The nation's top-ranked graduate school of education, pioneering multidisciplinary approaches to learning, health, and social justice.
Teachers College offers Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Education (Ed.M.), Master of Science (M.S.), Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees across more than 100 programs. While the college's name emphasizes teaching, less than one-third of students pursue careers as teachers; graduates work in social sciences, health promotion, educational policy, technology, international education, and leadership. The curriculum combines humanitarian concern with scientific approaches to human development, including foundational subjects like educational psychology, sociology, and ethics. The college houses leading programs in organizational psychology, clinical and counseling psychology, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, curriculum development, instructional technology, and media studies.
Teachers College occupies a historic urban campus in Morningside Heights adjacent to Harlem, providing unique educational and social opportunities within New York City. The college operates three residence halls for single students (517 West 121st, Grant Hall, and Whittier Hall) and three for family housing (Bancroft Hall, Grant Hall, and Sarasota Hall), with one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments available based on family size. Faculty housing is available in Lowell Hall and Seth Low Hall. Student governance is led by a student senate that meets bi-weekly to address community issues. The college shares academic resources with Columbia University, including libraries, health services, research centers, and the Dodge Fitness Center.
Teachers College accepts applications for degree programs, advanced certificates, and non-degree programs. The 2026 application deadline for most programs has passed (April 1), but rolling admissions continue for select programs where space permits. The college welcomes international applicants and offers both in-person and virtual information sessions, campus tours, and application workshops. Prospective students can explore over 100 programs across education, health, psychology, and leadership disciplines.
Teachers College graduates are awarded Columbia University degrees and participate in Columbia's commencement ceremony. Graduates retain @columbia.edu email addresses for life and are eligible for Columbia Alumni Association membership and events. The college's 90,000-strong alumni network includes notable figures such as Shirley Chisholm (first African American woman elected to Congress), Art Garfunkel (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee), and leaders in education, government, business, and social justice. The college maintains deep ties with urban and suburban school systems, conducting collaborative research that strengthens teaching in reading, writing, science, mathematics, and the arts.