ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ

 
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Creative Professional Studies Bachelor's Degree

  • BA

About the Creative Professional Studies Major

Built for students who have earned college credits but haven’t yet taken home a diploma, the Creative Professional Studies bachelor’s degree program at ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ program will help you complete a degree and graduate while developing your creative, strategic, and professional skills.

In the program, which offers both online and in-person courses, you’ll take two required foundational courses and then choose two areas of focus, selecting from a list of six academic disciplines (see sidebar). Columbia accepts up to 75 transfer credits, which can include up to 16 hours of life experience credit. 

We designed this curriculum to help you communicate effectively, think critically, and adapt your skills to a wide range of creative industries. By the time you graduate, you’ll be prepared to advance in your current career, pivot to a new profession, or pursue a graduate degree. 

Required Courses

  • Introduction to Management and Entrepreneurship (3 credits) 
  • Design Thinking OR Storytelling (3 credits) 

Pathways to Choose From

For the remaining courses, you must earn an additional 36 credits by completing courses in two of the following pathways (18 credits per pathway): 

  • Cinema and Television Studies
  • Creative Industries Management
  • Fashion Studies  
  • Communication
  • Music Business 
  • Social Media and Digital Strategy  

The Student Experience

In the Creative Professional Studies BA program at ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ, you’ll build a personalized academic path to a bachelor’s degree while developing real-world, transferable skills.

  • Enjoy flexibility Enter the program with your previously earned credits and begin shaping a degree that reflects your goals. With options for online and on-campus learning, you can complete coursework on your schedule. 
  • Build your foundation Take core courses in business fundamentals and either design thinking or storytelling—developing essential skills in management, creativity, communication, and human-centered problem solving. 
  • Customize your path Complete two areas of interest, listed as minors in our course catalog, from a range of creative disciplines, combining areas of study to create a unique interdisciplinary focus tailored to your interests. 
  • Refine professional skills Strengthen key competencies employers value—communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and adaptability—while applying them to real-world challenges. 
  • Connect disciplines Learn to integrate ideas across creative fields, preparing you to navigate evolving industries and career paths.
  • Engage with a community of creatives Join our creative community, which includes faculty actively working in their fields and students of all ages and backgrounds, and enjoy a wealth of cultural opportunities — from plays to dance and music performances to art galleries.  

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Career Readiness

ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ integrates academic training with professional opportunities to ensure you’re ready to take that next step in your career.

  • Real-world experience

    Columbia’s Career Center and faculty connections will help you secure internships in industries that match your interests.  We know that adaptability and flexibility are key when applying for jobs, internships, or graduate programs. Our goal is to support you in developing a portfolio that includes a variety of projects that demonstrate your abilities in your areas of interest. 

  • Networking opportunities with alumni

    Our alumni network is vast and active, with graduates working across a range of creative fields. By participating in alumni events and connecting through Columbia’s network, you’ll have access to professionals who can offer mentorship and job opportunities. Whatever career your pursue, the support of Columbia's alumni community will be an invaluable resource. 

ALumni Spotlight

a group of alumni standing in front of a building on Columbia's campus

25 in 2025

"25 in 2025" recognizes alumni from ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ for their professional achievements beyond their academic journeys. Learn more.

96%

of 2023 grads are employed or pursuing their creative practice within a year.

Learn More

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