Postbaccalaureate Studies

The Postbaccalaureate Studies program offers qualified individuals with bachelor’s degrees the opportunity to pursue their goals as part of the Columbia community. Working with advisers at the School of Continuing Education, each student develops a plan of study tailored to his or her background and academic goals. University undergraduate and graduate courses in over 50 areas of study provide Postbaccalaureate Studies students the opportunity to study with Columbia's distinguished faculty alongside matriculated degree candidates.

Graduate Foundations

For students who wish to pursue graduate work, Columbia University provides excellent options for strengthening an application and developing skills, as well as receiving graduate school application advising and support. Students may choose their own set of courses in a wide variety of subject areas, or choose a specific program for graduate preparation.

Certificate Programs

For students seeking a prescribed curriculum to pursue their academic, career advancement, or even career change goals, Certificate Programs offer structured curricula in areas such as Biology, Biotechnology, Business, Classics, Psychology, Quantitative Studies for Finance, and Sustainability.

Customized Study

For some students, a unique program of study is most effective for meeting their goals. Customized study at Columbia University means Postbaccalaureate Studies students choose a single concentration built from a selection of University undergraduate and graduate courses. Course plan advising is provided on an individual basis, ensuring that students pursue a rigorous program of study appropriate to their academic, professional and personal goals.

“I knew exactly what I needed as a bridge from my undergraduate degree to the Ph.D. degree I was seeking. Now I’ve found a program where I can invent what I want to study, and have access to just about every class at Columbia University. I don’t think a lot of schools understand the demand for innovation coming from my generation. The Postbaccalaureate program allows me to reinvent the person I want to be, and invent the program that would suit the person I want to be.”Nicole Zeng

Application Deadlines