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SIPA and GRASPP Dual Degree Program

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. 

  1. Students enrolled in their first year of SIPA's two year MIA or MPA programs.  
    OR
  2. Students in their first year at the Hertie School 

Students should contact the relevant administrators at their home school if they have questions regarding the program.  The language of instruction, within this program at both schools 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

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.

SIPA Students - Second Year at GraSPP

  • Eligibility Criteria

    SIPA students interested in completing their second year at GraSPP must meet the eligibility criteria listed below. 

    • Be a first-year student in the traditional two year MIA or MPA programs
    • Have maintained full-time enrollment in all semesters
    • Preferred matriculation in the Fall semester (Note: Students who matriculate in the Spring semester may participate in the program but may need to complete an additional semester at SIPA before matriculating at the partner school)
    • Be in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 by the end of the Spring semester of your first year
    • Have completed all core requirements, except the capstone and internship by the end of the Spring semester. Note: Internship must be registered or waived prior to the second year but students can complete the internship at any time prior to completion of the degree.
    • Have completed a full academic year (Fall and Spring semesters)
    • Have completed a minimum of 30 credits at SIPA by the end of the Spring semester

      Note: Students completing their second year abroad are not required to complete a concentration.
      Additional GraSPP information
    Curricular Requirements

    In addition to completing the SIPA requirements listed above, SIPA students must complete all partner school curricular requirements in the second year.  

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

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

    Students in their second year at GraSPP will pay tuition and fees to GraSPP. Tuition and financial aid related inquiries should be directed to GraSPP administration.   Information regarding tuition and fees is also available on the school's website. 

    Note: Students attending the partner school in their second year will be charged the semesterly Health and Related Services Fee & International Student Fee  
     

GraSPP Students - Second Year at SIPA

  • Dual degree students completing their second year at SIPA must meet the following graduation requirements:

    • Complete a minimum of 30 credits in residence
    • Complete all core requirements
    • Complete concentration requirements
    • Attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0
    • Complete all first year curricular requirements from the partner school.

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

    Note: Select courses completed at the partner school may fulfill specific SIPA core requirements. Approved core equivalencies are listed in the table below. Students may also apply one course from their first year toward their SIPA concentration requirements subject to approval from the relevant concentration office. Direct any concentration related questions to the appropriate concentration office. 

    Due to the implementation of a new curriculum all course equivalencies are currently under review. The equivalency table below applies only to rising second year dual degree students matriculating at SIPA in Fall 2025. Students should have also confirmed which curriculum they will be pursuing in this coming year. 

    Students beginning their first year at the partner school in Fall 2025 must complete the new curriculum.  There may also be changes to the current equivalency chart. However some course equivalencies approved below under the prior curriculum are expected to remain unchanged.  

    An updated equivalency chart for newly admitted dual degree students will be available during the Fall 2025 semester.

    Current Curriculum & Current Concentrations and Specializations 
    OR
    New Curriculum (Effective Fall 2025)

    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:

    • GPP-MP5P10L3: 5112260
    Introduction to International Politics

    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   
    • 5112111 Global Conflicts & Cooperation
    • Boom, Bust and Beyond: The Political Economy of Development in East Asia   
    • GPP-MP6P20L3 Japan in Today's World
    • 5122201-2 Contemporary Chinese Diplomacy
    • 5112181 Modern Japanese Diplomacy
    • 5112260 Introduction to International Politics 
    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 and Fees

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

    Once matriculated at SIPA in the second year students will pay tuition and fees to SIPA.  Additionally students must either enroll in Columbia University health insurance plan or submit proof of comparable insurance coverage. 

    Financial Aid 

    Students in the GPPN program will receive a financial aid application in February for review before their second year at SIPA. 

    Funding is extremely limited, and typically fewer than 10% of GPPN students are awarded support for their program of study. 

    Students planning to apply for U.S. federal financial aid, should contact the SIPA Office of Financial Aid to initiate the process.