Degrees Offered » Ed.D.

The Ed.D. requires a minimum of 90 points of credit, and offers a broad preparation for professional and academic responsibilities with emphasis on a particular area of education.The course of study leading to the Ed.D. is intended to prepare students for a wide variety of positions in the world of education, positions in which students hope to bring a scholarly background in philosophical reflection and inquiry.

These opportunities might be

• in higher education
• liberal arts
• teacher education
• curriculum
• in educational administration at all levels
• foundation work
• positions in local and national government pertaining to education

A distinctive feature of this program is the preparation of a minor field, for example, teaching and curriculum, educational policy, special education and so forth.

The 90 overall points are earned according to the following guidelines. 45 of the required 90 points can be met through prior graduate study.

Notes: "G.S.A.S." is the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at Columbia University, which includes, for example, Columbia's Department of Philosophy. The "Consortium" includes Columbia University, Fordham University, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, The New School, and New York University.  Doctoral students in the program in philosophy and education can take graduate level courses at all of these "consortium" institutions.

All doctoral students participate together in a research and professional development sequence, one of several hallmarks of doctoral study in philosophy and education at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Beginning in their first year and continuing through the start of their dissertation work, students enroll each semester in (a) a doctoral proseminar devoted to the intensive, critical study of key works in philosophy and education, and (b) a writing workshop centered around the preparation of a formal proposal to undertake dissertation study.

In broad terms the Ed.D. and Ph.D. share these goals...

• that students master the humanistic skills of close reading and interpretation of texts, the philosophical skills of analysis and criticism of arguments, and the pedagogical skills of careful listening and of rendering one's ideas clear and accessible.
• that students become conversant with the history of philosophy, and familiar with the literatures in philosophy of education, the social foundations of education, and other areas of educational research
• that students learn how to discern and to articulate the philosophical dimensions of educational problems and the educational significance of humanistic texts

Ed.D. Summary of Requirements

1. Complete 90 Points of course work.
2. Demonstrate reading competency in one foreign language (usually French, German, Greek, or Latin).
3. Complete the doctoral certification process. For more information on the certification process click here.
4. Propose, write, and defend a doctoral dissertation under the guidance of a committee composed of four members of the Teachers College faculty.