Master of Education
A flexible degree that allows students to pursue their own interests, conduct research, and develop special projects in the field of art education. Designed for students with a master’s degree or equivalent professional experience who seek specialist achievement, or who wish to acquire research skills as a basis for future doctoral study. Open to museum and community educators, teaching artists, school-based art teachers, and others with a background in art education. Does not lead to Initial Art Teacher’s Certification (PK-12). Two years minimum.
Please visit our FAQ to learn more about the difference between degrees and other pertinent program information.
Optional Concentrations
(for M.A., Ed.M., Ed.D., and Ed.D.C.T. students—not available for M.A. Initial Certification students)
Students may choose to take a Museum Education area of focus as part of their degree. This area of focus explores the art museum as a civic and educational institution, examines the role of museum education departments, and introduces students to innovative museum education programs and pedagogical practices.
Students who seek to sharpen their expertise designing pedagogically sound, imaginative studio art learning opportunities may complete the Art Pedagogy area of focus. This concentration equips students to teach people of different ages in different learning contexts—schools, museums, community centers, and beyond. It combines courses in the artistic development of children and adolescents, curriculum development, studio-based practice with applications for teaching, cultural diversity in art education, and special education, along with an optional art teaching internship.
Students may choose to take the Creative Technologies area of focus as part of their degree. This area of focus explores and strengthens the relationship between art, technology, and education. The goal is to prepare artists and art teachers to be leaders in educational ecologies that interweave digital tools and creative materials in multi- and cross-disciplinary, collaborative, and playful pedagogies.
If your aim is to be an art educator in community settings, you may take the Community Arts area of focus as part of their degree. Students in this concentration take the courses below, along with other pertinent courses identified with advisement.
- Shaping Priorities: The Arts and Community Engagement
- Community Arts Pilot Project
- Designing for Social Impact: Community-Based Art Education Initiatives
Open to MA and EdM students. Not suitable for MA Init, Studio Practice MA (Hybrid), Ed.D., or Ed.D.C.T students.
An academically demanding specialization for students who are particularly interested in conducting rigorous, high-level scholarly research in art education. Applicants must be comfortable rereading demanding academic texts, have excellent English writing skills, and possess strong analytical abilities.
Specialization courses: Art and Visual Culture (3 credits), Research Methods in Arts and Humanities (3 credits), Proseminar I (3 credits), Proseminar II (3 credits), Advanced Seminar I (3 credits) and Advanced Seminar II (3 credits).
Admission Information
Displaying requirements for the Spring 2027, Summer 2027, and Fall 2027 terms.
Master of Education
- Points/Credits: 60
- Entry Terms: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Enrollment Formats: Full-Time Campus-Based, Part-Time Campus-Based
Application Deadlines
| Entry Term Available | Priority Deadlines | Final Deadlines | Extended Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | November 15, 2026 | November 15, 2026 | N/A |
| Summer | January 15, 2027 | April 1, 2027 | N/A |
| Fall | January 15, 2027 | April 1, 2027 | 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 | |
| Video essay required for all non-native English speakers (included in online application) | |
| Master's degree required | |
| Academic Writing Sample | |
| Supplemental application required (included in online application) | |
| Digital portfolio required (included in online application) | |
| Must hold Master's degree in art education or a related area, or equivalent professional experience |
For admission-related inquiries, please contact AHadmission@tc.columbia.edu.
Additional Information
- Students pursuing this degree are also eligible to apply for an Advanced Certificate in Creative Technologies.
Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2026-2027)
View catalog information for the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 and Summer 2027 terms.