Other Academic Opportunities

The Writing Fellows Program 

The Writing Fellows Program offers students with strong writing, reading, listening and communication skills an opportunity to become writing fellows, peer tutors in writing. During their first semester in the program, students take a training course about the teaching of writing (ENGL BC3101 THE WRITER'S PROCESS), usually in the autumn term of their sophomore or junior year. Writing Fellows work in different settings (e.g., the Writing Center, writing-intensive courses across the curriculum) with Barnard undergraduates at all levels and in all disciplines. Writing Fellows work an hourly wage and are asked to make a commitment of three semesters to the Program.

Science Writing Fellows 

Science Fellows are Writing Fellows focused on supporting students in communicating science at Barnard and beyond. Like Writing Fellows, Science Fellows enroll in the Writer’s Process then apply Writing Fellow pedagogy to the more discipline-specific conventions of undergraduate science writing. In addition to supporting courses and working in the Writing Center, Science Fellows collaborate with campus groups including Beyond Barnard and the College Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP). The Science Fellows initiative was created with the intent of providing a resource for science students that helps them build critical thinking and communication skills.

Creative Writing Fellows

Creative Writing Fellows are a subset of the Writing Fellows Program focused on supporting students taking creative writing classes, applying to take creative writing classes, or writing creative works outside of classes. Creative Writing Fellows apply writing pedagogy to creative writing practices, exploring how readers interact with creative forms (poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting, and hybrid forms) differently than academic work. Through conversation and questioning, Creative Writing Fellows help students identify and articulate the decisions they make in their writing and how those decisions affect fellows as readers.

Writing-Intensive Courses Across the Disciplines

Students in these courses undertake at least three writing projects, each of which goes through at least two drafts. Writing Fellows read and confer with students on the first drafts of their papers, which students revise, handing in both first and second drafts to their instructors, who comment on and grade the revised drafts.

The departments of Anthropology, Architecture, Art History, Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures, Biology, Dance, Economics, Education, English, Environmental Science, French, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, Slavic, Sociology, Spanish, Theatre, and Women’s Studies have offered writing-intensive courses. Both instructors and students report positive results. Students appreciate the help they get in revising drafts and experience significant gains in their writing skills. Instructors find that the revised papers they receive permit them to focus their comments on course content, rather than on the mechanics of writing.

The Writing Center

In addition to their work in specific courses across the curriculum, Writing Fellows staff the Erica Mann Jong '63 Writing Center (second floor Barnard Hall). Any Barnard student is welcome to confer on a particular writing project or to discuss some broader aspect of their writing (e.g., articulating, organizing, and structuring ideas; analyzing evidence and connecting it to a claim; or reviewing concepts of grammar). Students confer on chapters of their senior theses, drafts of papers for First-Year English, outlines or ideas for papers in upper-level courses, lab reports, personal statements for admission to law school, etc.

The Speaking Fellows Program

Students with exceptional public speaking skills and an interest in helping their peers articulate their thoughts may apply for the Speaking Fellows Program. Before becoming a Speaking Fellow, students take a seminar and practicum in the theory and teaching of public speaking (ENGL BC3123 Rhetorical Choices: the Theory and Practice of Public Speaking ), usually in the autumn term of their sophomore or junior year. As part of working with courses across the discipline, Speaking Fellows help students with the fundamentals of public speaking, presentation-giving, negotiating, and other skills required for course assignments. They meet with Barnard students for bth individualized and group workshops, and offer workshops on the art of listening, storytelling, helping with speech anxiety and more. The program approaches public speaking as a critical leadership ability and focuses on helping students know how to use rhetorical skills to have an impact on the world around them. Speaking Fellows receive a stipend and are asked to make a commitment of three semesters to the Program.Barnard Speaking Fellows are trained peer-to-peer educators who collaborate with students on building skills for speech communication. In addition to working with courses across the discipline, Speaking Fellows staff Barnard’s Speaking Center (second floor Barnard Hall). Any Barnard student is welcome to confer about a class presentation, job interview, or some broader aspect of speaking in public (e.g., how to articulate, organize, and structure thoughts for a presentation; how to participate in class discussions; and how to practice active listening). Students meet with Speaking Fellows to practice presenting their senior thesis, build confidence in leading or participating in seminar discussions, meeting with professors during office hours,  articulating scientific research etc.

Opportunity Programs

The Opportunity Programs are the New York State-funded programs for New York State residents who demonstrate financial need and meet certain academic standards. These include the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) and the College Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP). HEOP and CSTEP scholars receive additional support and advice to help them transition into College, addressing, through programming, counseling, financial support, and other measures, the emotional, social, and academic challenges of being a low-income student or underrepresented/marginalized student at an elite institution. 

Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)

The Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) was established by New York State to give high-achieving students from disadvantaged financial backgrounds the support they need to help them succeed in college and beyond.  Founded in 1970, the HEOP Scholars Program at Barnard currently provides eligible students the following opportunities and resources:

During the Academic Year

• Free tutoring and study-skills workshops
• Academic, financial, pre-professional, and personal advising
• Access to a Lending Library with laptops, iPads, textbooks, etc.
• Book vouchers for academic materials
• Graduate placement exam prep and graduate school exam fee assistance
• Peer mentoring
• ​A supportive HEOP and Access Barnard community within the College

The Academic Summer Program

The summer before their first year at Barnard, HEOP Scholars participate in a required residential program that includes two weeks of academic exploration of introductory-level math, science, and humanities coursework, followed by an additional two weeks of orientation programming. Students get to know the Barnard community and get a head start in navigating campus and our surrounding neighborhood.

Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP)

The Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) is a New York State-based program to increase the recruitment, retention, and placement of students who have been underrepresented in the licensed professions and careers in math, science, technology, and health-related fields.

During the Academic Year

• Free tutoring and study-skills workshops
• Academic, financial, pre-professional, and personal advising
• Peer mentoring
• Access to a Lending Library with laptops, iPads, textbooks, etc.
• Book vouchers for academic materials
• Paid internships and summer research opportunities
• Conference sponsorship
• Graduate placement exam prep and graduate school exam fee assistance
• ​A supportive CSTEP, Opportunity Programs, and Access Barnard community within the College

The Academic Summer Program

The summer before their first year of study at Barnard, HEOP Scholars participate in a required residential program that includes two weeks of academic exploration of introductory-level math, science, and humanities coursework, followed by an additional two weeks of orientation programming. Students get to know the Barnard community and get a head start in navigating campus and our surrounding neighborhood.

First-Generation Student Initiatives

The Director for First-Generation Student Initiatives in the Dean of the College area works to support all students who identify as first-generation or low-income (FLI), whether they are part of the Opportunity Programs or not. This position exists to help students advocate for their individual needs, as well as to create systemic changes at the College. The Director for First-Generation Student Initiatives provides specialized advising and support to all students who identify with the FLI college experience.  Barnard College seeks to empower and enrich the experience of FLI students both inside and outside of the classroom as they navigate Barnard. 

Study Abroad

All students are encouraged to study abroad as an essential part of their Barnard education. Barnard offers exchanges and programs in over 40 countries around the world. Visit the Study Abroad program portal for a list of all approved programs. Students who wish to participate in a semester study abroad program that is not on the approved list must submit a petition application in order to receive approval. Courses taken at institutions abroad other than Columbia-led programs are treated as transfer credit.

Semester and academic year study abroad requires advanced planning. Students are encouraged to meet with Barnard Global staff early in their college career. All Barnard students who plan to study abroad for a semester or the academic year must submit the Preliminary Barnard application by March 15th of the previous academic year. Approval is required by the student’s Class Dean, major or pre-major advisor, Financial aid officer (if applicable), and the Barnard Global office. Students are required to submit each course taken abroad for review and approval via the Study Abroad Course Approval form in Slate. Students can request courses be reviewed to count towards major/minor requirements, general education requirements, or as general elective credit. Please note that courses taken abroad are not guaranteed to transfer and must be reviewed and approved by the Registrar and, in the case of major or minor credit, by the relevant academic department. While abroad, students must be enrolled in the equivalent of at least 12 Barnard credits per semester. An official transcript from the program or university must be sent to the Barnard registrar in order for the course titles and credit to appear on the Barnard transcript. Grades do not appear on the Barnard transcript and are not factored into the overall GPA, although departments may count courses taken towards the major when calculating the major GPA. Coursework abroad must be taken for a grade and may not be taken Pass/Fail. The equivalent of a grade of C- or better must be received in order for a course to be eligible to transfer. More information on study abroad credit transfer policies is available in the Academics section of the Barnard Global website.

Students pay Barnard tuition, a study abroad assistance fee, and an off-campus comprehensive fee for the period of study abroad. All other costs (housing, meals, other fees, etc.) are payable directly to the host institution at their own rate.

In order to study abroad for the semester or academic year, Barnard students should meet the following criteria as set by the faculty:

• Have no outstanding incompletes or deferred exams.

• Be in good academic and disciplinary standing.

• Have worked out, in consultation with the major advisor and Class Dean, a plan for the completion of all major and general education requirements for graduation.

• Have at least two semesters of college work completed.

• Not be applying to study in the final semester at Barnard.

• Transfer students and students returning from a Leave of Absence must spend a semester at Barnard before going abroad.

Barnard recommends that all students planning to study in a non-anglophone country take courses in the host country language before going abroad. The College also recognizes that there is a wide variety of academic motivations to study abroad beyond language study. Students should consult the eligibility requirements for individual programs as listed under approved programs.

Several short-term faculty led study abroad opportunities are also offered during the academic year as well as the summer. Students must complete an application and be accepted in order to be enrolled in the corresponding course. Courses and credit for faculty-led programs will appear as regular Barnard credit and courses.

