Master of Arts in Anthropology and Education
The master program in Anthropology and Education is concerned with the cultural, social and linguistic dimensions of education. Our program offers insight to better understand inequalities, cultural differences, linguistic diversity, and the wealth of human life for educational purposes. We examine educational processes in schools and classrooms, in families, on street corners, in community centers, in churches, and in all other non-conventional education settings.
Anthropology is well positioned to answer some of the toughest questions of education and policy-making because of its emphasis on spending time with and learning from people. The program highlights participatory ethnography: engaging in and observing human activities and conversing with people as a means of improving education and collaborating with local groups and organizations. As one of the only master programs in Anthropology and Education in the world, we offer a unique outlook on how to understand and support diverse approaches to education in and outside the classroom.
In addition to core Anthropology courses, we encourage our students to take courses with other departments and program at Teachers College and Columbia University, more generally. For example, many of our students take courses in the International and Comparative Education, Technology in Education, and Applied Linguistics programs.
Our program offers students related courses and concentrations in a highly individualized fashion. We strive to maintain smaller entering cohorts in order to magnify every student’s experience. Our students choose a concentration that most aptly fits their research or professional interests, while faculty work with students to create a course schedule that support these interests. Below is a list of concentrations that students can choose from:
- Urban Education
- Ethnographic Theory and Methods
- Culture and Communication
- Education Beyond Schools
- Applied Anthropology
For more information about the requirements for our Master Programs, click below:
Master of Arts (MA) Degree Requirements
Admission Information
Displaying requirements for the Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 terms.
Master of Arts
- Points/Credits: 32
- 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, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | N/A |
| Summer | January 15, 2025 | April 1, 2025 | June 1, 2025 |
| Fall | January 15, 2025 | April 1, 2025 | June 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 |
For admission-related inquiries, please contact ITSadmission@tc.columbia.edu.
Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2024-2025)
Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 terms.
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