M.A. in Elementary Inclusive Education (MA-ELEM)
Earn your degree in Elementary Inclusive Education.
This degree program allows graduates to work in various roles in schools that can benefit from a deep understanding of inclusive practices. This may include teaching and administrative positions as well as learning specialist and curriculum development roles. Employment sites may include public, private, independent or charter schools as well as non-profit organizations. This degree does not lead to certification.
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 | 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 |
For admission-related inquiries, please contact CTadmission@tc.columbia.edu.
Acceptance to the program requires strong academic credentials, robust and relevant professional or academic references, and a clear fit between program goals and the goals expressed by the applicant. At a minimum, applicants should have a GPA of 3.0 or above and evidence a commitment to educational equity and diversity. We look for prior experience working with children.
Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2024-2025)
Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 terms.
Students in this Elementary Inclusive Education Program will earn an M.A. degree.
Course Requirements for the 32-Credit Program (MA-ELEM)
M.A. Elementary Inclusive Education
Foundations and Methods Courses
Course #, Course Name, and Credits
-
C&T 4000 Disability, Exclusion, and Schooling 3
-
C&T 4143 Multicultural Social Studies in the Elementary and Middle School 3
-
C&T 4135 Emergent Bi/Multilingual Learners in Incl Eng-Medium Clssrms 1
-
C&T 5081 Collaborative Communication in Cultural Contexts 1
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C&T 4502 Master’s Project I 1
-
C&T 4124 Student Teaching Methods: Inclusive Teaching Seminar II 3
-
C&T 4001 Differentiating Instruction in Inclusive Classrooms 3
-
C&T 4019 Literacy Supports 3
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C&T 4301 Educational Assessment of Students with Disabilities 2
-
C&T 4502 Master’s Project II 1
-
C&T 4037 Relational Approaches to Challenging Behavior 2
Electives - Select three out of the five courses listed below:
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MSTC 4040 Science in Childhood Education 3
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MSTM 5010 Mathematics in the Elementary School 3
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C&T 4132: Language and Teaching in the Primary Reading/Writing Classroom 3
-
C&T 4200: Fieldwork in Curriculum and Teaching 3
-
Educational Foundations course*: Various (Philosophy/Social Science in Education or Child Development) 3
*An appropriate undergraduate course may be substituted for this requirement; please consult with Program Faculty.