Course Search

As a Visiting Student, you are eligible to enroll in most courses within the Division of Columbia College, SEAS (engineering school), and Barnard College, as long as those courses are “open to” Columbia College Students. However, we cannot guarantee the availability of any class. We therefore strongly advise you to prepare a list of several classes across a number of disciplines that may be of interest to you.  

• You will find a list all courses on the following websites:

Columbia College Bulletin

Barnard Course Bulletin

SEAS Bulletin

• To determine what courses are offered this term and when they are offered, please consult the Directory of Classes HERE.

• For more information about how to read the course listings, please see the document click HERE.

Restricted Courses

Keep in mind, the following Columbia College Core Curriculum courses may NOT be taken by visiting students… 

• Masterpieces of European Literature and Philosophy (Literature Humanities): HUMA C1001/C1002

• Intro to Contemporary Civilization in the West (Contemporary Civilization): HUMA C1101/C1102

• Masterpieces of Western Art (Art Humanities): HUMA  C1121

• Masterpieces of Western Music (Music Humanities): HUMA C1123

• Logic and Rhetoric (University Writing): ENGL C1007

• African Civilization: AFCV C1020

Taking Courses in other Divisions of the University

In addition to the undergraduate divisions, there are 16 graduate/professional divisions within (or affiliated with) Columbia University (full list here). Columbia College Visiting Students may have the opportunity to enroll in some of these courses. In most cases, students must submit an add/drop form along with the appropriate approvals/signatures on or after the first day of classes. Interested students should contact their Advising Dean for specific enrollment procedures.

Following is a list of schools and programs that allow undergraduates to register for courses, with their policies regarding the enrollment of Columbia College/Visiting Students.

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences 

Courses may be taken by qualified undergraduates with the permission of the director of undergraduate studies in the department in which the course is taught.

Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation 

Lectures may be taken on a space-available basis by qualified undergraduates. Undergraduates are not allowed to enroll in any seminars or studio courses. For list of courses, click here.

School of the Arts 

Graduate courses may be taken on a space-available basis by qualified undergraduates.

Columbia Business School 

While courses are not guaranteed, Visiting students may apply to take a limited number of courses at the Business school beginning on January 24th. Please find instructions for cross-registration HERE.

School of International and Public Affairs

Open Enrollment Courses are open to all Columbia students unless the class is full. Students interested in registering for a SIPA Open Enrollment Course may receive permission to enroll by completing a Registration and Drop/Add form and submitting it to the SIPA Registration site on the 6th floor of the International Affairs Building. If the class is not full, approval will be granted. For more detailed instruction, click here.

School of Journalism

Cross registration in the School of Journalism is primarily available to graduate students (with top priority given to IMC SIPA students).  However some courses may be open undergraduate students on a space-available basis. For more information about the cross registration policies and procedures, click here. To request cross registration in a Journalism School course, please complete the form found here.

School of Public Health

Columbia undergraduate students interested in taking public health courses must petition the Dean of Students. The petition should include the following:

a)   A written request detailing their interest in a public health course, and why they should be approved;

b)   an official transcript for review;

c)   and written permission of the instructor.

d)   The student must then complete the steps outlined for non-mailman students found here.

Materials should be submitted to Dean of Students, Mailman School of Public Health, 722 W. 168th Street, suite 1014. Please call 212-342-3128 with any questions. The student will be contacted with the decision by the dean of students office.

School of Social Work

Courses may be taken on a space-available basis. For list of courses, click here.

Courses in the following schools are generally not available to Columbia College Visiting Students  

• School of Continuing Education

• Columbia Law School

• Teachers College 

• College of Physicians and Surgeons 

• College of Dental Medicine 

• Jewish Theological Seminary

• Union Theological Seminary

• School of Nursing