International Comparative Education EdM

Master of Education in International and Comparative Education

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Admission Information

Displaying requirements for the Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 terms.

Master of Education

Points/Credits: 60
Entry Terms: Fall
Enrollment Formats: Full-Time Campus-Based, Part-Time Campus-Based

Application Deadlines

Entry Term Available	Priority Deadlines	Final Deadlines	Extended Deadlines
Spring	N/A	N/A	N/A
Summer	N/A	N/A	N/A
Fall	January 15, 2025	April 1, 2025	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
	Master's degree required

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

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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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Comparative and International Education (CIE – code: COMP)

Check the Course Planning sheet in the Student Handbook for the most recent degree requirements.

For students admitted in Fall 2023 and later:

Coursework (at least 60 graduate level credits, including up to 30 transferred credits).

Ed.M. coursework falls into four broad areas:

Area 1: Core Courses (12 credits)

ITSF 4580: International Comparative Education & Development Studies (Part 1)
ITSF 4581: International Comparative Education & Development Studies (Part 2)
ITSF 4009: Introduction to Research Methods in International & Comparative Education
One additional ITSF Research Methods Course (other options available in consultation with your advisor).

Area 2: Cluster Courses (18-20 credits)

Courses counting towards the cluster must be faculty advisor-approved.
Students considering a change in concentration must discuss the change with the faculty advisor.
In some cases, transferred credits may be applied in this area.

Area 3: Transcultural/Area Studies (18-20 credits)

Courses must come from at least three of the following categories: topics, research methods, professional skills, and internship/practicum.
Transferred credits may be applied in this area.

Area 4: TC Electives (at least 6 credits)

To fulfill the TC breadth requirement, Ed.M. students must take at least 6 credits that are at TC but outside of the International and Comparative Education program. This could take the form of two 3-credit courses, three 2-credit courses, or any other combination agreed upon by students and their academic advisors.
All non-ITSF courses at TC count as TC breadth electives. Courses offered by other programs within the ITS department (anthropology) can also count as TC breadth electives if they are outside of the student’s concentration.
Other elective courses can be taken outside of the ITS department or transferred from other schools.

Integrative Project (IP) (at least 2 credits)

ITSF 4195 Research and Writing Seminar in International and Comparative Education

Additional notes:

Completion of an IP is required for the M.A. degree. Please see the Guidelines for Master’s Integrative Project (IP) on this website
Students should consult with the faculty advisor about the IP at least one semester before the intended graduation date. After the IP topic has been approved, the IP Advisor is available to guide students through the completion of the IP.
All students are required to take ITSF 4195 Research and Writing Seminar in International and Comparative Education (2-3 units) 1 to 2 semesters before they plan to graduate.
Students who are working on the IP but are not registered for any other classes may register for ITSF 4200.

Transfer credit: A maximum of 30 credits may be transferred from other recognized institutions. Only graduate courses that have been (1) completed with grades of B or higher, (2) submitted on an official transcript from a regionally accredited institution, and (3) granted/assigned credit on the transcript of that institution, may be considered for transfer credit. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of the faculty advisor. After registering for the first semester, students should obtain and fill out an Advanced Standing Review (ASR) application from the Office of the Registrar and return it to the Office of the Registrar. Transcripts will be evaluated and sent to the Program Assistant, who will then contact the student with further instructions. The entire process can take several months.
Graduation

Full-time students who transfer the full 30 credits can complete the Ed.M. degree within one academic year (fall semester, spring semester, and summer session); however, most students take 1.5 to 2 years to complete this degree.
In order to graduate, students must apply online through the myTC portal. See the graduation checklist for details. Once the IP is completed, the student’s faculty advisor must approve it through Degree Audit. Students must submit a soft copy of the IP to the Program Assistant. Students will complete a release form indicating whether or not they grant permission for the IP to be viewed by other students.

For more information, review the full International and Comparative Education Student Handbook here.

For students enrolled before Fall 2023:

Coursework (at least 60 graduate level credits, including up to 30 transferred credits).

Ed.M. coursework falls into four broad areas:

Area 1: Core Courses (12 credits)

ITSF 4580 International Comparative Education & Development Studies (Part 1)
ITSF 4581 International Comparative Education & Development Studies (Part 2)
Two Research Methods Courses (Not Limited to ITS Methods Classes)

Area 2: Cluster-related courses (at least 18 credits)

Courses counting towards the cluster must be faculty advisor- approved.
Students considering a change in cluster must discuss the change with their faculty advisor.
In some cases, transferred credits may be applied in this area.

Area 3: Transcultural/Area Studies (at least 15 credits)

Courses must come from at least three of the following categories: topics, research methods, professional skills, internship/practicum.
Transferred credits may be applied in this area.

Area 4: TC Electives (at least 15 credits)

To fulfill the TC breadth requirement, Ed.M. students must take at least 6 points of courses that are at TC but outside of the International and Comparative Education Program. Courses offered by other Programs within the ITS Department (anthropology) can also count as TC breadth electives if they are outside of the student’s concentration.
Other elective courses can be taken outside of the ITS department or transferred from other schools.

Transfer credit:

A maximum of 30 credits may be transferred from other accredited institutions. Only graduate courses which have been (1) completed with grades of B or higher, (2) submitted on an official transcript from a regionally accredited institution, (3) granted/assigned graduate credit on the transcript of that institution, and (4) completed prior to enrollment at Teachers College may be considered for transfer credit. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of the faculty advisor and according to College policy. After registering for the first semester, students should obtain and fill out an Advanced Standing Review (ASR) application from the Office of the Registrar and return it to the Office of the Registrar. Transcripts will be evaluated and sent to the International and Comparative Education Program Assistant, who will then contact the student with further instructions. The entire process can take several months.

Integrative Project (IP)

Completion of an IP is required for the Ed.M. degree. Please see the guidelines for Masters’ Integrative Project (IP) in the student handbook.
Students should consult with the faculty advisor about the IP at least one semester before the intended graduation date. After the IP topic has been approved, the IP Advisors are available to guide students through the completion of the IP.
Students who are working on the IP but not registered for any other classes may register for ITSF 4200 or IND 4000. .

Graduation

Full-time students who transfer the full 30 credits may complete the Ed.M. degree within one academic year (fall semester, spring semester, and summer session).
In order to graduate, students need to review their coursework on Degree Audit (accessed through myTC portal) and have it approved by their faculty advisor. Once the IP is completed, the student's faculty advisor must approve it through Degree Audit. Students may contact the Registrar for specific deadlines. Students must submit a soft and hard copy of the IP to be filed in the International and Comparative Education Program office (374 GDH). Students will complete a release form indicating whether or not they grant permission for the IP to be viewed by other students.