Curriculum & Teaching

FAQs for Applicants

What is an Ed.D.?

The degree of Doctor of Education emphasizes broad preparation for advanced professional responsibilities through a program based upon extensive study in a specialized branch of the field of education or in an area of instruction. Additionally, several programs leading to the Degree of Doctor of Education for persons preparing for college teaching of an academic subject are offered in some departments. A detailed statement will be found in the bulletin, "Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education in College Teaching of an Academic Subject," which may be obtained from the Office of Doctoral Studies.

Every Ed.D. student in Teachers College must be enrolled in a department and in a designated area of specialization, or in an Interdepartmental Program of Study. Ed.D. programs are offered in most areas of study in Teachers College but not all. A prospective student should consult the current Teachers College catalog, and inquire by conference or correspondence whether the Ed.D. degree is offered in the field of interest. Inquiries may be made to the Office of Admission or to faculty advisers in the departments or programs concerned.

When is the application deadline?

The early deadline for applications is January 2. All applications received by the Office of Admission after January 2nd will be held until April 1, the final deadline. Applications received after April 1 will be held in the Office of Admissions until January of the following year. 

Applications are obtained from and submitted to the Teachers College Admissions Office. Questions about the status or processing of applications, should be directed to the Office of Admission at (212) 678-3710, at Teachers College Box 302, or see the Teachers College Web Site.

What do I need in order to apply?

All applications for admission must include the following:

What are the criteria for admissions?

Admission to the Ed.D. program in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching is based on the applicant’s prior academic work and his or her potential for research, development, or leadership in education.  Applicants for admission into the program must provide evidence of three years of successful teaching or equivalent experience. Applications are obtained from and submitted to the Teachers College Admissions Office.

How do I know what points from outside TC can be transferred into my program? How many?

The doctoral degree requires 90-points of total coursework, including up to 40 credits that may be transferred from previous graduate study. Eligible courses are chosen through a transcript review conducted by the advisor. Students are responsible for submitting all necessary materials to their advisor. Upon advisory review, students are then required to include these into their Program Plan and submit relevant forms to the Office of Doctoral Studies.

How do I transfer into the program from a different Teachers College department?

In order to transfer into the program from a different department, students need to re-apply with the Office of Admissions. If admitted, students will need to complete the core and concentration requirements of the program, but will receive credit for any TC courses previously taken.

FAQs for Applicants and Current Students

Are grants and scholarships available? How do I apply for scholarships and grants?

Each year Teachers College awards over $5 million of its own funds in scholarship and stipend aid, and $2 million of endowed funds to new and continuing students. Most scholarship awards are made on the basis of academic merit. Scholarships are applied to tuition only, and students should expect to provide additional funds for the tuition balance, fees, medical insurance, academic and living expenses. Some scholarships may require students to reapply every year. Students are responsible to obtain details on re-application processes if they may apply.

Information and applications for Teachers College grants and scholarships can be obtained from the Office of Grants. Please see this link for more information.

Scholarships awarded from the Department of Curriculum Teaching include competitive stipends for conference attendance and presentations, among others. Information on department scholarships can be obtained from Alisha Arthur, Director of Academic Affairs.

How can I prepare for the first semester of my program?

Due to heavy workload, students are encouraged to complete several readings before their first year of coursework, specifically in preparation for C&T 5000. A partial reading list will be made available to all students admitted into the Ed.D. program sometime in the early summer following admission. It is also advised that students begin to familiarize themselves with faculty expertise within the department and to forge professional relationships with colleagues across varying stages and concentrations.

What supports will I be given?

In addition to advisors and sponsors, it is highly recommended that students take initiative to form study groups with other program colleagues. In many cases, students find these groups extremely valuable for academic and social support.

How do I find an advisor?

When students are admitted to the program, they are assigned an advisor to assist with program planning. Advisor assignments are made on the basis of the information contained in a student’s application.  To the extent possible, students will be matched with faculty with whom they share some interests.  However, once students are enrolled they are free to change advisors, if they find another faculty member with whom they would like to work. This is not an unusual occurrence. Changing advisors requires agreement from both the current and the proposed faculty advisor and is accomplished by obtaining both their signatures on a form obtained from the Doctoral Program Administrator. 

What is the difference between an advisor and a dissertation sponsor?

