Master of Arts Intensive Summer Teaching of English Program (InSTEP) (34 Points)
The InSTEP Program in the Teaching of English is geared toward in-service teachers who wish to further their teaching, research, and leadership skills while remaining full-time teachers in their communities. This program stresses teacher inquiry, the integration of the language arts with the performing and fine arts, and a focus on intellectual processes in reading, writing, and literary study. Through the 34 points of coursework, students will explore critical pedagogical and theoretical stances in English Education, build upon their 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 come together with world-class faculty and a select group of experienced English educators from around the country and around the world to reflect on practice and build new understandings of what it means to teach English in their unique contexts.
Our InSTEP Program
Visit with students and faculty of the Intensive Summer Teaching of English Program (InSTEP).
Admission Information
Displaying requirements for the Spring 2027, Summer 2027, and Fall 2027 terms.
Master of Arts
- Points/Credits: 34
- Entry Terms: Summer
- Enrollment Formats: Full-Time Online, Part-Time Online
Application Deadlines
| Entry Term Available | Priority Deadlines | Final Deadlines | Extended Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Summer | January 15, 2027 | April 1, 2027 | 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 | |
| Two (2) Letters of Recommendation | |
| Video essay required (included in online application) | |
| Program does not lead toward certification, applicants should already be certified or not seeking certification |
For admission-related inquiries, please contact AHadmission@tc.columbia.edu.
Additional Information
- This program (formerly InSTEP) will be offered in an online-only format beginning in Summer 2025. It is designed for full-time teachers, with most of the credits taken over the summer and less over the fall and spring semesters. Please contact the program office if you have any questions.
Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2026-2027)
View catalog information for the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 and Summer 2027 terms.