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SIPA & GraSPP, University of Tokyo Dual Degree Program

 

Study in New York and Tokyo: Dual Degree Program with the University of Tokyo (GraSPP)

Columbia SIPA and the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP) offer a two-year dual degree program in which students complete their first year at their home institution and, if admitted, their second year at the partner school—earning master’s degrees from both institutions in the time typically required for one. SIPA students study in New York and Tokyo, while GraSPP students study in Tokyo and New York, gaining the academic strengths, global perspectives, and professional networks of both institutions. The language of instruction at both schools is English.

 

About the University of Tokyo (GraSPP)

The University of Tokyo (Todai) is widely regarded as one of Japan’s leading universities. GraSPP, established in 2004, offers a two-year Master of Public Policy program with approximately 100 students per cohort. The program emphasizes practical, policy-oriented training across four areas: Economic Policy, International Public Policy, Legal Policy, and Public Management.

 

Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid

Students pay tuition at the institution where they are in residence. During the New York year, tuition and fees are paid to Columbia SIPA; during the year abroad, they are paid to the partner school

  • Tuition and fee information is available on the GraSPP Tuition Fees page. Scholarship questions should be directed to the University of Tokyo, GraSPP.  U.S. citizens and permanent residents planning to apply for U.S. federal financial aid should contact the SIPA Office of Financial Aid.

    Additional Fees: 
    Students attending the partner school in their second year will be charged the following SIPA fees.

  • Full tuition and fee information is available on the SIPA financial aid website. Institutional funding for International Dual Degree students is very limited—fewer than 10% of students receive scholarships—so students are strongly encouraged to seek external funding.  U.S. citizens and permanent residents planning to apply for U.S. federal financial aid should contact the SIPA Office of Financial Aid.

    Scholarship Application Timeline

    • Financial aid application opens: February–March
    • Scholarship decisions released: April

SIPA Students - Second Year at GraSPP

  • For eligibility criteria and application link and instructions, please refer to the International Dual Degree landing page, under the Flexible Track subsection.

    Note:
    --Students completing their second year abroad are not required to complete a concentration.
    --SIPA students are required to complete the core curriculum in their first year; in the second year, they complete partner school curricular requirements.
    GraSPP Curriculum: Please visit the GraSPP website for information about the program curriculum.

    Degrees from both institutions are awarded only upon completion of all requirements at both schools. 

     

GraSPP Students - Second Year at SIPA

  • GraSPP students interested in the dual degree program should consult their administrative office regarding eligibility and obtain approval from their home institution before applying to SIPA. The International Dual Degree application at SIPA typically opens in early February.

  • Dual degree students completing their second year at SIPA must:

    • Complete a minimum of 30 credits in residence
    • Fulfill all core requirements
    • Complete concentration requirements
    • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0
    • Complete all first-year curricular requirements at the partner school

    Degrees from both institutions are awarded only after all requirements at both schools are satisfied.

    Note: Certain partner school courses may satisfy SIPA core requirements; approved equivalencies are listed in the table below. Students may also apply one first-year course toward their SIPA concentration, with approval from the relevant concentration office. Direct concentration questions to the appropriate office.

    Core MIA Curriculum
    Concentration Page

    The table below lists approved course equivalencies for rising second-year dual degree students.  

    MIA Track I Core Requirements  MIA Track II Core Requirements  MIA GRASPP Courses
    Economics Fundamentals (3 credits) - Covers both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics  IA6400 - Microeconomics for International and Public Affairs   Microeconomics for Public Policy (4 Units) + Practice Session (1 Unit) - meets only track II requirement
        Microeconomics (4 Units) + Practice Session (1 Unit )- meets only track II requirement
         
      IA6401 - Macroeconomics for International and Public Affairs   No Equivalent - Must be completed at SIPA
         
    U6500 Quantitative Analysis Same as track I Statistical Methods (4 Units) + Practice Session (1 Unit)
        Econometrics (4 Units ) and Practice Session for Econometrics (1 Unit )
         
