Admissions

Information and forms can be found at http://www.tc.columbia.edu/admissions.

For a breakdown of the application process, go to https://www.tc.columbia.edu/admission/how-to-apply/degree-programs/.

The GRE scores are not required for the Adult Learning and Leadership program for any of the degree levels (M.A., Ed.M. and Ed.D.).

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for all applicants who have received their undergraduate degree from an institution where the language of instruction is not English.

For more information about the application process, go to https://www.tc.columbia.edu/admission/how-to-apply/. Additionally, more information about the application process for international students is located at https://www.tc.columbia.edu/admission/how-to-apply/international-applicants/.

The Teachers College Admissions Office typically notifies students who applied by the priority TC deadline at some point around mid-March. Applicants who met the final deadline tend to hear from the TC Admissions Office around early to late May.

Yes. Only completed application files are sent to our office, so the best thing you can do to ensure the quick processing of your file is to make sure that all materials are submitted in a timely manner and to do so long before the application deadline. Additionally, you should be certain that all College application requirements are met. For example, international transcripts need to be evaluated and verified by World Education Services, and international applicants for whom English is a second-language are required by the college to submit TOEFL scores. You should review the Guide to Admission for additional information on these and other requirements, and ensure that your own materials comply.

Degrees within the Adult Learning and Leadership program only accept applicants for fall admission. If you are accepted,  you may defer your admission to the following fall for up to one year only if your request is approved by both the admissions team and Adult Learning and Leadership faculty.

The general deadlines for when to submit an application to study at Teachers College are available at https://www.tc.columbia.edu/admission/how-to-apply/application-deadlines/.

Individual deadlines for each Adult Learning and Leadership Program can be found by clicking "View Requirements" on the program of your choice at https://www.tc.columbia.edu/organization-and-leadership/adult-learning-and-leadership/degrees--requirements/.

The Adult Learning Topic Essay is required for all degree levels as part of the Supplemental Application. More information about this will be disclosed when you begin the Supplemental Application.

The Academic Writing Sample is only required for Ed.M. and Ed.D. applicants.

• The academic writing sample could be a published or unpublished paper that demonstrates clear, logical, conceptual, and analytical thinking, as well as the proper use of citations and references.
• Papers written for graduate courses are good academic writing samples; memos or reports, curriculum materials, and other practical pieces are not.
• If applicants wish, they can meet the academic writing sample by submitting a well-constructed essay of 10-12 double-spaced pages, identifying and discussing a challenge they face in the practice, organization, community, or society in which they work. These challenges may include, among others:
  • Meeting lifelong learning needs of adults in the knowledge era
  • Valuing and working with the diversity of adult learners
  • Crafting effective strategies for learning that take into account leadership, structural, and cultural factors in the groups, communities, or organizations in which adults live or work Using technology to meet diverse adult learning needs
  • Working with populations that have challenges with English as a first or second language
• Your essay should achieve the following:
  • Describe the challenge and the context in which it occurs
  • Discuss your role and that of other relevant stakeholders
  • Discuss the various positions that stakeholders take regarding the challenge and the various options that can be exercised to address the challenge
  • Identify and relate your discussion to selected relevant theories and research to build your argument.
  • Pay attention to factors that underlie your thinking and judgments about this challenge: for example, your beliefs and assumptions or those of others and political, cultural, or other contextual factors.

All academic writing samples must include a bibliography that is properly formatted in APA, Chicago, or MLA style.

Unfortunately, the College does not have a centralized application system that allows each individual office to monitor the status of incoming applications. Should you have a question on where your application is in the process or whether any materials are missing, please contact the Admissions Office directly at admission@tc.columbia.edu.

• Applicants should review their application thoroughly before submitting it to ensure that all requested information has been provided and that any typos and errors have been corrected.
• Applicants should ensure that their applications are complete and submitted by the deadline.
• Applicants should ask individuals, who are familiar with their academic, research, and/or work experience and can provide detailed information, to write letters of recommendation. At least one of these letters should comment on the applicant's scholarly strengths and weaknesses. It would be best if this letter came from an academic advisor or someone with whom the applicant took a course.
• Applicants should clarify their career goals before applying. Consider the rationale behind obtaining a degree in Adult Learning and Leadership how that relates to their career goals.
• Applicants should demonstrate an understanding of the field of Adult Learning and Leadership as well as understand the particular interests of the Program faculty within the larger field.
• Applicants should gain relevant work experience, which can include part-time work or volunteer activities.

Speaking with or meeting with faculty members prior to applying will not promote the chances of acceptance for any applicant. However, we do recommend that you acquaint yourself with the work of the faculty. Faculty members and current students are available to discuss additional questions about the program during the program's annual open house information session(s). Please visit our program website for more information on this year's open house. Once acceptance decisions have been made, accepted applicants might be afforded opportunities to meet with faculty or students to discuss the program.

To speak with a faculty member or current student, email adultll@tc.columbia.edu.

Deferments are rarely granted and are primarily reserved for extenuating circumstances. Requests for deferment are subject to Admission Committee review and should be submitted to admissioncommittee@tc.columbia.edu.

Yes, you will need to submit a WES course-by-course evaluation of all post-secondary credentials (undergraduate and graduate, if applicable) earned outside of the U.S.

We accept both WES evaluations and ECE evaluations.