Navigating Credit Policies at Columbia University: A Comprehensive Guide

Columbia University, renowned for its academic rigor and diverse programs, has specific credit policies that students must understand. These policies govern various aspects of academic life, from admissions and transfer credits to grading and graduation requirements. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these policies, drawing directly from the university's official guidelines to ensure accuracy and clarity.

General Policies Applicable to All Pre-College Programs

Several overarching policies apply to all Pre-College Programs at Columbia University, emphasizing academic integrity, community standards, and student safety.

Academic Integrity

Columbia University places immense importance on academic integrity. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited and can lead to dismissal from the program. Plagiarism includes submitting work done by another person or purchased from any source, failing to properly cite sources, not using quotation marks for borrowed phrases, and submitting the same assignment for multiple courses without instructor permission. Students unsure about proper citation should consult their instructors.

Behavioral and Community Standards

The Community Standards ensure the safety and well-being of students and the integrity of the University. Failure to comply with these standards can result in dismissal, often on the first offense. Students must sign a Community Standards Consent Form upon entering the program. Program staff, teachers, and administrators determine violations of the Community Standards. Dismissed students from non-credit programs do not receive evaluation letters or a Certification of Participation, and no fees or tuition are refunded.

Protection of Minors

The Protection of Minors policy requires those who interact with, supervise, or oversee minors in University-sponsored programs to undergo training. It also mandates reporting suspected cases of abuse and maltreatment of individuals under 18. Any member of the University community can report concerns if they suspect a child has been abused or maltreated. Pre-College Program staff are New York State Mandated Reporters and are legally obligated to report suspected child abuse and maltreatment to the New York State Child Abuse and Maltreatment Hotline, even if the abuse or maltreatment happened in the distant past or in a foreign country.

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Program-Specific Policies

In addition to the general policies, Columbia University has specific policies for different programs, including NYC Residential Summer, NYC Commuter, Summer Online, and Academic Year Weekend programs.

Admissions Policies

Admission to academic enrichment programs is selective, seeking academically exceptional students with intellectual curiosity. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for their chosen program and submit all materials directly, not through agents or third parties. Application materials become the property of Columbia University and cannot be returned. Falsification, forgery, or misrepresentation can lead to forfeiture of admissions or enrollment, including admissions revocation, expulsion, or other sanctions. There is no appeal process for admissions decisions.

Evaluation Letters and Certification of Participation

Students are evaluated on their effort, participation, proficiency in assignments, progress, and potential in the field. To earn a Certification of Participation, students must successfully complete their program, based on attendance, class participation, satisfactory completion of assignments, and adherence to community standards. Evaluations and Certifications of Participation are typically issued by mid-October for summer programs and within 6-8 weeks after the end of academic year programs. Missing multiple class sessions, even if excused, may prevent a student from receiving a Certification of Participation. Unexcused absences can lead to dismissal.

College Edge Program Policies

The College Edge program has its own set of policies concerning official transcripts and credit requirements.

Official Transcripts

Upon successful completion of the program, students receive an official transcript from Columbia University.

M.A., M.S., and Ed.M. Programs

Students in M.A. Programs must take a minimum of 20 points of TC courses to earn the degree. Students in M.S. Programs must also take a minimum of 20 points of coursework at Teachers College. Ed.M. Programs require students to take a minimum of 18 points in TC courses to meet degree requirements. To fulfill the College breadth requirement, students in M.A., M.S., and Ed.M. programs must adhere to these guidelines.

Ed.D./Ph.D. Programs

The College does not set a blanket TC-point minimum for doctoral degrees. However, individual programs have requirements that students can only meet through TC courses.

