Student Handbook 2021-2022

Dear Incoming and Continuing Students,

Welcome to the International and Comparative Education Program!

Teachers College was founded for “betterment of the life of [all] people and the improvement of schools and other means of education, as powerful instruments for the realization in the United States and in the world of the benefits of human welfare, liberty, justice, and peace.” The International and Comparative Education Program is the key engine for extending Teachers College’s reach globally and for achieving its mission of “creating a smarter, healthier and more equitable world.”

Our Program brings together faculty committed to contributing to the improvement of education policies and practices around the world. We approach education (broadly defined) from critical interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary perspectives and we draw on multiple ways of knowing with sensitivity to social contexts. In our collective work, faculty, students, and alumni engage with multiple stakeholders across national and international contexts, including government institutions such as education ministries, bi- and multilateral donors, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, private organizations, community organizations, families, and social movements.

Each year a diverse group of students from around the world come to Teachers College to work with our renowned faculty and to prepare themselves to make lasting contributions to these efforts. We are excited to welcome you, as part of this tradition, into our community!

During your studies, you will benefit from incredible resources in the Program, at Teachers College, and across the wider Columbia community. You will also have access to myriad experiences due to the College’s location in New York City. Be sure to take full advantage of the academic, cultural, professional, and social opportunities that make up this bustling college campus and its surrounding environs.

This handbook serves as an important guide for your studies, with information on our program, faculty and staff, courses, requirements, and student resources. To supplement this guide, please explore the program website and social media channels, talk to current students, and read our emails entitled Notes from Grace Dodge Hall. These weekly emails provide essential information, including program updates and deadlines, faculty office hours, scheduled events, internship and career resources, and professional development opportunities. 

We are pleased to publish this handbook for the second time online. While last year we did so out of necessity, given the COVID-19 pandemic, we soon realized the added benefits to a virtual handbook.  We are able to include more materials than before and importantly. It allows us to reduce our ecological footprint.

We look forward to collaborating with you over the coming year.

Oren Pizmony-Levy, Ph.D.

Associate Professor & Program Director

In 1899, Teachers College (TC) became the first graduate institution in the United States to develop a program that is now called International and Comparative Education. Program faculty members co-founded the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) in 1954.  By the 1960s, TC also became instrumental in the study of international development of education, establishing the program in International Educational Development.  In addition to actively participating in the work of various centers and institutes within the Department of International and Transcultural Studies, faculty members of the program conduct research around the globe and play a prominent role in international initiatives at TC and beyond.

The International and Comparative Education Program has two separate tracks, Comparative and International Education (CIE) and International Educational Development (IED).  The difference between them is that CIE is based on an academic discipline in the social sciences while IED is based on a professional specialization of education.  Students in both tracks specify a concentration. Students may specify a geographical area of interest.  The regional areas of concentration may include Africa, the Caribbean, Central Asia, East Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and the U.S. (for a transcultural/immigration focus).

The program is designed to provide students with challenging course work related to international and transcultural dimensions of education. Program requirements include work in four areas: a core curriculum, a concentration that is either an academic discipline (for CIE track) or a professional field of education (for IED track), courses with a transcultural or geographic focus, and elective credits.  The program is designed to be as flexible as possible so that previous educational and professional experience and the future career goals of the student can be taken into account in the choice of appropriate course work.  Students are expected to assume major responsibility for formulating, in cooperation with their faculty advisor, a plan of study that will best meet the general program requirements in a way that is most compatible with their own professional goals.

The International and Comparative Education Program provides advanced preparation for professional careers in a wide range of teaching, policy and evaluation, administrative, and research roles. Graduates of the program are found in numerous educational positions, including those in academic research and teaching, educational planning, foundations, non-governmental organizations, governmental institutions, businesses and corporations, and private and public educational institutions. 

 

International and Comparative Education Program
Comparative and International Education (CIE)	International Educational Development (IED)
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Master of Education (Ed.M.)
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)	Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Click on the link below to read about our faculty for the 2021-2022 academic year

 Faculty Profiles

Click on the link below to meet our 2021-2022 Post Doctoral Fellows

Post Doctoral Fellows

Click on the link below to meet program support for 2021-2022 academic year.

Program Support

PROGRAM CONCENTRATIONS

Below you will find information for the professional concentrations offered by the International and Comparative Education Program for IED students.  Some concentrations have additional requirements, including core courses and internships.  For more detailed information contact the program faculty liaisons.

