Master of Arts in the Teaching of Social Studies (Peace Corps Fellows)
Prepare to be a social studies educator in NYC schools through this M.A. program for returning Peace Corps volunteers. This program leads to NYS Initial and Professional (7-12) Certification.
This program builds from the experiences RPCVs bring. We support teachers who are driven by inquiry, commitment to equity, and the desire to be curriculum leaders. Students are supported in finding a full-time teaching position in NYC schools. The coursework is built around the first and second-year teaching experience. The summer intensive that precedes the first year of teaching helps students to enter the first year prepared. Students are supported in their teaching by a supervisor, their student teaching seminar, and the two peer cohorts – the social studies peers and other PCFs – that support collegial relationships. Students take coursework in the teaching of social studies, pedagogical content courses, and required courses in literacy, psychology, and inclusive education.
Admission Information
Displaying requirements for the Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 terms.
Master of Arts
- Points/Credits: 32
- Entry Terms: Spring, Summer
- Enrollment Formats: Full-Time Campus-Based, Part-Time Campus-Based
Certification
View Public Disclosure Notification
- NY State Transitional B: Social Studies 7-12
Application Deadlines
| Entry Term Available | Priority Deadlines | Final Deadlines | Extended Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | November 15, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | N/A |
| Summer | January 15, 2025 | January 15, 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 | |
| Two (2) Letters of Recommendation | |
| Supplemental application required (included in online application) | |
| Interview (phone, video, or in-person) required |
For admission-related inquiries, please contact AHadmission@tc.columbia.edu.
Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2024-2025)
Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 terms.
This program requires a minimum of 32 points and an integrative project. The program is designed for Returned Peace Corps Fellows to transition into public school classrooms. Successful completion of this program of study leads to the M.A. degree and recommendation for New York State Initial Teacher Certification (grades 7-12). Students in this program balance full-time teaching in a NYCDOE school and graduate school coursework. They are supported in their program and teaching by the Program in Social Studies and the Peace Corps Fellows Program.
In order to complete all degree requirements successfully, this program typically demands two years. The first summer in the program is intensive coursework and fieldwork to prepare students for their first year of teaching
The 32 points should be distributed as follows:
Social Studies Core Courses (9 points):
Required courses:
-
A&HW 4036 Teaching methods in the social studies
-
A&HW 5037 Advanced teaching methods in the social studies
-
C&T 4501 Teaching and Learning in a Multicultural, Multilingual Classroom
-
A&HW 4530 Student Teaching Seminar - Fall
-
A&HW 4530 Student Teaching Seminar - Spring
Social Studies Content Courses (10+ points):
In consultation with an advisor, students should select courses to round out their knowledge of the social studies subject matters taught in secondary schools. Content courses taken at Teachers College include attention to both content and pedagogy. Courses can also be taken at Columbia University.
Professional Development Courses (7+ points):
To satisfy the college’s breadth requirement students must take three Teachers College courses (for this purpose a course is defined as one in which 2 or 3 points are earned) outside the major Program. For the purposes of certification, students must take a course in psychology with an adolescent focus, a three-point literacy course, and a course in inclusive or special education selected with advisor approval.
Further Requirements:
Students must complete a portfolio as their integrative master’s project. They must also satisfy the New York State certification requirement for social studies content. (For additional requirements, please refer to the Teacher Education area of the Academic Resources section of this bulletin.)