Teachers College, Columbia University

Teachers College, Columbia University is a graduate school of education, health, and psychology located in the Morningside Heights area of New York City. As part of the larger Columbia University system, Teachers College enjoys proximity to all of the culture, arts, and unique lifestyle offered to residents of The Big Apple.

As the first and largest graduate school of education in the country, TC is committed to preparing its students to take on leadership roles both within the classroom and as policy-makers for educational reform. Degrees are offered at both the Masters and doctoral levels in all of the varied areas of the educational process.

Teachers College, Columbia University Accreditation Details

This institution is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), an agency recognized by both the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. This particular accreditation has been continuously granted to Teachers College since 1921. In addition, various programs in teacher education, counselor education, and advanced psychology in education degree programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Teachers College, Columbia University Application Requirements

Since Teachers College is strictly a graduate school, students seeking admission into one of its degree programs must have earned a baccalaureate degree prior to beginning their studies here. That being said, the first step in the admission process is to complete the online application. Along with the application, other documents needed include at least two letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose that details the student’s professional and academic history and reason for wishing to study at Teachers College, a resume, and transcripts detailing previous college coursework and degrees awarded. In addition, GRE scores from exams taken with the previous five years are needed, and some programs may require an academic writing sample.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The tuition rate for Teachers College is universally $1,512 per credit hour, regardless of the level of the degree (Masters or doctoral) and whether the student is considered an in-state or out-of-state resident. In addition, there is a mandatory college fee of $438 per semester. Most courses offered earn three credit hours. In addition, full-time students, or those taking a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester, are required to carry health insurance. This can be obtained through Teachers College at an additional fee of $506 per semester, a fee that is mandatory unless proof of external coverage is provided. For students choosing to study over the summer term, the fee for the spring semester also covers the summer term.

The cost of tuition and extra fees, as well as expenses for room board, books, supplies, and traveling, can be offset by financial aid options that include scholarships, grants, fellowships, assistantships, work study programs, and loans. The first step of the process for receiving any type of federal aid is to fill out and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available online. In addition, prospective students are encouraged to review the various scholarships, fellowships, and grants offered through Teachers College directly.

Psychology and Counseling Degrees at Teachers College, Columbia University

Within the psychology area of study, Teachers College offers several degree programs across various departments. In the Department of Health and Behavioral Sciences, students can seek a Masters of Education degree and/or a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) degree in school psychology. The Masters program requires completion of at least 69 credit hours, or points. Students seeking this degree are encouraged to plan for three years of full-time studies, including summer semesters. While part-time attendance is an option, full-time is encouraged. Courses in this degree program provide a core grounding in areas of cognitive psychology with particular attention to the needs of psychologists in the school settings. Completion of this program fulfills the requirements for certification as a school psychologist in the state of New York.

The doctoral program in school psychology requires a minimum of 90 credit hours, or points, inclusive of material involved in the Masters program. Rather than three years of full-time studies, students wishing to go all the way and earn the doctoral degree should plan on five years of full time studies, including summers. In addition to the three years of coursework, students in this program will undertake a two-semester externship in their third year and a full-year internship during their fifth year. A dissertation is also required. Completion of this degree program not only prepares students for certification as a school psychologist, but also for full licensure as a psychologist.

Other degrees offered include those obtained through the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, which offers a Masters of Education in Psychological Education, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counseling Psychology, and a Bilingual Latina/o Mental Health Concentration. Both the Masters and the doctoral degree emphasize multicultural interactions within the framework of counseling and psychology, preparing students to practice both mental health and school counseling in diverse cultural settings. Racial-cultural and social justice is emphasized throughout the coursework for both, as well as within the framework of independent research and fieldwork opportunities. Like the programs offered within the Health and Behavioral Sciences Department, the minimum credit hours needed for these degrees range between 60 and 90 points, depending on the degree level.

The Bilingual Latina/o Mental Health Concentration offered within the confines of the Masters of Education degree is the only program in the state of New York to offer culturally appropriate training for offering mental health services and counseling in Spanish to members of the Latin communities. Courses for this concentration are taken concurrently with the required courses for either the Masters or PhD degree, and are taught by bilingual faculty.

Teachers College Columbia University is deeply committed to continual improvement of the education system and in the health and well-being of the nation’s learners. Drawing students from all over the country and the world, their mission is to continue to ensure that quality educational opportunities are available to all, regardless of cultural limitations or learning challenges. In providing top-ranked graduate degree programs in all areas affecting education, Teachers College strives to ensure that they remain the place where the future comes first.

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