Frequently Asked Questions

The major is open to students in Columbia College and the Columbia School of General Studies.

The GAPP major is an interdisciplinary program, integrating theoretical insights and analytical approaches from political science, economics, history, ethics, data science, and other fields to address contemporary policy challenges. The Policy Practicum gives students real-world experience applying the knowledge and skills they learn in the classroom to some of the challenges faced by today’s policymakers.

No. The major is designed to provide students with a common foundation regardless of their prior academic background.

Foundation courses open in fall 2026, with additional offerings in spring 2027. Students declare the major by entering a lottery that will take place in two rounds between December 2026–March 2027.

During the initial years, enrollment is capped to ensure a high-quality educational experience, including small class sizes and access to the Policy Practicum.

Admission is by lottery among eligible applicants. Students who have completed at least one designated introductory course will receive an additional lottery ticket.

The major is only open to undergraduate students enrolled at Columbia College and the Columbia School of General Studies. Prospective students first should learn about the admissions policies at Columbia College and the Columbia School of General Studies. Enrolled students may then apply to declare the GAPP major in their sophomore or junior year at Columbia.

The major requires 32.5 credits: 13 in foundation courses, 15 in electives, and 4.5 in the Policy Practicum.

Foundation courses are taught exclusively to undergraduates by full-time SIPA faculty.

The foundation courses are open to all Columbia College and Columbia School of General Studies students and are intended to introduce students to the study of global affairs and public policy. Most upper-level elective courses and the Policy Practicum are reserved for students enrolled in the major. This helps ensure that GAPP majors have access to the courses required to complete the program.

Yes. GAPP students learn from SIPA faculty throughout their major. The foundation courses and the Policy Practicum are designed exclusively for undergraduates. Undergraduate students take selected graduate elective courses alongside SIPA students. SIPA will ensure the enrollments and access to these shared elective courses are appropriately balanced. When elective courses include discussion sections, GAPP students participate in undergraduate-only sections. This structure allows students to benefit from both a dedicated undergraduate experience and access to SIPA’s broader academic community.

With the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, you may count up to nine elective credits (three courses) from outside SIPA toward the major.

Yes. Students who achieve a major GPA of at least 3.6 may apply to write an honors thesis.

We want to accommodate GAPP majors who wish to study abroad and are working with Columbia College and the Columbia School of General Studies to develop appropriate mechanisms to facilitate such study.

Yes. Students may pursue GAPP alongside another major, subject to the requirements of Columbia College or the School of General Studies and the requirements of both programs.

Yes. Students majoring in GAPP may pursue a minor in any discipline offered by Columbia College or the School of General Studies, subject to the requirements of the relevant department or program.

No. At this time, a minor in Global Affairs and Public Policy is not available.

Possibly. Students who have already declared another major and are interested in switching to GAPP should contact the GAPP academic advisor to discuss their individual circumstances and degree progress. Because major requirements and graduation timelines vary from student to student, changing majors later in a student’s academic career requires careful planning. The advisor can help determine whether a transition to GAPP is feasible and what additional coursework may be required.

Yes. Eligible GAPP majors can continue to SIPA's Master of International Affairs (MIA) or Master of Public Administration (MPA) through the Five-Year Joint Degree program, earning both a BA and a master's degree in five years. Students may receive MIA/MPA graduate core course waivers and substitutions based on qualifying GAPP coursework, and admission follows a streamlined process — a simple declaration form submitted on a rolling basis, rather than a traditional graduate application. A select number of GAPP majors who demonstrate financial need and outstanding academic achievement will be considered for dedicated scholarship funding.

This major positions Columbia alongside its peers in meeting growing student interest in public policy and global affairs.

The following institutions already offer comparable undergraduate programs in global affairs, international affairs, or public policy:

• Yale’s Jackson School of Global Affairs
• Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs 
• Cornell’s Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy
• Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service 
• Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs

The program has been designed to engage undergraduate students in global affairs and public policy while strengthening the broader academic community at SIPA through expanded teaching, research, and student engagement opportunities. Graduate education will remain at the center of the School’s mission. The new major formalizes and deepens existing undergraduate engagement at SIPA through a structured curriculum, dedicated advising, and a cohesive academic experience.

No. SIPA’s graduate programs remain central to the School’s mission, and the undergraduate major has been intentionally designed to complement — not compete with — graduate education. Undergraduate students pursuing the major will remain students of Columbia College or the School of General Studies and will have their own required courses, dedicated advising, career development, and student support structures.

Yes. SIPA graduate students will continue to receive priority access to courses required for their degree programs. As enrollment grows, additional course sections will be added as needed to meet demand and preserve access for graduate students. Academic advising through the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) and career support through the Career Advancement Center (CAC) will remain focused on the needs and goals of SIPA graduate students.

The undergraduate major will expand opportunities for graduate student engagement and professional development across the School. Graduate students may benefit from additional teaching assistant (TA) and research assistant (RA) positions, mentorship opportunities with undergraduate students, and increased collaboration with faculty on teaching, research, and academic initiatives. The number of new assistantships is subject to instructional and research needs. The major also strengthens SIPA’s role within Columbia University and helps create a larger pipeline of future leaders interested in public policy and international affairs.

Yes. The undergraduate major creates new opportunities for collaboration through teaching, TA and RA positions, faculty research, mentoring, new advising support, academic programming, and community-building initiatives.

SIPA will continue to share information about the undergraduate major and opportunities for students to learn more about the program. Please contact [email protected] with any questions or feedback.