Students who participate in other summer study abroad programs (including Columbia University) must complete the Preliminary Barnard application and the summer course approval process through the Barnard registrar in order to receive credit. Courses taken during a summer study abroad program are treated as transfer credit.

Students must adhere to their program’s code of conduct as well as Barnard’s Student Code of Conduct while abroad.

The Spelman College Exchange Program

Barnard offers students the opportunity to participate in a semester-long domestic exchange program with Spelman College, the historically Black women’s college in Atlanta, Georgia. Barnard students studying at Spelman pay Spelman's rates for tuition, fees, room, and board to Barnard. Students interested in a visiting experience at Spelman should speak to the Junior Class Dean.   

Joint Degree Programs & Cross-Registration Opportunities

Study at Jewish Theological Seminary

The Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS), located two blocks from the Barnard campus, offers opportunities to Barnard students for specialized study under a cooperative arrangement. Students may enroll in courses at the Seminary under either of two options:

1. individual courses;

2. a double-degree program.

A student wishing to study at the Seminary should consult her adviser and obtain the written permission of the chair of her major department. Courses taken at the Jewish Theological Seminary are evaluated as transfer credit. Students who wish to obtain simultaneously the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Barnard and Bachelor of Hebrew Literature from the Seminary must consult the appropriate dean in the Deans’ Office for Advising and Support at Barnard and at the Seminary’s List College and must be admitted separately to each institution.

Barnard students who are enrolled in the Double Degree Program may request housing at the Seminary. Double-degree students who enroll in the Seminary College will be subject to both Barnard and Seminary tuition charges and pay their student accounts separately to each institution. Students taking JTS courses pay the Seminary directly for those courses at the JTS rate.

Study at the Juilliard School

The Juilliard School at Lincoln Center offers opportunities to Barnard students for individual courses in music. For a five-year program leading to the Barnard A.B. and the Juilliard M.M., rigorous auditions are required for which early application must be made. Students interested in these options may obtain further information and audition dates by consulting Dr. Gail Archer, Coordinator of the Barnard Music Program (319 Milbank), at the time of admission to Barnard or as early as possible. Students enrolled at Barnard taking music lessons at Juilliard pay tuition only to Barnard. Students admitted to the Juilliard M.F.A. program pay tuition to Barnard for courses taken at Barnard and to Juilliard for courses taken at Juilliard.

Study at the Manhattan School of Music

The Manhattan School of Music is located one block to the north of the Barnard campus. Under a cooperative program of cross-registration, musically qualified Barnard students who pass required auditions have the opportunity to enroll in six semesters of private instrumental lessons at the Manhattan School, subject to the regulations specified in the application form available at the Office of the Registrar. Majors and minors in Music may take eight semesters of lessons. Students must complete a Barnard approval form each semester before receiving permission to enroll at the Manhattan School. Students pay Barnard tuition.

Study at Teachers College

Permission is needed to take a course at Teachers College. Students should obtain an application from the Office of the Registrar, obtain course approval from the Dean for Academic Planning and Class Advising, and return the completed form to the Office of the Registrar. Teachers College courses require the payment of additional tuition at the Teachers College rate over and above Barnard tuition.

Accelerated 4 + 1 Pathways and Combined Programs

4 + 1 programs combine an undergraduate liberal arts education at Barnard with a master's degree at one of the world's preeminent research institutions.  Details on specific programs are given below.

School of International and Public Affairs: International Affairs and Public Administration

Barnard College and the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs offer two joint programs leading to the A.B. degree at the end of four years and the Master of International Affairs (M.I.A.) or the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) after one additional year.  Detailed information is available on Beyond Barnard's Accelerated 4 + 1 Pathways webpage. 

Interested students should consult with Beyond Barnard as early as the sophomore year.

Qualified students complete the application in the spring of the junior year. The final decision on admission to a program rests with the SIPA Review Committee.

Admission to a joint program does not constitute automatic admission to the M.I.A. or M.P.A. graduate program. Final admission is conditional upon the applicant receiving the A.B. degree from Barnard. A Barnard student’s eligibility for the joint programs is governed by the following conditions:

1. A record of strong academic performance.

2. At least four semesters of matriculation at Barnard before enrolling in a joint program.

3. Fulfillment of all general education requirements and almost all major requirements before the senior year.

4. No more than four courses in the major to be completed during the senior year.

5. Completion of introductory courses in microeconomics and macroeconomics and a strong background in quantitative courses.

6. Pertinent professional experience.

A Barnard student in the Program must satisfy all Barnard degree requirements. Courses in the School of International and Public Affairs may be used to fulfill major requirements only with the written permission of the chair of the major department. During the senior year students must complete at least 24 points of course work at the 4000 level or above, including the first-year required core courses. An internship, usually during the summer between the fourth and fifth years, is also required.