 

Concentration Courses

Professional concentration courses offered within the International and Comparative Education program are included below. The list of courses under each concentration is not an exhaustive list for each area but rather a guide to help students begin the course selection process for the 2021-22 academic year. Since these courses are subject to change, check the online TC Schedule of Classes regularly for updated information. Students, in consultation with their faculty advisors, may select courses from other departments in Teachers College and other Columbia University schools such as the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the School of International and Public Affairs, and the Mailman School of Public Health. Additionally, students in consultation with their faculty advisors may also select methods courses towards their concentration requirement.

 

Click on the link below to read about the concentrations

Concentrations

 

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND COURSE PLANNING WORKSHEETS

This handbook includes a guide and course planning worksheets that explain the requirements for completing the degree. Use them to begin thinking ahead about your course plan.

 

Download Summer 2021 schedule: ITS Dept Summer Courses 2021

Download Fall 2021 schedule: ITS Dept Courses - Fall 2021

Download Spring 2022 schedule: ITS Dept Course Schedule - Spring 2022

 

All degrees in the International and Comparative Education Program require core courses (Area 1), which includes at least one methods course. For students beginning their M.A. or Ed.M. two research methods courses are required. The following are research methods courses offered both within the International and Transcultural Studies Department (ITS) as well as in other TC Departments. These courses are subject to change, so check the online TC Course Schedule regularly for updated information.

• Please note that if you plan to take a methods course outside of the ITS department, you need to get the approval of your faculty advisor. Additionally, some of the courses have special fees or require instructor’s permission. 

• Additional research methods courses are offered at other Columbia University schools, such as GSAS and SIPA. You can find these in the Columbia Directory of Courses: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/bulletin/uwb/.  ]

 

Fall 2021

Introductory Level Courses

• ITSF 4009 001 Introduction to Research Methods in International and Comparative Education
• ITSF 5000 001 Introductory methods of ethnography and participant observation
• HUD 4120 002 Methods of empirical research
• HUDM 4120 002 & 010 Basic concepts in statistics
• HUDM 4122 001 & 002 Probability and statistical inference
• C&T 6011 001 Introduction to qualitative research in curriculum and teaching
• EDPA 4002 001 Data Analysis for Policy and Decision Making I
• A&HE 5150 001 Research in Practice

Intermediate Level Courses

• EDPA 5002 001 Data Analysis for Policy and Decision Making II
• HBSN 5044 001 Advanced Research Methods: Literature Review and Critique
• HUDM 4125 001 Statistical inference
• HUDM 5026 001 Intro to Data Analysis in R
• HUDM 5122 001 Applied regression analysis
• A&HH 6041 001 Historical Method
• MSTC 5001 001 Qualitative methods in science education research (doctoral students only)

Advanced Classes

• ITSF 5001 001 Advanced methods of ethnography and participant observation: fieldwork, analysis, reporting
• EDPA 6002 001 Quantitative Methods for Evaluating Education Policies and Programs
• BBSN 4005 001 Research Methods in Neuroscience
• HUDM 5123 001 Linear models and experimental design
• HUDM 5126 001 Linear models and regression analysis
• HUDM 6055 001 Latent structure analysis

 

Spring 2022 

 Introductory Level Courses

• ITSF 4101 Introduction to Quantitative Analysis
• ITSF 5000 Ethnography and Participant Observation
• ITSF 5040 Mixed Research Methods

 

*Fall 2021 & Spring 2022 are subject to change and updates. Be sure to check back!

Please be advised of the following updates:

Starting in Fall 2021, the full-time enrollment threshold will be reduced to a minimum of nine (9) points. Accordingly, the half-time status requirement will be at least five (5) points.

• Full-time enrollment status will now be considered nine (9) points or more
• Half-time enrollment status will now be considered five (5) to eight (8) points
• Less than half-time status will now be considered one (1) to four (4) points

Please note these other important considerations that are determined by time status.

 

Financial Aid

Students must be enrolled at least half-time to qualify for federal student loans.

There are some scholarship and grant programs that require full-time status. Information on Teachers College institutional scholarships can be found on their website, here. Information on external scholarships and grants can be found here.

 

International Students

International students must maintain full-time status in order to remain in compliance with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration requirements.

 

Veterans’ Benefits

A number of veterans' benefits are also reliant on a student’s enrollment status. If you have any questions, I encourage you to reach out to Russell Gulizia at rmg2110@tc.columbia.edu.

 

Assistantships

The following assistantships require half-time status:

• Research Assistantship
• Teaching Assistantship
• Administrative Fellowship

Information on Assistantships can be found here.

Doctoral Fellowships and Doctoral Research Fellowships require full-time status.

