Each summer session at Columbia University, students from across the institution, the country, and the globe have the opportunity to call the campus their own, experience New York City through the lens of their faculty, and find community through the myriad co-curricular programs being offered.
“Columbia’s Summer Session is a unique moment in the academic year—one where students from all over the world come together to engage deeply with their studies, their peers, and the city around them,” says Erik Nelson, senior associate dean of Academic Affairs. “With flexible course offerings across multiple disciplines and sessions, students can truly tailor their summer to fit their academic goals while immersing themselves in the intellectual and cultural richness that defines Columbia and New York City.”
During the Summer Session, students have tremendous flexibility in courses and schedule, allowing them to explore their subjects and the city based on their interests and educational goals. The Summer Session has three components: Session A (May 26–July 4), Session B (July 7–August 15), and Session X (May 26–August 15). Students enroll in courses across eight disciplines, including Arts, Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Quantitative Studies.
The Visiting Student Programs are designed for undergraduates, graduates, and postbaccalaureate students from other institutions who want to further their studies in specific areas with Columbia’s faculty or have a Columbia University in the City of New York experience. The programs offer not only rigorous academics but also an immersive cultural experience in the heart of New York City.
“As we celebrate 125 years of Summer Session at Columbia, we remain committed to expanding opportunities for continued learning and academic engagement, fostering a global community of scholars and leaders,” says Jessica Yen, assistant dean of the Summer Session and Visiting Student Programs. “Our visiting students study alongside Columbia and Barnard peers, with full access to Columbia’s world-class faculty, campus resources, and intellectual community. It’s a transformative experience that blends academic rigor with the unique energy of New York City.”
Four Distinct Focus Areas
Four specialized focus areas leverage Columbia’s expertise and leadership in specific fields, offering curated tracks that combine targeted coursework with co-curricular activities. These focus areas deepen engagement through experiential learning and culminate in a certificate of participation, formally recognizing each student’s academic and professional development.
- Culture and History in NYC offers courses in art history, music, film, and writing, including a Poetry Workshop course taught by poet and Columbia University associate professor Dorothea Lasky. Instructors in this focus area tap into the city’s unparalleled cultural resources. Students take part in guided excursions, from Harlem’s Uptown Night Market and a hip-hop history tour to performances at Lincoln Center and the Museum Mile Festival. The city becomes a classroom—each street corner a chapter in a living textbook.
- Foundations of Pre-Medicine is ideal for students preparing for careers in health care. Students can take courses in biology, chemistry, and psychology, such as Foundations in Chemistry, taught by Senior Lecturer Joseph Ulichny. Alongside science courses, students attend events like the Climate Change and Health Boot Camp at Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health and tour cutting-edge facilities like the Zuckerman Institute.
- Public Affairs and Sustainable Futures dives into topics such as global governance, climate change, and social justice through unique courses such as Earth, Moon, and Planets, taught by Professor James Applegate. Students explore these pressing issues through site visits to the United Nations, Governors Island, and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, making connections between academic theory and real-world policy challenges.
- Wall Street Prep: Economics, Finance, and Analytics brings students into the heart of the financial world with courses in economics and statistics, such as The American Economy, Game Theory, and Economy of Uncertainty and Information. Beyond learning economic theory and data analytics, students explore Wall Street and the Federal Reserve and even attend Hamilton on Broadway for a unique take on American economic history.
Rafael Cegarra, post-baccalaureate visiting student in the Wall Street Prep Focus Area, summed up his experience: “There’s something undeniably electric about being a college student in New York City, especially when your classroom is one of the most prestigious universities globally. Columbia University, one of the oldest in the U.S., is not just a historic site in the middle of the ‘capital of the world,’ it is also an incubator for development, nurturing presidents, inventors, and Nobel scientists who shape our society.”
Life Beyond the Classroom
Columbia’s Summer Session offers students a global opportunity in a New York experience. Whether enrolled in a focus area or pursuing general summer coursework, they have no shortage of activities to engage in, both on and off campus.
On campus, students can enjoy events like Sounds of Summer, featuring live music. This summer’s artists include Queens-based rapper Deem Spencer and the pop-rock band Been Stellar. “Columbia’s Summer Session is as much about building community and creating memories as it is about academics,” says Vynessa Ortiz, assistant dean of Student Affairs. “Events like Sounds of Summer bring the campus to life with music, connection, and a sense of celebration. With everything from live performances to cultural outings across the city, students have endless opportunities to experience the vibrancy of New York while forming friendships that last long after summer ends.”
Off campus, the Columbia University student ID unlocks the city’s cultural treasures. Students gain access to world-class institutions like the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Jewish Museum, El Museo del Barrio, the Asia Society Museum, and the Intrepid Museum. A full list of participating venues can be found on the Columbia University Arts Initiative website. “New York City becomes an extension of the classroom during the summer,” says Zelon Crawford, senior associate dean of Student Affairs. “With their Columbia ID, students can explore some of the world’s most iconic museums and cultural institutions at no cost. It’s an incredible way to enrich their academic journey, deepen their cultural understanding, and truly experience all that the city has to offer.”
All summer long, New York City becomes a vibrant playground, bursting with culture, creativity, and unforgettable experiences. On Wednesday evenings, Jazzmobile performances at nearby Grant’s Tomb fill the air with free jazz, perfect for a picnic and a relaxing summer night on the lawn. June brings the whimsical Coney Island Mermaid Parade, where elaborately costumed “merpeople” flood Surf Avenue—pair the spectacle with a Nathan’s hot dog, a ride on the iconic Cyclone, or a Brooklyn Cyclones baseball game. In July, the Classical Theatre of Harlem’s “Uptown Shakespeare” series transforms Marcus Garvey Park into a stage for bold, reimagined productions of the Bard’s works—free, powerful, and uniquely Harlem. As summer winds down, Harlem Week wraps up the season with a rich celebration of music, art, film, and culture throughout the neighborhood. Living in NYC means the city itself becomes a classroom, a stage, and an endless source of inspiration.
“At Columbia, summer is more than a season—it’s a moment when the city and your ambitions meet,” says Troy Eggers, dean of the Columbia University School of Professional Studies. “Each year, we welcome students from around the world to take part in an extraordinary academic and cultural journey. Whether you’re advancing your studies, exploring new disciplines, or preparing for your next professional step, Columbia’s Summer Session offers the flexibility, intellectual rigor, and immersive experiences that define our institution. From world-class faculty and focused academic areas to the unparalleled energy of New York City, it truly is a summer to remember.”
