Additional University Resources
Below is a list of additional resources provided by the School of Professional Studies and Columbia University. This list was curated by the SPS Office of Student Support as part of the SPS Academic Resource Center.
CU Writing Center - The Writing Center provides free writing support to undergraduate and graduate students. In one-on-one consultations and workshops, our consultants offer feedback and strategies to help you improve at every stage of your writing, from brainstorming to final drafts.
LinkedIn Learning - Columbia University has upgraded your Lynda.com account to LinkedIn Learning to help fuel your lifetime of learning and professional development. Login now with your FREE account!
Microsoft Office: All Columbia students can download Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more) and install it on up to 5 computers or devices for free. Access and download instructions:
- Navigate to www.office.com.
- Select Sign in.
- Enter your UNI [[at]] adcu [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edurel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" account address (e.g., ab1234 [[at]] adcu [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edurel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"), and select Next.
- Enter your same UNI [[at]] adcu [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edurel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" account address and your standard UNI password, and select Sign in.
- Authenticate with the Duo MFA action of your choice. If you have not yet set up Duo, you can create a Duo account and learn more about Duo.
- If a "First Run Experience" window opens up, you can close it by clicking the X in the corner.
- Select Install Office in the upper-right corner.
- Choose Office 365 Apps from the drop-down menu.
- After the software download is complete, install it as you normally would.
- When prompted by the software to sign in to your Office 365 account, use your UNI [[at]] adcu [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edurel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" account that you used in Steps 3 and 4.
Malwarebytes: Students can download and install Malwarebytes to protect their computers for free. Each student is entitled to one (1) license for an endpoint of your choice, such as your computer or Android-based device. Your license needs to be validated every 12 months to confirm you are still an active student of the University. Students also receive the benefit of Malwarebytes’ expert support for technical issues.
Think-cell: Think-Cell is a powerful data visualization tool, which can help students create compelling charts in minutes, boosts their slide layouts and automates their regular reports. This is accomplished via a single PowerPoint add-on. Please follow the directions on this Canvas page to access, download and activate this software tool.
Software Downloads: CUIT offers various other software downloads available to the Columbia community for free or at a discounted rate.
Computer and System Recommendations: Students should always begin by consulting with your school’s IT department for computer recommendations and possible requirements.
Columbia Libraries SPS Liaison: Kae Bara Kratcha
Kae is the Libraries liaison to the School of Professional Studies, serving as the main librarian for SPS students, faculty, staff members, and alumni. Kae is here to support your research, whether that means helping you find information for a group project, recommending the perfect source for presentation infographics, or coaching you through the process of gathering and citing sources for an academic research paper.
As the Libraries liaison to SPS, Kae is happy to meet with students or recommend a colleague for students to connect with. Kae takes consultations in person in Watson Library for Business & Economics, in Lehman Library, and remotely by video call. Just email business [[at]] library [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu to set up an appointment.
SPS Library Guide - Connect with Kae Bara Kratcha, the Libraries liaison to the School of Professional Studies. If you're an SPS student, faculty member, staff member, or alum, Kae is your librarian!
Ask a CU Librarian - Chat your questions to a librarian.
Reference and Citation Management - Citation management software makes mining and using information resources easier and more effective.
Interlibrary Loan - Find out how to borrow material from other libraries or obtain copies of articles or book chapters from titles that are not owned or available at Columbia University Libraries.
Columbia University Libraries Website
Library Research Support - Online research tutorials and links.
This directory contains basic information, meeting times, class locations and instructor from the Registrar's University-wide data base. NOTE: Course information changes frequently, including Methods of Instruction. Please revisit these pages periodically for the most recent and up-to-date course information.
Connecting to Campus WiFi - High-speed WiFi network and Internet access for capable devices at most Columbia campus buildings.
Comprehensive Remote Learning Guide - The comprehensive guide is a just-in-time resource created for SPS students to get ready to access and participate in remote courses.
Getting Help in Your Online Course - Help in online courses is available for faculty, teaching assistants, and students Monday through Friday: 9 AM to 9 PM, ET; Saturday 12 PM to 4 PM, ET. Canvas Support for faculty, teaching assistants, and students is offered 24/7.
Printing on Campus: PawPrint Quick Start Guide - Need to know how to print on campus? Reference this guide to learn how.
PawPrint Printer Locations - This map shows all the CUIT printer locations on campus. All CUIT printers, as well as printers at the Libraries, Barnard, the Business School and the School of Social Work can print double-sided.
Remote Learning Support - To enhance the learning experience, remote learning support utilizes Canvas/Courseworks, Zoom Class Sessions, and Columbia Libraries.
