Teachers College, Columbia University, First in the Nation to Offer an Entire M.A. Program in Diabetes Management

NEW YORK, NY, January 12, 2011

Teachers College, Columbia University is the first to offer a Masters Degree in Diabetes Education starting in fall 2011. The Diabetes Education and Management Program is a 36-credit multidisciplinary degree. The program is available entirely online and can be pursued full-time or part-time.

Kathleen O'Connell PhD, RN, Isabel Maitland Stewart Professor of Nursing Education at Teachers College and fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, founded this program. The program is targeted to clinical health care professionals to prepare for the growing diabetes epidemic. The program will help them acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the increased demand for comprehensive and effective diabetes care for the millions with the disease.

O'Connell says. "Teachers College is especially well-suited to develop educators who can teach these skills, because we have both the health and education expertise here."

Teachers College has a long history in teaching Heath Education and Nursing Education. The Nursing Education program, which began in 1899, has educated numerous influential leaders in the nursing profession.

Key Issues Addressed

- Students develop a clear understanding of how diabetes develops and evolves across different populations
- Students learn effective communication and counseling skills, and employ sound educational strategies to
empower individuals with, and at risk for, diabetes to achieve behavior changes that optimize health
- Students learn to influence public policy to improve the quality and availability of diabetes care and to modify
social and societal conditions.
- Students acquire skills to advocate the reducing health disparities that continue to exist among ethnic groups

For further information please visit http://www.tc.edu/diabetes.

About Teachers College
Teachers College, Columbia University is an institution with a rich and distinguished record in the field of education. Since its founding in 1887, the College has acted with initiatives to advance educational reforms and issues. The College is one of the leading schools of graduate education in the country, and the world, embracing three fields: education, psychology and health.

Contact Information:
Kathleen O'Connell
Email: ko199@columbia.edu
Teachers College Columbia University - Department of Health and Behavior Studies
525 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027

For further information please visit us at http://www.tc.edu/diabetes.