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Within Columbia University, Teachers College has been a pioneer in exploring how anthropology can be engaged in public conversations about practical matters. This has led to the creation of two academic programs, one in Anthropology and Education and the other in Applied Anthropology. These two programs function as one entity and provide a unique research and training experience for a very select group of students. This highly personal academic environment within the larger university maximizes the interaction between students and faculty while offering a variety of scholarly and professional resources.
Both programs prepare students to enter current research and policy conversations about education, health, the environment, and other fields to which anthropology may contribute. The programs are built on the premise that one can apply anthropology only to the extent that one has been rigorously trained in the theory and methodology of the discipline. The program combines systematic theoretical training with courses on qualitative research methods, including participant observation, advanced ethnographic methods, and discourse analysis. We encourage students to conduct "on- the-ground" research, applying their emerging methodological expertise to situations across the globe. Many of our students also use their training to better social inequality around the world.
The faculty has a distinguished record of publications and research projects, most of which have been conducted in the United States, the Caribbean, South America, and Europe.
Anthropology and Education
The Program in Anthropology and Education prepares professionals and researchers to analyze and understand educational processes in schools and classrooms, in families, on street corners, in community centers, in churches, and in all settings where education may proceed. The International & Transcultural Studies Department houses the largest group of anthropologists of education to be found in any university in the world. It has been, for decades, one of the prominent places to study the anthropology of education.
Applied Anthropology (a joint program)
In 1968, Teachers College and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of Columbia University implemented a joint Program of Applied Anthropology. This joint venture is open to graduate students registered at either graduate school. By this agreement, all applied anthropological training at Columbia University is administered through Teachers College. The joint Program offers a course of study and thorough training in applied anthropology that is certified by both institutions and capitalizes on the strength of the university’s faculty.
This program focuses on the complex issues involved in applying anthropological knowledge and approaches to matters of policy at global, national, and local levels. Students work in a variety of areas, including education, international development, businesses and corporations, the environment, and health.
Resources
Both the Anthropology and Education and the Applied Anthropology Programs are conducted in collaboration with the Department of Anthropology at Columbia University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Barnard College, the School of International and Public Affairs, and other professional schools and institutions within the University. Students have access to courses across the university.
In addition, our location in New York City allows students easy access to a myriad of prestigious academic and research institutions. Doctoral students may take courses through the Inter-University Doctoral Consortium (for participating institutions, see the Inter-University Doctoral Consortium section in this catalog). They frequently become involved in the plethora of international organizations in New York, and they collaborate with the diverse individuals who call New York home.
Most graduates find academic posts and administrative positions in colleges, universities, and professional schools. Others locate in federal and international agencies, research institutes, private foundations, medical institutions, consulting firms, and social welfare and community service organizations in the United States and abroad.
Points/Credits: 32
Entry Terms: Spring/Summer/Fall
Degree Requirements
The Master of Arts degree program in Anthropology and Education offers a disciplinary approach that carefully explores and contributes to the analysis and understanding of educational processes in all settings where education may proceed.
Administrators, counselors, evaluators, and research associates can improve their work through learning how anthropological methods are applied to educational problems, policy, and practice. Students should choose an area of emphasis from Urban Education or Ethnographic Methods for Education Analysis.
The program requires at least five courses (15 points minimum) in anthropology; courses (9 points) in Complementary/Other Concentration Courses (International & Comparative Education, applied linguistics, philosophy, psychology, sociology); and four other courses (8-9 points) that directly contribute to the emerging professional interest of the candidate or practical courses relative to future professional settings. The M.A. program requires an integrative project in addition to the 32-point program. M.A. students are also required to attend a bi-weekly one-hour MA Advising and Career Workshop, also to assist with the IP, for noncredit.
To satisfy program breadth requirements, master's students must complete two Teachers College courses (for this purpose a course is defined as one in which at least 3 points are earned) outside the major program.
Points/Credits: 60
Entry Terms: Spring/Summer/Fall
Degree Requirements
The Master of Education degree program is flexible, allowing students to address various professional concerns, satisfy diverse academic needs, and enhance professional skills.
Minimally, candidates for the Ed.M. degree in Anthropology and Education take 40 points in courses related to the main fields of the discipline, including at least 24 points in anthropology. A minimum of five courses (15 points) must be taken in Complementary/Other Concentration Courses (International & Comparative Education, history, applied linguistics, philosophy, psychology, sociology). An additional 21 points must also be taken that directly contribute to the emerging professional interest of the candidate or practical courses relative to future professional settings. Students are also required to conduct an integrative project in addition to the 60 points of coursework. Ed.M. students are also required to attend a bi-weekly one-hour MA/Ed.M. Advising and Career Workshop, also to assist with the IP, for noncredit.
To satisfy program breadth requirements, master's students must complete two Teachers College courses (for this purpose a course is defined as one in which at least 3 points are earned) outside the major program. These courses should be chosen so as to enhance the professional preparation of the student in his or her expected field of practice. Up to 30 of the required 60 points may be transferred from previous coursework to the extent that they fulfill some of the requirements listed above.
Points/Credits: 90
Entry Terms: Summer/Fall
Degree Requirements
The Doctor of Education degree is for students who plan to engage in scholarly writing and research, applied research and evaluation, or teaching and administrative responsibilities at colleges, universities, professional schools of education and medicine, research institutes, or state, federal, and international agencies and bureaus.
A minimum of 90 points of acceptable graduate credit is required for the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.). A minimum of 45 points must be completed through Teachers College registration. Forty-two points of major courses are required. These courses prepare students with the requisite knowledge of epistemological, theoretical, methodological, ethnographic, and substantive areas of anthropology. They aim to develop competency in the discipline, while addressing the specific intellectual interests of the student. Fifteen points in research methods and statistical courses are also required.
