Technology, Media and Learning Graduate Programs

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Preparing Effective Educators

We prepare the next generation of educational leaders in information and communication technologies.

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Who Are We?

We are an interdisciplinary community of designers, educators, and researchers with a shared commitment to thinking broadly about education.

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Lead Educational Innovation Through TC’s
Technology, Media & Learning Programs

Are you interested in using technologies and media to advance education and improve society? In Teachers College’s Technology, Media and Learning (TML) programs, you’ll work side-by-side with leading researchers, designers, and educators to address learning challenges across schools, communities, and industries. TML offers programs at the intersection of technology, media, design and culture and examines their influence on education and our larger society. Our media, culture, and instructional technology programs provide you with opportunities to design and test new tools, media, and experiences in state-of-the-art research labs, collaborate on cutting-edge projects, and contribute to scholarship that shapes the future of education.

Design socially conscious media. Advance research around educational technology. Build video games that engage students in imaginative ways. Regardless of your aspirations, TC’s learning, technology and media studies graduate programs empower you to create enriching, innovative learning environments that make real change in education and students’ lives.

Choose Your Technology, Media & Learning Degree

Choose from programs encompassing video, computer-based media, digital and non-digital game-based learning, and the role of media in society. A media, learning, and instructional technology degree from TC enables you to pursue a variety of careers in education, the nonprofit sector, or related fields.

Our three master’s programs (Communication and Education; Instructional Technology and Media; and Design and Development of Digital Games) have been consolidated into one program: the M.A. in Technology, Media and Learning.

In this on-campus master’s program, you’ll study the influence of information and technology on education, literacy, teacher education, and social systems. Bringing together concepts from educational technology and media studies graduate programs, this program provides a unique lens into the elements that shape learning and our larger culture. You’ll develop expertise in communication, technology and social science, along with skills in both qualitative and quantitative approaches to research methods. Our program extends beyond a traditional master’s degree in educational technology or communication graduate program to encompass the role of media and culture in learning. Whether you’re driven to address issues of equity and social change, create innovative technology-rich learning environments, or harness the power of games to teach and inspire, you’ll graduate prepared to lead in education, industry, or nonprofits.

Concentrations available:

  • Media, Culture & Society: Explore how media and communication technologies influence culture, identity, and learning through the lens of social science. You’ll also develop the expertise to address equity, ethics, and social impact in education, policy, and community settings.
  • Design of Learning Technologies: Learn to design, build, and evaluate technology-rich environments, from interactive media to AI-supported tools, creating solutions for classrooms, organizations, and informal learning spaces.
  • Design of Games for Learning: Explore the art and science of designing games that teach, inspire, and engage. You’ll combine design principles, computer information systems, and research to create impactful learning experiences for education, training, and social change.

Explore Program

Study the intersection of education and information technology. In this program, you’ll learn how to integrate technology into K–12 classrooms and develop pedagogical, technical, and research skills. With a lens toward equity, culture, and social justice, this program prepares you to use educational technologies in ways that are accessible and enriching for all learners.

Computing in Education (Online M.A.)

This program combines synchronous and asynchronous learning and includes active, project-based coursework.

Explore Program

Earn your certification as a technology specialist in New York State. You’ll learn how to teach other educators how to use and integrate technology to enhance their classrooms, design curriculum, and implement classroom projects. 

Our master’s degrees in educational technology are offered in two options:

  • M.A. in Educational Technology for Pre-Service Teachers: Designed for those entering the teaching profession. This option provides the skills, fieldwork, and student-teaching experiences needed for initial certification. You’ll gain expertise in technology integration, curriculum design, and supporting K–12 learners in developing digital literacy and computational thinking skills.

Explore Program

  • M.A. in Educational Technology for Certified Teachers: For teachers already certified in another content area. This option builds on your classroom experience while preparing you for leadership roles as a technology coach, director, or curriculum specialist. You’ll deepen your knowledge of instructional technology, support school-wide initiatives, and design and deliver technology-rich learning experiences across grade levels.

Explore Program

Examine how media and communication technologies influence education, culture, and public life. These advanced media studies graduate programs prepare you to research, design, and lead initiatives that address equity, ethics, and the social impact of media in diverse learning environments. TML offers two advanced degree pathways tailored to your goals.

  • Ed.M. in Media, Culture & Society: If you already hold a master’s degree or have advanced standing in your field, the Ed.M. deepens your expertise in the social sciences and how to apply them to education and leadership. In this 60-credit program, you’ll blend interdisciplinary theory, research methods, and applied projects to examine how media and technology influence culture and how that knowledge can be used to improve education and lives. This degree prepares you for leadership roles in research, policy, program design, and institutional innovation in higher education, nonprofits, government, museums, media organizations, and other settings.

Explore Program

  • Ed.D. in Media, Culture & Society: If you’re a scholar or practitioner interested in contributing to the future of media, education, and public life, the Ed.D. offers a research-intensive doctoral experience. Through advanced coursework, independent research, and active participation in the TML scholarly community, you’ll develop deep expertise in the effects of media, communication, and technology. The program culminates in an original dissertation that advances the field and opens pathways to careers in academia, high-level policy, industry leadership, and cultural institutions worldwide.

