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SIPA and GRASPP Dual Degree Program

Columbia University’s SIPA and the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP) have joined together to offer a dual degree program that allows students to study at each institution for one year and receive Master's degrees from both schools in the same amount of time it takes to obtain a single degree. 

  1. Students enrolled in their first year of SIPA's two year MIA or MPA programs.  
    OR
  2. Students in their first year at the Hertie School 

Students should contact the relevant administrators at their home school if they have questions regarding the program.  The language of instruction, within this program at both schools is English

Overview: University of Tokyo

The University of Tokyo (Todai) is widely considered to be the most prestigious university in Japan and is preeminent in Asia. The Faculty of Law and Politics and Economics at Todai merged in 2004 to form GraSPP and offer the Master's of Public Policy. The degree is completed in two years, with around 100 new admitted students each year. It focuses on four distinct policy areas:

  • Economic Policy
  • International Public Policy
  • Legal Policy
  • Public Management

GraSPP specializes in advancing practical knowledge and skills, and belongs to a new class of Japanese professional graduate schools, emphasizing a hands-on approach. It aims to produce broad-minded public policy professionals.

SIPA Students - Second Year at GraSPP

  • Eligibility Criteria

    SIPA students interested in completing their second year at GraSPP must meet the eligibility criteria listed below. 

    • Be a first-year student in the traditional two year MIA or MPA programs
    • Have maintained full-time enrollment in all semesters
    • Preferred matriculation in the Fall semester (Note: Students who matriculate in the Spring semester may participate in the program but may need to complete an additional semester at SIPA before matriculating at the partner school)
    • Be in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 by the end of the Spring semester of your first year
    • Have completed all core requirements, except the capstone and internship by the end of the Spring semester. Note: Internship must be registered or waived prior to the second year but students can complete the internship at any time prior to completion of the degree.
    • Have completed a full academic year (Fall and Spring semesters)
    • Have completed a minimum of 30 credits at SIPA by the end of the Spring semester

      Note: Students completing their second year abroad are not required to complete a concentration.
      Additional GraSPP information
    Curricular Requirements

    In addition to completing the SIPA requirements listed above, SIPA students must complete all partner school curricular requirements in the second year.  

    Degrees from both institutions are awarded only upon completion of all requirements at both schools. 

  • Students pay tuition at the institution where they are in residence. 

    Students in their second year at GraSPP will pay tuition and fees to GraSPP. Tuition and financial aid related inquiries should be directed to GraSPP administration.   Information regarding tuition and fees is also available on the school's website. 

    Note: Students attending the partner school in their second year will be charged the semesterly Health and Related Services Fee & International Student Fee  
     

GraSPP Students - Second Year at SIPA

  • Dual degree students completing their second year at SIPA must meet the following graduation requirements:

    • Complete a minimum of 30 credits in residence
    • Complete all core requirements
    • Complete concentration requirements
    • Attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0
    • Complete all first year curricular requirements from the partner school.

    Degrees from both institutions are awarded only upon completion of all requirements at both schools.  

    Note: Select courses completed at the partner school may fulfill specific SIPA core requirements. Approved core equivalencies are listed in the table below. Students may also apply one course from their first year toward their SIPA concentration requirements subject to approval from the relevant concentration office. Direct any concentration related questions to the appropriate concentration office. 

    Due to the implementation of a new curriculum all course equivalencies are currently under review. The equivalency table below applies only to rising second year dual degree students matriculating at SIPA in Fall 2025. Students should have also confirmed which curriculum they will be pursuing in this coming year. 

    Students beginning their first year at the partner school in Fall 2025 must complete the new curriculum.  There may also be changes to the current equivalency chart. However some course equivalencies approved below under the prior curriculum are expected to remain unchanged.  

    An updated equivalency chart for newly admitted dual degree students will be available during the Fall 2025 semester.

    Current Curriculum & Current Concentrations and Specializations 
    OR
    New Curriculum (Effective Fall 2025)

    MIA Core Equivalency Chart
    SIPA Core Core Requirements-  Current Curriculum Core Requirements-  NEW Curriculum - MIA Track I Core Requirements-  NEW Curriculum - MIA Track II MIA GRASPP
    Microeconomics SIPA6300 or  6400 (6 credits) Economics Fundamentals (3credits) - Includes both Micro and Macro requirements Only 6400 (upper level) Microeconomics for Public Policy (4 Units) + Practice Session (1 Unit)
            OR
            Microeconomics (4 Units) + Practice Session (1 Unit ) 
            For students in MIA Track I ONLY the courses listed will meet the Economics Fundamentals requirement in full.
    Macroeconomics  SIPA 6301 or  6401 (6 credits) See above Only 6401 (upper level) No Equivalent
             
