Columbia Climate School Transfer Policies

Transfer Credit Policy

Columbia Climate School does not accept transfer credits toward any of our degree programs. All credits applied to a Climate School degree must be earned through coursework completed at Columbia University while enrolled in the degree program.

This policy ensures that every student receives the full benefit of our curriculum and meets the academic standards expected of Climate School graduates. 

Questions about this policy may be directed to [email protected].

Dual Degree Program Credits

Dual degree programs operate under a separate and distinct framework. These are formally structured academic pathways established between the Climate School and partner schools, in which students are admitted to, and complete the requirements of, two degree programs in a coordinated manner.

Within an approved dual degree program, certain credits may count toward both degrees, as defined by the specific agreement governing that program. These shared credit arrangements are not subject to the general transfer credit restrictions described above. 

Students must be formally admitted as dual degree candidates and must follow the requirements, timelines, and residency expectations established for their specific program. Credit sharing is not available to students who apply retroactively or outside the formal dual degree process.

See our approved dual degree programs.

Transfers Between Programs

Transferring between Columbia Climate School graduate programs is strongly discouraged. Applicants are expected to identify and apply to the program that best aligns with their academic interests and long-term career goals at the time of application. 

While a limited number of internal transfer pathways exist, these are exceptions with strict deadlines and eligibility criteria. The following policies outline the formal application requirements for permitted transfers and specify situations in which transfers are not allowed.

  • Transfers between the MA Climate and Society and MS Climate Finance

    Not Permitted

    Due to the intensive one-year format and the distinct curriculum of each program, transfers between the MA in Climate and Society and the MS in Climate Finance are not permitted. Each program has a unique academic structure and timeline, and it is not possible to switch between them once enrolled.

  • Transfers from a one year program to the MS Climate

    Permitted

    Students currently enrolled in a one-year program (MA Climate and Society or MS Climate Finance) may request consideration for admission to the two-year MS in Climate. A formal application must be submitted to the Office of Admissions for committee review. All transfer requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and admission is not guaranteed. Admission will be evaluated based on application strength, alignment of academic and professional goals, and available program capacity.

    Application deadline: December 15 of first academic year

  • Transfers from the MS Climate to the MA Climate and Society

    Permitted

    Students enrolled in the two-year MS in Climate program who wish to transfer to the one-year MA in Climate and Society program must submit a formal application to the Office of Admissions. All transfer requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and admission is not guaranteed. Admission will be evaluated based on application strength, alignment of academic and professional goals, and available program capacity.

    Application deadline: December 15 of first academic year

  • Transfers from the MS Climate to the MS Climate Finance

    Not Permitted

    Transfer from the two-year MS in Climate to the one-year MS in Climate Finance is not permitted, due to the intensive nature and curricular structure of the latter program.

  • Transfers from the MS Climate to an internal dual degree program

    Permitted

    Students in the two-year MS in Climate who wish to pursue one of the established dual degree proram in partnership with another Columbia graduate school (e.g., SEAS, GSAPP) must formally apply to the second program. Students must also notify Academic Affairs ([email protected]) of their intention to pursue a dual degree no later than December 15 of their first semester, as there are registration implications to this path. Approval is contingent on admission to both programs and coordination between schools on dual degree requirements and timelines.

    Application deadline: December 15 of first academic year

  • Transfers from a dual degree program to the MS in Climate

    Permitted

    Students enrolled in an approved MS in Climate dual degree program during their first semester in residence at Columbia Climate School may request consideration for admission to the two-year MS in Climate program. A formal application must be submitted to the Office of Admissions for committee review. All transfer requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and admission is not guaranteed. Admission will be evaluated based on application strength, alignment of academic and professional goals, and available program capacity.

    Application deadline: December 15 of first academic year

Important: Merit scholarship eligibility

In the event of a transfer, any previously awarded merit scholarship does not carry over to a new degree program. Candidates will be reconsidered for merit funding at the time of their new application, and funding decisions are based on the competitiveness of the applicant pool, available resources, and program-specific funding priorities.