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Address Contemporary Problems
We host a diverse community of scholars dedicated to addressing contemporary challenges in education in the United States and around the world.
Remembering Elbenwood Professor Emerita of Education Hope Jensen Leichter
Hope Jensen Leichter, Elbenwood Professor Emerita of Education, Director of the Elbenwood Center for the Study of the Family as Educator, and beloved member of the Teachers College faculty for more than 60 years, passed away on May 25, 2025, at age 97.
Professor Mendenhall Receives the Jackie Kirk Outstanding Book Award
The honor from the Comparative and International Education Society recognizes Mendenhall and her co-editors for their book, Education and Resilience in Crisis: Challenges and Opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa
ITS doctoral students win prestigious National Academy of Education / Spencer Foundation Dissertation Fellowships.
Two Teachers College students, Kemigisha Richardson in International & Comparative Education and Noël Um-Lo in Anthropology, received the national award of $27,500 to support their dissertation writing.
ITS Faculty and Graduate Students Launch Latinidad Curriculum Initiative
The website of the Latinidad Curriculum Initiative website is now live!
Professor Tawasil Receives the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award in Women's Studies
Amina Tawasil's book "Paths Made by Walking: The Work of Howzevi Women in Iran" was selected by over 100 librarians and booksellers to win the
Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award in the Women’s Studies category.
The ITS Department co-sponsors The International Program on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Policy
Professor Phyak and two doctoral students (Anna Burns in Anthropology and Education and Tsewang Chuskit in International & Comparative Education) participated in the program co-sponsored by Columbia University and several international partners.
Welcome to the Department of International & Transcultural Studies
The Department of International and Transcultural Studies hosts a diverse community of students and scholars dedicated to addressing contemporary challenges regarding education in its many settings and institutions in the United States and around the world. Over our long history, distinguished faculty and alumni have changed academic thought and professional practice through creative and original inquiries in their respective fields. We welcome and encourage students who want to be part of this tradition.
Our Programs
Anthropology & Education
The Anthropology area of study includes the following programs: Anthropology and Education; Applied Anthropology.
Programs:
- Anthropology and Education (MA, EdM, EdD, PhD)
- Applied Anthropology (PhD)
International & Comparative Education
The international education programs provide advanced preparation for professional careers in a wide range of teaching, policy and evaluation, administrative, and research roles.
Programs:
- Comparative and International Education (MA, EdM, PhD)
- International Educational Development (MA, EdM, EdD)
Sustainability & Education
The online master’s in sustainability is designed to equip educators, policy professionals, and organizational leaders to address pressing environmental and social challenges through education.
Recent ITS Faculty Publications
Regional Centers
George Clement Bond Center for African Education
The George Clement Bond Center for African Education advances research, teaching, and dialogue on education in Africa and across the African diaspora. The Center fosters a vibrant community that shares interests in education and African studies. We emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration at Teachers College and throughout Columbia University, supporting research projects, conferences, lectures, and courses.
Center on Chinese Education
Drawing upon the century-old legacy of Teachers College and China, the Center on Chinese Education (CoCE) at Teachers College, Columbia University was founded in 2000 by Professor Mun C. Tsang. It is aimed at contributing to a deeper understanding of educational development in China and to the fruitful educational exchanges between the United States and China through research, exchange, training and outreach programs.