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MIA/MPA Concentrations
MIA/MPA Concentrations
As part of Columbia SIPA’s enhanced curriculum, revitalized concentrations have been adapted to best meet the needs of our time and increasing student and employer interest.
The concentrations complement the core with personalized topics of interest, and offer more opportunity for a focused academic journey.
- Climate, Energy, and Environment - Explore how energy policy, climate change, and environmental issues intersect. Learn how science, technology, and policy can address environmental risks and opportunities, equipping them to lead effective action across all sectors.
- Data Science for Policy - Master advanced computational, econometric, and data analytics techniques and apply them to solve complex policy and management issues.
- Development and Governance - Gain skills in program planning, evaluation, and management, with a focus on financial inclusion, social enterprise, sustainable development, and post-conflict governance.
- Human Rights, Gender, and Equity - Learn to formulate and implement policies that promote human rights and gender equality, addressing such issues as discrimination, refugee rights, and global conflict.
- International Finance and Economic Policy - Analyze global economic and financial policy and events using tools from economics, finance, and statistics disciplines to better understand their impact on both developed and emerging markets.
- International Security and Diplomacy - Study international conflict, defense policy, cybersecurity, and diplomacy, and gain expertise in conflict management, military strategy, and negotiation.
- Technology Policy and Innovation - Study innovation and social impact and the regulatory implications of new technologies, focusing on antitrust policy, data governance, cybersecurity, and the regulation of social media.
- Urban and Social Policy - Study policy challenges that are particular to cities and the role of civil society, public-private partnerships and local, state, national, and supranational governance in social service management and expansion of opportunities for marginalized communities throughout the world, and through.
Our concentrations showcase Columbia SIPA’s expertise and research, giving students a strong core curriculum and the flexibility to tailor their studies. Students can still choose from a wide range of electives, with the option to pursue prescribed combinations as a minor. This allows students to highlight specialized skills on their resumes—skills that are in high demand across various industries.
Beginning fall 2025 specializations will be rolled into our revitalized concentrations, offering clearer, more flexible options that better align with students' academic and career aspirations.
*Current students should visit the Bulletin for concentration curricula.
**Students entering in January 2025 semester (J-term) will have a choice of curriculums.
Concentrations Overview
- Climate, Energy, and Environment
- Data Science for Policy
- Development and Governance
- Human Rights, Gender, and Equity
- International Finance and Economic Policy
- International Security and Diplomacy
- Technology and Innovation
- Urban and Social Policy
Climate, Energy, and Environment
Climate, Energy, and Environment
Gain hands-on skills in energy policy and environmental impact. Advance meaningful climate action today to secure a more sustainable tomorrow.
Explore the intersection of energy policy, climate change, and environmental impact with modular core classes and transformative electives in our Climate, Energy, and Environment (CEE) concentration. In each course, you’ll dive into how governments, businesses, and civil society can elevate meaningful change, while examining the role of science, technology, policy, and finance in shaping the future of our planet. Through engaging coursework, you’ll gain career-ready skills to address critical global challenges, positioning you to lead in sectors that demand expertise in climate action, sustainable energy, and environmental stewardship. Whether you're passionate about policy, technology, or finance, this concentration prepares you to make a lasting impact.
Data Science for Policy
Data Science for Policy
Harness the power of data science. Shape effective, scalable solutions for critical policy challenges.
Our Data Science for Policy (DSP) concentration will redefine the way you think about and tackle global challenges. With intensive courses in the latest computational techniques, data analytics, econometrics, and quantitative analysis, you’ll master the tools to turn complex data into actionable insights, driving real-world policy and management solutions. This concentration goes beyond the basics, offering you advanced expertise to address critical issues in public policy, economic development, and program evaluation. With powerful data skills, you’ll be equipped to propel your career in sectors where data-driven decisions shape the future.
Development and Governance
Development and Governance
Unlock essential skills in program management, financial inclusion, and humanitarian policy. Lead powerful global change.
Through our Development and Governance (DG) concentration, you’ll gain skills in program planning, evaluation, and management, with a focus on financial inclusion, social enterprise, sustainable development, and post-conflict governance.. Each course examines domestic and international policy concerns through the lens of gender and development, education and health policy, and sustainable development, so you’ll build an interdisciplinary perspective on the defining challenges of our time. With clear learning objectives that turn theory into practice, you’ll be prepared to navigate complex international issues and advance meaningful global innovation.
Human Rights, Gender, and Equity
Human Rights, Gender, and Equity
Tackle the most critical human rights challenges of our time. Acquire the skills to craft and enforce policies that ensure accountability and foster equity.
Human rights are an essential part of the most significant international challenges of our time—health and disability, education and literacy, food security, cultural preservation, and more. In the Human Rights, Gender, and Equity concentration, you’ll learn to formulate and implement policies that promote human rights and gender equality, addressing issues like discrimination, refugee rights, and global conflict.. In the process, you’ll be prepared for responsible leadership and ethical careers addressing critical human rights challenges and promoting equity on a global scale.
International Finance and Economic Policy
International Finance and Economic Policy
Explore policy impacts across global markets. Gain the insights necessary to lead financial growth strategies and chart economic innovation.
Our International Finance and Economic Policy (IFEP) concentration equips you with the tools to analyze and interpret global economic events. You'll blend insights from economics, finance, and statistics to understand how markets and policies interact across diverse development stages. With this solid foundation of knowledge, you’ll be equipped to craft effective policy solutions that advance financial resilience and economic innovation both domestically and abroad. You'll graduate ready to enhance international trade and promote global financial inclusion in ways that increase market stability and economic equity around the world.
International Security and Diplomacy
International Security and Diplomacy
Develop expertise in conflict management, defense policy, diplomatic strategies, and UN-led conflict resolution. Help secure a more peaceable world.
In the International Security and Diplomacy (ISD) concentration, you’ll examine global issues through frameworks of conflict management, defense policy, and military strategy. Our modular and elective courses will bridge classroom theory with practical application so you can analyze security issues, understand political and military dynamics, navigate diplomatic negotiations, leverage the UN peacekeeping process, and help shape and develop effective policies. You’ll graduate prepared to address complex international conflicts and meaningfully contribute to global peace and international security.
Technology and Innovation
Technology and Innovation
Examine pressing topics in tech policy. Leverage the latest and most innovative tools to advance the public good.
In the Technology and Innovation concentration, you'll dive into how new technologies impact regulation and policy. Your studies will explore critical themes like antitrust and competition policy, data governance, social media regulation, and cybersecurity to gain the expertise you need to shape the future of technology policy. You’ll enter the policy scene prepared to lead organizations through new and emerging issues in tech regulation, digital security, and innovation management. Master the skills to address today’s tech challenges and drive forward-thinking solutions in a rapidly evolving field.
Urban and Social Policy
Urban and Social Policy
Think critically and analytically about policy challenges specific to urban hubs, from the heart of NYC. Go on to create equitable and sustainable urban environments in communities worldwide.
With courses that leverage New York City's complex social and public policy landscape, you'll gain unique insights into urban challenges with both local and global relevance. Customize your studies with an interdisciplinary approach to advanced coursework in urban environments and social policy that blends content knowledge with critical thinking and analytical skills. By the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to revitalize vibrant communities and introduce needed reform that is responsive to the needs of all citizens.
For Current Students
Concentrations Information
For past and current information on Concentrations, please visit the Bulletin.