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SIPA MIA/MPA and LKYSPP MPP Dual Degree Program

Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and the National University of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) have come together to offer a dual degree program for graduate students interested in studying public policy . The Schools offer a  two-year curriculum which draws on the strengths, cultures and traditions of both Schools. Students will complete the specific requirements of their home school in the first year and if admitted continue their program at the partner school in the second year. Each school determines their own requirements.  The graduates of the international dual degree program are expected to leave with strong analytical and managerial skills, deep policy knowledge, and academic credentials from leading institutions on two continents.

The dual degree candidate will profit from the extensive resources available at Columbia in New York City, as well as being strategically situated in a vital economic hub of Asia. The small and intimate nature of the LKYSPP Public Policy program, with approximately 70 students, offers a complementary academic experience that will enable the student to better get to know fellow classmates and faculty and create long lasting friendships.

SIPA Students

The dual program with the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) is open to both MIA and MPA students. Students admitted to the program will complete there second year of study at LKYSPP, where upon graduation they will earn two separate Master's degrees from SIPA and the LKYSPP respectively in the same amount of time it takes to earn one degree.

Students will obtain a world class education from two different regions of the world. They also benefit by maximizing their career opportunities in the region upon graduation, through the combined alumni networks of both programs and by being physically based in Singapore in their final year. 

SIPA students will complete the SIPA core curriculum in public policy in New York during their first year of study, developing analytical skills in economics, statistics, and political systems, and gaining an overview of public and non-profit management. Students admitted to the program will then move to Singapore in  for a second year of study during which they can choose from a wide array of public policy and business fields to develop a specialization.

Application Process and Eligibility Criteria:

Information available on the International Dual Degree Page

Questions:

All questions regarding the LKYSPP application, curriculum, student life etc. should be addressed to LKYSPP.

SIPA Contacts:

Alleyne Waysome, Sr. Assistant Dean &

Urbano Garza, Sr. Assistant Dean



LKYSPP Contact:

Norela Binte Mohamed, Program Manager

LKYSPP Students

SIPA welcomes LKYSPP students enrolled in the Master of Public Policy program to apply to the dual degree with Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. . Students should inquire with the relevant LKYSPP administrative office  regarding eligibility requirements. Students approved to apply to the dual program will need to submit an application directly to SIPA.

Specific application information including the application link dates and deadlines will be provided to you by your institution. Generally the application will open in early February.

Students admitted to the program will need to complete specific curricular requirements during their second year at SIPA. Additional information on these requirements are below. 

There are select SIPA requirements which can be met via LKYSPP courses. These are listed in the core mapping document below. 

Questions:

SIPA Contacts:

Alleyne Waysome, Sr. Assistant Dean &

Urbano Garza, Sr. Assistant Dean



LKYSPP Contact:

Norela Binte Mohamed, Program Manager

  • We encourage you to use the core mapping below as a reference tool to determine which LKY courses can be used to meet SIPA requirements.

    SIPA Core -MPA SIPA Courses Equivalent Courses
    Economics

    U4200 Economics

    or

    U6400 Economic Analysis

    PP5403 Economic Foundations for Public Policy

     

    U4201 Economics

    or 

    U6401 Economic Analysis

    PP5401 Policy Challenges
    Politics of Policy Making PUAF U6110 / U6113 Politics of Policymaking
    • PP5402 Policy Process and Institutions
    • PP5405 Politics and Public Administration
    • PP5409 Foundations in Public Policy
    Quantitative Analysis U6500 Quantitative Analysis
    • PP5406 Quantitative Research Methods for Public Policy I
    • PP5407 Quantitative Research Methods for Public Policy II   

    (Note: If BOTH courses are taken this also meets the SIPAU6501 Quantitative Analysis II requirement)

    Management For a list of SIPA courses which satisfy the Management requirement, please refer to the MPA Curriculum Overview Page. Any Public Management and Leadership elective
    Financial Management For a list of SIPA courses which satisfy the Financial Management requirement, please refer to the MPA Curriculum Overview Page. PP5274 Financial Management for Policy Makers
    Interstate Relations  

    Any Politics and International Relations Specialization elective

    Professional Development U4040 Professional Development None
  • Students are required to complete the first year curriculum at LK.YSPP.  In the second year students will complete the core, concentration and specialization requirements at SIPA.  

    Below is an overview of  SIPA's core, concentration and specialization requirements . We encourage you to review both the core mapping document and the core and program requirements to provide and overview of specific requirements for your second year, prior to matriculation.

    SIPA

    MIA Core Curriculum Requirements

    MPA Core Curriculum Requirements 

    MIA/MPA Concentrations and Specializations

     

     

  • Students pay the tuition and fees at the school where they are in residence.

    Students in their second year at SIPA will be assessed SIPA tuition and fees and be enrolled in Columbia University health insurance or confirm comparable insurance coverage when they are at Columbia during their second year.

    SIPA Tuition and Fees

    LKYSPP Tuition and Fees