Eisenhower Leader Development Program (ELDP)
Master of Arts Program for the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York
The Program in Social-Organizational Psychology has developed a lasting relationship with the United States Army, in particular the Military Academy at West Point. The fruits of this relationship include three robust programs: Eisenhower Leader Development Program (ELDP), Benavidez Leader Development Program (BLDP), and the Army Fellows Program.
Whether it is the three-week intensive BLDP program, or the research driven Army Fellows program, students are immersed into an academically rich environment where experience and practice meets theory. Many of the students are seasoned members of the U.S. Army, Coast Guard, or Special Forces, with over 7 years of military experience.
Eisenhower Leader Development Program (ELDP)
Named after the 53rd President of the United States and 13th President of Columbia University, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Eisenhower Leader Development Program (ELDP) offers a slightly modified M.A. for U.S. Army officers. Students are predominantly at the rank of Captain, at the United States Military Academy (USMA), West Point, New York. This M.A. Program is conducted in collaboration with the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership (BS&L) at USMA. Faculty is predominantly from the Teachers College program with some from USMA.
ELDP cohorts of approximately 24 officers complete a program of 45 credits, including a comprehensive examination at the end, in one year. In other words, their full time duty is to be a graduate student. Upon graduation, at least half of the officers will be assigned for two or three years as a Tactical Officer (TAC) in the U.S. Corps of Cadets at USMA, West Point (those not assigned to be a TAC will return to other responsibilities or deployments within the Army). Those who are assigned as a TAC will be acting as the legal Company Commander of a Cadet Company, comprised of about 100 individuals (undergraduate cadets), and will be the primary developer of these cadets at USMA, West Point.
The TAC officer assists each cadet in balancing and integrating the requirements of the physical, military, academic, and moral-ethical programs at USMA. The TAC officer trains and coaches the cadet chain of command to establish and sustain high unit standards and behavior essential to a cohesive company environment. TAC officers inspire cadets to develop effective leadership styles through role-modeling, coaching, teaching, and training. TAC officers also present formal and informal instruction to the company, implement special development programs for individual cadets as needed, and they are responsible for all company administration.
The majority of the courses during the year are taken with other M.A. students at Teachers College, with Teachers College faculty, while a few are cohort-specific and are taught by Teachers College and USMA Faculty at the West Point Campus. Having this relationship with USMA through the Eisenhower Leader Development Program strengthens the Social-Organizational Psychology Program at Teachers College through the increased diversity, perspective, and leadership experience that the ELDP students bring to the program.
Admission Information
Displaying requirements for the Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 terms.
Master of Arts
- Points/Credits: 39
- Entry Terms: Summer
- Enrollment Formats: Full-Time Cohort
Certification
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- West Point Academy
Application Deadlines
| Entry Term Available | Priority Deadlines | Final Deadlines | Extended Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Summer | January 15, 2025 | April 1, 2025 | N/A |
| Fall | N/A | N/A | 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 |
For admission-related inquiries, please contact ORLadmission@tc.columbia.edu.
Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2024-2025)
Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 terms.
The Eisenhower Leader Development Program (ELDP) is a joint partnership with the United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA) and is a modified 39 credit M.A. for officers in the U.S. armed services and its allies.
The majority of the courses during the year are taken with other M.A. students at Teachers College, with Teachers College faculty, while a few are cohort-specific and are taught by Teachers College and USMA Faculty at the West Point Campus. Having this relationship with USMA through the ELDP strengthens the Social-Organizational Psychology Program at Teachers College through the increased diversity, perspective, and leadership experience that the ELDP students bring to the program.
Core required Teachers College Ccurses:
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ORL 5362 Group Dynamics (3)
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ORLD 4051 How Adults Learn (3)
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ORLJ 4005 Organizational Psychology (3)
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ORLJ 4010 Executive Coaching (3)
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ORLJ 5005 Leadership and Supervision (3)
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ORLJ 5045 Organizational Dynamics (3)
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ORLJ 5310 Preparation for Coaching (1)
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ORLJ 6343 Practicum in change and consultation in organizations (5)
Core required USMA courses:
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LD 710 Quantitative Research Methods
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LD 730 Cross-Culture and Strategic Leadership
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LD 740 Leader Development
PLUS any one (1) of the following courses:
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ORLJ 5341 Effective Mediation (3)
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ORLJ 5340 Adaptive Negotiation and Conflict Resolution (3)
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ORLJ 6040 Fundamentals of cooperation, conflict resolution, and mediation in different institutional contexts (3)
PLUS any one (1) elective course:
The following courses are suggested electives within ORLJ. Students may choose from among these electives and other relevant electives that are not listed here (including courses at the Graduate School of Business, SIPA, etc.) upon consultation with the ELDP Program Director.
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ORLJ 4002 Functions of Organizations (1)
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ORLJ 4331 Constructive multicultural organizational development (1)
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ORLJ 5002 Advanced functions of organizations (3)[MOU1]
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ORLJ 5003: Human Resource Management (3)
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ORLJ 5012 Organizational internship (1-3)
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ORLJ 5018 Using survey research in organizational consulting (3)
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ORLJ 5019 Data-based interventions in organizations (3)
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ORLJ 5025 People analytics (3)
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ORLJ 5040: Research Methods in Social Psychology (3)
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ORLJ 5090 Strategic talent management (3)
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ORLJ 5115 Social networks and performance (3)
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ORLJ 5250 Equity, diversity, and inclusion in teams (3)
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ORLJ 6040 Fundamentals of cooperation, conflict resolution, and mediation in different institutional contexts (3)
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ORLJ 6350 Advanced practicum in conflict resolution (3)
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ORLJ 6540 Contemporary issues in organizational psychology (3)
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ORLD 4815: Developing Critical Thinkers
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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 5054: Strategy Development as a Learning Process in Organizations (3)
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ORLD 5055: Staff Development & Training (3)
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ORLD 5060: Learning & Technology in Organizations (3)
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ORLD 5062: Human Resource Development in Organizations (3)
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ORLD 5815: Critical Theory & Adult Learning(1)
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ORLD 5822: Building Productive Relationship with Social Intelligence (3)
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ORLD 5821: Leveraging Emotional Intelligence to Enhance Organizational Effectiveness (3)
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ORLD 6054: Learning to Think Strategically (1)
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CCPJ 4050: Microaggressions in Institutional Climates (3)
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CCPJ 5062: Career Counseling Development (3)
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CCPX 4030: Psychology of Adjustment (3)
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CCPX 4035: Personality & Behavior Change (3)
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CCPX 4060: Psychology of Loss & Trauma (3)
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CCPX 4150: Introduction to Forensic Psychology (3)
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CCPX 5032: Adult Personality and Psychopathology (3)
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CCPX 4044: Positive Psychology (3)
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HUDK 4029: Human Cognition & Learning (3)
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HUDK 5025: Spatial Thinking (3)
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HUDK 5030: Visual Explanation (3)
Comprehensive Examination
The Comprehensive Examination, ORLJ 5500, may be taken after a student has completed the core level I courses receiving the grade of a C+ or above. In addition, 26 of 39 credits toward the M.A. degree must be complete or in progress the semester the exam is taken. ELDP students take the exam in their Spring semester of the program.
A student must score 80% or above to pass the comprehensive examination. Should a student fail the examination twice, he/she may not be allowed to continue in the ELDP degree program.