    Quantitative Analysis I U6500 Quantitative Analysis No change  C5 Statistics I Statistical Methods (4 Units) + Practice Session (1 Unit)
            OR
            Econometrics (4 Units ) and Practice Session for Econometrics (1 Unit )
    Quantitative Analysis II Not Required Not Required Quantitative Analysis II (3 credits) No Equivalent 
             
    Conceptual Foundations INAF U6800 Conceptual Foundations  Politics I & II, Policy Skills I & II (6 credits) Same as track  I Choose one from the course list below:
            GPP-MP5P10L3: 5112260 Introduction to International Politics
            Modern Japanese Diplomacy
            International Conflict Study
            Governance and Development
            Comparative Governance Systems: Japanese Policy Making Process
            8 Units from Case Study Courses
            4 Units of Courses which are marked as Practical Training;
             
    Management or Financial Management (MIA) List of SIPA courses which satisfy Financial Management or Management requirement (singular 3 credit course) Leadership & Management I , II,  & III ) -  (3) 1.5 credit courses - (4.5 credits) Leadership & Management I (1.5 credits) Introduction to Public Management (2 Units)
            Economic Analysis of Public Policy (2 Units)
    International Law Not Required International Law (1.5 credits) Same as track I No Equivalent
             
    Interstate Relations (3 credits) List of courses which meet this requirement Global Requirement I & II (6 credits) Global Requirement I (3credits) Boom, Bust and Beyond: The Political Economy of Development in East Asia
            GPP-MP6P20L3 Japan in Today's World
    Capstone  Capstone Workshop including Capstone Preparatory course Capstone Workshop or Thesis Same as track I Must be completed at SIPA
             
    Foreign Language Please refer to SIPA's Foreign Language Requirement Page No change Same as track I No Equivalent 
             
    Professional Development TBD if this course will be offered/required Requirement remains but this course is no longer registered Same as track I Must be completed at SIPA
             
    Internship 0, 1.5 or 3 credits 0 credits Same as track I Can be completed in either the 1st or 2nd year or in the summer between
    MPA Core Equivalency Chart
    SIPA Core Core Requirements-  Current Curriculum Core Requirements-  NEW Curriculum MPA GRASPP
    Microeconomics  SIPA6300 or  6400 (6 credits) Only 6400 (upper level) Microeconomics for Public Policy (4 Units) + Practice Session (1 Unit)
          OR
          Microeconomics (4 Units) + Practice Session (1 Unit )
    Macroeconomics  SIPA 6301 or 6401 (6 Credits) Only 6401 (upper level) No Equivalent
           
    Quantitative Analysis I U6500 Quantitative Analysis No change  Statistical Methods (4 Units) + Practice Session (1 Unit)
          OR
          Econometrics (4 Units ) and Practice Session for Econometrics (1 Unit )
    Quantitative Analysis II Not Required 3 credit required course No Equivalent
           
    Politics of Policymaking PUAF U6110 / U6113 Politics of Policymaking (4 credits) Politics I & II, Policy Skills I & II (6 credits) 5112241 Politics and Public Policy
          Policy Process and Negotiation (2 Units)
          Law and Public Policy: Basic Knowledge of Japanese Legal System for Making Public Policies
    Management  List of SIPA courses which satisfy  Management   (singular 3 credit course) Leadership & Management I & II (2) 1.5 credit courses Introduction to Public Management (2 Units)
           
    Financial Management  List of SIPA courses which satisfy  Financial Management (singular 3 credit course) Financial Management I & II (2) 1.5 credit courses Economic Analysis of Public Policy (2 units)
           
    Ethics for Policymakers (1.5 credits) Not Required Ethics for Policymakers (1.5 credits) Must be completed at SIPA
           
    Capstone  Capstone Workshop including Capstone Preparatory course No change Must be completed at SIPA
           
    Professional Development TBD if this course will be offered/required Requirement remains but this course is no longer registered Must be completed at SIPA
           
    Internship 0, 1.5 or 3 credits 0 credits Can be completed in either the 1st or 2nd year or in the summer between
           
  • Tuition and Fees

    Students pay tuition at the institution where they are in residence.

    Once matriculated at SIPA in the second year students will pay tuition and fees to SIPA.  Additionally students must either enroll in Columbia University health insurance plan or submit proof of comparable insurance coverage. 

    Financial Aid 

    Students in the GPPN program will receive a financial aid application in February for review before their second year at SIPA. 

    Funding is extremely limited, and typically fewer than 10% of GPPN students are awarded support for their program of study. 

    Students planning to apply for U.S. federal financial aid, should contact the SIPA Office of Financial Aid to initiate the process.