We believe that to be an effective educator, it is important to understand the fundamentals of education policy. We also believe that to be an effective policy specialist, it is important to understand theoretical aspects of policy design, policy process, policy analysis, and policy application. Given differences in students' policy goals, we offer different levels of involvement in policy coursework to meet their needs and interests. For example, students who are exploring their interest in policy and do not yet want to commit to a full policy program may enroll in one or more of the many individual policy classes. Alternatively, students who know they want to learn more about policy and wish to add policy study to their academic majors may enroll in the policy concentration--a proscribed set of sequenced courses. For those students who desire more intense policy study, pursuing a degree in one of the six policy-related program areas may be appropriate. We encourage you to read more about these programs and courses and to contact TC faculty who may help you select the most appropriate policy experience.
Teachers College offers twenty degrees in six policy-related program areas: Early Childhood Education; Economics and Education; Leadership, Politics, and Policy; International Educational Development; Politics and Education; and Sociology and Education. For brief overviews of each, and to compare them, click here. In addition to its six policy-related program areas, TC offers a College-wide policy concentration. The concentration allows students in non-policy programs to develop policy analysis, design, and implementation skills and enhance their understanding of current policy interventions. Students complete the concentration through a four-course sequence coordinated by Sociology and Education. For more information on the concentration, click here.
Teachers College programs in education policy are unique in their diversity and in the intensity of study afforded students. Unlike other leading schools of education and public policy, TC offers diverse policy options in two ways: first, through the variable intensity of policy study (see triangle, above), and second, through the variable policy content (e.g., early childhood, economics and education, etc.). Each one of these approaches education policy from a different perspective, giving students specialized expertise in their particular area of content interest and in the craft of policymaking and analysis. For example, students in the Ed.M. program in Early Childhood Education Policy Concentration take content-based courses like Principles of Teaching and Learning (C&T 4005), policy courses like Education and Public Policy (HUDF 4000), and melded courses like Studies in Curriculum and Teaching: Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood Social Policy (C&T 6502). We believe that this approach is a preferred way to prepare fully informed researchers, practitioners, and policymakers--and the best way to promote reform in American education policy.
What if I choose to pursue a College-wide policy concentration? If you are enrolled in one of the six policy-related program areas and are pursuing your degree, your policy expertise will be acknowledged on your transcript and other official TC documents. If you pursue a College-wide concentration while enrolled in a non-policy program, courses taken in the concentration will appear on your diploma or transcript but there will be no acknowledgment of these as a policy concentration. However, the Office of Policy and Research is currently working on formalizing the College-wide policy concentration so that it will be institutionally recognized at commencement.
No, you do not need to apply to the concentration. You should contact the Sociology and Education program for more details.
Traditionally, students not enrolled in policy-related degree programs or pursuing the College-wide policy concentration have not experienced any difficulty enrolling in individual policy courses. As long as they meet pre-requisites and undergo the appropriate application processes, all students have been able to pursue policy studies at TC.
All students at TC have access to a wealth of resources across Columbia University. They have open access to the libraries and special events at the School of Social Work, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, School of International and Public Affairs, Law School, and Business School. These resources are especially valuable for students examining policy from an interdisciplinary perspective. Students who wish to enroll in coursework at other schools will find that their experience depends on both their program of study at TC and the professors and policies at the school in which their chosen class is located. For example, students in the Politics and Education program are cross-registered at both TC and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, facilitating ease of movement between the two institutions. Students in other programs are encouraged to speak with their advisors regarding the process.
TC offers or coordinates numerous funding opportunities for students at all levels across the college. For more information on scholarships, loans, and work study, please visit the Office of Financial Aid.
Does TC arrange for housing outside of New York? We recognize the financial burden of pursuing graduate study and internship experience; as a result, we have tried to secure some internship opportunities that are paid. For more information on the internship positions that are currently available and paid, click here. Housing is typically not provided by the internships.
People from outside of TC? Education policy brown bags and colloquia are open to all TC students, faculty, and staff. People from outside of TC are welcome to attend the brown bags as space permits; colloquia are open to the public.
