Teachers College, Columbia University

The Distance Learning Project

New York, New York

DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM

The Distance Learning Project seeks to increase access to educational opportunities at Teachers College and provide a source of research, evaluation, and innovation in computer-mediated learning. Since 1997, enrollment in online courses has steadily increased and the program currently serves approximately 300 students per semester.

DELIVERY MEDIA

Courses are offered through password-protected Web sites with features such as a threaded discussion area, asynchronous chat, easy ways to upload and share documents, and the capacity for multimedia (audio and video) or hypertext links to supplemental materials. Most courses consist of reading and written assignments or project work with supplementary lecture notes and in-depth communication among students, the instructor, and the teaching assistant using the discussion board and e-mail.

PROGRAMS OF STUDY

At present, Teachers College does not offer any degrees entirely via distance learning, but online courses taken for credit can be applied toward most on-campus degree programs, including the intensive M.A. in technology and education, which only requires a short summer residency. Two 15-credit certificate programs can be earned entirely via online course work and consist of four required courses and an independent study project. The Teaching and Learning with Technology certificate is designed to prepare K–12 teachers, technology coordinators, principals, superintendents, and other educational professionals to integrate technology into the classroom. The Designing Interactive Multimedia Instruction certificate provides skills in designing multimedia applications for teachers, school personnel, curriculum developers, software designers, publishing professionals, media specialists, and other educational professionals. Both programs include a combination of essential hands-on and theoretical work designed to make use of new technologies and can be taken on a credit or noncredit basis. Admission criteria include an essay and evidence of the student's achievement and potential to benefit from the program. Both certificates have been approved by the New York State Board of Education. Students who are not enrolled in a degree or certificate program are eligible to register for any single online course, subject to the College's admissions requirements.

STUDENT SERVICES

Online learners receive a University e-mail address and an ID and password that allow access to electronic resources and server space. The library provides online access to electronic databases, full-text articles, and extensive indexes of education, psychology, and health-related Web sites. Students can order course materials through the Teachers College bookstore, and Distance Learning Project staff members are available to provide technical support.

Founded in 1887 to provide training for teachers of poor, immigrant children in New York City, Teachers College to date has educated nearly 100,000 individuals from around the world and is consistently ranked among the top three schools of education in the country. One third of the students are in teacher preparation programs, and the rest are planning careers in administration, policy, research, and teaching across the fields of education, health, and psychology. The College's mission is a dual leadership role: first, to be a major player in policy making, ensuring that schools are reformed to welcome learning for all students regardless of their status, and second, to prepare educators who not only serve students directly but also coordinate the educational, psychological, behavioral, technological, and health initiatives to remove the barriers to learning at all ages.

CREDIT OPTIONS

Most courses can be taken for either credit or no credit, but only courses taken for credit can be applied to a campus-based master's or doctoral degree. Online certificates can be earned by taking courses for no credit, but in that case they are not transferable to a degree program. Credits are only awarded for completion of online courses or independent study requirements as outlined by the instructor.

FACULTY

There are more than 20 instructors who regularly teach online courses, including full-time faculty members, adjunct faculty members, and instructors.

ADMISSION

Students taking courses for credit are subject to the same admissions requirements as the University or the degree program to which they are applying.

TUITION AND FEES

Online courses are charged the same rate as on-campus courses, as determined annually by the trustees. For the 2003–04 academic year, tuition for all courses was $825 per credit. The rate for enrolling in courses for no credit varied from $495 to $795 per course.

FINANCIAL AID

Students enrolled in a degree program at Teachers College are eligible for Federal Stafford Student Loans, grants, and scholarships, which can be applied towards online courses. For those not enrolled in a degree program, the only financial assistance available are personal loans, which are available through the Teachers College financial aid office.

CONTACT

Distance Learning Project
Teachers College, Columbia University
Telephone: 888-633-6933
Fax: 212-678-3291
E-mail: dlp@columbia.edu.
Web site: http://dlp.tc.columbia.edu

APPLYING

All application and registration materials for individual courses and certificate programs are available online at http://dlp.tc.columbia.edu/courses/course_registration.html. Students currently taking courses at Teachers College can register for online courses through the University registration system.