Online graduate programs can help you build new skills, pursue long-term goals, and grow professionally. But before you apply, it’s important to explore whether online learning is right for you. At Teachers College, Columbia University — the nation's oldest and most comprehensive graduate school of education, psychology, and health — you’ll find online master’s, doctoral, and advanced certificate programs designed to support working professionals through academic rigor, flexible delivery, and a strong sense of community.
Whether you're an early- or mid-career professional, TC’s online learning environment offers a path forward that doesn’t require putting your life on hold. Courses are developed by expert faculty, shaped by leading research, and supported by tools that make remote learning personal, interactive, and meaningful.
Let’s explore how online learning works and whether an online master’s program or doctorate is right for you.
Questions to consider when choosing online graduate degree programs
Before choosing an online graduate degree program, take some time to consider the following:
- How do you learn best? Do you prefer structured interaction in real time, or the freedom to move at your own pace? Understanding your learning preferences can help you choose a format that fits your style. Learn what to look for in an online graduate program.
- What are your goals? Are you seeking a promotion, career switch, or advanced credentials? Your career aspirations will influence whether earning your master’s or doctorate online will serve you best.
- What does your schedule look like? Will you be balancing school with work, family, or other responsibilities? Online learning is flexible, but it still requires consistent time for coursework and engagement.
- Are you self-motivated and organized? Especially for asynchronous courses, time management and initiative are key. Online programs offer autonomy, which works well if you can stay on track without regular in-person check-ins.
- Do you value collaboration and connection? Cohort-based learning, even online, can enrich your experience. If building relationships and engaging in group work are important to you, look for programs that prioritize cohort models or other approaches that create community.
If you're exploring programs and want the same quality and community as on-campus options, TC's online offerings may be the right fit. These programs support a range of learning preferences and lifestyles, combining asynchronous content with synchronous sessions, live office hours, and, in some cases, short campus visits.
What online graduate degree programs look like at TC
Online master’s and doctoral programs at TC offer access to the same renowned faculty, rigorous academics, and institutional resources as campus-based study. Our faculty members are often both researchers and practitioners, actively engaged in their fields and continually refining course content based on the latest developments. This ensures what students learn is timely, relevant, and applicable to their professional goals — and reflects how TC excels in online teaching.
You’ll engage with a mix of asynchronous content and real-time interaction, including virtual office hours, live lectures, and group discussions. Even in an online format, you’ll stay closely connected to your cohort and professors through structured support, interactive platforms, and, in some programs, short in-person visits.
As Dr. Will Trevor, vice provost for online strategy and TC Academy, shared, students who succeed in online learning environments are often early- or mid-career professionals looking to continue working while advancing their education. Those who are self-aware and understand their preferred learning style will be best positioned to succeed.
“Online learning isn’t for everyone,” Trevor said. “Understanding where you are in your career and how you prefer to study should help you determine whether you’ll succeed in an online environment.”
Flexible degrees for career-driven professionals
Regardless of the type of graduate program you’re seeking, TC offers online options that combine academic rigor with real-world relevance. Each program is thoughtfully designed to support working professionals, with flexible structures that align with diverse goals and learning styles. Whether you're pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree, you’ll find online offerings in areas such as:
- Executive Leadership: Advance into high-impact leadership roles with a doctoral program focused on strategic change and organizational effectiveness. Participate in online coursework and short, in-person residencies as you strengthen your ability to lead teams, shape policy, and drive institutional improvement.
- School Counseling: Train to become a licensed school counselor through a program that combines equity-focused coursework with real-world experience. Complete field placements in your community, build skills in student support and advocacy, and participate in live labs that reinforce counseling techniques.
- Special Education: Develop the skills to support students with disabilities across inclusive and specialized settings. Engage in evidence-based coursework and complete student teaching locally as you learn to create equitable learning environments and adapt instruction to diverse learning needs.
- Sustainability & Education: Lead change at the intersection of climate, equity, and learning through a first-of-its-kind Ivy League program. Combine online coursework with immersive NYC residencies as you build expertise in climate literacy, educational strategy, and systems thinking to design real-world solutions across schools, nonprofits, and communities.
Online programs with support, resources, and community
As an online student at TC, you have full access to campus resources, including the Gottesman Libraries, TC NEXT (career services), student success advisors, and speaking events. The TC Digital Futures Institute supports faculty in designing interactive, research-based course experiences tailored for remote learners. Most services available to in-person students are also extended to online students, reinforcing a strong sense of belonging regardless of location.
Trevor emphasized that one of the biggest misconceptions about online learning is the risk of isolation. In reality, TC creates many ways to stay engaged — from synchronous sessions to optional on-campus events.
“You get so many opportunities to connect with faculty, staff, and other parts of Teachers College,” he noted.
Dispelling myths about online learning
Two common misconceptions about online graduate degree programs are that they’re isolating or of lower quality than in-person degrees. TC counters both through high-touch support, in-depth curriculum, and peer connection.
At TC, you won’t go it alone. Faculty are intentional about fostering community through group projects, synchronous classes, and some campus-based opportunities.
Quality is also never compromised. Online students earn the same degrees, taught by the same expert faculty, as those on campus. According to Trevor, employers no longer distinguish between online and in-person formats.
“I think that simply does not matter to them,” he said.
If you’re like some prospective students, you might worry that a prestigious school like TC is out of reach. Trevor encourages you to reconsider, noting that applicants often underestimate how much their professional experience adds to their candidacy.
Find your fit with online master's programs and doctorate online options at TC
If you’re looking for a graduate program that lets you study from anywhere, learn from respected faculty, and stay connected to a vibrant academic community, TC is worth exploring. TC combines academic excellence with forward-thinking program design and flexibility that meets you where you are.
As an online student, you’re eligible for a range of funding, including the Vanguard and Teachers’ Future awards, and can apply for federal and institutional aid. Whether you're interested in educational leadership, counseling, or data science, you'll find online master’s programs and doctorate online pathways that support your ambitions and provide the tools to pursue them on your own terms.
Explore TC’s online programs to find the one that fits your goals. And when you’re ready, start your application.