Professional Development Intensive for Doctoral Students
Program Description:
This winter course supports the academic and professional development of Teachers College doctoral students across departments and stages of study. Together, we will explore how to shape a clear and sustainable research agenda, strengthen approaches to teaching and pedagogy, and prepare for conferences, publishing, and job applications. We will also take time to reflect on issues of mental health and work-life balance, recognizing the challenges of sustaining scholarly work over time.
Students will have opportunities to workshop materials connected to their research and professional development (e.g. CVs, research and teaching statements, job market materials) and to think about how to align their academic work with longer-term goals. The course is structured as a collaborative space where students can learn from faculty and peers, while also building community across disciplines.
Dates & Registration
Dates: January 5 - 16, 2026
Times:
- Week 1 (January 5 - 9, 2026): In-Person, Monday-Friday, 9:30am - 12:30pm each day
- Week 2 (January 12 - 16, 2026): Online (mix of asynchronous + synchronous + individual meetings)
Format: Hybrid
Registration:
This course can be taken for credit in accordance with TC's enrollment policies for 3 credits. All points for this course will be counted towards your spring course load. A 0-credit option is also available, space permitting. The workload and grading expectations are identical for both options. Students must fill out the application and be invited to enroll. Please indicate your credit preference in the application. Priority enrollment will go to students taking the course for 3 credits. Please note that college tuition and fees will apply. Winter session courses will follow spring registration and payment deadlines.
Please Note: This course can be taken for 0 or 3 credits by Teachers College doctoral students. Registration must be completed through the Registrar.
For more information, questions, or to register: Email tcacademy@tc.columbia.edu
Faculty
Ioana Literat
Co-Director, Media & Social Change Lab (MASCLab); Program Director, Technology, Media & Learning
Ioana Literat is an Associate Professor in the Technology, Media & Learning program at Teachers College, Columbia University, and the Associate Director of the Media & Social Change Lab (MASCLab).
Her research centers on young people’s creative and political expression online, with a particular focus on youth. Her work asks: How does online participation enable new forms of creativity and learning? How do young people’s creative and civic practices intersect in online contexts? And, how can we leverage an understanding of these practices to better support the next generation of thinkers, voters and activists?
Haeny Yoon
Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education; Director, Early Childhood Programs
Haeny Yoon is an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research looks at how teachers and children negotiate spaces of play as a pedagogical, curricular, and intellectual practice. She is a co-host of a Digital Futures Institute (DFI) at Teachers College produced podcast, Pop and Play, holding serious and wacky conversations with researchers, educators, designers, children, and media-makers about the role of play and creativity in their personal and professional life. Together with colleagues at DFI, her work focuses on intergenerational and interdisciplinary intersections of play and literacy that merges both academic and public conversations across platforms and spaces.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will:
- Develop a coherent research agenda aligned with their values and interests.
- Create a professional portfolio with key research, teaching, and job market materials.
- Build effective networking, presentation, and publishing skills.
- Establish strategies for public engagement and professional presence.
Who Should Attend
This for-credit course is only available to TC doctoral students for 0 or 3 credits.
Upon Completion
Participants who successfully complete this program will earn a verified Certificate of Participation and an official Digital Badge—valuable credentials that showcase your commitment to professional growth and can be shared on LinkedIn or digital portfolios.
View our sample program badge and certificate below:
