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SIPA & Sciences Po Paris Dual Degree Program (MPA)

Program Overview: Master of Public Administration


Study in Paris and New York: Earn Master's Degrees from Sciences Po and Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs

This highly selective dual degree program allows students to earn a Master’s from Sciences Po’s School of Public Affairs (SPA) and a Master’s from Columbia University’s SIPA in just two years. Students spend their first year in Paris building core skills in public affairs, policy, and management. In the second year at SIPA, they pursue specialized coursework, access research opportunities, and engage with global policy networks in New York City. Graduates receive degrees from both institutions and join a distinguished network of trans-Atlantic policy professionals.

 

Understanding Curriculum and Requirements

  • SIPA Tuition & Fees

    Students pay tuition at the institution where they are in residence.

    • Year One: Tuition is paid to Sciences Po while enrolled in Paris
    • Year Two: Tuition and fees are paid to Columbia SIPA during enrollment in New York

    Students must be enrolled in the Columbia University health insurance or have comparable coverage during the SIPA year.

    A one-time Document Fee and semesterly Health and Related Services Fee is charged by Columbia University during the first year at Sciences Po.

    SIPA Tuition & Fees 
    Sciences Po Tuition & Fees


    Financial Aid 

    • Dual degree students in the GPPN program receive a financial aid application in February for review ahead of the SIPA year.
    • Funding is extremely limited, with typically fewer than 10% of students receiving support.
    • Students planning to apply for U.S. federal financial aid should contact the SIPA Office of Financial Aid to initiate the process.

     

  • Interested in the Sciences Po/SIPA dual degree? Applications are submitted through Sciences Po. For detailed admissions requirements and deadlines, visit the Sciences Po Admissions page. Please direct all admissions-related questions to the Sciences Po Office of Admission.

     

  • Dual degree students must complete all first-year coursework at Sciences Po before continuing to SIPA. In the second year at SIPA, students must:

    • Complete a minimum of 30 credits in residence
    • Fulfill all SIPA core requirements
    • Complete concentration requirements
    • Attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0

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

    Year One - Sciences Po  
    For detailed first-year course information, visit the Sciences Po Curriculum page.
     

    Year Two - SIPA
    Approved first-year courses from the partner school may count toward SIPA core or concentration requirements, with approval from the relevant concentration office.

    Incoming dual degree students, in their second year, must complete all remaining core requirements and a concentration. 
    Core MPA Curriculum
    Concentration Page

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

    MPA Core Requirements Sciences Po Courses
    IA6400 - Microeconomics for International and Public Affairs KAFP 3350 Public Economics Level 2
      KAFP 3355 Public Economics Level 3
      KAFP 3415 Public Economics Level 1
      KAFP 4085 - Économie Publique - Niveau 2.
       
    IA6401 - Macroeconomics for International and Public Affairs IFCO 2480 Rationality, Expectations and Macroeconomics
      KAFP 3385 Macroeconomics for Public Policy
      KAFP 4280 International Finance and Macroeconomics
      K2SP 3235 - Macroeconomics for Public Policy
      OAFP 3915 Economics of Money and Banking
       
    IA6500 Quantitative Analysis I KAFP 3985, 4115 and 6275 Policy Analysis and Policy Evaluation (Beginner)
      KAFP 4310, 4340, 4410 Policy Analysis and Policy Evaluation (Intermediate)
       
    IA6501 Quantitative Analysis II KAFP 6310 Policy Analysis and Policy: Evaluation of Public Policy Advanced II (if KAFP 3435 Policy Analysis and Policy Evaluation Advanced I is also completed)
       
    Politics I & II, Policy Skills I & II  -- (4)1.5 credits courses - Total 6 credits

    Note: Courses listed meet Politics II & Policy Skills II only . Students required to complete Politics I and Policy I. 

    KAFP 3175 - Governance, Democracy and Public Policy : Analytic Approaches to Public Policy 

      K2SP 2060 - Policy Making Management and Public Innovation
      K2SP 2060 Policy Making Management and Public Innovation
      K2SP 3455 - Policy Making : Design, Management and Evaluation 
      OAFP 5435 Democratic Institutions: How to Make Democracy Work
      Other courses: subject to the review and approval of SIPA OSA. It is strongly encouraged that you review the relevant course syllabi on Courseworks prior to submitting course review requests.
       
    Leadership & Management I & II (2) 1.5 credit courses KAFP 3500 Management, Project, Management and Negotiations : Strategic Business Management and Public Adaptation
      KAFP 3550 Leadership and Management
      KAFP 3540 Leadership, Digital Transformation, and New Paradigms (Leadership, Mutation Digitale et Nouveaux)
      KAFP 3840 Leadership, Organization and Management: Management Public et Transformation
      K2SP 2060 Policy Making Management and Public Innovation
      K2SP 3260 - Reinventing Business to Contribute to the Development Agenda: A Practical View
      OAFP 5265 Strategic Communication in Business and Politics
      Other courses: subject to the review and approval of SIPA OSA.
       
    Financial Management I & II (2) 1.5 credit courses KAFP 2015 Finances Publiques
       
    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 during Year 1 or Year 2 or the summer between the partner school  and SIPA: Can be waived with sufficient work experience