Explore Program

Learn how to create, evaluate, and improve technology-rich learning environments in TC’s graduate and doctoral educational technology programs. These programs blend theory, design, and applied research to prepare you for leading roles in developing tools, systems, and experiences that enhance learning in classrooms, workplaces, and even informal settings.

  • Ed.M. in Design of Learning Technologies: If you already hold a master’s degree in educational technology or a related field, this program builds on that foundation, deepening your expertise in instructional design, emerging technologies, and learning sciences while honing your applied research and development skills. Graduates of this educational technology program take on leadership positions in education, corporate learning, nonprofits, and design consultancies, driving innovation in how technology supports teaching and learning.

Explore Program

  • Ed.D. in Design of Learning Technologies: If you’re interested in doctoral-level instructional technology programs, the Ed.D. provides you with a path toward advancing the theory and practice of technology-supported learning. Through advanced coursework, independent research, and active engagement with the TML community, you’ll develop deep expertise in instructional design methodologies, learning theories, and technology integration. You’ll produce original dissertation research that shapes the future of educational technology design and prepare for roles in academia, high-level policy, and industry leadership.

Explore Program

Why Study Technology, Media & Learning at Teachers College?

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Hands-on lab experiences

Hone your research and inquiry skills and design games, technologies, and learning experiences in one of TC’s respected research centers. Practice integrating technology into your classroom in the Center for Technology and School Change, explore learning and play in our Games Research Lab, or critically engage in media through the lens of its impact on society in MASClab. Whatever your interest, TC provides the settings where you can experiment, observe, design, and learn.

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Accomplished faculty

Learn from internationally recognized, widely published experts from multiple disciplines. You’ll have the opportunity to engage in research and design projects alongside faculty who specialize in areas like digital innovation, educational leadership, digital game design, multimodal storytelling, and literacy.

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A focus on social justice

Not only is social justice at the center of the TML programs — it’s built into our mission and has been a core principle since Teachers College’s founding in 1880. Our programs equip you with the expertise and abilities you need to create equitable and accessible learning environments.

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An educational leader

Teachers College is consistently recognized for its excellence in education and teacher preparation, producing top graduates, internationally respected research, and thought leadership around education and related disciplines. Ranked the #2 Graduate College in Education in the United States by the U.S. News & World Report, TC reflects a deep commitment to leading educational change.

Alumni Stories

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“Some of the most valuable resources that TC has provided me are the incredible tools in the maker labs. I am able to make any sort of prototype I can imagine and test out my ideas with things like laser cutters, 3D printers, and vinyl cutters.”

Blake Danzig - Ed.D. Instructional Technology and Media

“People have a drive to be here. They have what they’re looking for. And even if they haven’t figured it out, when they come here, the support will blow them away.”

Lucius Von Joo - Communication and Education (Technology, Media and Learning)

Technology, Media & Learning Careers

Our media, learning, and instructional technology programs prepare you to work in education, nonprofits, industry, and beyond. Our alumni work as researchers, professors, and designers in higher education institutions, museums, and community organizations; as K–12 educators and administrators; and as instructional designers and learning technologists in schools and companies. Others have launched technology startups or joined leading organizations such as PBS, Nickelodeon, Google, Amazon, and Sesame Workshop.

Faculty Spotlight

Headshot of Dr. Jooeun shim
Jooeun Shim
Assistant Professor of Teaching

Dr. Jooeun Shim is an Assistant Professor of Teaching in Technology, Media, and Learning, and the Director of the TAMGU Research Lab. Her scholarly interests include the learning sciences, STEM education, and agency and action in learning environments. 

Technology, Media and Learning Programs FAQ

At TC, you’ll join a diverse community of researchers, designers, and educators committed to rethinking how technology, media, design, and culture influence and shape learning. From exploring the impact of media and communication on education to designing educational technologies and games, you’ll build the multidisciplinary expertise you need to lead change in your field.

You’ll also benefit from:

  • Hands-on learning: From media production to maker spaces, you’ll learn by building, experimenting, and testing.
  • Critical perspectives: Our coursework draws on learning sciences, design thinking, media studies, cognitive science, and social inquiry to help you see the bigger picture.
  • Real-world practice: Internships, fieldwork, and NYC-based partnerships connect your studies to careers in schools, nonprofits, cultural institutions, and technology industries.
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TML welcomes students from any background or field. Students who commonly pursue our programs include:

  • Educators and pre-service teachers
  • Designers and developers
  • Media professionals
  • Individuals interested in learning sciences, critical media, or technology for social impact

Both traditional and flexible (e.g., fully online) pathways are available to accommodate different professional needs.

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If you’re interested in technology, media and learning but uncertain about your specific path, our faculty and advisors can help you identify the program that best fits your specific interests and situation. Contact us at tml@tc.columbia.edu for more information on our programs and which might work for you.  

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TML Program News

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Admissions Information

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Contact Us

Program Director: Professor Ioana Literat

Box: 8

Teachers College, Columbia University
322 Thompson Hall

Phone: (212) 678-3344Fax: (212) 678-3344

Email: tml@tc.columbia.edu

Formerly Communication, Media, and Learning Technologies Design — now Technology, Media, and Learning (TML)

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