      Quantitative Analysis II (3 credits) No Equivalent - Must be completed at SIPA
         
    Politics I & II, Policy Skills I & II (6 credits) Same as track I Choose one from the course list below:
        GPP-MP5P10L3: 5112260 Introduction to International Politics
        Modern Japanese Diplomacy
        International Conflict Study
        Governance and Development
        Comparative Governance Systems: Japanese Policy Making Process
        8 Units from Case Study Courses
        4 Units of Courses which are marked as Practical Training;
         
    Leadership & Management I , II,  & III ) -  (3) 1.5 credit courses - (4.5 credits) Leadership & Management I (1.5 credits) Introduction to Public Management (2 Units)
        Economic Analysis of Public Policy (2 Units)
         
    International Law (1.5 credits) Same as track I No Equivalent - Must be completed at SIPA
         
    Global Requirement I & II (6 credits)  Global Requirement I (3 credits) Waived for International Dual Degree Students
         
    Ethics for Policymakers (1.5 credits) Same as track I No Equivalent - Must be completed at SIPA
         
    Thesis OR Capstone Workshop & Capstone Preparatory course Same as track I Must be completed at SIPA
         
    Foreign Language Proficiency: Please refer to SIPA's Foreign Language Requirement Page Same as track I Completion of B2 level of a foreign language or can be met in alternate
         
    Professional Development: Required but course is not registered. Contact Career Advancement Center regarding requirement completion Same as track I Must be completed at SIPA:  Can be waived with sufficient work experience
         
    Internship: 0 credits Same as track I Complete either Year 1 or Year 2 or the summer between the partner school  and SIPA: Can be waived with sufficient work experience

  • Dual degree students completing their second year at SIPA must:

    • Complete a minimum of 30 credits in residence
    • Fulfill all core requirements
    • Complete concentration requirements
    • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0
    • Complete all first-year curricular requirements at the partner school

    Degrees from both institutions are awarded only after all requirements at both schools are satisfied.

    Note: Certain partner school courses may satisfy SIPA core requirements; approved equivalencies are listed in the table below. Students may also apply one first-year course toward their SIPA concentration, with approval from the relevant concentration office. Direct concentration questions to the appropriate office.

    Core MPA Curriculum
    Concentration Page

    The table below lists approved course equivalencies for rising second-year dual degree students.

    MPA Core Requirements  MPA GRASPP Courses
     IA6400 - Microeconomics for International and Public Affairs Microeconomics for Public Policy (4 Units) + Practice Session (1 Unit)
      Microeconomics (4 Units) + Practice Session (1 Unit )
       
     IA6401 - Macroeconomics for International and Public Affairs No Equivalent - Must be completed at SIPA
       
    6500 Quantitative Analysis Statistical Methods (4 Units) + Practice Session (1 Unit)
      Econometrics (4 Units ) and Practice Session for Econometrics (1 Unit )
       
    6501 Quantitative Analysis II No Equivalent - Must be completed at SIPA
       
    Politics I & II, Policy Skills I & II (6 credits) 5112241 Politics and Public Policy
      Policy Process and Negotiation (2 Units)
      Law and Public Policy: Basic Knowledge of Japanese Legal System for Making Public Policies
       
    Leadership & Management I & II (2) 1.5 credit courses Introduction to Public Management (2 Units)
       
    Financial Management I & II (2) 1.5 credit courses Economic Analysis of Public Policy (2 units)
       
    Ethics for Policymakers (1.5 credits) No Equivalent - Must be completed at SIPA
       
    Capstone Workshop & Capstone Preparatory course Must be completed at SIPA
       
    Professional Development: Required but course is not registered. Contact Career Advancement Center regarding requirement completion Must be completed at SIPA:  Can be waived with sufficient work experience
       
    Internship - 0 credits Complete either Year 1 or Year 2 or the summer between the partner school  and SIPA: Can be waived with sufficient work experience