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 three to five business days after we receive your tuition deposit. To activate your UNI, click the “Activate Your UNI or LionMail Account” option on the Manage My UNI page. If you are unable to look up your UNI using the available search tool and more than five business days have passed, please contact apply [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu.
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 here.
For Domestic Institutions
For each institution attended, you must provide an electronic transcript directly from the institution to transcripts [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu. If your prior institution does not offer electronic transcript transmission, you must write to transcripts [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu with the link to your prior U.S. institution’s webpage concerning transcript orders to confirm that paper is the only option and obtain permission to submit a paper transcript.
If a paper transcript is the only option, it must be sent directly from the institution to Columbia, and not delivered or forwarded by you. 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 prior 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.
*Applies to international, in-person or hybrid students only. Does not apply to fully online students.
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 a student (F-1) 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 a student (F-1) visa. If you have questions about the visa application process you can email the ISSO at newintlstudent [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu.
Fee payment must accompany the online application.
- Students beginning their studies in Summer 2020:
- If you will only be registering at Columbia University for Summer 2020: There will be no immunization requirement required for online instruction this summer. However, you may notice an immunization hold on your account. This immunization hold on your account will not prevent summer registration and you can register with ease.
- If you will continue registering at Columbia University for future terms: An immunization hold will be placed on your account upon admission. However, the immunization requirement will be temporarily waived for summer registration and this immunization hold on your account will not prevent summer registration. In order to register for future terms, you will need to have this hold lifted. We ask that you continue to complete the requirements as previously prescribed, as this requirement remains unchanged for future terms of on-campus instruction.
- Students beginning their studies in Fall 2020: Immunization requirements for in-person or hybrid programs remain unchanged and will be required for all entering students. Please see below for more details on this requirement.
*Applies to in-person or hybrid students only. Does not apply to fully online students.
New York State Law requires that all students document their immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella. To do so, you must submit the Columbia University Measles, Mumps, and Rubella form to the Columbia Health Immunization Compliance Office and confirm your Meningococcal Meningitis decision online.
Read more about immunization requirements.
*Applies to in-person, New York City based programs only.
A housing application link with log-in information is provided to students upon admission. SPS students have the opportunity to apply for housing through Columbia Residential.
Visit our students portal to learn about SPS Housing options and how to apply.
Columbia's Off-Campus Housing Assistance (OCHA) office assists Columbia students and affiliates 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 we discuss the partnership in which the student and advisor will work together. We give an overview of the course curriculum and course offerings. We also explain the registration process and identify the important resources of the university. 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.
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.
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 enrollment in the Basic level of the Columbia Student Medical Insurance Plan, upgrade your selection to the Comprehensive level, or request a waiver. If you are enrolling in fewer than 12 credits each term, you may opt into receiving health insurance through Columbia, but are not required to do so.
Columbia University requires all international students holding an F-1 student visa to enroll in the university's health insurance throughout their time at the University
There will be a required School of Professional Studies (SPS) orientation prior to the start of the program. At orientation you will receive additional information relevant to your new role as a student at Columbia University including details about resources, SPS and University policies, along with opportunities to be engaged.
The Sexual Respect and Community Citizenship Initiative was created by students, faculty, and administrators, and asks students to examine the link between sexual respect and membership in the Columbia community. The goal is to reinforce, for all Columbia students, that sexual respect is integral to being a member of this University community. The initiative takes place during your first semester on campus. You will receive an email with details on how to fulfill this requirement.