Undergraduate

The Undergraduate Program

UNDED Advising

The Undergraduate Education Committee (UNDED) is a group of six to ten faculty members, elected each year, who serve as advisors to undergraduates with a major or concentration in History.  Members of the committee assist students on a range of topics. 

UNDED Members:

• Approve plan of study forms (all Plan of Study Forms must be signed by a member of UNDED)
• Determine if a course will count towards the specialization or elective requirements
• Assist students with choosing a specialization
• Provide general guidance on the major and concentration (for both prospective and current majors)
• Note: While UNDED members approve Plan of Study Forms, ONLY the Director of Undergraduate Studies can approve Transfer Credit Forms. 

2022-23 UNDED members TBA:

Membership of UNDED changes from year to year. Because of the large number of students, the History Department does not assign individual advisors. Students may see any member of UNDED for advising. Students are also welcome to seek informal advising from any faculty member; however a student working with a non-UNDED advisor must still consult with UNDED regarding the yearly Plan of Study form. Please see the Undergraduate Handbook for more information.

Please consult the list below for the most current roster (The list is updated by the beginning of each Fall Term and each Spring Term.  UNDED does not serve during Summer Term).  

For any administrative issues concerning the major or concentration (such as submitting the signed Plan of Study form or transfer of credit application materials), please contact the Undergraduate Administrator.  For additional information see the Undergraduate Handbook, list of courses, profiles of our faculty, and the Frequently Asked Questions page.

Plan of Study Form

The department requires that all students with a major and concentration complete Plan of Study Forms (POS) throughout their undergraduate career.  On the form, students declare their specialization, plan their courses for the year (though these may change), and ensure that they are meeting the requirements of their program.

History majors and concentrators are required to complete a Plan of Study Form at least twice – once in Spring of their Junior Year, and once in the Fall of their Senior Year.  (If students make any changes to their Plan of Study Form after Fall of Senior Year, they must submit an updated Plan of Study in the Spring of their Senior Year.)  

Plan of Study form deadlines – approved by UNDED
November 12, 2021: Seniors
March 1, 2022: Juniors, Seniors with amended POS forms

These forms, which are required for graduation certification, should be signed by a member of the Undergraduate Education Committee (UNDED) and returned to the Undergraduate Administrator in 413 Fayerweather Hall*.

Seniors who fail to submit an UNDED approved POS can end up short of fulfilling requirements and may delay or prevent graduation! 

*Please note: Currently we are accepting approved Plans of Study both in-person at the History Office (413 FAY) and via email.  Below are steps on how to submit an approved plan via email.

1. Meet with an UNDED advisor over Zoom to go over the Plan of Study.  Please do NOT send an unapproved Plan of Study to faculty or the DUS via email to get approval.
2. Once you get approval from an UNDED Advisor you can submit the form with their digital signature to (undergraduate-history@columbia.edu).  If the advisor does not have a digital signature, another option is to have the advisor (or you with the UNDED approver cc’d) send the form attached confirming approval of the plan.  Only PDFs will be accepted.