Overview
The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Columbia University is historically divided into humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. In addition to these areas, there are various doctoral program subcommittees. Students are admitted to one of the departments or a subcommittee, and a course of study is directed by the regulations established by that department or subcommittee.

Of the approximately 23,000 students at Columbia University, 3,500 are students in the various departments and subcommittees of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. The vast majority of these 3,500 students are working toward full-time completion of the requirements for the Ph.D.

The Location and Community
New York City is arguably one of the nation's greatest college towns. Cultural appetites can be sated at theaters, museums, concert halls, opera houses, movie plexes, bookstores, and street fairs within a walk or subway hop from the campus. Retreat from concrete can be found at large parks or the beaches and mountains a short drive away.

Programs of Study and Degree Requirements
The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Columbia University offers programs of study leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in anatomy and cell biology; anthropology; applied physics; architecture; art history and archaeology; astronomy; biochemistry and molecular biophysics; biological sciences; biomedical informatics; biostatistics; business; cellular, molecular, and biophysical studies; chemical engineering and applied chemistry; chemical physics; chemistry; civil engineering and engineering mechanics; classical studies; classics; communications; computer science; Earth and environmental sciences; East Asian languages and cultures; ecology, evolution, and environmental biology; economics; education; electrical engineering; English and comparative literature; environmental health sciences; epidemiology; French and Romance philology; genetics and development; Germanic languages; history; industrial engineering and operations research; Italian; mathematics; mechanical engineering; metallurgical and mineral engineering; microbiology; Middle East and Asian languages and cultures; mining; music; neurobiology and behavior; nutrition; pathology; pharmacology; philosophy; physics; physiology and cellular biophysics; political science; psychology; religion; Slavic languages; social work; sociology; sociomedical sciences; Spanish and Portuguese; statistics; sustainable development; theater; and urban planning. The Graduate School also offers M.A. programs in African-American studies; art history and archaeology; anthropology; biotechnology, classical studies; classics; climate and society; conservation biology; dental sciences; East Asian languages and cultures; East Asian regional studies; English and comparative literature; French and romance philology; French cultural studies; Germanic languages; Italian; Japanese pedagogy (summer only); mathematics; mathematics of finance; Middle East and Asian languages and cultures; modern art, critical and curatorial studies; museum anthropology; music; philosophical foundations of physics; philosophy; political science; quantitative methods in the social sciences; religion; Russian translation, Eurasian, and European regional studies; Slavic cultures; Slavic languages; sociology; Spanish and Portuguese; and statistics and two dual M.A./M.S. degree programs in earth and environmental sciences journalism and religion and journalism with the School of Journalism.

Facilities & Resources
In recent decades, Columbia's campuses have seen a revival of spirit and energy that have been truly momentous. Under the leadership of President Michael Sovern, the 1980s saw the completion of important new facilities, and the pace intensified after George Rupp became president in 1993. A 650-million-dollar building program begun in 1994 provided the impetus for a wide range of projects, including the complete renovation of Furnald Hall and athletics facilities on campus and at Baker Field, the wiring of the campus for Internet and wireless access, the rebuilding of Dodge Hall for the School of the Arts, the construction of new facilities for the Schools of Law and Business, the renovation of Butler Library, and the creation of the Philip L. Milstein Family College Library.

The University also continued to develop the Audubon Biotechnology and Research Park, securing Columbia's place at the forefront of medical research. As New York City's only university-related research park, it also is contributing to economic growth through the creation of private-sector research collaborations and the generation of new biomedically related business.

The architectural centerpiece of the campus is Low Memorial Library. Built in the Roman classical style, it appears in the New York City Register of Historic Places. The building today houses the University's central administration offices and the visitors center.

A broad flight of steps descends from Low Library to an expansive plaza, a popular place for students to gather, and from there to College Walk, a promenade that bisects the central campus. Beyond College Walk is the South Campus, where Butler Library, the university's main library, stands. South Campus is also the site of many of Columbia College's facilities, including student residences, Alfred Lerner Hall (the student center), and the College's administrative offices and classroom buildings, along with the Graduate School of Journalism.

