MPA in Economic Policy Management
Deadlines: Summer 2025
Early Action and JJ/WBGSP Applicants:
November 1, 2024
Fellowship Consideration:
December 20, 2024
Final Application:
February 5, 2025
Program Length
1 Year
Degree Awarded
MPA
STEM-DESIGNATED
Yes
Become a highly accomplished policymaker and professional in market economies.
Students in the one-year, STEM-designated MPA-EPM program gain the skills they need to become highly accomplished policymakers and professionals in market economies. The course of study applies the theoretical rigor of the social sciences to the practical lessons of economics and management science through the intensive study of actual economic policy successes and failures.
The MPA-EPM is a STEM-designated degree program
The MPA-EPM provides leading policymakers and professionals with the skills to effectively design and implement economic policy in market economies, with a strong emphasis on the economic problems of developing countries.
Who It's For
The MPA-EPM is best suited for mid-career professionals and policymakers with at least 3 years of work experience in economic decision-making at institutions such as central banks, finance ministries, national and international development agencies, and international financial institutions. Professionals from financial, consulting and energy backgrounds are also encouraged to apply.
Career Paths
Students graduating with an MPA-EPM STEM-designated degree acquire skills to advance their career and work in leadership, management, and research positions in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Recent employers include the World Bank, Bank of England, People’s Bank of China, Inter-American Development Bank, and Deloitte Financial Advisory Services, to name a few. With a STEM degree, students enter the job market with a nationally-recognized designation, and it allows international students to apply for an additional 24 months of OPT after their first year of standard OPT.
Curriculum
The core of the MPA-EPM program comprises two three-semester course sequences in macroeconomic policy management and econometrics. The program starts in May and finishes the following May. This core is supplemented by courses in management skills and political economy. Each course is built around real-world examples and case studies. Students may choose additional elective courses offered at SIPA and other graduate schools at Columbia.
MPA-EPM students must choose one of three curricular focuses:
- The traditional Economic Policy Management focus (EPM) builds students' technical competence with the tools of economic management and policymaking
- The Climate, Energy & Environment focus (E&E) teaches the fundamentals of the energy industry, including international energy systems and business organizations involved in the production, transportation, and marketing of energy products
- The Central Banking and Financial Markets focus (CBFM) teaches the latest techniques in capital market development and macroprudential policy
Explore the MPA-EPM Curriculum »
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Program Information
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All MPA-EPM students take six courses in each of the program’s three semesters. Courses in the three focus areas are identical in the first semester but then diverge in the second and third semesters.
Visit the SIPA Bulletin for detailed information regarding each focus area.
To discuss the possibility of waiving any core requirements, contact the MPA-EPM program office.
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In addition to SIPA’s general admission requirements, the MPA-EPM program requires the following:
- Meaningful professional exposure to economic policymaking, preferably in a public agency or nongovernmental organization
- At least three years of work experience
- An undergraduate degree with a record of superior academic accomplishment, and preferably with strong economics content
Focus Areas
MPA-EPM has three different curricular focuses: the traditional Economic Policy Management focus (EPM), the Climate Energy & Environment focus (E&E) and the Central Banking and Financial Markets focus (CBFM). The EPM focus builds students' technical competence with the tools of economic management and policymaking, the GEMP focus teaches the fundamentals of the energy industry, including international energy systems and business organizations involved in the production, transportation, and marketing of energy products, and the CBFM focus teaches the latest techniques in capital market development and macroprudential policy.
Ready to Apply?
SIPA’s MPA-EPM is a participating program in JJWBGSP. A JJWBGSP scholarship provides tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance.
Employment Statistics
Employed/Further Study
Seeking Employment
Not Seeking Employment
Employment information as reported by the graduates six months after graduation. In 2023, 32 students graduated from the MPA-EPM program, 27 reported.
Frequently Asked Questions
Register for more Information
If you would like to learn more about the MPA In Economic Policy Management (MPA-EPM), join our information session and meet the team. We will present information and answer questions about academics, student life, and admissions for the Program.
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Contact Us
Columbia University
School of International and Public Affairs
420 West 118 Street | Suite 1303
+1 212-854-6982
[email protected]