 

Student Health Insurance

Students who are enrolled in a full-time load of billable credits will be automatically enrolled in the Columbia Student Health Insurance plan. Domestic students may request to waive their insurance coverage providing documentation of acceptable and comparable coverage. Students should contact studentinsurance@columbia.edu with any questions.

How to register for Columbia Courses: 

Columbia Cross Registration

 

How to register for Barnard College Courses: 

Barnard College Cross Registration

 

How to register for UTS or JTS:

UTS or JTS Cross Registration

 

How to register for IUDC:

IUDC Cross Registration

 

Other registration options:

Occasionally, Columbia courses do not load properly in TC’s system, and you will not be able to register online. If you enter a Columbia call number and your request is rejected, simply e-mail registrar@tc.columbia.edu. We will process the registration for you. You can confirm your registration through the myTCPortal one or two business days after sending your registration request.

 

Tuition: 

Be aware that you will be billed according to Columbia’s tuition rates based on the school in which you register. However, please remit any balance due to TC’s Student Accounts Office, even if the tuition due is for a Columbia course. 

 

Grades: 

Course instructors will submit grades to the Columbia Registrar. The TC Registrar will obtain your course grades from Columbia near the end of each semester as instructors submit grades. You can view your Columbia grades through the myTC Portal along with your TC grades.

 

Consult your peer advisor and faculty advisor:

Before considering any course outside of TC, we recommend that you consult with your faculty advisor on how that course will fit in your plan of study. In addition, please review the applicable policies on credit for advanced undergraduate courses and on non-TC credit limits for registration outside of TC. Failure to speak to your advisor or to check into the appropriate policies before registering might delay your graduation and have unintended financial consequences. Finally, our affiliate institutions may have academic calendars that differ slightly from TC's. Please review these calendars online (at affiliates' web sites) before you decide to cross-register.

The Certificate of Equivalency (COE) allows students who are registered for fewer than five (or 9) points to become either half or full-time based on the number of hours spent working on schoolwork outside of class time. A student’s workload may include any combination of courses, work, research, or special studies that TC considers sufficient to classify them as full-time. As such, there are certain educational experiences outside of the classroom that could constitute the equivalency of a credit/point. For example, students who are gaining work experience in an internship (and are enrolled in a credit-bearing internship course), or doctoral-level students who are working on writing and defending their dissertation are appropriate and eligible for COE hours.

• Students should submit a COE request along with the following information (documented on a separate piece of paper): 1) an academic plan, and 2) expected outcome(s). For part-time equivalence, students need to show 18 hours per week of work (x 15 weeks to equal 1 semester). For full-time equivalence, students need to show 36 hours per week of work (x 15 weeks to equal 1 semester). Students are encouraged to provide an outline of the weekly activities as per the needed # of hours listed above. Student should include their name and T number on this separate sheet in case it gets separated from the COE form itself. 
• Doctoral students enrolled in ITSF 6200 (Fieldwork overseas), ITSF 7500 (Dissertation Seminar in International and Transcultural Studies), or ITSF 8900 (Dissertation Advisement) do NOT need to submit a COE as these courses are the equivalent of full-time status. 
• Master’s students enrolled in ITSF 4200 (Integrative Project Research & Writing Practicum) do NOT need to submit a COE as these courses are the equivalent of full-time status. 

 

Additional Guidelines for International Students

For the 2021-22 academic year, international students must enroll in 9 points to show full-time status. International students may submit a Request for Reduced Course Load (RCL) to the Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) for one of the following reasons: 

• Initial difficulty with the English language or with academic adjustment during their first semester (Note: this does not apply to students who have pursued or earned a previous degree in the U.S)
• Documented illness or medical condition
• Final semester

 

International students in their final semester only in the master's program have two options:

1. If students are registered for any credits/billable hours (including as little as 1 credit), they can submit a Request for Reduced Course Load from the Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS). They submit this form electronically via MyTC. Faculty advisors will then be prompted to approve students' requests through an electronic form that will come to you. They do not need to request a COE. 
2. If students have completed all of their required degree credits and only have their IPs to complete, they should register for ITSF 4200 (Integrative Project Research & Writing Practicum) for a minimum of 1 credit, which is the equivalent of full-time status. They do not need to request a COE. 

 

Important points for all COEs

• All COEs must be signed by the faculty advisor. Faculty advisors or the I&CE Program Assistant can email these to registrar@tc.columbia.edu directly or the Program Assistant can submit the hard copies to the Office of the Registrar (when the campus re-opens in the future).
• The Registrar will NOT process or amend any COE forms after the drop/add deadline.
  
