Master of Arts in Curriculum and Teaching, Elementary Education
With Professional Certification as a Grade 1-6 teacher in New York State
The Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Teaching with Professional Certification at the Elementary level (MA-CUED) provides students with courses in the study of pedagogy and curriculum. This involves the critical analysis of the foundations for schooling, the theory and history of curriculum, assumptions about subject matter, content-specific instructional practices, and beliefs about children as learners.
This 32-point program is ideal for early teachers who bring imagination, respect for the capacities of all children and young people, and love of teaching and learning to their work. Students in this program have already earned Initial Certification and wish to remain in the classroom to develop as teacher leaders in their school settings, with their colleagues, and in the field more broadly.
Admission Information
Displaying requirements for the Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 terms.
Master of Arts
- Points/Credits: 32
- Entry Terms: Summer, Fall
- Enrollment Formats: Full-Time Campus-Based, Part-Time Campus-Based
Certification
View Public Disclosure Notification
- NY State Professional: 1-6
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 | May 1, 2025 |
| Fall | January 15, 2025 | April 1, 2025 | May 1, 2025 |
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 | |
| Applicants must hold or be eligible for Initial NY State Certification |
For admission-related inquiries, please contact CTadmission@tc.columbia.edu.
For professional certification admission, please submit a resume and: (a) proof of elementary or secondary school teacher initial NYS certification (formerly provisional) or certification from another state, or (b) proof that you have completed an accredited Elementary or Secondary teacher preparation/student teaching program. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is a minimum requirement. Teaching experience is desirable, but not required.
Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2024-2025)
Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 terms.
AY 2025-2026 catalog content is currently being edited and reviewed. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.