To the north of Low Library stands Pupin Hall, which in 1966 was designated a national historic landmark in recognition of the atomic research undertaken there by Columbia's scientists beginning in 1925. To the east is St. Paul's Chapel, which is listed with the New York City Register of Historic Places.

Many newer buildings surround the original campus. Among the most impressive are the Sherman Fairchild Center for the Life Sciences and the Morris A. Schapiro Center for Engineering and Physical Science Research. Two miles to the north of Morningside Heights is the 20-acre campus of the Columbia University Medical Center in Manhattan's Washington Heights, overlooking the Hudson River. Among the most prominent buildings on the site are the 20-story Julius and Armand Hammer Health Sciences Center, the William Black Medical Research Building, and the 17-story tower of the College of Physicians and Surgeons. In 1989, The Presbyterian Hospital opened the Milstein Hospital Building, a 745-bed facility that incorporates the very latest advances in medical technology and patient care.

To the west is the New York State Psychiatric Institute; east of Broadway is the Audubon Biomedical Science and Technology Park, which includes the Mary Woodard Lasker Biomedical Research Building, the Audubon Business Technology Center, Russ Berrie Medical Science Pavilion, and the Irving Cancer Research Center as well as other institutions of cutting-edge scientific and medical research.

Clear in its commitment to carrying out such a wide-ranging and historic mission, and led by a new president, Lee C. Bollinger, Columbia is proud to celebrate its 250th anniversary and look ahead to the achievements to come.

Expenses and Aid
Tuition and fees for are $37,346, based on a flat tuition payment of $17,266 per semester, plus fees for a full-time course load for which the student earns 2 residence units. Six units are required for the Ph.D., although a maximum of 2 units of advanced standing may be given for previous graduate work leading to an M.A. or other appropriate professional degree. With the exception of traveling fellows, students are expected to remain registered until they have completed all the requirements for the degree.

Financial Aid:
More than 95 percent of the students admitted to the Ph.D. programs in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences receive full fellowships, which include tuition, University health insurance, and a stipend. Those admitted to these programs who do not receive funding the first year will receive funding from the second year onward, pending satisfactory progress as determined by the faculty. Some teaching and research responsibilities are required of all doctoral students as part of the student's academic apprenticeship. Students admitted to the master's-only programs (M.A. degrees not leading toward the Ph.D.) are not usually awarded fellowships or scholarships. A comprehensive program of financial aid is also offered through Columbia. Applicants who file financial aid forms by the deadline are automatically considered for any Columbia-administered awards for which they may be eligible. Applicants are urged to compete for national, regional, and foundation fellowships in addition to those available at Columbia.

Housing/Living Expenses:
Most graduate students live in off-campus housing, although the University is increasing its facilities for both single and married students. All graduate students awarded fellowships are guaranteed affordable University housing, which the students pay for out of their stipend.

How to Apply / Application
In order to be guaranteed consideration for admission and financial aid for the fall term, all students must submit the completed application form, required transcripts, and all supporting materials by December 15 or January 3 for Ph.D. candidates. Students can visit http://www.columbia.edu/cu/gsas for specific deadlines and descriptions of all programs and procedures. To be considered for admission, international and overseas applicants should file applications at least one month prior to the deadline. Most deadlines for master's degree programs are April 1, although some are earlier. Students should contact the specific department or program of interest for detailed information. Students who do not hold degrees from English-speaking countries or for whom English is not the native language are required to submit scores on the TOEFL, administered by the Educational Testing Service, or the IELTS examination. All applicants are asked to apply online through the Web site. Paper applications are no longer accepted. Students who cannot access the Web site may request an application form from the Office of Student Affairs.

International Students
Columbia University in the City of New York hosts 8,547 international students, interns, scholars, and accompanying international family members from nearly 150 countries. For Fall 2006, the University enrolls 4,346 international students, oversees 1,229 international interns engaged in practical or academic training, and engages the participation of 1,991 international faculty, researchers, and visiting scholars and scientists. Columbia ranks fourth among the more than 2,500 US colleges and universities reporting international enrollments according to the most recent national data available.

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