Policies and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Program Policies

Core Requirements

What courses are required to complete the MPA in Development Practice degree program?

Students must complete 54 credits of core and elective coursework. Columbia University is a dynamic institution, attracting new faculty and introducing new courses every year.  As a result, the curriculum may vary from year to year. Please refer to our website’s Curriculum page for the current sequence of coursework. For a breakdown of the credits required per semester, please see the MPA-DP Degree Audit Form.

Can I waive required MPA-DP courses?

In exceptional cases, the Program Director may grant students a waiver from completing core requirements.  If a student can clearly demonstrate that he or she has expertise in the subject and that there is no advantage to taking the course, he or she may request a waiver from the Program Director. The decision to approve course waivers will be made jointly by the MPA-DP Program Director and the professor of the required course. Students are also required to identify an alternative course to fulfill the requirement.

Can I waive the Professional Development course?

Students who wish to waive the Professional Development Workshop requirement must fill out a waiver form, and submit it to the Office of Career Services (OCS) for review, along with a current resume, and a brief letter explaining the reason for the exemption request. The Office of Career Services is solely responsible for granting waivers for this .5 credit course. The waiver form can be accessed here.

Can I transfer credits from my previous graduate degree?

No. While other degree programs at SIPA award advanced standing based on previously completed graduate coursework, the MPA–DP program does not award students advanced standing. All students must complete 54 credits of coursework over 4 full-time semesters. However, students may request a waiver for a course, and if granted, substitute the requirement with another more advanced course. Some courses may require students to pass a proficiency exam.

Is it possible to attend SIPA part-time?

No. All MPA-DP students are required to enroll full-time for four semesters and thereby earn four full-time residency units. Part-time attendance is not permitted. 

Can I choose a concentration and specialization?

No. MPA-DP students may not register for a concentration or specialization; however, they are encouraged to specialize in a field of interest through their elective coursework, involvement in student groups and independent projects. Students wishing to follow one of the traditional specialization tracks at SIPA are welcome to take the prescribed courses as electives.

Do I have to prove proficiency in a foreign language?

No. Effective for the incoming class in fall 2012, the MPA-DP program does not have a language requirement. Students are encouraged to be proficient in a second language prior to joining the program. Language courses may also be taken as electives. However Elementary level language courses and 2 credit language conversation courses will not count toward the 54 credits required to complete the MPA-DP degree. 

Can I take more advanced Economics and Statistics courses in lieu of the required introductory courses?

Yes. Proficiency exams allow SIPA students to demonstrate competence in a number of subjects so that they can be exempted from course requirements in either the core curriculum or their concentration. A student who takes and passes a proficiency exam is exempt from taking that course and may substitute another course. Passing a proficiency exam exempts you from taking a class, but does NOT grant you credit towards your degree. Note: Students who pass the proficiency exam for Economics are still required to take 6 credits of upper level Economics classes to substitute for the Economics core.

Proficiency exams may only be taken once; if you fail, you must take the course. Proficiency exams are offered during the first week of registration each semester. Students may sign up for proficiency exams in the Student Affairs Office during the first week of registration. Click here for more information about proficiency exams.

Grading
Can I take courses for a grade of Pass/Fail?

Students in the MPA-DP program may take elective courses on pass/fail basis but these will NOT count toward the 54 credits required to graduate, with the exception of short courses that are only offered on a pass/fail basis.

Can I audit courses?

Yes, some instructors allow students to “audit” elective courses. The work requirement for auditing courses is determined by the instructor. In some cases, students are not required to take exams or complete assignments, but it depends on the course.  In the case of auditing, SIPA issues a mark of “R” (registered) on students’ transcripts, rather than assigning a qualitative grade. Courses taken for “R” credit do not count toward the 54 credits required for the MPA-DP degree. For more information on auditing and taking courses pass/fail, please refer to the SIPA grading guidelines.

Can I receive credit for an independent research project?

Yes, many MPA-DP students develop independent research projects in a field of their interest. Students who wish to pursue a course of independent study must identify a faculty advisor and obtain approval from the Associate Dean of Student Affairs. The number of credits awarded depends on the terms agreed to by the faculty advisor and the Associate Dean.

Electives

Can I take electives at other schools within the Columbia University system?

Yes. You may take any Columbia University course that allows SIPA students to enroll, and are encouraged to do so when possible. Students should be aware that some undergraduate courses, such as Elementary level language courses, will not count toward the 54 credits required for graduation from SIPA.

How many elective courses am I required to take?

MPA-DP students must take 33.5 credits of required core coursework, and 20.5 credits of elective coursework in order to meet the 54 credits needed to graduate. Students are able to take up to 18 credits per semester at SIPA, so it is possible to take more than 20.5 total elective credits.

Difference between MIA/MPA and MPA in Development Practice

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