Academic Opportunities

Degree Programs

While employment at the University does not guarantee admission to any school, many University employees participate in both degree and non-degree programs. They may attend the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), for instance, or an affiliate such as Teachers College. Because of its orientation toward non-traditional students, the School of General Studies is a frequent choice for those wishing tobegin or complete a bachelor's degree. The School of Continuing Education offers eight part-time master’s degree programs designed for working professionals, and a post-baccalaurate studies program.

Office of Admissions, School of General Studies

408 Lewisohn Hall, Mail Code 4103
Phone: (212) 854-2772
Fax: (212) 854-6316
Email: gs-admit@columbia.edu
Web: http://www.gs.columbia.edu/

The School of General Studies is Columbia’s undergraduate college for returning and non-traditional students who have interrupted their education for at least a year after high school and now wish to complete their B.A. or B.S. degrees. General Studies students take the same courses with the same faculty as Columbia College, Barnard College, and Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science students. The School offers full- and part-time course loads, and is also home to the two-year Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program for college graduates who wish to attend medical school but need to fulfill the science and math courses required for admission.

The School of Continuing Education

203 Lewisohn Hall, Mail Code 4119
Phone: (212) 854-9699
Fax: (212) 854-5861
Email: ce-info@columbia.edu
Web: www.ce.columbia.edu/

The School of Continuing Education offers M.S. degrees in actuarial science, construction administration, fundraising management, information and archive management, landscape design, sports management, strategic communications, and technology management. Continuing Education also offers a postbaccalaureate studies program (see "Non-Degree Courses").

Prospective Students and Other Schools

Web: http://www.columbia.edu/prospective_students/index.html

For a complete listing of undergraduate and graduate schools, and affiliated schools, with links to admissions policies, please visit Columbia's resource for prospective students.

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Non-Degree Courses

The School of Continuing Education

203 Lewisohn Hall, Mail Code 4119
Phone: (212) 854-9699
Fax: (212) 854-5861
Email: ce-info@columbia.edu
Web: www.ce.columbia.edu/

The School of Continuing Education’s Postbaccalaureate Studies Program permits non-degree students who hold bachelor’s degrees to take University courses in the Arts and Sciences. Select lecture courses in the Arts and Sciences are available on a non-credit basis through the Auditing Program. The School of Continuing Education also offers a summer program in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and administers the University’s Summer Term.

American Language Program

504 Lewisohn Hall, Mail Code 4113
Phone: (212) 854-3584
Fax: (212) 932-7651
Email: alp@columbia.edu
Web: www.ce.columbia.edu/alp/

The American Language Program (ALP) offers English language proficiency testing and academic English courses for students who are non-native English speakers. The ALP offers full-time and part-time comprehensive language courses; pronunciation and fluency workshops; language training for International Teaching Fellows; a TOEFL preparation class; professional seminars in English for business and law; and specialized tutoring for small groups.

Center for Educational Outreach and Innovation

Teachers College
107 Main Hall
Phone: (212) 678-3987
Fax: (212) 678-8417
Email: ceoi_mail@exchange.tc.columbia.edu
Web: http://continuingeducation.tc.columbia.edu/

Founded in 1996 to extend the historic mission of Teachers College (a Columbia affiliate) locally, nationally and globally, The Center for Educational Outreach (CEOI) and Innovation builds on the many and diverse talents of the Teachers College faculty and professional staff to conduct over 250 Lifelong Learning programs each year. Its variety of formats include traditional classes and distance learning courses, institutes and lectures, symposia, conferences, film series and debates.

Many of these courses deal with children’s issues, in line with Teachers College’s traditional focus. These courses are offered to non-matriculating students.

Columbia Interactive

Web: http://ci.columbia.edu/ci

Columbia Interactive provides a gateway to Columbia’s online learning resources, such as faculty interviews, class websites, e-seminars, and much more. Columbia staff and faculty have full and free access to all of these resources, including the e-seminars, which are multimedia versions of actual Columbia courses on a wide range of topics in many disciplines.

Tuition Exemption at Columbia

Columbia University HR Benefits

615 West 131st St., 4th Floor, MC 8703
Phone: (212) 851-7000
Secure Fax: (212) 851-7025
E-mail: hrbenefits@columbia.edu
Web: Benefits

Most Faculty and Staff may take Columbia courses tuition-free during non-working hours, assuming that they have been admitted to one of the University’s schools or programs. Some Faculty take language courses, for example, through the School of Continuing Education; administrative Officers or Support Staff often use the benefit to take a Continuing Education course or complete a degree program.

With the approval of your supervisor, you may also be able to sometimes take classes during working hours. Tuition Exemption at Columbia is also available to many spouses, same-sex domestic partners, and dependents. Note that the benefit for graduate courses is considered taxable income unless certain exceptions apply.

For more information, consult the policies on the Tuition Exemption Benefit Program, on the Benefits page.

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