Columbia University’s SIPA and the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP) have joined together to offer a dual degree program that allows students to study at each institution for one year and receive Master's degrees from both schools in the same amount of time it takes to obtain a single degree. The program is open to students in SIPA's two year MIA and MPA programs. Students in their first year at GraSPP should contact their school administrator for information regarding program eligibility. The language of instruction of the dual degree program is English. 

 

 

Overview: University of Tokyo

The University of Tokyo (Todai) is widely considered to be the most prestigious university in Japan and is preeminent in Asia. The Faculty of Law and Politics and Economics at Todai merged in 2004 to form GraSPP and offer the Master's of Public Policy. The degree is completed in two years, with around 100 new admitted students each year. It focuses on four distinct policy areas:

  • Economic Policy
  • International Public Policy
  • Legal Policy
  • Public Management
     

For a list of English-taught courses, which cover topics ranging from Japan’s East Asia Policy to International Financial Institutions, please refer to the list here: Courses taught in English.

GraSPP specializes in advancing practical knowledge and skills, and belongs to a new class of Japanese professional graduate schools, emphasizing a hands-on approach. It aims to produce broad-minded public policy professionals.

Curriculum

Students will complete the core curriculum at their home institution then pursue an area of specialization at the partner institution in their second year, in addition to completing any SIPA core requirements not met in their first year at the partner institution. The program will normally be completed in two years.

Note: All students participating in this program must complete at least 30 credits while in residence at SIPA and graduate with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Additional GraSPP information

GraSPP Core Mapping Requirements - MPA

SIPA Core -MPA SIPA Courses Graspp Equivalent Courses 
Economics

U4200 Economics
or
U6400 Economic Analysis 

Microeconomics for Public Policy (4 Units) + Practice Session (1 Unit) 
OR
Microeconomics (4 Units) + Practice Session (1 Unit )

U4201 Economics
or
U6401 Economic Analysis 

Macroeconomic for Public Policy (4 Units ) + Practice Session (1 Unit)
OR
Macroeconomics (4 Units) and Practice Session (1 Unit)
Quantitative Analysis U6500 Quantitative Analysis Statistical Methods (4 Units) + Practice Session (1 Unit)
OR 
Econometrics (4 Units ) and Practice Session for Econometrics (1 Unit )

Politics of Policy Making 

PUAF U6110 / U6113 Politics of Policymaking

Policy Process and Negotiation (2 Units)

Law and Public Policy: Basic Knowledge of Japanese Legal System for Making Public Policies
Management For List of SIPA courses which satisfy the Management requirement please refer to the MPA Curriculum Overview Page  Introduction to Public Management (2 Units)
Financial Management For List of SIPA courses which satisfy the Management requirement please refer to the MPA Curriculum Overview Page  Economic Analysis of Public Policy (2 Units)
Professional
Development		 U4040 Professional Development & Professional Development Elective course  
Internship U9013 Internship  

 

 

SIPA Core -MIA SIPA Courses Graspp Equivalent Courses 
Economics

U4200 Economics
or
U6400 Economic Analysis 

Microeconomics for Public Policy (4 Units) + Practice Session (1 Unit) 
OR
Microeconomics (4 Units) + Practice Session (1 Unit )

U4201 Economics
or
U6401 Economic Analysis 

Macroeconomic for Public Policy (4 Units ) + Practice Session (1 Unit)
OR
Macroeconomics (4 Units) and Practice Session (1 Unit)
Quantitative Analysis U6500 Quantitative Analysis Statistical Methods (4 Units) + Practice Session (1 Unit)
OR 
Econometrics (4 Units ) and Practice Session for Econometrics (1 Unit )

Conceptual Foundations

Conceptual Foundations of International Politics (MIA) U6800

Choose one from the course list below:

• 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;
Management & Financial Management For List of SIPA courses which satisfy the Management requirement please refer to the MIA Curriculum Overview Page 

Introduction to Public Management (2 Units)
Economic Analysis of Public Policy (2 Units)
Interstate Relations    Boom, Bust and Beyond: The Political Economcy of Development in East Asia   
Professional Development U4040 Professional Development & Professional Development Elective course  
Internship U9013 Internship   
Foreign Language Proficiency in a language other than English is required for graduation. Proficiency is defined as the ability to read, write and speak the language at the Intermediate II level. This requirement is met in one of three ways: see link.  

Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid

Students pay the tuition and fees at the school where they are in residence (i.e. if you are attending GraSPP,  you will pay GraSPP tuition and fees, and similarly at SIPA).

Columbia Tuition and Fees 
GraSPP MPP/IP