Master of Public Administration and Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences Master of Arts
Back to Columbia Dual Degree Programs
MPA and MA:
37 SIPA credits, 30 QMSS credits
5 semesters in residence at Columbia
MPA/MA Dual Degree Curriculum Overview
The dual degree program is completed in five semesters of full-time study at Columbia University and a total of 67 credits.
The MPA curriculum includes a standard set of core courses and a summer internship totaling 37 credits. The MPA quantitative methods requirement (SIPA U6500) is waived for students enrolling first at QMSS because dual degree students will have already gained advanced quantitative skills through QMSS coursework. QMSS coursework takes the place of the policy concentration usually required of an MPA student, but dual degree students may opt to use their electives to construct an emphasis though not a formal concentration.
The QMSS curriculum consists of five core courses and five electives, totaling two semesters and a minimum of 30 credits. Students are encouraged to start the dual degree at QMSS rather than SIPA as this gives them a foundation to take more advanced courses while at SIPA. It also means they won't risk falling behind their peers while waiting to take the quantitative methods classes.
Dual degree students are required to fulfill the SIPA and QMSS requirements outlined below.
QMSS MA & MPA - Students enrolling first at QMSS |
Fall Semester, Year 1 (16 credits)
- QMSS G4010: Theory and Methodology of the Social Sciences (4 credits)
- QMSS G4021: QMSS Research Seminar (2 credits)
- QMSS Elective – Social Science Course I (3 credits)
- QMSS Elective – Research Methods/Statistics Course I (3 credits)
- QMSS G4015: Data Analysis for the Social Sciences (4 credits)
Tuition and fees for 1 semester (12-19 credits) paid to GSAS
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Spring Semester, Year 1 (15 credits)
- QMSS G4022: QMSS Research Seminar (2 credits)
- QMSS Elective – Social Science Course II (3 credits)
- QMSS Elective – Social Science Course III (3 credits)
- QMSS Elective – Research Methods/Statistics Course II (3 credits)
- QMSS G5999: Master’s Thesis (4 credits)
Thesis completed during summer between first and second years and retroactive grade change to Spring Semester upon completion.
Tuition and fees for 1 semester (12-19 credits) paid to GSAS
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Fall Semester, Year 2 (12.5 credits)
- SIPA U6000: Management for International and Public Affairs (3 credits)
- SIPA U6400:
Economic Analysis
for International & Public Affairs I (3 credits)
- Professional Development (.5 credit)
- Elective (3 credits)
- Elective (3 credits)
Student completing QMSS thesis in addition to coursework.
Tuition and fees for 1 semester (12-18 credits) paid to SIPA
|
Spring Semester, Year 2 (13 credits)
- PUAF U6110: Politics of Policymaking ( 4 credits)
- SIPA U6401:
Economic Analysis
for International & Public Affairs II (3 credits)
- Financial Analysis Course: Budgeting, Accounting, or Economics of Finance (3 credits)
- SIPA Capstone Workshop course number TBA (3 credits)
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Fall Semester, Year 3 (12 credits)
- SIPA U9013: Internship (1.5-3 credits)
internship completed during summer between second and third years
- Elective (3 credits)
Tuition and fees for 1 semester (12-18 credits) paid to SIPA
- Elective (3 credits)
- Elective (3 credits)
Tuition and fees for 1 semester (12-18 credits) paid to SIPA
|
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*The Capstone Workshop may also be taken in the Spring when there are many more choices
QMSS MA & MPA Degree Awarded
MPA & QMSS MS - Students enrolling first at SIPA |
Fall Semester, Year 1 (15.5 credits)
- SIPA U6000: Management for International and Public Affairs (3 credits)
- SIPA U6400:
Economic Analysis
for International & Public Affairs I (3 credits)
- SIPA U6500: Quantitative Analysis (3 credits)
- Professional Development (.5 credit)
- Elective (3 credits)
- Elective (3 credits)
Tuition and fees for 1 semester (12-18 credits) paid to SIPA:
|
Spring Semester, Year 1 (13 credits)
- PUAF U6110: Politics of Policymaking ( 4 credits)
- SIPA U6401:
Economic Analysis
for International & Public Affairs II (3 credits)
- Financial Analysis Course: Budgeting, Accounting, or Economics of Finance (3 credits)
- Elective (3 credits)
Tuition and fees for 1 semester (12-18 credits) paid to SIPA
|
Fall Semester, Year 2 (13 credits)
- SIPA U9013: Internship (1.5-3 credits)
internship completed during summer between second and third years
- *SIPA Capstone Workshop
(3 credits)
- Elective (3 credits)
- QMSS G4010: Theory and Methodology of the Social Sciences (4 credits)
Tuition and fees for 1 semester (12-18 credits) paid to SIPA
|
Spring Semester, Year 2 (15 credits)
- QMSS G4015: Data Analysis for the Social Sciences (4 credits)
- QMSS G4022: QMSS Research Seminar (2 credits)
- QMSS Elective – Research Methods/Statistics Course I (3 credits)
- QMSS Elective – Social Science Course I (3 credits)
- QMSS Elective – Social Science Course II (3 credits)
Tuition and fees for 1 semester (12-19 credits) paid to GSAS
|
Fall Semester, Year 3 (12 credits)
- QMSS G5999: Master’s Thesis (4 credits)
Thesis completed during summer between second and third years
- QMSS G4021: QMSS Research Seminar (2 credits)
- QMSS Elective – Social Science Course III (3 credits)
- QMSS Elective – Research Methods/Statistics Course II (3 credits)
Tuition and fees for 1 semester paid to GSAS
|
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*The Capstone Workshop may also be taken in the Spring when there are many more choices
MPA & QMSS MA
Degree Awarded
Advising
Although students are enrolled full-time at one school or the other in any given semester, they should contact advisors at both schools at least once per semester to ensure that their study and enrollment plans are in accordance with program guidelines. A planning sheet is available for students to help them map out their course of study.
The primary faculty and administrative contacts for this dual degree are listed below.
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Office of Admissions
408 IAB, 212-854-6216
www.sipa.columbia.edu/admissions/
Grace H. Han,
Executive Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
gh2122@columbia.edu
David Sheridan, Director of Financial Aid
212-854-3822
ds3118@columbia.edu
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Office of Computing
1513B IAB, 212-854-8347
www.sipa.columbia.edu/sipac/
Harprett Mahajan, Director
mahajan@columbia.edu |
Office of Student Affairs
612 IAB, 212-854-8690
www.sipa.columbia.edu/prog/
Leah Gunn Barrett, Assistant Dean
212-854-7106
leahgunn.barrett@sipa.columbia.edu
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Office of Career Services
420 IAB, 212-854-4613
www.sipa.columbia.edu/ocs/
Meg Heenehan, Director
mh374@columbia.edu
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Sharyn O'Halloran
Professor, SIPA
727 IAB, 212-854-3242
so33@columbia.edu
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Christopher Weiss
Director, Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences MA Program
811 IAB, 212-854-7559
cw2036@columbia.edu
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