Welcome!

The Barnard Education Program is committed to strengthening public education and addressing issues of equity and social justice, particularly in urban schools.  We offer two tracks in Education: Urban Teaching and Educational Studies. In both tracks students develop a critical lens for looking at the issues facing public schooling and consider ways to promote fair and inclusive policies and practices for all children in our public system. The program is open to all undergraduates at Columbia (BC, SEAS, GS, CC) who are interested in becoming certified teachers, working with young people in human service agencies, or preparing for careers related to education.

Urban Teaching Track: Our goal is to prepare students to become skilled and reflective teachers who can effectively respond to the learning needs of diverse learners, and create supportive and intellectually stimulating classroom communities. Students learn to create innovative curriculum, gain experience observing, tutoring and teaching a diverse range of children and young people, develop confidence in their role as teachers who can promote fair and inclusive school practices, and graduate with certification to teach in New York. (Note: we are part of an interstate agreement for reciprocal certification with 41 other states.) This program is registered by the New York State Department of Education and accredited by the New York State Regents. This track prepares students to obtain a teaching position as a certified teacher upon graduation and/or to pursue graduate studies in education, public policy, sociology, youth studies, and other related fields.

Educational Studies Track:  This Minor (BC) Special Concentration (CC/GS) prepares students to pursue graduate studies or positions in public policy, sociology, history, youth studies, philosophy, psychology and other areas where K-12 education is frequently a focus of coursework and scholarship. Students learn to think deeply and knowledgeably about the manner in which schools socialize as well as educate citizens, and examine how the interests of different stakeholders are privileged or neglected. The courses are linked by a focus on educational inequality and youth studies. Courses connect theory and practice through placements in public schools, district offices, and agencies that work with children and youth in other than teaching capacities. This track does not lead to certification.