I. Introduction
A. Message from the Dean
B. About this Handbook
1. Student Responsibilities
2. Department-based M.A. Programs
a. M.A. Advisers (DGS, Program Director, etc.)
b. Departmental Administrator (DA)
3. Liberal Studies M.A. Programs
C. GSAS History
D. Important Contact Information
1. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
2. Health Services and Student Health (Medical) Insurance
3. Registration and Transcripts
4. Student Financial Services
5. Housing Services
6. International Students
7. University Policies and Other University Offices
E. M.A. Programs Including Programs inside and outside the Arts and Sciences
1. Programs inside the Arts and Sciences
2. Dual-degree Programs
3. Programs outside the Arts and Sciences
Back to Top 
II. Financial Matters: Policies and Resources for Students in All M.A. Programs
A. Tuition and Fees
B. Debit Balances
C. Credit Balances
D. Health Service Fee and Health (Medical) Insurance Premium
E. Withdrawal and Adjustment of Tuition Charges
F. Supplemental Support
1. Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Awards
2. Loans and Work Study
a) Applying for Loans
b) Available Federal Loans
1) Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans
2) Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
3) Federal Perkins Loans
c) Federal College Work Study Program
3. Other Employment
G. Taxation
Back to Top 
III. Fellowships
Introduction
A. Fellowship Regulations and Processing
B. Fellowships from Outside Sources
1. Basic Policy
2. Major Fellowships
3. The Fellowship Database
C. International Students and Employment
Back to Top 
IV. Research and other Professional Development Resources
A. GSAS Office of Student Services
B. Letters of Introduction (Blue Seal Letters)
C. Responsible Conduct of Research
1. Training
2. Center for Bioethics
3. Review Boards and Regulations for Research
a) Research with Human Subjects – IRB
b) Research with Animal Subjects – IACUC
c) Hazardous Substances and Equipment
D. Libraries
1. Services
a) Digital Collections
b) Reference Librarians
c) Searching Databases
d) CLIO
e) Borrowing beyond Columbia's Collections
f) Library Materials Online
g) Special-format Services
h) EndNote, RefWorks, NVIVO
2. Individual Libraries
3. Libraries at Affiliated Institutions
4. New York City Area Library Resources
E. Computing
F. Mentoring of M.A. Students
G. Research Centers, Consortia, Institutes and Related Schools
1. Research Centers, Consortia, Institutes
2. Related Schools
H. Career Education
1. Career Counseling
2. The Career Resource Center
3. Registering for Events and Access to Databases
4. Career Development Workshops
5. Special Programs
6. Annual Job Fairs
7. Dossier Service
8. Job Listings
9. InterviewTrak (Campus Recruiting Program)
10. Employer Presentations and Information Sessions
11. Experiential Education
a) Internships
b) Temporary Positions
c) Student Enterprises
Back to Top 
V. Student Life
A. Bank and Credit Union
1. Citibank
2. Bethex Federal Credit Union, Columbia-Barnard Branch
B. Child Care
C. Community Service
D. Dining Services and Faculty House
E. Disability Services
1. Obtaining Services
2. Campus Accessibility
3. Columbia Card and Access Keys
F. Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC)
G. Graduate Student Lounge
H. Gym and Athletic Facilities
I. Health Service and Health (Medical) Insurance
1. Health Services
2. Student Health (Medical) Insurance Plan
3. Health Service Fee
J. Housing
1. University Apartment Housing
2. Off-Campus Housing Assistance Office (OCHA)
K. I.D. Cards for Columbia Students (C.U.I.D.)
L. International Students
1. Arrival and Orientation
2. International Spouse Network
3. Immigration and Document Services
4. International Programs and Services Web Site
5. ISSOnews Email Broadcasts
M. Minority Affairs, GSAS Office of
N. Registrar
O. Religious Life
P. Safety and Security
Q. Student Financial Services
R. Transportation and Parking
1. Intercampus Shuttle Bus
2. Morningside Heights Shuttle Bus
3. Lamont-Morningside Heights Shuttle Bus
4. Parking
Review of academic, financial and other matters may lead to changes in policies. While every effort has been made to ensure that this M.A. Handbook is accurate and up to date, it may include inaccuracies or outdated information due to changes that have been implemented after publication. To verify any of the information contained in this Handbook, contact the Dean's Office of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at 212.854.2861 or gsas_dean@columbia.edu