Summer is a time for relaxation, but Barnard students also find opportunities to broaden their educational horizons, get ahead on coursework, and expand their resumes. And despite the December chill, now is the best time to start planning.
Barnard offers a variety of courses and a range of ways for students to secure funding for internships and research during the summer months. From faculty-led classes and intensive on-campus courses to internships in New York City and around the world, students can explore their interests in a multitude of ways.
“Barnard’s [on-campus] Summer Session gives students the chance to complete 3‑credit or 4‑credit courses in an intensive six‑week term (Session A or B),” said Akesi Kwajan, associate director of Summer @ Barnard. “With smaller class sizes and close relationships between students and faculty, participants receive focused attention and can truly engage with the material.”
Past Summer Session course offerings include Dead Mothers, Wicked Stepmothers, taught by Professor Wendy Schor-Haim, Drawing Studio, instructed by Professor Jozefina Chetko, and more.
“There is something really special about teaching it in the summer,” said Schor-Haim. “Everyone is very relaxed because we're teaching only one or two classes; the classes are longer, which lets us spend more time on topics, tales, or films that the class finds especially interesting; and we develop a really strong community on an intellectual and personal level."
For students looking to explore beyond New York City, Barnard offers numerous faculty-led summer courses abroad. Professor Gisela Cardenas teaches a summer acting course in Paris. “[It’s an] immersive acting experience that gives students a unique chance to explore Paris’s vibrant theater scene and study movement, mask, and ensemble work with Lecoq-trained artists,” said Cardenas.
Other faculty-led abroad courses include Dance in Paris and Sustainable Communities in Ecuador.
Beyond classwork, students can participate in various internship and research programs that provide hands-on experience in professional and academic settings. Opportunities include the Liman Fellowship Program, Reinhardt Richards Journalism Internships, Zwas Gallen Community Impact Interns, and the Beyond Barnard Internship Program.
“Summer internships provide Barnard students important access to a possible professional world,” said Stephanie Malak, director of stakeholder relations within Beyond Barnard. “They gain invaluable experience that supplements their academic training and helps steer them toward a meaningful career.”
The Laidlaw Leadership & Research Program also enables students to develop their relationships with Barnard and Columbia faculty while performing research through a Leadership in Action project. Scholars live together on campus throughout the summer, subsequently presenting the outcomes of their research at the Barnard Laidlaw Scholars Symposium in September.
The Summer Research Institute (SRI) is another unique opportunity for students to gain hands-on research experience on campus. Students conduct STEM research under the guidance of a faculty mentor. The program culminates in the Lida Orzeck '68 Poster Session, where students present their findings.
Summer isn’t just a break from classes — it’s an opportunity to grow academically, professionally, and personally. For Barnard students eager to continue their studies beyond the school year, the ‘Summer in December’ informational session on Dec. 5 will offer key insights into 2026 offerings and important deadlines.