Projects vary but share the common following features:
Empirically based and grounded in the research literature
Address a problem or phenomenon of the student's interest and area of study
Provide a solution to the problem Some examples include:
Design of new learning technologies and media-driven experiences
Development of new models, curriculum, and/or lessons integrating technology
A thesis or case study analysis of a trend in the field of learning technology
Specifics of the integrative project are determined through discussions with the students' advisors. In addition, because experientially-grounded learning is invaluable preparation for professional practice, students are strongly advised to take fieldwork or internships as an integral part of their master’s program.
For students completing only the M.A. degree, this project should be related to their career goals and should provide tangible evidence of their skills and strengths.