Congratulations and welcome to Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies! We look forward to the contribution you will make in the classroom, to the SPS community, to your profession, and beyond.
This section contains important next steps so please read it carefully to ensure that you complete the steps needed before your first day of class.
If you have not yet committed to join your program, please direct any questions to the Admissions Counselor for your program. If you have already committed to join your program, please direct any questions to your Advisor.
Admitted Student Timeline
Enrollment Next Steps
In order to secure a place in the program, you must complete the enrollment form within the online application system and submit your tuition deposit.
Your UNI is created after we receive your tuition deposit and will be sent to you via email. To activate your UNI, click the “Activate Your UNI or LionMail Account” option on the Manage My UNI page.
Submit Finalized Transcripts from All Post-secondary Institutions to the Office of Admissions
Before being permitted to enroll, new students must provide official verified transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended for academic credit. Among these must include a transcript showing the conferral of your bachelor’s degree and the completion of any in-progress study reflected on transcripts provided for admissions consideration. The submission of these documents is required in the manner outlined below.
FOR DOMESTIC INSTITUTIONS
All students who have attended a college or university in the United States must submit certified and secure electronic transcripts directly from their school or via the vendor that provides that service for their institution.
The School of Professional Studies will not accept as official any transcript submitted directly by an applicant, either in person, via email or by mail.
If your prior institution does not offer electronic transcript transmission, you must write to transcripts@sps.columbia.edu with the link to your prior U.S. institution’s webpage concerning transcript orders to confirm that paper is the only option. You will receive a response confirming paper transcripts will be accepted from your institution.
Once approval is received, please have the institution send the approved paper transcript to:
Office of Admissions School of Professional Studies 203 Lewisohn Hall 2970 Broadway, Mail Code 4119 New York, NY 10027-6902
FOR INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Official transcripts from post-secondary academic institutions outside the United States must be submitted through World Education Services, Inc. (WES) as a course-by-course evaluation. If a WES transcript was provided reflecting in-progress study, a follow-up WES course-by-course evaluation showing the complete academic record and degree conferral is required.
Complete and submit the application for the form I-20 to the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO). Please note that this is only required of international students requiring an F-1 student visa. If you are not a United States citizen or permanent resident, you must be a full-time student at Columbia in order to be eligible for an F-1 student visa. If you have questions about the visa application process (or other types of visas such as J visas) you can email the ISSO at newintlstudent@columbia.edu.
New York State public health law and University policy require that all students complete several immunization requirements and submit documentation prior to registering for their first term. Columbia University expects all requirements to be met prior to arriving on campus for the respective academic term, not when they arrive in New York City.
*Applies to on-campus, New York City-based programs only.
Full-time, in-person SPS students in a Master's degree program have the opportunity to apply for on-campus housing through Columbia Residential. You can see more detail on how and when to apply for housing in our Student Life section here. Please note that on-campus housing for graduate students is limited.
If a student is interested in living off-campus, Columbia's Off-Campus Housing Assistance (OCHA) office assists Columbia students in their search for rental housing in the metropolitan area.
All SPS students are expected to attend a Pre-Registration Advising Webinar with their Academic Advisor. During the webinar, Student Advisors discuss the partnership in which the student and Advisor will work together, including an overview of the course curriculum and course offerings. The course registration process and important resources of the University are reviewed. Failure to attend this webinar will result in a registration hold on your student account which will prevent you from registering for classes. New students will receive an email with details about the webinar and instructions on how to register for the session.
All SPS students are expected to complete online pre-orientation requirements through Canvas, our premiere learning management system. Canvas modules include Academic Integrity, Campus Policies and Procedures, Haven - Sexual Assault Prevention Training, University Welcome, Career Competencies, International Student Services, Office of Student Life, Student Success Tips, University Health Services, Public Safety, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, and Gender-Based Misconduct. Failure to complete the designated required sections will result in a registration hold on your student account which will prevent you from registering for classes. New students will receive an email with details on how to access and complete the tutorials.
To access libraries and secure campus locations, to purchase services at campus cafés and the University bookstore, and to take advantage of cultural discount programs in New York City, you must have a Columbia ID card. Read the instructions on how to submit your photo to the ID Center.
To ensure your academic and professional success, all students are expected to take part in New Student Orientation. Students will receive an email invitation that includes registration instructions. Orientation typically takes place the week before classes begin.
Register for classes utilizing the instructions provided by your Advisor. Review the academic calendar for a comprehensive list of registration dates and other important deadlines. You can also review the Directory of Classes.
Your E-bill statement will be available through Student Services Online (SSOL). You will receive an alert at your Columbia email address indicating that it is available. Please visit the Student Financial Services website to find out more about financial aid and tuition payment options.
Prior to the start of the term, students should update their emergency contact and residential address in Student Services Online (SSOL). This can be accessed via “Addresses: View and Update.”
If you are enrolling full-time (12 credits or more each term), you must confirm your insurance selection.
Columbia University requires all international students to enroll in the University's health insurance throughout their time at the University.
Sexual Respect — an important part of Columbia’s Community Citizenship Initiative — asks each of us to promote a campus culture that upholds sexual respect and unequivocally rejects sexual harassment, sexual assault and other forms of gender-based misconduct or violence. All students new to a Columbia degree program are required to participate, and everyone else is strongly encouraged.
