SIPA: School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University

International Affairs and Journalism

Back to Columbia Dual Degree Programs

MIA and MS:
30 SIPA credits, 30 Journalism School credits
2 semesters in residence at SIPA

MIA/MS Journalism Dual Degree Curriculum Overview

Dual degree students are required to fulfill the MIA and MS core requirements outlined below. Dual degree candidates must complete 2 semesters in residence at SIPA (minimum of 30 credits) and fulfill all MIA core requirements. Dual degrees do not need to complete a policy concentration or specialization.  The second professional degree will be accepted toward the MIA in lieu of a policy concentration. 

Core Requirements – SIPA MIA Degree

Foreign Language Proficiency

Proficiency in a language other than English is required for graduation from SIPA. This requirement may be met in any of three ways:

1. As a native speaker of a language other than English, who can also read and write that language.
2. By passing a language proficiency test.
3. By achieving a grade of B or better in an Intermediate Level II (fourth semester) language course at Columbia.

Note: Students may pursue any language course they wish at SIPA. However, elementary I or II courses cannot count toward the SIPA degree requirement of 54 points.

Students may pursue any language course they wish at SIPA. However, elementary I or II courses cannot count toward the SIPA degree requirement of 54 points.

Core Requirements – Journalism MS Degree

Dual degree MIA/MS Journalism students must fulfill the entire curriculum of the Journalism School Master of Science degree requirements. 

Funding

Journalism School Funding

The Journalism School allocates scholarships based on merit (as determined by the admissions committee), financial need (as determined by the Journalism School scholarship application and the FAFSA) and specific scholarship guidelines.  The number of scholarships and fellowships fluctuates year-to-year as does the total dollar amount available for students.  The maximum annual award for any student fluctuates and is determined by the total scholarship amount available.

Students must submit the J-School Scholarship in February.  In addition to the application, some fellowships require an essay or other work.  All applicants who are US citizens or permanent residents must also fill out the FAFSA.

If a student is awarded money by the Journalism School, they may NOT defer the financial award, although it may be possible for them to defer admission for a year (this is not automatically granted).  A student who defers must re-apply for money the following year, and there is no guarantee that they will receive an award the second time around.  Around 60% of all students who apply and are eligible for funding receive funding averaging $10,000 per student.

Please see the Journalism School web site for more details.

SIPA Funding

SIPA gives the bulk of its funding to second year students although 10-15% of incoming students receive money based on the strength of their application.  About 70% of eligible SIPA students (those with a GPA of 3.4 or above) who apply for funding for their second year receive SIPA funding in the form of Teaching Assistantships, Departmental Research Assistantships, Program Assistantships, readerships, merit awards and a few named scholarships. The average annual award is $23,500.  Most of this funding has a work component ranging from 10 – 20 hours per week.  Eligible students must apply for second year funding during February of their first year of study at Columbia. 

SIPA waives its minimum GPA of 3.4 for those entering from the Journalism School, since their classes are not graded.  For this reason, students are advised to start at the J-School if they don't receive SIPA funding for their first year.  Awards are announced in four separate rounds beginning in April and ending in August.  

Eligible students are selected by the faculty for TA, PA and research positions and by senior administrators for PA positions within the student service offices.  Journalism dual degree students are encouraged to meet and get to know SIPA faculty and administrative staff during their first year of study.  SIPA students may of course combine SIPA funding with funding from outside sources and with loans. 

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 are listed below.

Contact Information