Graduate Admissions

Graduate Programs at a Glance

Columbia offers 15 master's degrees and two innovative graduate certificates within the disciplines of arts, media, education, the business of the arts, and the application of arts to healing.

Art Education (K-12)

Art Education (K-12)

Master of Arts in Teaching (41 credits)

Creative practitioners learn to become dynamic teachers of the arts at the elementary, middle-school, and secondary levels.

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Arts, Entertainment, & Media Management

Arts, Entertainment, & Media Management

Master of Arts Management (48 credits)

Students with a passion for the arts are engaged in a business and management curriculum that prepares them for careers as leaders in arts-related organizations or as entrepreneurs.

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Creative Writing - Fiction

Creative Writing - Fiction

Master of Fine Arts (45 credits)

Using Columbia’s exclusive Story Workshop© method, committed fiction writers are guided to advanced achievement in the theory and practice of writing. Students enrolled in the MFA program may apply to pursue an additional MA degree in the Teaching of Writing.

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Creative Writing - Nonfiction

Creative Writing - Nonfiction

Master of Fine Arts (48 credits)

Under the guidance of leading authors in the field, students focus on their own writing while gaining extraordinary insight into the theory and history of the nonfiction genre.

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Creative Writing - Poetry

Creative Writing - Poetry

Master of Fine Arts (40 credits)

Students explore a variety of poetic styles and bolster their creative and technical writing abilities alongside dedicated peers and engaged poet-professors.

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Dance/Movement Therapy & Counseling

Dance/Movement Therapy & Counseling

Master of Arts (60 credits)

For those with a passion for dance and an interest in psychology, this program fosters movement-based work in a variety of practical settings and prepares students to apply for counseling licensure.

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Elementary Education (K-9)

Elementary Education (K-9)

Master of Arts in Teaching (41 credits)

With a focus on educating in modern urban communities, the program prepares candidates to skillfully blend content and creative pedagogy in self-contained elementary classrooms.

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Film & Video - Cinema Directing

Film & Video - Cinema Directing

Master of Fine Arts (52 credits)

Centered on writing and directing, this program encourages student filmmakers to create authentic work that invokes the human experience, while mastering the techniques of editing and production.

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Film & Video - Creative Producing

Film & Video - Creative Producing

Master of Fine Arts (50 credits)

Aspiring entrepreneurial producers learn to combine artistic vision, business acumen and management skills to lead films and media projects from concept through creation and distribution.

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Interdisciplinary Arts

Interdisciplinary Arts

Master of Arts (30 credits)

Students will deepen their understanding of interdisciplinary art theory and technique and expand their current visual, dance, music, literary, or theater practice.

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Interdisciplinary Arts & Media

Interdisciplinary Arts & Media

Master of Fine Arts (60 credits)

Committed artists with an interest in new media pursue an interdisciplinary curriculum which combines innovative studio practice with historical and theoretical perspectives.

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Interdisciplinary Book & Paper Arts

Interdisciplinary Book & Paper Arts

Master of Fine Arts (60 credits)

This program promotes the understanding of hand papermaking and the book arts as artistic media with application in cultural discourse, community building and collaborative practice.

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Journalism

Journalism

Master of Arts (36 credits)

Emphasizing firsthand reportorial experience and an essential academic base in political science, this program combines tradition and innovation with the core values of ethical public affairs journalism.

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Music Composition for the Screen

Music Composition for the Screen

Master of Fine Arts (54 credits)

Working closely with experienced faculty and active industry professionals, students learn to compose and produce distinctive music for film, television, and other visual media.

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Photography

Photography

Master of Fine Arts (60 credits)

Aspiring fine art photographers are guided by distinguished teaching artists in a program which emphasizes aesthetic and conceptual development alongside advanced photographic technique.

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Alternate Route Certificate

Alternate Route Certificate

Certificate (30-35 credits)

Practitioners with an MA in a human services related field enter this accelerated program to enhance their counseling practice with dance/movement therapy methodologies.

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