Graduate Programs
The Graduate Programs team provides strategic leadership, academic governance, and operational oversight for the School’s graduate portfolio. The team plays a pivotal role in defining the academic direction of the School’s programs, ensuring that each reflects Columbia University’s standards of excellence, innovation, and academic integrity.
Serving as the bridge between program-level operations and University-wide academic administration, the team supports all aspects of graduate program governance, including the Annual Curriculum Review (ACR), the Committee on Instruction (COI), and the Program Curriculum Committees (PCCs). These governance structures uphold the rigor and coherence of the School’s offerings—from the design of new programs to the evaluation and continuous enhancement of existing curricula. The team also oversees the full lifecycle of program and course approvals, partnering with faculty, program directors, and academic administrators to maintain alignment with institutional goals and academic standards.
Collaboration is at the heart of the team’s work, uniting strategy, innovation, and execution. The Graduate Programs team leads initiatives that advance program design, redevelopment, and innovation through close partnership with cross-functional units across Academic Affairs and the broader University. Working alongside faculty leadership on curriculum design and administrative partners on operational implementation, the team ensures that programs remain responsive to emerging professional and academic trends. By engaging with senior University stakeholders, including the Office of the Vice Provost, the team helps shape new and evolving programs that are academically rigorous, strategically aligned, and reflective of the School’s mission and priorities.
A key function of the team is to coordinate and implement internal and external academic quality assurance processes. This includes managing reporting obligations to regulatory and accrediting bodies such as the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, as well as following Columbia University’s Guidelines for Academic Review, which require that programs undergo review every five to seven years. Through proactive monitoring, documentation, and analysis, the team ensures that the School’s programs meet expectations for academic integrity and quality.
Beyond governance and quality assurance, the team provides the infrastructure and operational support that sustain the daily functioning of the graduate academic enterprise. Working closely with program teams, the Graduate Programs team promotes best practices, facilitates training, and drives continuous improvement across all areas of academic administration.
Ultimately, the Graduate Programs team serves as both a strategic partner and an operational foundation within Academic Affairs—advancing the School’s academic vision, ensuring institutional integrity, and fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and innovation across the graduate portfolio.
Contact: [email protected].
Further Information & Helpful Resources
Columbia School of Professional Studies Academic Governance
Columbia School of Professional Studies Academic Review Committee
Columbia School of Professional Studies Committee on Instruction
For any questions regarding the Committee on Instruction, please email [email protected].