Postbaccalaureate Studies

Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies Postbaccalaureate programs offer motivated students with bachelor’s degrees the opportunity to advance their knowledge and achieve their academic goals as part of Columbia University’s community. Rigorous undergraduate and graduate courses in more than 100 subject areas offer students the opportunity to study with Columbia’s distinguished faculty alongside matriculating degree candidates. Working closely with advisors at the School of Professional Studies, postbaccalaureate students develop dynamic plans tailored to their backgrounds and academic goals, drawing from options ranging from highly structured to extremely flexible.

Who Should Apply

Students planning for graduate school who:

• Need to complete prerequisite courses

• Wish to enhance their application with rigorous coursework

• Want to transition back into academia at their own pace

Columbia University Officers of Instruction/ Officers of Research:

Officers of Instruction (faculty) and Officers of Research at Columbia University are eligible to take one or multiple courses through the School of Professional Studies. Faculty and research officers of the University will complete an abbreviated application consisting of contact and citizenship information as well as course interest. You will also be required to provide a letter from Human Resources verifying your faculty/research officer status. 

If you are not classified as an Officer of Instruction or Officer of Research, you must apply to the general Visiting—Postbaccalaureate program. Please review the faculty handbook or reach out to your HR department to confirm that your title is categorized as an Officer of Instruction or Officer of Research.

Attention: Pre-Med Students

Postbaccalaureate Studies through SPS may be most valuable to individuals who have already completed most pre-med classes and only need to take a few more classes to fulfill requirements. Students have the ability to customize a program of study to meet their individual needs. Each semester, SPS welcomes students taking classes across Math, Statistics, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics and Psychology for this purpose.

Students seeking an exclusive pre-med program with in-built medical school advising may want to consider the Postbac Premed Program at the Columbia University School of General Studies.