SIPA students at the IAB building

Sample Course Plan

Sample Course Plan

Whether you choose the Master of Public Administration (MPA) or the Master of International Affairs (MIA), our core curriculum is the cornerstone of a SIPA education. You’ll be able to customize your plan of study through modular courses, cross-registration, dual degree programs, and a Capstone workshop.

For Students Entering Fall 2025

Fall on Columbia Campus


  • For students concentrating in:
    Data Science for Policy  •  International Finance and Economic Policy  •  Climate, Energy, and Environment  •  Development and Governance  •  Human Rights, Gender, and Equity  •  International Security and Diplomacy  •  Urban and Social Policy  •  Technology Policy and Innovation

      Course Credits
    Fall 2025 Politics I for Policymakers 1.5
    Politics II 1.5
    Microeconomic Analysis 3
    Quantitative Analysis I 3
    Financial Management I 1.5
    Concentration I 3
    Semester total 13.5
         
    Spring 2026 Policy Skills I 1.5
    Policy Skills II 1.5
    Leadership & Management I 1.5
    Leadership & Management II 1.5
    Macroeconomic Analysis 3
    Quantitative Analysis II 3
    Concentration II 3
    Semester Total 15
         
    Fall 2026 Financial Management II 1.5
    Ethics for Policymakers 1.5
    Concentration III 3
    Concentration IV 3
    Capstone Preparatory Workshop 1.5
    Elective/Minor I 3
    Semester Total 13.5
         
    Spring 2027 Capstone Workshop 3
    Concentration V (*Data-intensive) 3
    Elective/Minor II 3
    Elective/Minor III 3
    Semester Total 12
         
      Program Total 54


  • For students concentrating in:
    Climate, Energy, and Environment  •  Development and Governance  •  Human Rights, Gender, and Equity  •  International Security and Diplomacy  •  Urban and Social Policy  •  Technology Policy and Innovation

      Course Credits
      Politics I: Theories of International Relations 1.5
    Fall 2025 Politics II 1.5
    Economics for International Affairs 3
    Quantitative Analysis I 3
    International Law 1.5
    Concentration I 3
    Semester Total 13.5
         
      Policy Skills I 1.5
    Spring 2026 Policy Skills II 1.5
    Leadership & Management I 1.5
    Leadership & Management II 1.5
    Concentration II 3
    Concentration III 3
    Global Requirement I 3
    Semester Total 15
         
    Fall 2026 Global Requirement II 3
    Ethics for Policymakers 1.5
    Leadership & Management III 1.5
    Concentration IV 3
    Capstone/Thesis Preparatory Workshop 1.5
    Elective/Minor I 3
    Semester Total 13.5
         
    Spring 2027 Capstone Workshop or Thesis 3
    Concentration V 3
    Elective/Minor II 3
    Elective/Minor III 3
    Semester Total 12
         
      Program Total 54


  • For students concentrating in:
    Data Science for Policy  •  International Finance and Economic Policy

      Course Credits
    Fall 2025 Politics I: Theories of International Relations 1.5
    Politics II 1.5
    Microeconomic Analysis 3
    Quantitative Analysis I 3
    International Law 1.5
    Concentration I 3
    Semester Total 13.5
         
    Spring 2026 Policy Skills I 1.5
    Policy Skills II 1.5
    Leadership & Management I 1.5
    Macroeconomic Analysis 3
    Quantitative Analysis II 3
    Concentration II 3
    Semester Total 13.5
         
    Fall 2026 Global Requirement I 3
    Ethics for Policymakers 1.5
    Concentration III 3
    Concentration IV 3
    Capstone/Thesis Preparatory Workshop 1.5
    Elective/Minor I 3
    Semester Total 15
         
    Spring 2027 Capstone Workshop or Thesis 3
    Concentration V 3
    Elective/Minor II 3
    Elective/Minor III 3
    Semester Total 12
         
      Program Total 54

*As of February 26, 2025