Dual Degree Program with Tel Aviv University (TAU)

Students in the Dual Degree Program will transfer up to 60 of the 124 credits required for degree completion at Columbia University through Tel Aviv University coursework and advanced-standing examinations. Similarly, students will transfer at least 40 of the 120 credits required for graduation from TAU from their Columbia University coursework. These credits will only include those earned from completed Columbia University coursework with a grade of C or higher. Coursework taken with P/D/F grading at Columbia cannot transfer back to TAU. Eligible pre-program transfer credit will be evaluated by the admissions committee upon admission into the Dual Degree Program. Students may transfer credit only from institutions listed on their application. Failure to report and send transcripts from all schools previously attended is considered academic dishonesty and may result in disciplinary action. All transfer credit from pre-program coursework must be finalized within six months of matriculation.

Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit

Columbia University recognizes the academic achievements of students who have completed AP and IB programs.

AP Credit

Each year, individual departments at Columbia review the College Board Advanced Placement curriculum and determine policies for placement, credit, and/or exemption. While AP scores cannot be used toward exemption from Core Curriculum courses, they may satisfy other requirements.

International Baccalaureate

The School of General Studies awards transfer credit only for International Baccalaureate (IB) exams taken at the Higher level. No transfer credit is awarded for the "Theory of Knowledge" exam. Students receive the equivalent of one semester of transfer credit (typically 3 points) in the relevant discipline for any Higher level exam in which they receive a score of 6 or 7. Any transfer credit received will appear on the student's ECR and will be considered part of the 60-credit transfer maximum. IB scores can be used toward exemption from Columbia’s language requirement or Quantitative Reasoning requirement and may provide exemptions for major requirements depending on the policy of the individual department. TAU does not accept IB credits for transfer toward the International B.A. in Liberal Arts except in limited cases.

GPA and Grade Conversion

A student’s Columbia GPA is determined only by courses completed at Columbia. While students must pass their TAU classes to progress to Columbia in year three, the grades earned in years one and two are not factored into their Columbia GPA.

General Academic Policies

Columbia University is committed to fostering intellectual inquiry in a climate of academic freedom and integrity.

Faculty Conduct and Grievance Procedures

Columbia believes that both students and faculty have the right to express their views freely, within an atmosphere of tolerance and civility. The University offers several avenues of assistance to students who feel that their professors have not lived up to these responsibilities, ranging from informal counseling and mediation to formal grievance processes. Students may approach the chair of the department or the dean of the School for advice and assistance. The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) oversees the review and arbitration of all reports of discrimination and discriminatory harassment at Columbia, including violations of Title VI and Title VII, Title IX, and the Protection of Minors Policy.

Graduation Requirements and Procedures

The B.A. degree is typically awarded three times during the year: in February, May, and October. Columbia College holds its Class Day exercises in May, and the University holds its Commencement ceremony for all schools in May. Students should consult with their academic advisor to ensure all graduation requirements have been met. Students in Columbia College can use the Degree Audit Report (DAR) through SSOL to track their progress.

Immunization Requirements

Before students are permitted to register for classes, there are several immunization requirements that all students must complete. New York State public health law and University policy require that students certify their decision about receiving the meningococcal meningitis vaccine on the Patient Portal. Students must submit the pre-registration immunization form or immunization records/documentation via the Columbia Health Patient Portal.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Columbia University is committed to providing a learning, living, and working environment free from unlawful discrimination and to fostering a nurturing and vibrant community founded upon the fundamental dignity and worth of all of its members. The University does not tolerate unlawful discrimination, harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual exploitation. The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) oversees the review and arbitration of all reports of discrimination and discriminatory harassment at Columbia.

Religious Observance

It is the policy of the University to respect its members’ religious beliefs. Officers of Administration and of Instruction responsible for scheduling of academic activities or essential services are expected to avoid conflict with religious holidays as much as possible.

School Sponsorship for Undergraduates

The undergraduate schools reserve the right to revoke sponsorship, support, and funding if any step of the School Sponsorship process is not completed or acknowledged prior to departure. The Undergraduate Travel Review Committee will assess the risks of travel and advise undergraduates accordingly.

Veterans Affairs Benefits

Columbia University allows students to attend or participate in a course of education using Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA.

Columbia College Specific Policies

Columbia College has specific policies regarding credit requirements, academic standing, and graduation procedures.