Dissertation sponsors will provide the most continuous and specific support to students as they plan, conduct, report, and defend their dissertation work.  In some instances, the sponsor will be one’s advisor, but this is not always the case.  Students should select a faculty sponsor who is interested and competent in both their topic and method of inquiry.  It is expected that students will take the initiative in selecting their sponsor and in seeking his or her agreement to serve on their committee.

What are the required core course requirements?

All first-year doctoral students are required to enroll in two semesters of C&T 5000, Theory and Inquiry in Curriculum and Teaching, six credits in the fall and three credits in the spring. In addition, students must complete the following Department’s research core requirements, which include HUDM 4122    Probability and Statistical Inference plus two additional research methodology courses relevant to the student’s research interests. Students must also take at least one advanced 6000-level seminar and two semesters of dissertation seminar (C&T 7500 and/or 7501 in any order) unless the proposal is successfully defended in the first semester of dissertation seminar.

How much can I tailor my program?

In addition to completing the core courses, students admitted into the Ed.D. program in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching must eventually choose a concentration of study. Each concentration has its own course requirements in addition to the department-wide required Ed.D. core requirements. However, it is important to stress that these requirements are not intended to be strictly prescriptive, nor are they meant to limit students to one area of professional interest.  In conjunction with their advisors, students have considerable latitude in tailoring a course of study that will meet their needs and prepare them to develop and carry out a dissertation. 

What concentrations are offered in the program?

Concentrations within the Ed.D. program in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching are:

Can I take courses outside of Teachers College?

Students are able to take courses outside of Teachers College according to reciprocity criteria established by the College. All courses taken outside TC are subject to the tuition rates of the school offering the course. Consult the Registrar for current rates and for instruction on how to register to courses outside TC but within CU. Please see the TC Catalogue for information about taking courses through the Inter-University Doctoral Consortium. There are necessary forms that may require advanced planning.

Where do I find methodology courses?

Although, most students opt to take methodology courses within the department, some do elect to enroll in courses offered across the college’s various departments. Students are encouraged to seek advisement from colleagues and professors in order to locate methodology courses that best inform and support their research interests.

How do I know what courses are eligible electives?

Each concentration requires elective coursework in addition to the doctoral core requirements. Students need to consult with their respective advisor for details on these electives. 

What is the qualifying exam?

The qualifying examination, sometimes referred to as the “certification exam,” is a take-home examination that is distributed on the day following the last day of C&T 5000. It is due two weeks later. For more information on the process of certification, please see the EdD Guide.

How do I take a leave of absence in the middle of my program?

Once certified, students normally have between 4 and 6 years to complete their dissertation. If extenuating circumstances force students to take a temporary leave, students are authorized for two semesters of exemptions for personal reasons, or may obtain waivers for documentable reasons out of the student’s control. Extensions can be granted only under special circumstances. These must be arranged with student’s advisors and with ODS.

What is the required format of the dissertation? Is there flexibility?

In the writing of the dissertation, a candidate must make use of the manual, "Preparation of Doctoral Dissertations," obtainable from the Office of Doctoral Studies. Arrangements of alternative formats may be decided only through arrangements made with dissertation committee members, involving full support from the dissertation sponsor.

How many years do I have to complete my dissertation?

Once certified, students normally have between 4 and 6 years to complete their dissertation. This can be dependent on whether students choose to commit to either full-time or part-time status. Students are responsible for obtaining information from the Financial Aid Office on how changes in status may impact financial aid.

If extenuating circumstances force students to take a temporary leave, students are authorized for two semesters of exemptions for personal reasons, or may obtain waivers for documentable reasons out of the student’s control. Extensions can be granted only under special circumstances. These must be arranged with student’s advisors and with ODS.

Where can I find sample dissertation proposals?

After publication, full dissertations can be accessed digitally from the library website, under the link Digital Dissertations. Hard copies are shelved on the third floor of the main Russell Library. Dissertation proposals specific to the Department are located in 308 Zankel Hall and may be borrowed for in-house use only through permission from the office secretary.

Where is the Office of Doctoral Studies (ODS)?

The Office of Doctoral Studies is located at the following address:
Teachers College, Columbia University
Box 172, 324 Thorndike
525 West 120th Street
New York, N.Y. 10027
(212) 678-4058
http://www.tc.columbia.edu/ADMINISTRATION/doctoral/

What working opportunities are there in the program?

Teachers College offers a variety of work study and graduate assistantships for students. A full listing for work opportunities and instructions for application can be obtained from the Human Resources Office.