SIPA: School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University

Master of International Affairs Dual Degree Programs with
Graduate Divisions

Dual-degree programs can be arranged with some of the professional schools of the University. These include the School of Business, the School of Journalism, the School of Law, the School of Public Health, the School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, and the School of Social Work.

Students must complete a minimum of 30 points in residence at SIPA and fulfill all MIA core requirements, including demonstrated proficiency in a foreign language. The second professional degree can be accepted toward the MIA in lieu of a policy concentration.

Admission

Applications for admission must be filed separately to each school.  Admissions decisions are made independently by each school.  There is no special consideration for students applying to two schools at Columbia University.  Students are considered dual-degree students only after being admitted into two separate schools with a recognized dual-degree program at Columbia University.

Applicants may apply simultaneously to two separate schools at Columbia.  If admitted to both schools, a deferment must be request at one of the two schools.  Admitted students who do not begin their combined program at SIPA should send the acceptance form (without the deposit) and a request for a deferral to the SIPA Admissions Office.  Applicants may also enroll in one school first, and then apply to another school at a later date.  Students must, however, apply to the second school prior to completing half the course work of the first school.

Registration

Students can only be registered in one school per semester.  Residency Credits are credits earned and registered in a particular school.  Academic Credits are credits earned that fulfill the academic core or degree requirements.  A student may be in residence at one school while fulfilling academic requirements of another.

Students in residence at SIPA may register for SIPA courses on-line during registration.  Students must follow cross-registration procedures for courses outside the school in which they are in residence.  SIPA registration information is on the SIPA Registration Web site at www.sipa.columbia.edu/academics/sipa_registration.  Students in residence at a school other than SIPA must follow the registration procedures of that school.

Degree Requirements

Dual-degrees require that students complete a minimum number of Residency Credits and Academic Credits in both schools.  Dual-degree candidates must complete a minimum of 30 credits in residence at SIPA and fulfill all MIA core requirements, including demonstrated proficiency in a foreign language. The second professional degree can be accepted toward the MIA in lieu of a policy concentration.

Tuition

Students pay the tuition and fees of the school in which they are registered each term. The schedule of Tuition/Fees/Expenses can be found on the Student Financial Services Web site at www.columbia.edu/cu/sfs/docs/University_Tuition_And_Fees/Tuition_Rate_and_Fees.html.

Financial Aid/Fellowships

Students are granted financial aid by the school in which they are registered each term.  Students should adhere to financial aid deadlines and procedures in each school. 

Dual-degree students are eligible to apply for SIPA Continuing Student Fellowships after completing two semesters of study at Columbia.  Students who did not complete their first two semesters at SIPA are still eligible to apply for fellowships.  The Continuing Student Fellowship Application is available on-line in January.  The application is due at the end of February for the next academic year's awards.  Dual-degree students who receive SIPA Continuing Student Fellowships must be in residence at SIPA to receive the fellowship award.

Dual-degree students are also eligible to apply for the Foreign Language Area Studies Fellowship after their first two semesters of study at Columbia.  The FLAS Fellowship is for advanced training in modern foreign languages and is open to US citizens and permanent residents only.  The FLAS application is available on-line in January.  The application is due at the end of February for the next academic year's awards.  Dual-degree students who receive the FLAS Fellowship must be in residence at SIPA to receive the FLAS award.

Dual-degrees are offered with the Following Schools:

International Affairs and Architecture, Planning and Preservation
MIA and MS Urban Planning
45 SIPA credits, 45 Urban Planning credits

International Affairs and Business
MIA and MBA
45 SIPA credits and 45 Business School credits

International Affairs and Journalism
MIA and MS
30 SIPA credits, 30 Journalism School credits

International Affairs and Law
MIA and JD
30 SIPA credits, 83 Law School credits

International Affairs and Public Health
MIA and MPH
30 SIPA credits, 30 Public Health credits, remaining 15 credits at either school

International Affairs and Social Work
MIA and MS Social Work
45 SIPA credits and 43.5 Social Work credits*

* The number of credits required at social work will be between 43.5 and 46.5, depending on the student’s chosen method concentration area.

For information on the international dual-degree programs, click here.