Columbia University School of Professional Studies

What Columbia University School of Professional Studies does

Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) is one of 18 schools and colleges comprising Columbia University, an Ivy League research university headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1995 as SPS, the school also inherits legacy programs with deep institutional roots, including the American Language Program (1911), Columbia Summer Session (1900), and Pre-College Programs (30+ years). SPS delivers graduate professional education through 18+ master's degree programs spanning Applied Analytics, Enterprise Risk Management, Bioethics, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Strategic Communication, Technology Management, Insurance Management, Political Analytics, Actuarial Science, and Sustainability Management, alongside Certificates of Professional Achievement, Pre-College Programs, Columbia Summer Session, and the American Language Program. Programs are delivered on-campus at Lewisohn Hall in Morningside Heights and through online live interactive and asynchronous formats using Canvas as the learning management system.

The business model is tuition-driven across multiple program formats, with master's programs priced on per-credit or block basis (36–45 credits), the American Language Program offering publicly disclosed tuition (e.g., $4,610 for a 3-week English for Professional Purposes: Business course, with an estimated total cost of $7,841 including fees and living expenses), and Pre-College and Summer Session programs priced per offering. The school operates a scholar-practitioner faculty model where 85% of part-time faculty have 10+ years of industry experience, and differentiates via the Columbia University brand, scholar-practitioner faculty, and lifetime career services through the Career Design Lab. Go-to-market combines content marketing, social media, public speaker series (Frame Your Future 2026), information sessions, and an alumni referral network. As a unit within a private nonprofit university, SPS does not publish standalone financials or hold external funding rounds.

Name

Columbia University School of Professional Studies

Legal name

Columbia University School of Professional Studies

Website

https://sps.columbia.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1911

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Columbia University School of Professional Studies delivers Ivy League graduate professional education through master's degrees, certificates, summer sessions, pre-college programs, and English language instruction, serving working professionals, visiting students, and high schoolers globally via on-campus and online formats.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Master's Degree Tuition: Graduate education programs with tuition based on program. Master of Science and Master of Professional Studies degrees across disciplines including Applied Analytics, Bioethics, Enterprise Risk Management, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Strategic Communication, Technology Management, and others. Programs range from 36-45 credits with per-credit or block tuition pricing.
2. Certificate and Certification Programs: Certification of Professional Achievement programs and standalone certificates in specialized areas. These provide credential programs for professionals seeking specific skill development without full degree commitment.
3. American Language Program: Full-time and part-time English language programs for international students. The Intensive Academic English Program, Advanced Academic Preparation, and specialized programs like English for Professional Purposes: Business ($4,610 tuition plus fees for Summer 2026). Programs range from 4-12 weeks in duration.
4. Columbia Summer Session: Summer programs for visiting undergraduate, graduate, and high school students. More than 50 areas of study available for domestic and international students both on campus and online. Founded in 1900, one of the longest-running summer programs in the country.
5. Pre-College Programs: Summer and academic year programs for high-achieving high school students. Columbia's Pre-College Programs have served students from across the country and around the world for more than 30 years.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Columbia University School of Professional Studies offers graduate master's degrees, Certifications of Professional Achievement, and standalone certificates across disciplines such as Applied Analytics, Enterprise Risk Management, Bioethics, Technology Management, and Strategic Communication. The school also delivers the American Language Program (English language instruction founded 1911), Columbia Summer Session (founded 1900), Pre-College Programs for high school students, and Career Design Lab career services, delivered on-campus and online.

