Master of Education in Adult Learning and Leadership
Lifelong learning for adults is an increasingly important educational specialization in the 21st century. Rapid changes are transforming society and making it critical for adults to continue to learn across the lifespan. Much of that learning takes place in classrooms, but a lot of learning also occurs informally through interaction in groups, communities, organizations, and social networks.
The Adult Learning & Leadership program, at the Ed.M. level, prepares professionals who have experience in designing and delivering adult learning and development in and outside the classroom, and who wish to build their capabilities as leaders of such learning. The intellectual framework of the program examines the relationship of adult learning to organizational, management and leadership issues. The program prepares students to oversee and manage adult learning programs and interventions, with a focus on strategic learning and whole system change. Students can deepen their capabilities as facilitators of learning and in helping organizations, communities, or other institutions to support learning for individuals and for the organizations or other social units that benefit from the lifelong learning of its members.
With advisor approval, up to 30 graduate credits from an accredited graduate program/institution with a grade of B or better can be transferred from outside of TC, and that some credits taken at TC in other programs can also be applied (no need to transfer) -- within College guidelines and if they can satisfy program plan requirements.
Admission Information
Displaying requirements for the Spring 2026, Summer 2026, and Fall 2026 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, 2026 | April 1, 2026 | 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) | |
| Adult Learning Topic Essay (included in supplemental application) |
For admission-related inquiries, please contact ORLadmission@tc.columbia.edu.
Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2025-2026)
Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2025, Spring 2026 and Summer 2026 terms.
The Adult Learning & Leadership degree program, at the Ed.M. level, appeals to professionals who hold a masters degree in a substantive area, and who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills in supporting adult growth in organizations and helping adults learn. Students build on prior knowledge to advance their capabilities and conduct research in their areas of interest. The intellectual framework of the program examines the relationship of adult learning to organizational, management and leadership issues with a focus on strategic learning and whole system change. Students can deepen their capabilities as facilitators of learning and in helping organizations, communities, or other institutions to support learning for individuals and for the organizations or other social units that benefit from the lifelong learning of its members.
Coursework is primarily in person but some courses can and should be taken in hybrid and online formats given the dominance of digital learning in work and life today.
The Ed.M. degree program in Adult Learning and Leadership is structured around a sequence of core courses, research requirements and electives. A culminating project with a research component is required. In addition to three required foundations courses, students may choose among recommended courses to take related to adult learning theory and applications, as well as to leadership and organization. Research courses and breadth courses outside of the program are required to support a culminating project with a focus on a problem of practice.
Required Coursework
Foundations (9 points required)
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ORLD 4050 Introduction to adult and continuing education (3)
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ORLD 4053 Facilitating adult learning (3)
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ORLD 5057 Adult learning & education: Theory & practice (3)
Adult Development (3 points required–choose from the following)
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ORLD 4051 How adults learn (3)
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ORLD 5070 Leadership for adult development (3)
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ORLD 4827 Fostering transformative learning (2-3)
Adult Learning Theory and Applications (up to 18 points–choose from the following)
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ORLD 4828 Imagination, authenticity, and individuation in transformative learning (2-3)
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ORLD 5053 Developing and managing adult learning programs (3)
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ORLD 5062 Global and strategic human resource development in organizations (3)
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ORLD 5060 Learning and technology in organizations (3)
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ORLD 5055 Staff development and training (3)
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ORLD 5063 Online teaching and learning: Applying adult learning principles
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ORLD 4060 Coaching from an adult learning perspective (3)
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ORLD 5073 Action learning design and coaching (3)
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ORLD 5061 The learning organization (3)
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ORLD 4815 Developing critical thinkers (1)
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ORLD 4844 Helping adults learn (1)
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ORLD 4850 Discussion as a way of teaching (1)
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ORLD 4855 Learning as a way of leading (1)
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ORLD 4860 Teaching race in predominantly white organizations (1)
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ORLD 5815 Critical theory and adult learning (1)
Leadership and Organization (up to 15 points–choose from the following)
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ORLD 5821 Leveraging emotional intelligence (EQ) to enhance organizational effectiveness (3)
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ORLD 5822 Building productive relationships with social intelligence (SQ) (3)
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ORLD 5823 Building 21st century organizational capability with cultural intelligence (CQ) (3)
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ORLD 4027 Education and social transformation: Elites and inequalities in transitional economies
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ORLD 4065 Leading change in a democratic society (3)
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ORLD 5540 Social entrepreneurship & leadership
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ORLD 4091 Somatics: Mind/body approach to leadership development (3)
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ORLD 4085 Management & leadership skills in practice (3)
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ORLD 6054 Learning to think strategically (3)
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ORLD 5023 Leadership and self-development (3)
Research (6 points required–choose from the following)
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ORL 5521 Introduction to research (3)
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HUDM 4120 Basic concepts in statistics (3)
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HUDM 4122 Probability and statistical inference (3)
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ORLD 5550 Research on organizational learning (3)
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ORL 6500 Qualitative research: Design and data collection (3)
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ORL 6501 Qualitative research: Data analysis (3)
Electives (6 Req points)
Electives are tailored to the student’s career goals and may be taken in the Department or elsewhere in Teachers College or Columbia University. Electives may include (up to 30) transfer courses. Students are required to take a minimum of 6 points total at Teachers College outside of our immediate Program area to satisfy the Teachers College breadth requirement.
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ORLJ 4005 Organizational psychology (3)
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ORLJ 5045 Organizational dynamics/theory (3)
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MSTU 4039 Video games & education (3)
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MSTU 4083 Instructional design of educational technology (3)
Final Project
Ed.M. Culminating Project
Required
Research-based
Guidelines for the Ed.M. Culminating Project are available in the Program of Study Advisement Guides (as PDF files) located on the Adult Learning and Leadership Program website.
Students should meet with their advisor the semester before they plan on graduating to review the guidelines.
Please see the most recent Program of Study Advisement Guide (located on the Adult Learning and Leadership program website as a PDF file) for actual core sequence requirements.