SPS Helpdesk - The Helpdesk is available to submit a request, access the Instructional Support Knowledge Center, receive answers to Frequently Asked Questions, locate Technology Guides, and for general inquiry.
SPS Academic Policies and Procedures for Distance Education Students
Student Financial Services (Graduate Students) Website
Columbia iGrad - Having a clear handle on your money matters can vastly improve your well-being. That's why Columbia has partnered with iGrad; the University's free financial literacy platform provided at no cost to Columbia students both now and after attending. iGrad provides students with interactive financial education and wellness tools, scholarship information, student loan management resources, webinars, videos, and more. If you have a Columbia University email address, go to Columbia.iGrad.com to set up your account. Answer a few questions about your financial habits, then iGrad will recommend personalized resources for your needs. You can also use it to create a budget or financial plan, learn about savings, investments and responsible credit card use, and how to navigate other major life money matters, such as buying a car or a house. And remember, you can use Columbia.iGrad.com now and after you graduate for as long as you want it — without ever paying a fee. Not sure how to use iGrad? CLICK HERE for a virtual walkthrough!
Scholarships, Grants, and Work-Study
Financial Aid for International Students
Make a Payment - Pay your bill online.
Make an International Payment - Pay by wire.
Student Account, Payment and E-bill Information
For questions about your financial student account or bill, email Student Financial Services at sfs [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu.
For questions about loans, payment options, or financial aid, email Student Financial Planning at sfp [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu.
The International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) serves both the international population across Columbia’s sixteen undergraduate, graduate and professional schools at the Morningside Heights and the Medical Center (CUIMC) campuses, and the university staff that admits, appoints, employs, and works with them.
ISSO is the international community’s resource for immigration-related needs, providing advisory and documentation services and information on a host of issues, including— but not limited to—visas, employment, travel, and tax-filing obligations. ISSO monitors the regulations of government agencies that have jurisdiction over the stay of international students and scholars, and are responsible for institutional compliance.
To learn about their three office locations, visit their Contact Us page. You can also view a list of services and their staff page.
English Language Support: In partnership with the American Language Program (ALP), the SPS Tutoring Program offers English Language tutoring services for both English Speaking and English Writing. Our English Language tutors are ALP faculty members who volunteer their time to assist SPS students in enhancing their technical English speaking and writing skills. Students may also be interested in other New York area schools that teach English.
Change of Address Form (SSOL)
Update Emergency Contact Information (SSOL)
FERPA Privacy Policy - Read Columbia's policy on requesting access to student records.
CU Global Travel - Learn about Columbia Travel and plan a trip.
Columbia Health Insurance Office - Learn about insurance options, and enroll.
Counseling and Psychological Services
Sexual Violence Response - Provides trauma-informed, confidential support through crisis counseling/intervention, advocacy, prevention, and outreach.
Alice! Health Promotion - Columbia University’s Health Education Program, presents a wide range of health education and skill-building programs. Alice! coordinates Stressbusters, CU Move, and Go Ask Alice!, a leading health question-and-answer Internet resource.
Friend2Friend - This three-hour workshop is designed to help Columbia students recognize and respond to others exhibiting indicators of distress.
Immunization Requirements - See Columbia Health requirements and submit documentation of compliance.
Support Groups - Counseling and Psychological Services offers support groups throughout the semester.
Official Columbia Zoom Backgrounds
Columbia University offers branded Zoom Backgrounds to use in your calls. Click the link above to view and download!
Instructions for Applying a Virtual Background:
1. Sign in to Zoom
2. Once in Zoom Meeting window
3. From the lower left side of window click Chevron up (located next to Stop Video)
4. Choose Virtual Background
5. Click Virtual Background
6. From Virtual Background select/add desired image
Alternative Formats - Alternative formats for course content are available on every Canvas page by clicking on the small icon next to the page title. Alternative formats provide opportunities for students to access course information in the way they need or want it. For example, maybe you have a lot of course material to read and get eye strain, or maybe you’re an auditory learner: listen to an audio format of the learning materials instead. Or, if the content isn’t in your first language, you could follow along in the ePub as you listen to the audio file. Alternative formats benefit everyone. Choose the format, or formats, that best suit your learning needs! For more information about alternative formats please see this student guide.
Butler Library Lockers: Graduate student lockers are on the fourth and fifth floors and are assigned at the beginning of each academic year to lottery winners. All currently enrolled Columbia University graduate students with a valid UNI are eligible for 4th or 5th floor lockers. Your graduate student status will be verified. If you are not a graduate student, your name will not be entered into this locker lottery. To learn more about the lottery, visit the website linked above or email butler_lockers [[at]] library [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu.