Certificates
Take advantage of a prescribed curriculum in a specific field and earn a certificate. Certificate students must:
- Complete all required coursework in the outlined period of time
- Earn a cumulative grade of B or better
Upon completion of program, you can request a certificate or certification in addition to a Columbia University transcript.
One-Term Certifications
These certifications can be completed in one 12-week Summer term.*
- Business
- Critical Issues in International Relations
- Graduate Foundations
- Human Rights
- United Nations Studies
* Certifications can be completed in more than one term, if desired.
Multi-Term Certificates
Start these certificates in the Summer and complete them in a future term.
Certification of Professional Achievement in Business
Established at Columbia University more than 20 years ago, the Certification of Professional Achievement in Business enables students without business backgrounds to master marketing, finance, and management fundamentals while strengthening their strategic thinking skills.
It is ideal for young professionals seeking a business foundation to enhance current managerial responsibilities in fields including the liberal arts and humanities, social science, engineering, and medicine. Other candidates include individuals who are building longer-term career plans, looking to start a career, or pursuing an MBA.
Undergraduates or recent graduates who majored in liberal arts and want a world-class business education to advance their career should consider Business Edge, an intensive six-week summer program.
Curriculum
The rigorous, flexible curriculum enables students from advanced undergraduates to corporate managers, to develop as professionals. Students sit alongside Columbia degree candidates and have access to the same facilities and resources.
To earn the Certification of Professional Achievement in Business, students must complete four courses in the prescribed curriculum or a custom program decided upon with the help of an advisor. Online and on-campus options allow for flexible study options to meet the needs of working professionals. Core classes, each of which is available during the summer both online and in-person, include:
- Introduction to Finance
- Introduction to Marketing
- Financial Accounting
- Managing Human Behavior in the Organization
For detailed course descriptions, please visit the courses page.
Students are required to maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 (B). Every course creditable toward the certification must be taken for a letter grade. Courses with a grade below a C will not count toward the completion of the certification.
Eligibility Requirements
This certification program is offered at the graduate level. Undergraduate students are eligible to apply if they are rising juniors or seniors and have strong academic records.
Current Columbia students are not eligible to earn the certification while enrolled in a degree program.
Apply
To apply, follow the Summer Sessions application instructions for your admissions category:
The Certification of Professional Achievement in Business program also accepts students in the Fall and Spring.
Program Contacts
General Information, Admissions Questions, and Advising
212-854-9666
[email protected]
212-854-9666
[email protected]
Office of Enrollment Management
School of Professional Studies
203 Lewisohn Hall
2970 Broadway, Mail Code 4119
New York, NY 10027-6902
212-854-9666
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Certification of Professional Achievement in Critical Issues in International Relations
The Certification of Professional Achievement in Critical Issues in International Relations, offered by the School of Professional Studies and Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, provides understanding of the basic analytical issues, theoretical approaches, history, and policy debates in international relations.
The certification is ideal for those who are looking to improve competence in international relations, whether they are recent college graduates who seek graduate preparation in the field, or experienced professionals looking for career enhancement or personal enrichment. Advanced undergraduates with strong academic records and a foundation in political science and international studies are also eligible to apply. See eligibility requirements below.
Curriculum
Students wishing to complete a certification must take the following courses:
- S6800. International Relations: Theory & Concepts
- S6572. Comparative Foreign Policy
- Two elective International Affairs courses
For detailed course descriptions, please visit the courses page.
The four required courses may be taken in one summer or divided between two. Students are required to maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 (B). Every course creditable toward the certification must be taken for a letter grade. Courses with a grade below a C will not count toward the completion of the certification.
Eligibility Requirements
This certification program is offered at the graduate level. Undergraduate students are eligible to apply if they are rising juniors or seniors and have strong academic records and a foundation in political science and/or international studies.
Current Columbia students are not eligible to earn the certification while enrolled in a degree program; however, they are eligible to take the individual courses for credit.
Apply
To apply, follow the Summer Sessions application instructions for your admissions category:
Program Contacts
General Information, Admissions Questions, and Advising
212-854-9666
[email protected]
212-854-9666
[email protected]
Office of Enrollment Management
School of Professional Studies
203 Lewisohn Hall
2970 Broadway, Mail Code 4119
New York, NY 10027-6902
212-854-9666
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Graduate Foundations Program
Through the Graduate Foundations Program, you’ll develop your own curriculum at a world-class institution and enhance your application for a Ph.D. or master’s degree.
Custom-design your path of study with the help of an academic advisor to meet your individual needs, and select the specific classes that will help strengthen your graduate school application or meet specific program prerequisites.
The Graduate Foundations Program has two options:
- Enroll in fewer than four classes.
- Complete four or more classes and pursue a Certification of Professional Achievement in Graduate Foundations. Students who successfully complete four courses, with a cumulative grade of B or better will be awarded a Certification of Professional Achievement in Graduate Foundations and an official Columbia University transcript detailing the course of study.
(For the certification option, students are required to maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 (B). Every course creditable toward the certification must be taken for a letter grade. Courses with a grade below a C will not count toward the completion of the certification.)
For either choice, you will work closely with an advisor to select your course of study and ensure it is rigorous and appropriate for your desired path. This advising continues throughout your time as a student in the program.
Curriculum
Choose from undergraduate and graduate courses that span more than 50 disciplines. You will have the opportunity to take classes taught by Columbia University faculty alongside students in degree programs and engage in the rich intellectual discourse found at an Ivy League institution.
Courses
For detailed course descriptions, please visit the courses page and select the subject area you are interested in.
Apply
To apply, follow the Summer Sessions application instructions for your admissions category:
Program Contacts
General Information, Admissions Questions, and Advising
212-854-9666
[email protected]
212-854-9666
[email protected]
Office of Enrollment Management
School of Professional Studies
203 Lewisohn Hall
2970 Broadway, Mail Code 4119
New York, NY 10027-6902
212-854-9666
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Certification of Professional Achievement in Human Rights
Developed in conjunction with the Institute for the Study of Human Rights (ISHR) at Columbia University, the first academic center in the world founded on an interdisciplinary commitment to the study of human rights, the Summer Certification of Professional Achievement in Human Rights emphasizes the interaction between human rights theory and practice, and lets students explore human rights both inside and outside the classroom. Throughout the summer, students are invited to attend discussions, trainings, performances, films, and other events that engage with the human rights community of New York City. Students also have the opportunity to learn from human rights practitioners through in-class guest lectures and optional site visits to human rights organizations.
The certification program is ideal for professionals, graduate students, and advanced undergraduate students wishing to further their knowledge and understanding of human rights. Students in the certification program include those seeking to complement their training in other fields or disciplines, such as law, public health, or fundraising, development, etc.; individuals with academic or professional experience in human rights wishing to obtain more specialized knowledge through graduate-level study; and students preparing for further graduate study.
Students may also take Certification of Professional Achievement in Human Rights courses individually. Those students already enrolled in Columbia degree programs are not eligible to apply for the certification.
Previous coursework or knowledge of human rights is not required to apply but ISHR offers an optional half-day introductory class at the beginning of each summer session that reviews key human rights concepts, laws, and institutions for interested students. This class is not offered for academic credit and no tuition fees are charged.
Curriculum
In order to receive the certification, students must complete the following requirements:
- S4020. Introduction to Human Rights
- S4220. International Human Rights Law
- Two elective human rights courses
Students are required to maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 (B). Every course creditable toward the certification must be taken for a letter grade. Courses with a grade below a C will not count toward the completion of the certification. Students who successfully complete 12 points with a B or better in each class will be awarded a Certification of Professional Achievement in Human Rights.
Eligibility Requirements
This certification program is offered at the graduate level. Undergraduate students are eligible to apply if they are rising juniors or seniors and have strong academic records.
Current Columbia students are not eligible to earn the certification while enrolled in a degree program; however, they are eligible to take the individual courses for credit.
Apply
To apply, follow the Summer Sessions application instructions for your admissions category:
Program Contacts
General Information, Admissions Questions, and Advising
212-854-9666
[email protected]
212-854-9666
[email protected]
Office of Enrollment Management
School of Professional Studies
203 Lewisohn Hall
2970 Broadway, Mail Code 4119
New York, NY 10027-6902
212-854-9666
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Certification of Professional Achievement in United Nations Studies
The Certification of Professional Achievement in United Nations Studies, offered by Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and School of Professional Studies, conveys the basic analytical issues, theoretical approaches, history, and policy debates in international relations and the UN.
Program faculty all teach in degree programs at SIPA in addition to holding high-level posts in agencies including the UNDP and the UN Security Council.
The certification is ideal for those who are looking to increase their understanding of the history, inner workings, and challenges associated with the UN’s role in the world today, whether they are recent college graduates who seek graduate preparation in the field or experienced professionals looking for career enhancement or personal enrichment. Advanced undergraduates with strong academic records and a foundation in political science and international studies are also eligible to apply. See eligibility requirements below.
Curriculum
Students wishing to complete a certification must take the following courses:
- INAF S6569. The UN and Development
- INAF S6554. The United Nations and the Challenges of Peace Building
- INAF S6559. The UN and the Maintenance of International Peace and Security
- One elective International Affairs course
For detailed course descriptions, please visit the courses page.
The four required courses may be taken in one summer or divided between two. Students who successfully complete 12 points with a B or better in each class will be awarded a Certification of Professional Achievement in United Nations Studies. Students are required to maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 (B). Every course creditable toward the certification must be taken for a letter grade. Courses with a grade below a C will not count toward the completion of the certification.
Eligibility Requirements
This certification program is offered at the graduate level. Undergraduate students are eligible to apply if they are rising juniors or seniors and have strong academic records and a foundation in political science and/or international studies.
Current Columbia students are not eligible to earn the certification while enrolled in a degree program; however, they are eligible to take the individual courses for credit.
Apply
To apply, follow the Summer Sessions application instructions for your admissions category:
Program Contacts
General Information, Admissions Questions, and Advising
212-854-9666
[email protected]
212-854-9666
[email protected]
Office of Enrollment Management
School of Professional Studies
203 Lewisohn Hall
2970 Broadway, Mail Code 4119
New York, NY 10027-6902
212-854-9666
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Certificate in Biotechnology
Columbia University’s Department of Biological Sciences designed this 29-credit Certificate in Biotechnology curriculum for college graduates with little or no background in biology who want graduate school preparation in biotechnology.
The course plan is also useful for individuals interested in a career change, choosing to specialize in biotechnology, or those who are likely to work in fields that interact with the biotechnology industry, such as business or law.
Individuals with some prior coursework in biology may receive advanced standing for the introductory biology classes, which may be substituted by more advanced courses to achieve the 29-credit minimum required to complete the program.
Curriculum
The curriculum is comprised of four lecture courses and one lab. Individuals with little to no prior background in biology typically complete the following coursework:
- BIOL F2401. Contemporary Biology I
- BIOL F2402. Contemporary Biology II
- BIOT G4310. Intensive Laboratory in Biotechnology
- BIOL C3031. Genetics
- BIOL C3512. Molecular Biology
Depending on the applicant's background, the required curriculum may also include:
- CHEM C1403. General Chemistry I (lecture)
- CHEM C1404. General Chemistry II (lecture)
- CHEM C3443. Organic Chemistry I (lecture)
For detailed course descriptions, please visit the courses page and select the subject area you are interested in.
Individuals with a background in biology are encouraged to speak with the faculty advisor to discuss a course plan that includes advanced biology coursework and is tailored to you. The time to complete the certificate varies, but students completing the curriculum outlined above should expect to complete the program in a minimum of two years and enroll in courses part-time (1 to 2 classes each term). For students completing an alternate curriculum, it may be possible to enroll in full-time coursework and complete the program is less time.
Students are required to maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 (B). Every course creditable toward the certificate must be taken for a letter grade. Courses with a grade below a C will not count toward the completion of the certification. Students who successfully complete 15 points with a B or better in each class will be awarded a Certificate in Biotechnology. (Precise point total can vary, depending on a student’s experience.)
Apply
To apply, follow the Summer Sessions application instructions for your admissions category:
Program Contacts
General Information, Admissions Questions, and Advising
212-854-9666
[email protected]
212-854-9666
[email protected]
Office of Enrollment Management
School of Professional Studies
203 Lewisohn Hall
2970 Broadway, Mail Code 4119
New York, NY 10027-6902
212-854-9666
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Certificate in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology
Columbia University’s Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology (E3B) Certificate provides college graduates who did not major in environmental biology the kind of academic experience that highly competitive graduate programs require.
This program is primarily designed to be part-time, with students completing the certificate in four to eight terms (including summers). If started in the summer term, the program can be completed in three intensive terms (one calendar year) on a full-time or near full-time basis.
A limited number of competitive research grants are available for admitted students that can provide up to $1,000 per student for independent lab or field research. Proposals for these grants, which are subject to review by a departmental committee, are evaluated on their research merit, tractability, and educational benefit to the student.
New York City-based institutions, including EcoHealth Alliance, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the American Museum of Natural History, and the New York Botanical Garden, offer research opportunities in affiliation with the E3B program.
Curriculum
The curriculum develops competency in the core sciences related to environmental biology – chemistry, biology, earth sciences, statistics, and conservation biology. Students will also take two advanced classes in ecology, evolution, organismal biology, or environmental policy.
The E3B Certificate includes:
- Two courses in Biology (including population, community, and ecosystem biology)
- Two courses in Chemistry (can be substituted with one intensive chemistry course)
- One course in environmental science (climate)
- One course in statistics
- One course in conservation biology
- Two additional environmental biology electives
This curriculum can be adjusted for students who have already taken one or two of the basic courses. Students are required to maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 (B). Every course creditable toward the certificate must be taken for a letter grade. Courses with a grade below a C will not count toward the completion of the certificate. Students who successfully complete 12 points with a B or better in each class will be awarded a Certificate in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology. (Precise point total can vary, depending on student’s experience.)
For detailed course descriptions, please visit the courses page and select the subject area you are interested in.
Apply
To apply, follow the Summer Sessions application instructions for your admissions category:
The E3B Certificate program also accepts students in the Fall and Spring.
Program Contacts
General Information, Admissions Questions, and Advising
212-854-9666
[email protected]
212-854-9666
[email protected]
Office of Enrollment Management
School of Professional Studies
203 Lewisohn Hall
2970 Broadway, Mail Code 4119
New York, NY 10027-6902
212-854-9666
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Certificate in Quantitative Studies for Finance
College graduates who have some background in mathematics and statistics and want graduate school preparation in the mathematics and statistics of finance and financial engineering can follow a structured curriculum developed with the Departments of Mathematics and Statistics.
Curriculum
Certificate in Quantitative Studies for Finance program includes:
- MATH V1102 or S1102. Calculus II
- MATH V1201 or S1201. Calculus III
- MATH V1202. Calculus IV
- MATH V2010 or S2010. Linear Algebra
- MATH E1210 or V3027 or S3027. Ordinary Differential Equations
- MATH V3028 or S3028. Partial Differential Equations
- MATH V2500. Analysis and Optimization
- MATH W4061 or S4061. Introduction to Modern Analysis I
- MATH W4062 or S4062. Introduction to Modern Analysis II
- STAT W4150. Introduction to Probability and Statistics
- STAT W4105. Probability and STAT W4107. Statistical Inference
- STAT W4109. Probability and Statistical Inference
One of the following sequences:
- MATH W4062 or S4062. Introduction to Modern Analysis II
- COMS W1003 or S1003. Introduction to Programming in C
- COMS W1004. Introduction to Computer Programming in Java
- COMS W1009. Honors Introduction to Computer Science
- COMS W3101. Programming Languages
One of the following:
Any demonstrated proficiency in C, C++, or Java.
For detailed course descriptions, please visit the courses page and select the subject area you are interested in.
Students who successfully complete 24 points with a B or better in each class will be awarded a Certificate in Quantitative Studies for Finance. Students are required to maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 (B). Every course creditable toward the certificate must be taken for a letter grade. Courses with a grade below a C will not count toward the completion of the certificate.
Apply
To apply, follow the Summer Sessions application instructions for your admissions category:
Program Contacts
General Information, Admissions Questions, and Advising
212-854-9666
[email protected]
212-854-9666
[email protected]
Office of Enrollment Management
School of Professional Studies
203 Lewisohn Hall
2970 Broadway, Mail Code 4119
New York, NY 10027-6902
212-854-9666
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.