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MA, Specialized Studies in Education

Not Accepting Applications

To best meet the needs of our students, we have decided to suspend applications for admission to the MA in Specialized Studies in Education while we undertake a program review. Please check back in September 2025.

We've designed this degree for students who are interested in studying education topics including contemporary teaching and educational theories, principles, and practices and these areas' social context, but who are not interested in initial teacher certification credentials.

Official Degree Title

Master of Arts in Specialized Studies in Education

Degree

MA

Application Deadline

Fall Start:
January 15

Plan Code

SPCS

Credits

30

Format

Full-time or Part-time

How to Apply

These instructions and requirements are for all applicants. The following are acceptable document types for uploads: .pdf, .jpeg, .jpg, .gif, .tiff, .png, .doc, .docx, and bitmap. Your application will require the following items. 

1. Prepare Your Application

Résumé/CV

You are required to upload a copy of your most recent résumé or curriculum vitae as part of your application.

Statement of Purpose

You are required to upload a typed, double-spaced, two- to three-page statement explaining your purpose in undertaking graduate study in this particular program as part of your application. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself and to inform the admissions committee about your goals, interests, and career plans as they relate to your intended academic pursuits.

Be sure to address why this specialized program is the one you particularly seek. Include what in particular you intend to focus your studies on and which faculty members you consider appropriate potential mentors.

The following faculty are available to be mentors:

  • Stacie Brensilver Berman, social studies/history education, civics across the disciplines
  • Miriam Eisenstein Ebsworth, applied linguistics, second language acquisition theory and pedagogy,, bilingual education and bilingualism, multiliteracies, cross-cultural communication, pragmatics
  • Rachel Fishsociology of education, educational inequality, race/racism in education, disability studies, family-educator relationships
  • Catherine Milne, science education, creativity, curriculum development, design-based pedagogy, environmental issues
  • Susan Neuman, early literacy
  • Shamari Reid, race, gender, and sexuality in education; culturally sustaining approaches grounded in radical love
  • Erica Saldivar Garciabilingual education, world language education, TESOL, adult language
  • Diana Turk, urban education, curriculum and instruction for diverse learners, social studies education

Letters of Recommendation

Submit two letters of recommendation. Be sure to request them well in advance of the deadline. Read detailed instructions on submitting letters of recommendation.

Transcripts

Upload one official copy of transcripts from every postsecondary institution (college/university) you have attended or are attending. Please note: This includes transcripts from institutions where you received transfer credits or did not complete a degree.  Make sure to request an official copy of the transcript(s) in advance of the deadline.

Transfer Credits

We understand accepted transfer credits may be clearly listed on your degree awarding institution’s transcript. The Office of Graduate Admissions still requires a transcript from the initial credit-granting institution where you took the course(s). Delay in listing and uploading these transcripts can significantly delay the application review process.

Institutions Outside the US or Canada

If you completed or are completing a degree at an institution outside of the US or Canada, you are required to provide a WES or ECE international credentials evaluation. Please review our requirements for translation and a course-by-course evaluation of your transcripts.

See detailed instructions on submitting transcripts.

GRE

Not required.

Proficiency in English

2. Apply

Application

Start your application now

After you fill in and upload the required information, you can submit your completed application. Your application must be completed, dated, electronically signed, and submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST of the stated deadline.

Application Fee

You will be prompted to pay a $75 application fee, payable by major credit card only. After submitting your payment, you will see your application status change from “saved” to “submitted.” Please print this screen for your records, as it confirms that your application has been successfully sent to our school. If you have problems submitting your payment, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions. Learn more about our fee waiver policy.

Mailing Additional Items

If any application materials need to be mailed to our office, mail the materials to NYU Steinhardt, Office of Graduate Admissions, 82 Washington Square East, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10003-6680.  Please do not mail your materials in binders or folders. Any mailed materials must be received by, not postmarked by, the stated deadline. Only completed applications will be considered and reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt of mailed materials.

3. Receive Your Admission Decision

Decision

You will be notified about your decision by email. Typically, decisions will start going out in late November for Spring semester enrollment and in late March or early April for Summer or Fall enrollment. You may learn of your decision before or after this timeline.

Application Policies

Application deadlines are "in-office" deadlines, not postmark deadlines. It is your responsibility to ensure that all materials are in the Office of Graduate Admissions by the appropriate deadline, and we reserve the right to return any application that arrives after the deadline. Only completed applications will be considered. Should a deadline fall on a weekend, the in-office deadline will be the next business day. We advise you to apply early.

Please check the online system to confirm that you have successfully submitted your application. Due to the volume of applications and related materials received, the Office of Graduate Admissions will only contact you if your application was successfully submitted and is deemed incomplete because of missing required materials. Otherwise, you will hear from us when the admissions committee has made its decision.

Deferral policy: NYU Steinhardt does not allow deferrals. Applicants who wish to be considered for a future semester must reapply by submitting a new application with all supporting materials, including letters of recommendation, by the application deadline.