Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)

Since 1946, SIPA has equipped emerging leaders with the skills, knowledge, and intellectual rigor to solve the world's most critical public policy, geopolitical, social, and business challenges. SIPA is unique among public policy schools for its diverse, international student body, blend of expert scholars and practitioners who are passionately committed to driving progress in the global public interest, breadth of fields in both traditional and emerging areas, independent research centers, and unparalleled access to global financial institutions, the United Nations, leading NGOs, and the cultural and commercial vibrancy of New York City. At a time of significant global complexity and change, a SIPA degree has never been more relevant. At SIPA, students undertake an inspiring curriculum that cuts across academic disciplines. They develop deep knowledge and practical problem-solving skills through capstone projects, fieldwork, and international internships. They learn from world-class faculty who contribute to Columbia SIPA through their scholarship, experience, mentorship, and broad networks. And they have a home in Columbia's extraordinary university community.

Master of International Affairs (MIA)

The oldest of SIPA's degree programs, the 21-month Master of International Affairs program develops professionals who understand complex international issues and can lead multinational organizations. MIA core courses instill knowledge of international issues, practical and analytical skills, and deep expertise in a region or subject. The program also develops networks and experience through hands-on training--through internships and Capstone Workshops--held in diverse organizations in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

The 21-month Master of Public Administration program develops public affairs professionals who are able to create change in the world because they understand how policies are shaped and have the analytical and managerial skills to lead. Students and faculty in the MPA program focus on local and national projects in a global context, drawing on the international strengths of SIPA. MPA students and faculty come from around the world, and more than 50 percent of students are international. All students address a variety of local and national issues, ranging from economic development in Kazakhstan, to environmental issues in Japan, to municipal bond ratings or city management in New York.

MPA in Development Practice (MPA-DP)

The 21-month MPA in Development Practice program trains current and aspiring development practitioners to design, implement, and manage results-oriented, integrated approaches to sustainable development. The program emphasizes practical technical knowledge and skills training while providing opportunities to work with leading development organizations and practitioners in the field. The goal is to train and deploy practitioners capable of understanding and crossing institutional, sectoral, and regional boundaries to integrate diverse stakeholders and methodologies to address complex development challenges sustainably. MPA-DP graduates are not generalists, but, rather, specialists in integrated approaches to development. They are rising leaders at NGOs, private sector companies, social enterprises, UN agencies, development banks, philanthropic organizations, research institutions, and governments working toward the post-2015 sustainable development agenda.

MPA in Environmental Science and Policy (MPA-ESP)

The 12-month Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy program trains experienced public managers and policymakers to apply innovative, systems-based thinking to environmental issues. In addition to core courses in policy analysis and public management, the program offers courses in environmental science so that graduates are able to inform the decision-making process and manage science experts to address global change issues such as global warming, air, water, solid waste, and toxic waste management issues. Graduates of the Environmental Science and Policy MPA program are prepared for leadership roles as analysts, managers, and translators of scientific knowledge.

MPA in Economic Policy Management (MPA-EPM)

The 12-month Program in Economic Policy Management instills in professionals and policymakers of demonstrated achievement and superior promise the skills required to design and implement economic policy, especially in developing and transition economies. The MPA-EPM builds students' technical competence, trains them in the application of their skills, and educates them in cutting-edge economic research. With specializations in Economic Policy Management or Global Energy Management and Policy, the program trains mid-career professionals for leadership positions. After completing the program, students can apply for a three- to twelve-month consultancy with a public or private sector organization.

Executive MPA (EMPA)

The part-time Executive Master of Public Administration program is designed for experienced and ambitious professionals who are looking for a top-quality and practical graduate program but who cannot take the time off to pursue full-time study. The EMPA program instills in these professionals the broad training in policy analysis and public management required to design and implement coherent, cost-effective policy initiatives. With a rigorous, flexible curriculum that can be completed in two or three years of study, SIPA's executive program is a top choice for emerging leaders around the city and around the world.

PhD in Sustainable Development

Combining elements of a traditional graduate education in social science with significant training in the natural sciences, the PhD in Sustainable Development positions its graduates to undertake serious research and policy assessments with the goal of sustainable development. The program includes rigorous core requirements but also provides students with the flexibility to pursue in-depth research in a broad variety of critical policy issue areas. Students in the program conduct research in a wide variety of areas, including climate change and its social consequences, causes of and solutions to extreme poverty, energy systems, agricultural transitions, water resources, infectious disease, global demographic change, ecosystems, disasters, and conflict. Students also benefit from being part of The Earth Institute's research and practice programs that focus on sustainable development. Graduates pursue academic and nonacademic positions, taking leadership roles in government ministries, NGOs, or international institutions.

Dual-Degree Programs: Columbia University and Global Public Policy Network (GPPN)

Drawing on the resources of Columbia University, SIPA offers dual-degree programs with other Columbia schools and partner international schools. Students in these programs gain knowledge, skills, and perspectives in fields other than International and Public Affairs. Each dual degree program leads to the award of two professional degrees in less time than if the two degrees were pursued separately.

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• International Affairs Juris Doctor/Master of International Administration (JD/MIA)
  Master of Business Administration/Master of International Administration (MBA/MIA)
  Master of International Affairs (MIA)
  Master of International Affairs/Master of Science (MIA/MS)
  Master of Public Health/Master of International Administration (MPH/MIA)
  Master of Science in Journalism/Master in International Affairs (MSJ/MIA)

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees Not reported
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported
• * Shows the number of degrees awarded for the last academic year that data was reported.

• Earning Your Degree
• Part-time study available? No
• Evening/weekend programs available? No
• Distance learning programs available? No
• Terminal master's degree available? Not reported

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degrees 1 Foreign Language and Comp Exam Required
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied Not Reported
• Accepted Not Reported
• Acceptance Rate Not Reported
• Enrolled Not Reported
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic $95
• Application Fee - International $95
• Electronic applications accepted? Yes
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Not Reported
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline January 5th January 5th Not Reported
• Winter deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Spring deadline October 15th October 15th Not Reported
• Entrance Requirements
• Master's DegreesGRE General Test
• Doctoral's DegreesNot Reported
• First-Professional's DegreesNot Reported
• Other Advanced DegreesNot Reported
• International DegreesTOEFL required, 600 paper based, TOEFL iBT, IELTS required, IELTS paper based

• Tuition & Fees *
• Tuition & FeesNot Reported
• *Average dollar amount (tuition & fees) required to complete the degree
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitFAFSA
• Application deadlines for financial awardsJanuary 5
• Types of financial support availableCareer or Field-Related Internships, Federal Work-Study, Institutionally-sponsored Loans

• Faculty Breakdown
• Total Faculty273
• Full-time Percentage26%
• Part-time Percentage74%
• Female Percentage36%
• Male Percentage64%