Columbia Teacher's College Funding

[rparkerV]

Hi,

I am interested in applying for a the Doctorate in Communication program at TC at Columbia. This is under the Science and Technology department. I have been trying to figure out if they offer funding to doctorate students. I know it is pretty normal for Phd programs to give their phd free tuition + a stipend, but this doesn't seem to be the case at TC. Am I correct? I would love to be in the program, but I can't take out any more student loans...

Any info would be great.

Thanks.

[dramanda]

Hi,

I am interested in applying for a the Doctorate in Communication program at TC at Columbia. This is under the Science and Technology department. I have been trying to figure out if they offer funding to doctorate students. I know it is pretty normal for Phd programs to give their phd free tuition + a stipend, but this doesn't seem to be the case at TC. Am I correct? I would love to be in the program, but I can't take out any more student loans...

Any info would be great.

Thanks.

During my interview for a doctoral program at Columbia TC, I was told there was zero funding for my first year, and that I could perhaps have an RAship in subsequent years (this wouldn't put a dent in their tuition, and we all know about NYC living expenses). However, it might vary a bit by department/program. I would suggest that you try to get in touch with a current student in your program and ask these questions. You could also ask the grad secretary or someone in a similar position.

[rparkerV]

Thanks for the reply!

I think that policy is ridiculous. A doctorate program can take around 5 years, and going in uncertain about getting funding is simply not an option for me. I understand that people take out loans to go to law school/mba programs, but when you hope to be a college professor or teacher, I could be paying off loans forever (especially considering the debt that I have accumulated while getting my B.A. and M.A.). Most phd programs that I have looked at offer free tuition to all students and give a 20-30k a year stipend for TAing to cover living expenses. I realize an doctorate of education is different, though.

The program sounds wonderful, but I doubt I will even bother applying knowing this.

[Dreams]

Several people I know doing PhD studies at TC were encouraged, and even aided by their departments in securing administrative type jobs with Columbia and TC. This gave them tuition remission and a salary. You may want to talk about that possibility with your department.

[rparkerV]

I started calling the department today. It seems that I will just need to apply, get in, and then hopefully get a scholarship. I am way early in the process (the application deadline isn't until January or so), but I am trying to figure things out. It would be really heartbreaking to get into such a wonderful program and then not be able to afford it. Alas, I wouldn't be the first person to have that happen to...

If only I was a trust-fund baby! Life would be so much easier.

[mungdaddy]

I think you should definitely apply. All of the programs are different and each has its own level of financial assistance for incoming students. My program ended up offering me enough scholarship points to cover tuition for the first year. This isn't the perfect financial situation (when others guarantee funding for 5 or so years) but it is something and it allows me to attend without taking out loans. When I asked about aid for upcoming years, I was told that they hope to offer at least the same amount but can't guarantee it. They also told me that grant applications were being reviewed, if they were to be accepted, they would certainly be able to hire grad RAs.

Anyway, you should go for it. You never know until you try, right?

[sonofcioran]

Hi,

I am interested in applying for a the Doctorate in Communication program at TC at Columbia. This is under the Science and Technology department. I have been trying to figure out if they offer funding to doctorate students. I know it is pretty normal for Phd programs to give their phd free tuition + a stipend, but this doesn't seem to be the case at TC. Am I correct? I would love to be in the program, but I can't take out any more student loans...

Any info would be great.

Thanks.

TC has really great placement in the NYC metro area. I know lots of TC grads. Apply.

Also, hate to break this to you, it's Ed, not rocket science (I'm in Ed, so this isn't a knock on the discipline, just the reality - it's more laid back). You can get away with working at least P/T (unlike PhD programs at some U's in the hard sciences and psych, where you're essentially grad slave labor) if your funding is shoddy. EdD's (and PhD's in Ed) are often in the ballpark with PsyD's - often unfunded. This isn't way out in left field, but I don't know Columbia's general situation with funding in TC.

I second the recommendation to talk to the dep't secretary. IME, they generally know more about this stuff than the dep't chairs.

Best of Luck!