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.

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 (newintlstudent[at]columbia[dot]edu).

Fee payment must accompany the online application.

All new students are required to send official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended to the Office of Enrollment Management prior to beginning their program. Official transcripts must be submitted by July 15 for new students enrolling in the fall term and by December 1 for new students enrolling in the spring term.

Official transcripts from your conferring undergraduate institution must include a notation certifying conferral of a bachelor’s degree. Falsification, forgery, and misrepresentation of any type, will risk forfeiture of admissions and/or enrollment. Forfeiture may occur whenever an integrity lapse is discovered, and may include admissions revocation, expulsion, or another sanction outlined within the Standards of Campus Discipline.

If your transcripts are from an institution in the U.S., official transcripts must be submitted electronically if the institution has a process for emailing electronic transcripts (such as services available through eSCRIP-SAFE, Parchment, or National Student Clearinghouse). The registrar’s office may submit the transcripts to apply [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu (apply[at]sps[dot]columbia[dot]edu).

If, and only if, the institution does not provide an electronic delivery option, official transcripts must arrive directly from the issuing institution, and in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution. Copies, opened or unsealed envelopes, unofficial printouts, or facsimiles will not be accepted. We will also not accept hard copy documents from institutions offering electronic delivery.

All international post-secondary credentials must be submitted in the original language along with both a certified English course-by-course credential evaluation and translation. You are required to use World Education Services, Inc. (WES) to fulfill this requirement.

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 (apply[at]sps[dot]columbia[dot]edu).

*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.

Register for classes by following these instructions. Review the academic calendar for a comprehensive list of registration dates and other important deadlines.

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 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.

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.

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.

Again, there will be a required program 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 and instructions for registering for classes.

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.

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.