SIPA offers two structured pathways for students seeking advanced, faculty-mentored research: Individual Research Courses and Independent Research Internships. Both options require close collaboration with a full-time faculty member and are intended for students prepared to undertake sustained, graduate-level research.

Individual Research Courses

An Individual Research Course is a formal academic arrangement between a student and a faculty member in which the student completes a defined program of readings and written work under faculty supervision.

For a three-point Individual Research Course, expectations typically include:

• A reading list comparable in scope to a three-point lecture course, generally approximately 150 pages per week
• A substantial research paper of at least 20 pages

A 1.5-point course generally requires approximately half the reading and writing of a three-point course.

Because Individual Research Courses, particularly those worth three points, require significant faculty time and mentorship, faculty members are not obligated to supervise them. Faculty typically agree to do so only when they have previously taught or worked with the student and are familiar with the student’s academic preparation.

Eligible supervisors include full-time SIPA faculty and full-time Columbia University faculty appointed in other schools. Faculty appointed outside SIPA must follow the independent study policies and procedures of their home school. Adjunct faculty are generally not permitted to supervise Individual Research Courses, in accordance with University guidance on teaching limits.

If a faculty member agrees to supervise the course, the student must:

1. Obtain the faculty member’s signature on the Application for Individual Research Course
2. Submit the signed application to the Office of Student Affairs no later than the Change of Program deadline for the term

Students seeking additional guidance should contact the Office of Student Affairs.

Application for Individual Research Course 

Independent Research Internships

Independent Research Internships are designed for students preparing for doctoral study or research-intensive careers. These internships focus on substantive research in public affairs or policy-related fields and emphasize close faculty mentorship.

Students develop the internship proposal directly with a SIPA faculty member. The student and faculty supervisor jointly determine the research scope, methodology, deliverables, and expectations for the term.

Eligible supervisors must be full-time faculty members of Columbia University. Research scholars, adjunct faculty, and other part-time instructors are generally not eligible to serve as primary supervisors or instructors. 

In most cases, students have previously completed coursework with the supervising faculty member or have engaged in prior academic or research collaboration.

Students seeking additional guidance should contact the Office of Academic Affairs.

Application for Independent Research Internship