Product overview

Columbia University School of Professional Studies offers a comprehensive portfolio of graduate education programs, professional certificates, and specialized training services. The core offering includes 18+ master's degree programs spanning fields such as Applied Analytics, Enterprise Risk Management, Bioethics, Technology Management, and Strategic Communication. Supporting programs include the American Language Program (founded 1911), Career Design Lab career services, Columbia Summer Session, and Pre-College Programs for high school students. The school has recently launched the SPS AI Lab and Frame Your Future 2026 speaker series to advance AI education. Programs are available in on-campus, online live interactive, and asynchronous formats, with flexible full-time and part-time options. Certifications of Professional Achievement provide non-degree pathways in specialized disciplines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• M.S. in Applied Analytics Graduate degree program preparing students for data science leadership roles, combining technical analytics skills with strategic thinking and communication.
• M.S. in Enterprise Risk Management Master's program focusing on risk-reward decision-making, ERM frameworks, risk governance, quantification, and communication across enterprises. Described as the largest program of its kind in the world.
• M.S. in Bioethics Interdisciplinary graduate program addressing bioethical challenges through medicine, law, philosophy, history, and social science approaches. Offers dual-degree options with Public Health and Social Work.
• M.S. in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Graduate program teaching conflict dynamics, negotiation strategies, and mediation skills for organizational and international applications.
• M.S. in Strategic Communication Program preparing students for leadership in strategic communication with AI integration courses for emerging technology adaptation.
• M.S. in Technology Management Graduate program combining technology and business strategy for digital transformation and innovation leadership roles.
• M.S. in Insurance Management Program focused on market-responsive innovations and transformative thought leadership in insurance and risk sectors.
• M.S. in Political Analytics Technical skills program in political context facilitating crosswalk with nontechnical professionals and decision-makers.
• M.S. in Actuarial Science Graduate program preparing students for actuarial careers with focus on risk assessment, financial modeling, and insurance mathematics.
• M.S. in Sustainability Management Program addressing environmental and sustainability challenges through management frameworks and scientific approaches.
• American Language Program (ALP) CEA-accredited English language instruction offering Intensive Academic English, Advanced Academic Preparation, English for Professional Purposes, and Legal English. Average class size 8-12 students, maximum 16.
• Columbia Summer Session Ivy League summer study program offering undergraduate and graduate courses across more than 50 areas of study for visiting and Columbia students, available on-campus and online.
• Pre-College Programs Non-credit courses for high-achieving high school students including summer residential, commuter, and online options for college preparation.
• Career Design Lab Career services platform offering holistic coaching, personalized newsletters, job resources, e-Mentor Program, Executive Case Series, Global Career Week, SPS Talent job board, and lifetime alumni resources.
• Certifications of Professional Achievement Non-degree certificate programs in specialized fields including Bioethics, Enterprise Risk Management, Sustainability Analytics, and Narrative Medicine for professionals seeking credentials without full degree commitment.
• Online Learning at SPS Distance education offerings including online master's degrees, live interactive classroom instruction, and asynchronous course options across multiple programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates employed at leading organizations including Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and the United Nations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability8 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerISSO handles F-1 visa I-20 processing for international students admitted to SPS programs. Students apply for their I-20 through ISSO upon admission and receive instructions for doing so after confirming intent to enroll.
• Professional Risk Managers' International Association (PRMIA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerERM students compete in the annual PRMIA Risk Challenge. Students proposed a modern risk dashboard coded in MATLAB or alternative software packages as part of the competition.
• Women for Women InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerE. Ramone Segree, M.S. in Nonprofit Management lecturer, previously served as U.S. Executive Director of Women for Women International. He moderated the Cryptocurrency & Nonprofits series panel discussion.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NYU School of Professional Studies (SCPS): The most direct peer: NYU SCPS operates within NYU with an almost identical model — applied/professional master's degrees, certificates, and continuing education for working professionals in NYC. Programs in analytics, management, and communications directly overlap Columbia SPS offerings.
• Harvard Extension School: Harvard's continuing and professional studies arm offering graduate certificates, master's (ALM), and pre-college programs targeting working professionals and adult learners. Competes for the same prestige-driven professional education segment in the U.S. Northeast.
• Northwestern University School of Professional Studies: Northwestern SPS offers part-time and online master's degrees, certificates, and continuing education for working professionals — directly mirroring Columbia SPS's portfolio in disciplines like analytics, leadership, and information systems.
• University of Chicago Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies: UChicago Graham School provides professional master's, certificate, and executive programs for working adults. Overlaps Columbia SPS in analytics, analytics-related, and professional development categories with comparable Ivy-tier positioning.
• Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies: Georgetown SCS offers applied/professional master's degrees, certificates, and summer programs for working professionals. Its portfolio in communications, technology management, and analytics directly overlaps Columbia SPS's program mix.
• University of Pennsylvania College of Liberal and Professional Studies (LPS): Penn LPS delivers applied professional master's programs and post-baccalaureate studies for working professionals and adult learners — a direct Ivy League analog to Columbia SPS in program structure and target student.
• USC School of Professional Studies: USC School of Professional Studies offers online and hybrid master's and certificate programs targeting working professionals. Overlaps Columbia SPS in analytics, applied disciplines, and continuing education, with a stronger West Coast / online emphasis.
• Boston University Metropolitan College (MET): BU MET offers part-time and online professional master's degrees and certificates for working professionals in analytics, computer science, and management — directly comparable in format, audience, and program mix to Columbia SPS.
• Stanford Continuing Studies: Stanford Continuing Studies provides non-degree courses, certificates, and summer programs for adult learners and professionals. Comparable as a peer Ivy-equivalent continuing/professional studies program serving a similar elite, career-advancement audience.

Broad incumbents

• MIT Professional Education: MIT Professional Education offers short courses, certificates, and custom programs for working professionals and industry. While not a direct school-to-school competitor in degree programs, it competes for the same high-end professional learner wallet share at top-tier institutions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Columbia_SPS
• Facebookfacebook.com/ColumbiaSPS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/columbia-university-school-of-professional-studies
• Instagraminstagram.com/columbiasps

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Columbia University School of Professional Studies