Dear Colleagues,
The following message has been sent to current and prospective students and is being shared with you for your awareness:
The master's programs in the School of Professional Studies will be operational this fall. Our online programs will of course continue, and we will be offering our face-to-face programs in every modality. What that means is if we are allowed to teach in classrooms, with social distancing and personal protective equipment, we will do that. We will allow the number of students in the classroom we are authorized to permit, and at the same time live stream the class via zoom and record the class for viewing at another time. Our faculty and teaching assistants will conduct chat sessions at times that enable students in multiple time zones to participate. We are purchasing high-quality cameras and training staff to use them in the classroom. If necessary, students will alternate live and streamed attendance in class.
If visa issues keep you from coming to New York, Columbia’s world-class educational content will come to you. COVID19 will not stop us from providing professional education to our students. Our community will use creativity, technology, and determination to deliver the teaching and learning so central to our mission.
We realize these are uncertain times. But here is what is certain: Our dedication to our educational mission and the fact that we will be operating in any way we are permitted in the fall. Our faculty looks forward to the 2020-2021 academic year and to meeting you in cyberspace at any time and in real space when it is safe to do so.
With My Best Regards,
Steve Cohen
Dr. Steven Cohen
Senior Vice Dean, School of Professional Studies, Columbia University
Professor in the Practice of Public Affairs
Director, Master of Public Administration Program in Environmental Science and Policy & Executive MPA Concentration in Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University
Director, Master of Science in Sustainability Management, School of Professional Studies, Columbia University
Director, Research Program on Sustainability Policy & Management, The Earth Institute
