Master of Arts in Politics and Education
This M.A. degree program prepares students for positions as policy leaders at the local, state and national levels, or to pursue advanced work in doctoral programs in education policy, political science, or public policy. Graduates of this program secure positions as policy advisors and researchers for government agencies, foundations, and various private agencies committed to looking at and developing policies for the field of education.
Courses are offered in a traditional schedule during the fall, spring and summer terms.
Students are asked to participate in a set of core political science and general foundation courses in education. Each student will also complete methodological requirements including but not limited to statistics, qualitative and quantitative methods. After completing the core, each student is expected to focus his or her studies on a set of political debates in education or a particular political arena.
Admission Information
Displaying requirements for the Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 terms.
Master of Arts
- Points/Credits: 33
- 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 | |
| Three (3) Letters of Recommendation |
For admission-related inquiries, please contact EPSAadmission@tc.columbia.edu.
Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2024-2025)
Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 terms.
Students follow a core program of coursework and other learning experiences developed by the Politics & Education program faculty and individually adjusted in consultation with an assigned advisor. Under College policy, no transfer credits are accepted for M.A. students. Most students in the program enroll in the M.A., but the Ed.M. sometimes is appropriate for applicants who already have a relevant graduate degree.
For further information on specific program requirements, consult the program website at https://www.tc.columbia.edu/education-policy-and-social-analysis/politics-and-education/.
Newly admitted students are asked to participate in a set of core political science and general foundation courses in education and public policy. Each student will also complete methodological requirements including but not limited to statistics, qualitative, and quantitative methods. After completing the core, each student is expected to focus his or her studies on a set of policy debates in education or a particular political arena.