Graduate school isn’t one-size-fits-all—and your timeline doesn’t have to be either.
With eight master’s programs open for spring admission, Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) gives you the opportunity to gain new skills, join Columbia’s community, and move closer to your career goals without putting your ambitions on hold for another year.
Jumpstart Career Opportunities
Students who begin in the spring enter the job market with a built-in advantage: They head into summer internship season right after their first semester.
“My original plan was to study full-time in the spring, search for a summer internship, and then take a few more classes so I could potentially finish the program in one year,” said Francisco del Valle, a student from the M.S. in Sports Management program. “With the help and support of the Career Design Lab, I was able to secure not only an internship but also a full-time job offer soon after. This allowed me to transition into part-time study while working, which gave me the best of both worlds.”
The Power of a Smaller Cohort
Another distinct advantage of spring admission is that class sizes are typically smaller than in the fall, creating an environment where students can form strong connections and collaborate more closely with their full cohort.
“I think the spring semester is a great choice for anyone who wants a smaller, more personalized experience,” says Francisco del Valle, a student in the M.S. in Sports Management program at Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS). “You still receive the same access to professors, career services, and student resources, but with the added benefit of being part of a very close-knit class.”
Del Valle experienced that firsthand. “With only 14 students in my class, I have been able to form close relationships and build a sense of community,” in contrast to fall class sizes of closer to 60 students, he explained. And the benefits extend beyond camaraderie: Smaller cohorts also mean extra opportunities for one-on-one time with advisors to shape academic and career goals.
Start on Your Timeline
Julia Baggish, a student in the M.S. in Bioethics program, opted for a spring admission to align her education with her professional life. “I chose to start the program during the spring semester due to the seasonality of my role within the health insurance industry,” she explained. She also valued being able to dive right into extracurriculars, such as contributing to the journal Voices in Bioethics.
For Tucker Pryor, a student in the M.S. in Sports Management program, pursuing a graduate degree was an urgent priority. But by the time he was ready to apply, he realized that fall admissions had already closed. “I knew I wanted to start a program as soon as possible,” Pryor said, “and part of what made Columbia attractive was the ability to start a full-time program in the spring semester.”
Take the Leap This Spring
Whether you begin in the spring or the fall, there’s no wrong time to take advantage of the opportunity to further your professional advancement. For prospective students, Baggish suggests that the best course of action is to jump in and apply right away: “There is no time like the present.”
Spring admissions are open until November 1 for the following programs:
- Applied Analytics
- Bioethics (Degree, CPA)
- Enterprise Risk Management (Degree, CPA)
- Narrative Medicine (CPA)
- Negotiation and Conflict Resolution (Online)
- Sports Management
- Sustainability Management (Degree, CPA)
- Sustainability Science
Learn more about application requirements on the SPS website.
About the Columbia University School of Professional Studies
As one of the 17 prestigious schools affiliated with Columbia University, the SPS is committed to supporting a diverse community of faculty, students, and staff while expanding the reach and impact of an Ivy League education so that more students can excel in their careers. Online and around the world, SPS brings together the best and brightest minds to deliver personal, practical, and purposeful educational experiences. Since 2002, SPS and its forebears have administered and developed innovative programs to fulfill a diverse array of inquisitive students’ needs and desires. Whether pursuing one of 19 master’s degrees, returning for postbaccalaureate credentials, or visiting from another university to accelerate undergraduate or graduate studies, every student at SPS benefits from intentionally designed resources and services that make it the place to study, no matter their path.
