Benefit from Flexible Programs

Students enroll in master’s programs to enhance their skills and advance in their chosen professions, or to help themselves make a career pivot into a new field. 

Whatever their motivation, students at the Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) find the flexibility and resources they need as they immerse themselves in one of the many programs the School offers.

“Our goal is to help students get to where they want to be in a way that works for them and is on their timetable,” says Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Erik Nelson. “We do this by providing them with any support they might need, whether they are making the transition into a new industry or have a desire to expand their knowledge or skill set in a current one. We understand the magnitude of their commitment and bring all the School’s resources to bear in helping them achieve those objectives.”

Full-Time Study

SPS offers 18 full-time accredited master’s degree programs and 11 full-time certificate and certification programs. All SPS programs can be completed on a full-time schedule, in many cases in a single academic year. Program areas range widely, from bioethics and political analytics to construction management and human capital management.

Muhammad Dadisatyo is a human-resources professional who was able to advance in his career after earning his master’s at SPS. “Columbia’s Human Capital Management program did a very good job of enhancing my strategic thinking and expanding my perspective on end-to-end human capital management touchpoints,” Muhammad says. “The coursework strengthened my problem-solving capability to be more overarching and comprehensive.”

Muhammad shared that pursuing an advanced degree, working in a multicultural environment, and expanding his network at Columbia all helped prepare him for the more managerial and strategic role he took on after his promotion at work.

Part-Time Study

SPS is dedicated to making success possible for working students. Courses are offered in formats and schedules that meet the needs of students who are employed full-time. With select courses offered in the evening or online, students can make their studies fit the demands of their schedules.

All of the SPS master’s degree programs may be completed through a part-time course of study. Additionally, SPS offers three summer-only certifications and more than 100 areas of graduate and undergraduate study through its Visiting Students programs in New York City.

Part-time students say they immediately apply their classroom studies to their careers and job searches. Adriana Ball, a 2022 graduate, not only continued working full-time in public relations but also successfully landed a new position while earning her M.S. in Strategic Communication.

“The part-time program allowed me to continue focusing on my professional career while pursuing higher education after hours,” Adriana says. “Columbia prepared me for my current role in every aspect. … When I took on this new role, I felt comfortable with what I’d learned, and I have applied it to the work that I do now, especially the coursework in research and data analytics, behavioral science, and branding.”

Ben Murphy, a busy father of four, worked full-time while studying part-time, earning an M.S. in Nonprofit Management. It was quite a load to carry, but support from the School, the faculty, and, most important, his classmates made the experience easier. “You get really tight when you see each other a couple of times per week in class,” he says. “You are constantly in communication with each other in between classes, and it really is an incredibly engaging experience.”

Online Study

Twelve of the 18 SPS master’s degree programs offer an online option, and two programs—the M.P.S. in Insurance Management and the M.P.S. in Wealth Management—offer online courses only. Both M.P.S. programs—and many of the master’s programs—require online students to attend in-person residencies. Residencies bring online cohorts to campus for up to a week at a time at various points throughout their program, providing students the opportunity to meet one another and faculty in person, present projects such as their final capstones, experience Columbia’s Morningside campus, and socialize with students and alumni at SPS-hosted happy hours and receptions.

“Giving students different study options, such as our online programs, is transformative to careers,” said Dr. Steve Safier, director of the M.S. in Human Capital Management program. “Whether it’s reskilling, upskilling, or, for some, a chance to change careers completely, having the choice to keep learning—in a program that accommodates professionals’ availability—is a big career advantage. It’s an opportunity to dream bigger and realize aspirations.”

Extracurriculars

Whether attending full-time, part-time, in person, or online, SPS students enjoy the same access to the School of Professional Studies’ events and social outings. Students may also join the School’s 70-plus student organizations and professional associations, as well as hundreds more offered across the University.

“We have 30-plus clubs and organizations that are academic-program- or identity-based, and events that range from online cooking classes, virtual tours, and trivia nights to happy hours and free food giveaways,” says Executive Director of Student Life Rollie Carencia. “We’ll always make sure there are opportunities for all students to be part of the community.”

Resources

All SPS students also have the same level of access to support services and resources, including the Career Design Lab (CDL), which provides personalized career coaching and hosts recruitment and networking receptions that connect students with professionals in their chosen industry. In addition, CDL partners with Columbia SPS Alumni Relations to offer an e-Mentor Program. The program pairs alumni and students for one-on-one virtual sessions. There are program-specific avenues to find mentors and mentees as well. 

SPS Advising plays an important part in helping guide students in how to plan their course of study. “It’s not uncommon for our students to have full-time jobs or other demands on them, such as family commitments,” says Executive Director of Advising Bernadette McHugh. “We work with each individual to determine a course of study in which they feel confident that they can not only manage but excel. We help them map out a plan for success.”

Program-specific advisors connect to students in individualized and flexible ways, providing guidance on course planning, University resources, policies, and procedures to help them succeed academically, professionally, and personally.