An objective understanding of education and educational institutions, of persons and the learning process, and the various forms of measurement and evaluation in cognate areas prepares program graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary for researching and working in a variety of formal and non-formal educational settings through 18 points of broad and basic areas.
This leaves 15 points of electives to increase competence in comparative, regional or international studies, or to enhance technical skills used in conjunction with but outside the major course of study. At least three of these courses (8–9 points) must be taken in fields foundational to anthropology (economics, history, linguistics, philosophy, psychology, sociology).
Certification Requirements
Certification is the means of indicating that the student is regarded as having attained the expected competencies of the program. An overall grade average of B+ is expected. In addition, students must complete a set of written examinations on topics relevant to Anthropology and Education and to Applied Anthropology.
Dissertation Requirements
After passing the written certification examination, the candidate prepares a dissertation proposal to be defended in oral examination. One or two years of anthropological field research is required for the collection of original field data based on the dissertation research proposal.
Points/Credits: 75
Entry Terms: Summer/Fall
Degree Requirements
The Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Anthropology and Education is for students who plan to engage in scholarly writing and research, applied research and evaluation, or teaching and administrative responsibilities at colleges; universities; professional schools of education and medicine; research institutes; or state, federal, and international agencies and bureaus.
Each student develops, in collaboration with an advisor, a program of study in anthropology designed to establish a high level of competency. A minimum of 75 points of acceptable graduate credit is required for the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).
Of these 75 points, a maximum of 30 points may be transferred in courses from other accredited graduate schools. Forty-five points of Anthropology courses are required overall. Of these, up to 15 points in anthropology courses may be taken at other graduate institutions which are members of the Inter-University Doctoral Consortium.
These courses prepare students with the requisite knowledge of epistemological, theoretical, methodological, ethnographic, and substantive areas of anthropology. They aim to develop competency in the discipline, while addressing the specific intellectual interests of the student.
Within the major course requirements, 30 points in required courses must be taken: the four-semester sequence of colloquia and summer field research, which represents the core training module of the program (a minimum of 12 points); two additional research methods courses outside of the first semester colloquium (6 points); and two area courses, one within and one complementary to one’s focus (6 points); and two sub-discipline courses outside of sociocultural anthropology (6 points), in linguistic anthropology, linguistics, or sociolinguistics.
The remaining 15 points of electives are used to increase competence in comparative, regional, or international studies, or to enhance technical skills used in conjunction with but outside the major course of study. At least three of these courses (8-9 points) must be taken in fields foundational to anthropology (economics, history, linguistics, philosophy, psychology, sociology). Of the 75 graduate points required for the degree, a minimum of 45 must be taken for an evaluative letter grade.
Certification Requirements
Certification is the means of indicating that the student is regarded as having attained the expected competencies of the program. An overall grade average of B+ is expected. In addition, students must complete a set of written examinations on topics relevant to Anthropology and Education or Applied Anthropology.
Dissertation Requirements
After passing the written certification examination, the candidate prepares a dissertation proposal to be defended in oral examination. One or two years of anthropological field research is required for the collection of original field data based on the dissertation research proposal.
Foreign Language Requirement
Each candidate must satisfy the foreign language requirement by demonstrating a high level of proficiency in one language other than English.
Points/Credits: 75
Entry Terms: Summer/Fall
Degree Requirements
The Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Applied Anthropology is for students who plan to engage in scholarly writing and research, applied research and evaluation, or teaching and administrative responsibilities at colleges, universities, professional schools of education and medicine, research institutes, or state, federal, and international agencies and bureaus.
Each student, in collaboration with an advisor, develops a program of study in anthropology designed to establish a high level of competency. A minimum of 75 points of acceptable graduate credit is required for the Doctor of Philosophy.
Of these 75 points, a maximum of 30 points may be transferred in courses from other accredited graduate schools. Forty-five points of Anthropology courses are required overall. Of these, up to 15 points in anthropology courses may be taken at other graduate institutions which are members of the Inter-University Doctoral Consortium.
These courses prepare students with the requisite knowledge of epistemological, theoretical, methodological, ethnographic, and substantive areas of anthropology. They aim to develop competency in the discipline, while addressing the specific intellectual interests of the student.
Within the major course requirements, 30 points in required courses must be taken: the four-semester sequence of colloquia and summer field research, which represents the core training module of the program; (a minimum of 12 points); two additional research methods courses outside of the first year colloquium (6 points); two area courses, one within and one complementary to one’s focus (6 points); and two sub-field courses outside of sociocultural anthropology (6 points), the two courses may be chosen from the same subfield or from two different subfields.The remaining 15 points of electives are used to increase competence in comparative, regional, or international studies, or to enhance technical skills used in conjunction with but outside the major course of study. At least three of these courses (8-9 points) must be taken in fields foundational to anthropology (economics, history, linguistics, philosophy, psychology, sociology). Of the 75 graduate points required for the degree, a minimum of 45 must be taken for an evaluative letter grade.
Certification Requirements
Certification is the means of indicating that the student is regarded as having attained the expected competencies of the program. An overall grade average of B+ is expected. In addition, students must complete a set of written examinations on topics relevant to Anthropology and Education or Applied Anthropology.
Dissertation Requirements
After passing the written certification examination, the candidate prepares a dissertation proposal to be defended in oral examination. One or two years of anthropological field research is required for the collection of original field data based on the dissertation research proposal.
Foreign Language Requirement
Each candidate must satisfy the foreign language requirement by demonstrating a high level of proficiency in one language other than English.