  

Housing & Residential Life Policies that Intersect with Course Registration Policies and Academic Advising

Students must be enrolled in at least one billable credit to live in housing for the current semester. Students need at least 9 credits, of which 6 must be billable, to be eligible for housing for the upcoming semester and renewing year. There are a number of courses that now count as full-time, i.e. 6200, 7500, and 8900, and allow students to remain in housing. 

 

Housing and Residential Life also have a Special Cases Committee to review any situation that does not meet the minimum requirements.

 

Download COE Form

An Integrative Project (IP) is required for the completion of the master’s degree (both M.A. and Ed.M.), and represents an extraordinary opportunity for students to apply the knowledge base they have developed during their time within the program. The IP allows students to deepen their research skills, and advance knowledge in their area of study and interest.  There are four types of IPs: empirical research paper or proposal,  theoretical exploration, policy study, or curriculum design and development. 

Click the link below for guidelines and detailed descriptions of the types of IPs.

IP Guidelines 2021-2022

APPLYING FOR GRADUATION CHECKLIST

 Students:

☐  Finish courses according to your timeline (e.g. 1 year, 1.5 years, 2 years).

☐  Review your progress with your academic advisor.

☐  Apply online to graduate:

            ☐  Log in to myTC

            ☐  Click on the Student Resources Tab. Under Enrollment Services click Apply to Graduate.

            ☐  Select the latest term (eg. Spring 2021) and click submit.

            ☐  Select the degree you are applying for.

            ☐  Select the term you are planning to apply for and click submit.

            ☐  Indicate whether you will be attending convocation.

            ☐  Enter your preferred name for your degree and mailing address.

            ☐  Review the information and click “Submit Request”

☐  Complete your IP by the deadline.

 

Contact the Office of the Registrar if you have any questions or encounter any issues while applying to graduate.

 

Advisors:

☐  Review progress with students prior to their completing the online degree application.

☐  Confirm completion of the IP by the deadline.

 

Important Dates:

For Degree to be Awarded in:	Approval of   Project by Advisor	Degree Audit   Submitted to   Advisor	First Draft of   Project Paper Due	Final Draft of  Project Paper Due  to Advisor	Master’s   Project/IP   Approval Deadline
May 2022	December 1, 2021	February 1, 2022	March 1, 2022	April 1, 2022t	April 30, 2022
February 2022	May 1, 2021	November 1, 2021	October 15, 2021	December 1, 2021	January 2, 2022
October 2022	May 1, 2022	August 1, 2022	June 15, 2022	August 1, 2022	September 1, 2022

 

Click the link below to download the Master's Degree Graduation Checklist: 

Graduation Checklist 2021-2022

  

Internships are an important part of the student experience in the International and Comparative Education Program and are strongly encouraged. Internships positively impact and reinforce the education and training provided to students, contribute to the work of education organizations in the field, as well as enhance future employment prospects. For example, they provide the opportunity to gain more practical exposure to the working world, apply skills and knowledge in real-life settings, and network with practitioners and other stakeholders in international and comparative education.  Detailed guidelines for internships can be found in the attached pdf: Internship Guidelines 2021-22

Students who have completed internships in the field of international and comparative education are encouraged to share reflections on their experiences. 

Important Offices

Office of the Registrar (for transferring credits and degree information)

Location: 528 West 121st St., Room 324

Phone: (212) 678-4050

Web page: http://www.tc.columbia.edu/registrar

 

Office of Financial Aid 

Location: 528 West 121st St., Room 310

Phone: (212) 678-3714

Web page: http://www.tc.columbia.edu/financial-aid

 

Office of Doctoral Studies 

Location: 528 West 121st St., Room 324

Phone: (212) 678-4050

Web page: http://www.tc.columbia.edu/doctoral

 

Office of International Students and Scholars 

Location: L5 Whittier Hall

Phone: (212) 678-3939

Web Page: http://www.tc.columbia.edu/international 

 

Office of Graduate Student Life & Development  

Location: 528 West 121st St., Room 155

Phone: (212) 678-3690

Web Page: http://www.tc.columbia.edu/studentaffairs 

 

Office of Career Education & Professional Development
Location: 44 Horace Mann Hall

Phone: (212) 678-3140

Web Page: http://www.tc.columbia.edu/career-education

 

ITS Workshops

This workshop series provides a venue for faculty and students from the International and Transcultural Studies (ITS) Department, as well as from other programs, departments, and universities, to present scholarly research, to discuss work in progress, and to further develop our scholarly community. The scope of the workshop is, by design, deliberately broad and inclusive, ranging from work on large-scale educational policy to the study of micro interactions in the classroom. Meetings are organized around one or a pair of presentations by faculty and graduate students (at all stages of study).

