On rare occasions, students who are matriculated doctoral candidates at other institutions and who have been selected to do research at the Graduate School, but who do not wish to enroll in a degree program, may be permitted to register as non-degree special students. In most cases these are international students who have received a scholarship to conduct one year of doctoral research at an American university. Admission to this non-degree is made by the Office of the Dean in consultation with a department relevant to the student's research interests. Special students are charged either Extended Residence tuition, if they wish to enroll in courses, or the Matriculation and Facilities fee, if they are conducting research only. Special student status is limited to a maximum of two terms. Requests for consideration for special student status should be made to the Office of Admissions, 107 Low Memorial Library.
Postbaccalaureate applicants who are not degree candidates elsewhere but who wish to take non-degree graduate-level courses at Columbia should contact the School of Continuing Education (203 Lewisohn Hall, telephone: 212-854-2820).
