Enrollment Policies

Enrollment Policies

Registration and Enrollment

No student will be permitted to enroll if they are not registered full-time and physically present at SIPA by the end of SIPA’s registration period for any given semester. Students who fail to enroll by the end of the registration period without prior approval from the Office of Student Affairs will be withdrawn from the School and will be required to reapply through the Office of Admissions, with no guarantee of readmission.

Leave of Absence

A student currently enrolled at SIPA with a compelling justification may request a leave of absence (LOA) for one or two (maximum) semesters. Students are ineligible for LOA consideration after the final day of classes for any given semester. Any student who does not return from an LOA within the approved time frame will be withdrawn from the School and required to reapply through the Office of Admissions, with no guarantee of re-admission.

The processing of Leaves of Absence is centralized by Columbia University and is managed through its Withdraw or Request a Leave of Absence site. Students should review the information contained therein before submitting a request for LOA approval.

In the case of SIPA, students must speak with their advising dean before submitting a request for LOA approval or within three days of making a request through the University site. Failure to do so will result in denial. Students must confirm and record that they have spoken with an advising dean by completing the Form to Request a Leave of Absence.

Length of Candidacy and Five-Year Requirement

  • All students must complete their degree requirements within five years of their initial matriculation at SIPA. This five-year limit includes any leaves of absence, part-time study, or other interruptions in enrollment.
  • Once a student has met all degree requirements, the student must graduate in the next available degree conferral period. Students may not remain enrolled to complete additional coursework after fulfilling all degree requirements.

Master of International Affairs (MIA)

  • The MIA is designed for completion within four consecutive semesters of full-time study. Students are required to complete the equivalent of four semesters of enrollment and earn four residency units.
  • Students pursuing part-time study must still satisfy the total residency requirement, noting that part-time enrollment typically accrues one-half of a residency unit per semester.
  • Requests for extensions beyond the four-semester timeframe must be submitted to the Dean of Students. Extensions are granted only under exceptional circumstances beyond the student’s control. All requirements must be completed within five years of matriculation, and students must graduate once eligible.

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

  • The MPA is designed for completion within four consecutive semesters of full-time study. Students are required to complete the equivalent of four semesters of enrollment and earn four residency units.
  • Students pursuing part-time study must still satisfy the total residency requirement, noting that part-time enrollment typically accrues one-half of a residency unit per semester.
  • Requests for extensions beyond the four-semester timeframe must be submitted to the Dean of Students. Extensions are granted only under exceptional circumstances beyond the student’s control. All requirements must be completed within five years of matriculation, and students must graduate once eligible.

MPA in Development Practice (MPA-DP)

  • The MPA-DP is designed for completion within four consecutive semesters of full-time study. Students are required to complete the equivalent of four semesters of enrollment and earn four residency units.
  • Students pursuing part-time study must still satisfy the total residency requirement.
  • Requests for extensions must be submitted to the Dean of Students and are considered only under extraordinary circumstances. All requirements must be completed within five years of matriculation, and students must graduate once eligible.

Executive MPA (EMPA)

  • The EMPA is designed for part-time study and is typically completed within two to three years.
  • Requests for extensions beyond the three-year timeframe must be submitted to the Dean of Students. Extensions are granted only under exceptional circumstances. All requirements must be completed within five years of matriculation, and students must graduate once eligible.

MPA in Economic Policy Management (MPA-EPM)

  • The MPA-EPM is designed for completion within one academic year of full-time study (Summer, Fall, and Spring terms).
  • Requests for extensions must be submitted to the Dean of Students. Extensions are granted only under exceptional circumstances. All requirements must be completed within five years of matriculation, and students must graduate once eligible.

MPA in Environmental Science and Policy (MPA-ESP)

  • The MPA-ESP is designed for completion within one academic year of full-time study (Summer, Fall, and Spring terms).
  • Extensions must be requested from the Dean of Students and are granted only under extraordinary circumstances. All requirements must be completed within five years of matriculation, and students must graduate once eligible.

MPA in Global Leadership (MPA-GL)

  • The MPA-GL is designed for completion within one academic year of full-time study (Summer, Fall, and Spring terms).
  • Extensions must be requested from the Dean of Students and are granted only under extraordinary circumstances. All requirements must be completed within five years of matriculation, and students must graduate once eligible.

Ph.D. in Sustainable Development

Sixth Year: The Ph.D. in Sustainable Development is designed as a five-year program, although some students may need to extend their studies into a sixth year. While administrative accommodations can be made, funding for the sixth year is not guaranteed, and students are encouraged to secure fellowship support or other funding sources.

        

Additional Considerations

  • Students are not permitted to remain enrolled to complete additional coursework once all degree requirements have been met.
  • Extensions are not granted for the purpose of changing a concentration, minor, or for completing additional programs of study, including dual degrees or certifications.
  • Students are encouraged to plan their academic trajectory carefully and consult regularly with their academic advisors to ensure timely completion within SIPA’s five-year maximum timeframe.