Special Non-Degree Students

A limited number of applicants may be granted admission as special (non-degree) students, to take courses and earn academic credit. Appropriate candidates for non-degree status include fellows in clinical departments in the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center or Mailman School graduates seeking selected additional courses.

The following apply to non-degree students:

• No more than 12 points may be taken in non-degree status.
• Non-degree admission does not guarantee admission as a degree student.
• You cannot submit both a degree application and non-degree application for the same entry term.
• Financial aid and housing are not available to non-degree students. To view the current cost of attendance and applicable fees, see the Student and Financial Services website: http://sfs.columbia.edu/
• Not all programs or courses are available to students with non-degree status, i.e., core classes. Please visit the schedule of classes for more information.
• Acceptance as a special/non-degree student is dependent on space availability.
• The School cannot guarantee the required 12 credits for an F–1 Visa for international applicants.

Application Instructions

Applicants interested in taking one or two courses for professional development should file an admissions application to the School as a special/non-degree student using Mailman Non-Degree Application. Please note that some classes, especially those related to the MPH core curriculum, may be closed to special/non-degree students. Special/non-degree applicants must submit the following documentation with their application:

• Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended
• A current resume or CV
• A 500-word personal statement specifying the course(s) the applicant is interested in taking and why

Application Deadlines

• Fall: July 31st
• Spring: November 15th