Credit Requirements

Every Columbia College student must complete 124 points of academic credit to earn the B.A. degree. All students are required to be full-time students and must therefore be registered for a minimum of 12 points of credit per term. An exception can be made for students in their final term who need fewer than 12 points of credit to complete their degree requirements.

Academic Standing

Students are expected to complete their degrees in eight semesters. Students may also be placed on academic warning for completing fewer cumulative points than expected for the number of terms completed at Columbia College. Students who fail to improve after being on academic probation may be suspended and required to withdraw from Columbia College for at least one year.

Graduation Procedures

The B.A. degree can be awarded three times during the year: in February, in May, and in October. General deadlines for applying for graduation are September 1 for October degrees; November 1 for February degrees; and January 1 for May degrees. There is no charge for the preparation and conferral of an original diploma.

Transfer Students

Every Columbia College student must complete 124 points of academic credit to earn the B.A. degree from Columbia College. Transfer students may apply a maximum of 64 points taken elsewhere toward advanced standing at the College. Credit granted on the basis of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and other standardized examinations is counted toward the 64-point maximum, as are credits earned at Columbia in the summer prior to matriculation and on study-abroad programs outside of Columbia. Transfer students receive credit for non-Columbia courses that are substantially similar to Columbia College courses only when the grades received are C- or better. Class standing for students transferring to Columbia College is determined prior to matriculation and is based on the number of terms and credits completed at the home institution. Twelve credits is the equivalent of one full-time term.

Core Curriculum for Transfer Students

The Core Curriculum is the cornerstone of undergraduate academic life at Columbia. Even those transferring in with advanced credit should expect to take most of the coursework in the Core Curriculum, if not all of it. Transfer students are expected to complete the requirements for the B.A. degree in eight undergraduate Fall and Spring semesters, inclusive of terms completed at other colleges or universities before entering Columbia.

Examinations

Midterm examinations are given during the course of each term and are scheduled by each instructor. Final examinations are given at the end of each term, according to a Projected University Examination Schedule issued by the Registrar’s Office.

Grading Policies

If a student does not take a final exam, or begins but does not complete a final exam, a grade of zero or F may be factored for that portion of the final grade. Students facing medical, personal, or family emergencies may petition the Committee on Academic Standing for permission to complete the final exam, paper, or project at a later date and will receive a temporary mark of IN (Incomplete) until the work is completed. A grade of Pass (P) is used to cover a letter grade of C- or higher, if a student has elected the Pass/D/Fail grading option for the course.

Grade Point Average

The Registrar calculates a cumulative grade point average for external purposes, such as official transcripts. The Registrar also calculates term and cumulative grade point averages for internal purposes, such as determining eligibility for the Dean’s List. When the Registrar computes a student’s Columbia College grade point average, only grades earned while enrolled in Columbia College in the Fall and Spring terms (including Columbia-owned study abroad programs) and in Columbia-owned summer programs are counted.

Pass/D/Fail Option

The Pass/D/Fail option cannot be utilized for courses taken in fulfillment of the Core Curriculum or, for the most part, for courses taken in fulfillment of a major or minor or special program. If a student has elected the Pass/D/Fail option for a class and receives a letter grade of C- or higher in the course, the letter grade will be covered by a mark of P.

Course Withdrawal

Students may drop a course from their academic programs by the fifth week of a Fall or Spring term, as long as they remain registered in a minimum of 12 points of coursework. After the drop deadline and until the Monday of the last full week of classes, if a student has a compelling reason to stop taking a course, the student can withdraw from the course. If a student withdraws from a course, the course will remain on the student’s transcript with a mark of W, indicating official withdrawal from that course after the drop deadline. Students must complete a minimum of 12 points of coursework in a term to be considered in good academic standing.

