About PhD Program,
The primary focus of the doctoral program is research, with the philosophy that students learn best by doing—beginning as apprentices and becoming junior colleagues working with faculty on scholarly research projects. The faculty in the department conduct research in all areas of computer science. The doctoral degree requires a dissertation based on the candidate’s original research, which is supervised by a faculty member, and all students in the doctioral program are actively engaged in research throughout the program.
The PhD is the Computer Science Department’s primary doctoral program. PhD students are expected to be full-time on-campus during every fall and spring academic semester from initial enrollment until the dissertation has been distributed to their defense committee, except during leaves of absence approved by the university. PhD students spend at least half of their time on research under the direction of their faculty adviser from their first day in the program and devote themselves full time to research after coursework and other preliminaries have been completed. PhD students are also expected to participate in departmental and laboratory activities full time throughout the program, except possibly for summer internships elsewhere, and the department does not consider admission of part-time PhD students. The policy on outside activities by PhD students is here.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Doctoral students must complete six elective graduate lecture courses approved by the student’s advisor. Additional courses from the approved lists, beyond the four needed to satisfy the distribution requirement, may be taken as electives. Most other graduate lecture courses offered by the Computer Science Department (or offered by Computer Science jointly with other departments) may be taken as electives, including topics courses. At most two of the six electives may be graduate lecture courses offered by other departments besides Computer Science.
All doctoral students are expected to complete an acceptable lecture course (graduate or upper-level undergraduate) in Analysis of Algorithms, with grade B+ or higher, prior to entering the program. Sometimes new doctoral students are admitted without a prior Analysis of Algorithms course.
Doctoral students must complete at least four graduate lecture courses from the approved distribution course lists, including at least one from each of the Artificial Intelligence and Applications, Systems and Theory lists, and the fourth from any of these three approved lists.
PhD Funding Coverage,
At Columbia Engineering, top students from around the world help create a dynamic and diverse research community committed to leveraging technological innovation for the common good. In order to ensure the opportunity is open to all who truly belong here.
For students admitted to the PhD or MS/PhD track programs, departments offer a comprehensive funding package, including assistantship opportunities.
Funding available internally for master ’s-level students is more limited, though we work hard to connect you to resources that will put your studies within reach. In addition to the resources below, we encourage you to explore the many payment and funding opportunities available through the Office of Student Financial Planning, including payment plans and private and Federal loan programs.
Application Requirement,
- Transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test Scores*
- School Code: 2111
- Optional for the 2025 Admission Cycle
- Personal statement
- Resumé or Curriculum Vitae
- Publications (optional)
- An interview may be requested
- $85 non-refundable application fee (payable by a major credit card through the online application system)
- International applicants or applicants whose undergraduate degree was received in a country in which English is not the official and widely spoken language must submit the following additional requirements with the application for admission:
- Results of an English language test. Accepted tests include the Test of English as a Foreign Language iBT (TOEFL) – including TOEFL iBT Home Edition, International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS), Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic), or Duolingo English Test (DET). The ETS School Code for the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science is 2111.
- Translation of the official transcript(s) and degree/diploma certificate(s) if the institution(s) attended does not issue transcripts in English. The translation must be conducted by a reputable service provider.
Application Deadline,
Dec 15, 2025
Application Fee,
$85 non-refundable application fee
