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Master of International Affairs and Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences Master of Arts

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MIA and MA:
37 SIPA credits, 30 QMSS credits
5 semesters in residence at Columbia

MIA/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 MIA curriculum includes a standard set of core courses and a summer internship totaling 37 credits. QMSS coursework takes the place of the policy concentration usually required of an MIA student, but dual degree students may opt to use their electives to construct an emphasis though not a formal concentration.  MIA candidates must also demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English (see below). 

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 and MIA - 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

 

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

Fall Semester, Year 2 (12.5 credits)

  • SIPA U6xxx: Select one of 7 Core Management courses (3 credits)
  • SIPA U6400: Economic Analysis for International & Public Affairs I (3 credits)
  • INAF U6800/6804: Conceptual Foundations of International Politics (4 credits)
  • Professional Development (.5 credit)
  • 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 (12 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)
  • Elective (3 credits)
    Tuition and fees for 1 semester (12-18 credits) paid to SIPA

Fall Semester, Year 3 (12 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)
  • Elective (3 credits)
    Tuition and fees for 1 semester (12-18 credits) paid to SIPA
 

*The Capstone Workshop may also be taken in the Spring when there are many more choices

QMSS MA & MIA Degree Awarded

MIA & QMSS MA - Students enrolling first at SIPA

Fall Semester, Year 1 (13.5 credits)

  • SIPA U6xxx: Select one of 7 Core Management courses (3 credits)
  • SIPA U6400: Economic Analysis for International & Public Affairs I (3 credits)
  • UNAF U6800/6804: Conceptual Foundations of International Politics (4 credits)
  • Professional Development (.5 credit)
  • Elective (3 credits)
    Tuition and fees for 1 semester (12-18 credits) paid to SIPA:

Spring Semester, Year 1 (12 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)
  • 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
 

*The Capstone Workshop may also be taken in the Spring when there are many more choices

MIA & QMSS MA Degree Awarded

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:

  • As a native speaker of a language other than English, who can also read and write that language.
  • By passing a language proficiency test.
  • 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.

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.

Office of Admissions & Financial Aid
International Affairs Building, Room 408
212-854-6216


Grace Han, Executive Director
gh2122@columbia.edu

David Sheridan, Director, Financial Aid
ds3118@columbia.edu


Office of Computing
International Affairs Building, Room 1513B
212-854-8347


Harpreet Mahajan, Executive Director
mahajan@columbia.edu

Office of Student Affairs
International Affairs Building, Room 612

212-854-8690

Leah Gunn Barrett, Assistant Dean
leahgunn.barrett@sipa.columbia.edu

Office of Career Services
International Affairs Building, Room 420
212-854-4613 

Meg Heenehan, Executive Director 
mh374@columbia.edu
Sharyn O'Halloran
Professor, SIPA
International Affairs Building, Room 727
212-854-3242
so33@columbia.edu

Greg Wawro
Director, Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences MA Program
International Affairs Building, Room 741
212-854-8540
gjw10@columbia.edu

Vanessa Ohta

Program Coordinator, QMSS

International Affairs Building, Room 807B

212-854-9105

vgo2102@columbia.edu