 

Students are encouraged to actively participate in the workshops and, as a rule, ask the first question to the speaker. An additional feature of the workshop is to provide opportunities for professional development, including learning how to use new software programs, managing a dataset, or discussing a relevant topic for the field of International and Comparative Education. Past sessions have focused on Qualtrics, a web-based tool for building sophisticated surveys, and how to deliver effective academic presentations. The workshop meets once a month during the fall and spring semesters. Look out for the ITS Workshop dates in the Notes from Grace Dodge Hall weekly emails. For any further information on the workshops, please contact Shelinna Balbuena at iceinfo@tc.columbia.edu.

 

Notes from Grace Dodge Hall

The Notes from Grace Dodge Hall arrive in your TC email every week. Make sure to read the Notes since they have important information that is updated on a weekly basis regarding program updates and deadlines, faculty office hours, scheduled events, and professional development opportunities. You can also use the Notes from Grace Dodge Hall for program related announcements and information that you would like to share with your colleagues. To post in the Notes, contact the Program Assistant.

 

Current Issues in Comparative Education (CICE) Journal

Current Issues in Comparative Education (CICE) is an international, online, open access journal inviting diverse opinions of academics, practitioners and students. CICE shares its home with the oldest program in comparative education in the U.S., the International and Comparative Education Program, founded in 1898 at Teachers College, Columbia University. Established in March 1997 by a group of doctoral students, CICE is dedicated to serve as a platform for debate and discussion of contemporary educational matters worldwide. We welcome submissions from professors, researchers, students, advocates, policymakers, and practitioners.

 
The publication of the CICE Journal is a student-led initiative at TC that is made possible by its editorial team. There are a number of opportunities for doctoral and master’s students to join the committee. It is an excellent opportunity to gain exposure in academic research and publishing, and students are encouraged to get involved and learn more about the work of CICE in the program. To find out more about how you can be part of the CICE team, subscribe to the journal, or submit an abstract, contact cice@tc.columbia.edu.

 

Please check out the CICE website, accessible from the program webpage, join on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cicejournal, and follow CICE on Twitter @TC_CICE.

 

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Important Resources at TC

Student Health & Wellness:

As a TC student, a special time in your life is about to begin. This change is a great opportunity that makes us excited, happy and proud to obtain a graduate degree. However, with great change comes difficulty and adjustments. The pressures of academics, family, finances, and more can lead to difficulty coping with stress and everyday life. Some of these pressures may have accompanied you prior to your arrival at TC. With this in mind, our focus is to support your pursuit of continued growth and balance through your graduate school journey.

As a TC student, there are platforms of resources available through TC and Columbia University. In addition, the city of New York has several options for services for mental health and wellness support.

We invite you to navigate our portal to discover what resources are within your reach. Should you have any questions, check our Frequently Asked Questions section first, many doubts and inquiries are already addressed there for you! You can also contact the Student Support & Counseling team for any additional questions.

 

Website: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/studentwellness/

Contact: studentwellness@tc.columbia.edu

 

The Graduate Writing Center

Highly recommended by all Program Faculty, the Graduate Writing Center (GWC) is a branch of the Office of Students Affairs and offers a variety of free writing services to the Teachers College community. During private consultations, visitors have the opportunity to focus on any aspect of their writing with one of the qualified advisors. The types of assistance offered are on both the micro and macro levels, including brainstorming, organizing, drafting, as well as writing coaching and instruction. The GWC also offers workshops throughout the year on topics that meet the wide-reaching needs of the TC population, as well as writing solidarity events and retreats for dissertation writers. The mission of the GWC is to support visitors’ development as writers, rather than serve as a proofreading or editing service. 

 

Online scheduling: https://www.gwc.mywconline.com  

Phone: (212) 678-3789

Email: writingcenter@tc.edu

Office: Horace Mann, Room 44

 

TC Next

Invaluable for its support in creating and updating resumes and year-round workshops and events to support students in planning their careers, TC Next offers career counseling appointments, career document review, and mock interviews. Call 212-678-3140 to set up an appointment for a confidential one-hour career counseling session. Alternatively, stop by for a “quick” (10-15 minutes on a first-come, first-serve basis) counseling appointment with one of the career counselors. The website also features CV, resume, and cover letter examples as well as provides sources for the job search and networking. Don’t miss the Career Fairs, Employer Showcases, and information sessions!

