Apply to this Program

Individuals who hold at least a bachelor's degree or the equivalent from an accredited American or foreign university may apply for admission as Postbaccalaureate Studies students.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for whom English is not a first language
You will be required to demonstrate English proficiency before being considered for the program, unless you have received your undergraduate degree from a US college or university. See the English Language Requirements for details.

Columbia University Faculty & Research Officers
You will complete an abbreviated application consisting of contact and citizenship information, and will not be assessed the application fee nor be required to submit additional documents. Start the application process now.

All other Columbia University Employees
You must be admitted into the Postbaccalaureate Studies program in order to register for a course. Please review the application materials below as they must be submitted for your application to be complete. Employees are held to the same academic standards as matriculated students at the University, and are required to follow the calendars, admissions requirements, and administrative policies posted on our website.

Application Materials

1. Completed Online Application form.
   Choose "Postbaccalaureate Studies" under Student Category.

2. $80.00 nonrefundable application fee (U.S. currency).

3. Transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended. The rules and requirements for providing documentation for domestic vs. international transcripts are outlined below:

   Domestic Transcripts
   from institutions in the U.S. or Canada
   

   If your transcripts are from an institution in the U.S. or Canada, we strongly recommend submitting unofficial documents through the online application system at the time of application. Candidates offered admission will later be required to supply official documents prior to enrollment for verification before the offer is considered official.

   For those applicants who are offered admission, official transcripts must arrive in envelopes sealed by the issuing institutions certifying conferral of a bachelor's degree. Copies, opened or unsealed envelopes, unofficial printouts, or facsimiles will not be accepted. Many schools take a number of weeks to fulfill transcript requests; please plan accordingly. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to withdraw any offer of admission already made if there is a discrepancy between the self-reported transcript and the official transcript.

   International Transcripts
   from institutions outside the U.S. or Canada
   

   Spring & Summer 2013 Applicants If your post-secondary credentials are from an institution outside the U.S. or Canada, the Office of Admission requires that all post-secondary credentials be submitted in the original language along with both a certified English credential evaluation and translation. We recommend using the World Education Services, Inc. (WES) to fulfill this requirement.

   Fall 2013 Applicants If your post-secondary credentials are from an institution outside the U.S. or Canada, the Office of Admission requires you to submit all post-secondary credentials (undergraduate and graduate) to World Education Services, Inc. (WES), a third party verification agency for a course-by-course evaluation.

   Instructions for using WES

   WES must complete a course-by-course evaluation of all post-secondary credentials. Please select the WES basic course-by-course evaluation (with GPA and course-levels) and request to have WES send your evaluation to Columbia University School of Continuing Education. The school can be found by searching Columbia University and then selecting School of Continuing Education. The evaluation provided to the School of Continuing Education becomes an official academic record and sole property of the School of Continuing Education upon its receipt.

   WES evaluations will be reviewed by the School of Continuing Education administrators and the determination of degree equivalency to U.S. degrees is at the discretion of the School of Continuing Education.

4. A statement of purpose (no more than 500 words) that addresses your interests and purpose in entering the program. Some applicants use their statements as an opportunity to amplify information contained on the application or academic transcripts. The statement provides an excellent forum for explaining any weaknesses that may appear on the transcript or to highlight any strengths that may not be evident elsewhere.

5. Applicants to certificate programs are required to submit a résumé.

6. Applicants to the business edge program for the fall and spring semesters must submit a letter of recommendation from their home institution's dean of students on university letterhead. This letter should attest to the applicant's good academic and disciplinary standing and approve study at Columbia as an undergraduate visiting student.

7. International students must fulfill additional application requirements.

Note: Applicants whose native language is not English or have not completed their undergraduate studies at an accredited US college or university are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting official scores either from the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System).  Official scores must be sent directly from either TOEFL or IELTS and are only valid for two years.  (Use school code 2594 to report TOEFL scores.)

Applicants taking the TOEFL must have a score of at least 100 on the Internet-based version (600 paper based).  Applicants taking the IELTS must receive a score of 7.0 or higher.  Applicants receiving scores below the posted minimums may be advised to apply directly to the American Language Program.

Applicants who are admitted on the basis of TOEFL or IELTS scores may be required to further demonstrate their command of the English language during orientation and/or registration.

Submitting the Application

1. Applicants are encouraged to submit all supporting application materials through the online application system.  Unofficial documents will be used for admission consideration.

2. Applications are not considered complete until all required materials listed in the Application Materials section have been received.  Only complete applications will be reviewed.

3. Applicants who are admitted to the program must submit all official documents to the Office of Admissions before the offer is considered official.

4. All submitted materials should clearly bear the applicant's name and the name of the program to which he or she is applying.

Mailing Address and Contact Information

Office of Admissions
School of Continuing Education
203 Lewisohn Hall
2970 Broadway, Mail Code 4119
New York, NY 10027-6902
212-854-9666
ce-info@columbia.edu
Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM; Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Notification of Admissions Decision

Students are notified of admissions decisions via e-mail. As soon as the review process has begun, it usually takes two to three weeks to receive a decision once all application materials have been received.

Important: The Office of Admissions stops mailing admissions decisions one week prior to the start of registration for every session. Students who complete their applications fewer than five business days prior to registration must come in person, during registration, to receive an admissions decision.