Teaching of English MA Initial

Master of Arts (38 Points)


This Master’s program is geared toward prospective English Teachers entering the field of secondary English teaching. Our most populous Master’s program, the 38-point M.A. draws a vibrant student body of different backgrounds and life experiences. Students balance coursework with in-classroom field work experiences to gain an understanding of the critical issues in the field of English Education and engage with what it means to work as a teacher in the context of secondary English classrooms. Through the 38 points of coursework, students will explore critical pedagogical and theoretical stances in English Education, gain a working knowledge of curriculum design and methods, and engage in deep self-reflection to better understand their positionality as a teacher. 

Experiences and Exposures: 

  • Coursework prioritizes bridging the theory-practice gap to help students understand critical issues in the field, and consider what reflective practitioners might do in response to them. 
  • Students gain experience in both Middle and High School during two semesters of daytime fieldwork where students apply what they learn in their coursework to their own classrooms. 
  • Experienced mentor teachers, supervisors, and seminar leaders create a cohesive connected support system between fieldwork & coursework.
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Admission Information

Displaying requirements for the Spring 2027, Summer 2027, and Fall 2027 terms.

Master of Arts

  • Points/Credits: 38
  • Entry Terms: Spring, Summer, Fall
  • Enrollment Formats: Full-Time Campus-Based

Certification

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  • NY State Initial: English Language Arts 7-12

Application Deadlines

Entry Term AvailablePriority DeadlinesFinal DeadlinesExtended Deadlines
SpringNovember 15, 2026November 15, 2026N/A
SummerJanuary 15, 2027June 1, 2027N/A
FallJanuary 15, 2027July 1, 2027N/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 (included in online application)

For admission-related inquiries, please contact AHadmission@tc.columbia.edu.

Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2026-2027)

View catalog information for the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 and Summer 2027 terms.

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