 

Email: careereducation@tc.edu

Office: 528 West 121st St., Room 162

Phone: (212) 678-3140

Website: www.tc.columbia.edu/TCNext 

 

Information Technology:

For information regarding your TC Email, the course platform called Canvas, TC Apps, or other related matters please visit the Computing and Information Services (CIS) website: http:www.tc.columbia.edu/tcit

 

Phone: (212) 678-3300

Website: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/tcit/

Email: servicedesk@tc.columbia.edu

 

TC Digital Futures Institute

The Teachers College Digital Futures Institute (DFI) is an interdisciplinary and research-driven endeavor that harnesses the expansive capacities of digital media and technologies for inquiring into, shaping, and transforming educational, health, and psychological outcomes worldwide. DFI is framed by a joint scholarship and service approach in which excellence in service to the TC community will be matched by excellence in innovation about digital futures research, pedagogy, and public engagement.

 

Website: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/digitalfuturesinstitute/

Contact: TCDigitalFuturesInstitute@tc.columbia.edu

 

Social Media:

Please join the program on Facebook at ‘International & Comparative Education TC, CU.’

https://www.facebook.com/TCCU.ICeducation

Follow us on Twitter @TC_ICeducation

We uphold the highest standards of academic integrity at Teachers College and in the International and Comparative Education program​. Plagiarism--that is, taking someone else's work or ideas and presenting them as your own--is an offense that we take very seriously. It is a student’s responsibility to carefully read Teachers College's full policy about academic integrity and to understand that students who plagiarize will face disciplinary action, including expulsion. ​Please note that using one’s own work for multiple academic purposes is also a form of plagiarism. 

 

Please read the excerpt​s below​ from the TC Student Code of Conduct on Academic Integrity (also available here), which explain the full spectrum of what plagiarism entails as well as the disciplinary actions that can be taken. 

 

When a faculty member identifies an act of plagiarism, they will share the name(s) of the students with the Program Director and their plans for responding to the situation. Faculty are kept apprised of plagiarism incidents so that we can monitor the situation across all of our courses and intervene appropriately.

 

​We strongly encourage all students to take advantage of workshops and resources on what plagiarism is and follow the APA guidelines closely. Please visit the TC Graduate Writing Center for more information about upcoming events. If you have any questions ​about​ your understanding of academic integrity, please ​do not hesitate to contact your faculty advisor, our Program Director, or ​Program ​Assistant. 

 

STUDENT CONDUCT CODE: ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

 

2.1 Professional and Ethical Standards: TC is an academic community whose most fundamental purpose is the pursuit of knowledge. High principles of academic integrity are essential to the functioning and continued growth of this community. Students, as well as faculty, are responsible for adhering to these principles, and TC will not tolerate any abuse of academic integrity. Students who intentionally or recklessly submit work either not their own or without clear attribution to the original source, fabricate data or other information, engage in cheating, or misrepresentation of academic records may be subject to charges. Those who violate academic and professional ethics should expect sanctions up to and including dismissal from TC.

 

2.2 Responsibilities of Community Members: Every member of the TC academic community is responsible for upholding the standards of professionalism and ethics declared in this policy.

2.2.1 If a student is unsure whether actions might constitute a violation of academic integrity, he or she has the responsibility to consult with the instructor in advance about any ambiguities.

 

2.3 Violations of academic integrity include but are not limited to:

2.3.1 Cheating: using or attempting to use unauthorized assistance, material, or study aids in examinations or other academic work;

2.3.2 Plagiarism: using the ideas, data, or language of another without specific or proper acknowledgement;

2.3.3 Fabrication: submitting contrived or altered information in any academic exercise, such as making up data, citing nonexistent articles, contriving events and sources of information;

2.3.4 Duplicate submissions: submitting any work submitted to fulfill another assignment without appropriate revision to meet the instructional goals of the current course. In cases of uncertainty or ambiguity, a student should check with his/her instructor;

2.3.5 Misrepresentation of academic records, or attempting to tamper with transcripts or any portion of a student’s academic record;

2.3.6 Facilitating academic dishonesty by knowingly helping another student to violate academic integrity;

2.3.7 Unfair advantage through attempting to gain unauthorized access to examination materials, or obstructing another student’s efforts.

 

Excerpted from the Student Conduct Code: Academic Integrity and General Misconduct.  For the entire text, please visit http://www.tc.columbia.edu/policylibrary/student-conduct-code.

The following information may be helpful to International Students.  For more information and additional resources, please visit the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS).