Temporary Notations on Transcripts

The AR is a temporary notation for the transcript when an instructor needs additional time to determine a student’s final grade for a course. The IN is a temporary notation for the transcript approved by the Committee on Academic Standing for students who cannot complete their coursework or are unable to take a final examination by the end of the term. The mark of R (Registration Credit) is given when a student, with the approval of the course instructor and the Committee on Academic Standing, regularly attends and participates in a course without the requirement to submit work for evaluation (i.e., auditing a course). The YC is a notation given at the end of the first term of a year-long course in which the full year’s work must be completed before a qualitative grade can be assigned.

Advanced Credit

Academic credit toward the Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College for advanced-level work is awarded upon completion of the first year at Columbia and is determined in accordance with College and departmental policies. Students who wish to receive advanced credit in any academic subject may not take courses at Columbia that cover similar or more basic material than the advanced work already completed.

School of General Studies (GS) Policies

The School of General Studies has specific policies regarding transfer credit for Bachelor of Arts candidates.

Transfer Credit for B.A. Candidates

All BA candidates are eligible to transfer up to 60 of the 124 points required for graduation. Admitted students may transfer credit only from the institutions listed on the application for admission at the time the application is submitted to the Office of Admissions. Coursework from institutions not listed on the application for admission will not be considered for transfer credit. Failure to report and send transcripts from all schools previously attended is considered academic dishonesty.

Transfer Credit Evaluation

The Office of Admissions and the Dean of Students Office determine the award of transfer credit. The Entrance Credit Report (ECR) and the Core Requirements Checklist specify, respectively, the total number of transfer credits awarded and the Core requirements to which those credits may correspond.

Transfer Credit During Deferral Period

Students who defer their offers of admission and subsequently receive credit for coursework done elsewhere may receive Columbia transfer credit for that coursework, provided they notify the Office of Admissions of their intention and submit final official transcripts.

Transfer Credits and Major Requirements

Credits from other institutions of higher education do not automatically count toward fulfilling the Columbia major, although they may satisfy Core requirements or be counted as elective credits. Transfer credits toward the major are accepted at the department’s discretion.

Limits on Professional Studies and Business Coursework

GS students are permitted only 12 transfer credits of professional studies and 15 credits of business coursework toward their GS degrees.

Transfer from Columbia College or Columbia Engineering

Columbia Engineering (SEAS) and Columbia College (CC) undergraduate students considering a transfer to the School of General Studies should meet with their advisors to consider the implications of such a transfer.

Repeating Courses

Students who have received credit for a course at Columbia may not receive credit toward the degree for repeating the course unless the specific course description authorizes such repetition.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Credit

Undergraduate students who have achieved satisfactory scores on the College Board tests used in the Advanced Placement Program may be granted credit or be exempted from certain courses or requirements. Any credit will be considered part of the 60-credit transfer maximum. Students may be eligible to earn transfer credit toward the Bachelor of Arts degree for GCE British Advanced Level (A-Levels) examinations with a grade of C or better.

Postbac Premed Program

Credit is not transferred for students in the Postbac Premed Program; however, upon matriculation in the program, students may satisfy course requirements with previously completed courses if the courses were completed recently with grades of C or better and they bear credit at least equal in weight to the corresponding Columbia coursework.

Transcript Evaluation

Transcripts submitted in languages other than English must be evaluated by an approved third-party and translated into English.

CSU Transfer Credit Policies

CSU uses ACE guidelines to determine if examinations warrant awarding academic credit. CSU takes into consideration that adult learners gain knowledge outside of a traditional academic environment and will consider experiential learning credit through a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) review. A minimum of 25% of an associate or bachelor’s degree must be completed at CSU. A minimum of 33% of a master’s degree program must be completed at CSU. A minimum of 33% of a postgraduate professional or doctoral program must be completed at CSU. Capstone courses must be completed at CSU. Transfer credit may be limited to satisfy specific and relevant degree program requirements. Some courses may not be transferrable due to age of credit. CSU does not typically accept transfer credit from non-accredited institutions; however, transfer credit decisions are not based solely on accreditation. Students may appeal transfer credit decisions.

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