Before You Register

Plan a Program

Advisors in the Office of Student and Alumni Affairs, departmental advisers, and program advisors are available to help students plan their academic programs.

Obtain Course Information

Before you register, consult the online course listing for your program. Current meeting times and locations, call numbers, and the latest course additions and cancellations are available in the Directory of Classes.

Review Student Handbook and Registration Procedures

School of Continuing Education students should refer to their program's Student Handbook which contains instructions for activating a new Columbia email account, obtaining a Columbia ID card, e-billing and student financial services, registration, health insurance and more. 

Individual Course Approvals

If the course listing or Directory of Classes indicates that the instructor’s or department’s approval is required for a particular course, you must obtain that approval before you can register for the course. In order to register for a course which required approval, students must come to in-person registration with the written approval of the instructor (i.e. a printed email) or a signed Registration & Add/Drop form. School of Continuing Education M.S.students should also obtain the approval of their program director to register for courses outside of their program.

Registration for courses in other divisions of the University requires the approval of the program adviser and the Dean of the School of Continuing Education.

Students registering for creative writing courses should contact the Creative Writing Center at 212-854-3774 for the current term’s course approval schedule and procedures.

Students not enrolled in master of science degree programs who would like to take master’s program courses must secure registration approval from both their home school adviser and the master’s program director.