 Full-time Course Load and Full-time Equivalency:

International students with F-1 or J-1 visas are required to pursue a full-time course of study throughout the academic year. At Teachers College, full-time study requires registration for 9 credits of coursework or the equivalent during the Fall and Spring semesters.

In certain circumstances, an F-1 student may request authorization for a reduced course load. This is an application-based process, it must be approved beforehand, and can be requested based on the following:

• Initial difficulty with the English language or with academic adjustment (Students who have completed previous undergraduate or graduate work in the United States are not eligible for this type of reduced course load).
• Documented illness or medical condition.
• Final semester: Students in their last semester may request a reduced course load to complete their course of study. Students should be aware that they will be expected to complete all their degree requirements and will no longer be eligible for an F-1 program extension once approved for the last semester of study. For more information about each of these situations, please visit the OISS website.

Employment and Internships:

On-campus employment and off-campus employment is permitted for international students. However, it cannot exceed 20 hours a week while school is in session (Spring and Fall). During summer and winter breaks, students are allowed to work on a full-time basis.  International students may also work as graduate research or teaching assistants.

We encourage all international students to attend our mandatory employment workshops to obtain information on employment eligibility and application requirements.

Travel:

International students who will be traveling internationally must obtain a travel signature on their I-20 form for re-entry into the United States.  OISS recommends that you request travel endorsement at least two weeks before you intend to depart the U.S. Please visit TC Compass and submit a ‘Signature for Travel’ request, located in the ‘F-1/J-1 Student Services’ section.

For more information and tips on travel requirements and re-entry to the U.S., U.S., please visit the OISS website dedicated to travel.

Presentation Funding for International Students:

International students who have had a paper selected for presentation at a conference can apply for a grant for presentation funding from the Office of International Students and Scholars.  For more information, please visit the OISS website here. 

For more information, visit the OISS FAQ website

Many students in the program choose to travel abroad for internships or research.  All international travel conducted as a registered student of Teachers College, in order to fulfill degree requirements, or funded by Teachers College, should be registered with the Office of Risk Management.  

 The following guidelines are designed to help students prepare for international travel.  More detailed information can be found by reading The Teachers College Policy on International Travel or visiting the website for Risk Management: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/controller/risk-management/.

 

Before Deciding To Travel:

• Ensure you have the appropriate visas to leave and re-enter the United States and to enter the country you intend to travel to.
• Familiarize yourself with political, health, crime, and other safety-related conditions prevailing in the country you will be visiting.
• Determine whether the country and country region is listed on the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory as Level 3 (reconsider travel) & 4 (do not travel), or the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) due to imposed sanctions on the country/region.  Additional information and approval will be required.
• Ensure you have the necessary medical and evacuation insurance to travel and health/emergency plan to receive appropriate medical attention if needed.
• Receive approval from your academic advisor for your trip.

 

Planning Your Trip:

1. Trip Notification - All students who travel internationally relating to their graduate work must provide notice to the Office of Risk Management at least 60 days in advance of the trip. The College does not cover international student-led group trips.

2. Required Forms - Students participating in overseas internships or projects must complete and submit the following forms: 

• Emergency Contact and Medical Information Form
• Release and Authorization Form
• Itinerary Report

3. Group Study Tour/Traveled by Teachers College faculty – Faculty leading group study tours or other overseas group trips must obtain the following from all students and from any individual hired to assist with or otherwise participating in the travel:

• Emergency Contact and Medical Information Form
• Release and Authorization Form
• Tour participation List
• Itinerary Form

Please refer to the Policy for International Travel for any travel to an extreme location (levels 3 and 4). 

4. Please register your travel on Columbia University Global Travel “ISOS MY TRIPS.  ISOS is the global health, travel, and safety gateway for Teachers College. In order for us to be in the best position to assist you in an emergency, we ask that you complete the following three steps prior to departing on your trip:

• Please send your required forms to the Office of Risk Management. 
• Log onto Columbia University Global Travel “ISOS MY TRIPS to create your profile. You will have access to the Membership Card and any information relating to your travel. By taking this step, you enable ISOS (CU and Teachers College) to send you important messages about medical and security concerns when you are abroad with instructions on actions you should take in an emergency.

We also recommend you utilize this information gateway to research your destination. You can find health, safety, and transportation information by reviewing country and city guides.

 

Through Teachers College and external organizations, a wide range of funding opportunities available for students to apply.  

 

Learn more about financial aid sources offered through Teachers College on our Financial Aid Page and the Fellowships, Scholarships, and Awards Page

 

For external grants and funding, check out the International Grants Database that is provided by TC's Office of International Affairs. This database is a compendium of funding resources available to the TC community in support of international engagement.

