Teachers College, established in 1887, is an independent institution which received its original charter from the Regents of the University of the State of New York in 1889.

The College has been formally affiliated with Columbia University since 1898. Under the present arrangement, Teachers College functions as the University's graduate faculty of education. Although a part of the University for academic purposes, Teachers College maintains its independence as a separate corporation and is solely responsible for its own financial support, budget, plant, personnel policies and internal organization and administration.

The faculty of the College consists of approximately 135 persons of professorial rank and an equal number of adjunct professors, visiting professors, lecturers and instructors. The College enrolls approximately 5,000 graduate students who come from throughout the United States and over eighty foreign countries. Approximately 33% of the College's students have been admitted to doctoral study. Detailed information about academic programs is contained in the College Bulletin.

All Teachers College degrees are granted through the University. The M.A., M.S., Ed.M. and Ed.D. degrees are awarded on recommendation of the Faculty of Teachers College. The Ph.D. degree, however, is awarded on recommendation of the Subcommittee on the Ph.D. degree in Teachers College of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

The President of Teachers College ranks as a dean in the University. Two members of the College faculty represent the institution in the University Senate. The President of Columbia University has the right to approve all nominations for appointment to or promotion within the Teachers College faculty before such nominations are submitted to the Trustees of Teachers College for approval. The President of Columbia University makes nominations to the Trustees of Teachers College for the presidency of the College, after conferring with a committee of the faculty of the College elected for that purpose.