PhD Registration

A doctoral program in the Arts and Sciences is an immersive, full-time enterprise, in which students are expected to participate fully in the academic and intellectual life on campus, taking courses, conducting research in labs and libraries, teaching, attending departmental and school events, and developing a professional network within and beyond their department. Consequently, students may not simultaneously hold other full-time professional positions within or outside the university while pursuing a doctoral degree.

Policies are in place and resources are provided based on the expectation that students be near and on campus consistently throughout the year, with the primary exception being when students are conducting sanctioned research at another institution or location, or are otherwise on a parental, medical, military, or personal leave.

Every semester they are registered, PhD students in the Graduate School must register for an enrollment category (a full Residence Unit, Extended Residence, or Matriculation & Facilities). The process is the same as that used to register for a course through Student Services Online (SSOL), and is completed at the same time.

NOTE: The degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is conferred upon a student who has fulfilled all PhD requirements except the dissertation; post-MPhil, students are not eligible to enroll in classes except in rare circumstances when the department has deemed a course to be essential for a student’s dissertation research.

Continuous Registration and Full-Time Employment

Doctoral students in the Arts and Sciences are required to register in each semester until all degree requirements have been completed or until the time-to-degree limit has been reached.  Occasionally, an advanced doctoral student begins a full-time position prior to distributing or defending their dissertation.  Students in such situations should be aware of the following:

1. The continuous registration requirement remains in effect until all requirements are completed or the time-to-degree limit has been reached as noted above.
2. Students will be held to the same expectations for academic progress as all other students.
3. Students may not receive GSAS funding while employed full-time unless the student has guaranteed funding remaining.  In such circumstances, GSAS will cover the student’s M&F tuition and health fees.  The term in which such funding is received will count towards the total number of guaranteed semesters. 
4. Students who accept full-time employment at Columbia may not simultaneously also serve as a student officer.  Similarly, students who have received a GSAS stipend in the semester in which they start a full-time position at Columbia will have their stipends pro-rated based on the start date of the full-time position.
5. Students who accept full-time employment at Columbia may not stay in Columbia Residential housing beyond the end of the semester in which they start the new position.