Comparative and International Education Society (CIES)

The Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) was founded in 1956 to foster cross-cultural understanding, scholarship, academic achievement, and societal development through the international study of educational ideas, systems, and practices. The Society's members include nearly 2500 academics, practitioners, and students from around the world. Their professional work is built on cross-disciplinary interests and expertise as historians, sociologists, economists, psychologists, anthropologists, and educators. The Society also includes approximately 1000 institutional members, primarily academic libraries and international organizations. Over the last five decades, the activities of the Society's members have strengthened the theoretical basis of comparative studies and increasingly applied those understandings to policy and implementation issues in developing countries and cross-cultural settings. The membership has increased global understanding and public awareness of education issues, and has informed both domestic and international education policy debate. For more information on CIES, please visit http://www.cies.us. (Extracted from the CIES website).

 

CIES 2022

 

Title: Illuminating the Power of Idea/lism: Elevating ourselves in time, place, and possibility

Location: Minneapolis, MN April 18-22, 2022

For more information, visit the conference website at https://cies2022.org/

To become members of CIES and/or subscribe to Comparative Education Review (CER), visit CIES website at http://www.cies.us.

 

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American Educational Research Association (AERA)

The American Educational Research Association (AERA), founded in 1916, is concerned with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and evaluation and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results.

The 2022 AERA Annual Meeting will be held in San Diego, California, from Friday, April 22 to Monday, April 25. The theme is “Cultivating Equitable Education Systems for the 21^st Century.”

 

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Other conferences and associations include 

• NAFSA: Association of International Educators
• WCCES: World Congress of Comparative Education Societies
• ICHRE: International Conference on Human Rights Education
• ASHE: Association for the Study of Higher Education and many more.

Please speak to your peer or faculty advisor to be aware of conferences related to your concentration.

 

Click on the link below to learn about student organizations

Student Organizations

Click on the link below to learn about TC's Centers and Institutes

Centers and Institutes

TEACHERS COLLEGE WELLNESS RESOURCES

 

Visit the Student Health & Wellness Website for resources to support students and find information about the following:

• Student Support Services aim is to provide students with a central point for wellness support and resources at Teachers College. We are available to meet with you by appointment only to provide referrals, resources, and orientation on mental health services. 
  • For any other questions, please send an email to studentwellness@tc.columbia.edu, or call and leave a message at 212-678-7432.

• Dean Hope Center for Educational and Psychological Services
  • https://www.tc.columbia.edu/deanhope/
  • 212-678-3262
  • 528 West 121st St., 6th Floor

• Vice Provost for Student Affairs, Dr. Tom Rock
  • 113 Zankel, 212-678-3083

• TC College Ombuds, Dr. Stephen Peverly
  • 212-678-3084
  • ombuds@tc.columbia.edu 

• TC Gender-Based Misconduct Ombuds, Dr. Stephen Peverly
  • ombuds@tc.columbia.edu 
  • 212-678-3084

• Office of Residential Services
  
  • Whittier Hall 1B, 212-678-3235 

• 24/7 Line- Office of Public Safety
  • Whittier Hall 1A, 212-678-3333
  • officeofpublicsafety@tc.columbia.edu  

 

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COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY WELLNESS RESOURCES 

 

• Columbia Health’s COVID-19 phone line for your questions, Monday to Friday, 9 am-5 pm. Call: 212-854-9355
• Columbia Health 24/7 Mental Health Support Line. Call: 212-678-7432
• Columbia 24/7 Sexual Violence Response Team. Call: 212-854-4357
• Additional resources listed in TC’s Preparedness website.

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NYC WELLNESS RESOURCES

 

• NYC Well. At any hour of any day, in several languages, via phone, tablet or computer, NYC Well provides crisis counseling for free. Call the following numbers:
  • 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355)
  • 1-888-692-9355 (Español)
  • 1-888-692-9355 (中文)
  • 711 (TTY for hearing impaired)
  • You can also text “WELL” to 651-73, or Chat Here.

• New York State Domestic Violence Hotline. Call: 1-800-942-6906
• New York Crisis Text Line. By texting GOT5 to 741-741, you will be connected to a trained counselor, who can help them sort through a crisis and develop a plan to stay safe.
•  National Alliance on Mental Illness NYC. Call: 212-684-3264 or email: helpline@naminyc.org Hours: Monday – Friday, 10am to 6pm 

Click the link below to access the Academic Calendar

Teachers College Academic Calendar

Click the link below to access Campus Maps

Teachers College Campus Maps