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Masters

Master of Public Administration

Columbia University
New York , United States
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Students
Tuition Fee
Not Available
Start Date
Not Available
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
21 months
Details
About Program
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Program Details
Degree
Masters
Major
Management | Public Administration | Public Policy Studies
Area of study
Business and Administration | Social Sciences
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
About Program

Program Overview

Master of Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) at Columbia SIPA is a STEM-designated program that stands at the forefront of policy education. This distinction highlights the program's rigorous focus on management sciences, preparing students with in-demand skills essential for tackling global policy challenges.


Program Details

  • Program Length: 21 months
  • Degree Awarded: MPA
  • STEM-Designated: Yes (effective Fall 2025 entering class)

Deadlines

  • Spring Term 2026: Final Application - October 15, 2025
  • Fall Term 2026:
    • Early Action: November 1, 2025
    • Fellowship Consideration: December 20, 2025
    • Final Application: February 5, 2026

Curriculum

The MPA program offers intensive coursework in leadership, economics, data analytics, and financial management. The revised MPA is STEM-designated, making students in all policy domains eligible to apply for OPT extensions where relevant. The program is reorganized and reframed around concentrations that represent key contemporary policy disciplines, with the option to pursue a minor for further customization. The core curriculum is structured in a modular format, allowing students to design their program based on their prior academic preparation and professional goals.


Career Paths

MPA graduates work in prestigious agencies and firms in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, as well as their own start-ups and social enterprises.


Concentrations

MIA and MPA students concentrate their studies in one particular policy domain that corresponds with their professional goals.


Dual Degree Options

  • Dual-Degree Programs with other Columbia Schools:
    • MPA and Juris Doctor (JD)
    • MPA and Master of Public Health (MPH)
    • MPA and Master in Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences (MA)
    • MPA and Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW)
  • Dual-Degree Programs with International Partners:
    • Berlin: the Hertie School - Master of Public Policy or Master of International Affairs
    • London: London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) - Master of Public Administration
    • Paris: School of International Affairs at Sciences Po - Master of International Affairs and School of Public Affairs at Sciences Po - Master of Public Administration
    • São Paulo: Fundação Getulio Vargas Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo (FGV-EAESP)
    • Singapore: the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) at the National University of Singapore - Master of Public Policy
    • Tokyo: University of Tokyo Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP) - Master of Public Policy

Employment Statistics

  • Employed/Further Study: 84.6%
  • Seeking Employment: 12.8%
  • Not Seeking Employment: 2.7% Employment information as reported by the graduates 12 months after graduation. In 2024, 344 students graduated from the MPA program, 337 reported.

Capstone Workshops

A Capstone Workshop is a live consulting project with an external client outside of SIPA. Each workshop partners a team of about 6 graduate students with a faculty advisor.


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