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SIPA MIA/MPA and LKYSPP MPP Dual Degree Program

Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and the National University of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) have come together to offer a dual degree program for graduate students interested in studying public policy . The Schools offer a  two-year curriculum which draws on the strengths, cultures and traditions of both Schools. Students will complete the specific requirements of their home school in the first year and if admitted continue their program at the partner school in the second year. Each school determines their own requirements.  The graduates of the international dual degree program are expected to leave with strong analytical and managerial skills, deep policy knowledge, and academic credentials from leading institutions on two continents.

The dual degree candidate will profit from the extensive resources available at Columbia in New York City, as well as being strategically situated in a vital economic hub of Asia. The small and intimate nature of the LKYSPP Public Policy program, with approximately 70 students, offers a complementary academic experience that will enable the student to better get to know fellow classmates and faculty and create long lasting friendships.

SIPA Students - Second Year at LKYSPP

The dual program with the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) is open to both MIA and MPA students. Students admitted to the program will complete there second year of study at LKYSPP, where upon graduation they will earn two separate Master's degrees from SIPA and the LKYSPP respectively in the same amount of time it takes to earn one degree.

Students will obtain a world class education from two different regions of the world. They also benefit by maximizing their career opportunities in the region upon graduation, through the combined alumni networks of both programs and by being physically based in Singapore in their final year. 

SIPA students will complete the SIPA core curriculum in public policy in New York during their first year of study, developing analytical skills in economics, statistics, and political systems, and gaining an overview of public and non-profit management. Students admitted to the program will then move to Singapore in  for a second year of study during which they can choose from a wide array of public policy and business fields to develop a specialization.

 

 

  • Eligibility Criteria

    SIPA students interested in completing their second year at a partner school 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.

    SIPA Students are required to complete the core curriculum in their first year as noted in the eligibility criteria.  During the second year students complete LKYSPP curricular requirements.

    LKY Curriculum

    Please visit the LKY website for more information on their curriculum
     

  • Students pay the tuition and fees at the school where they are in residence. Students will pay tuition to SIPA in their first year and and to LKYSPP in their second year.  

    SIPA  Tuition and Fees
    LKYSPP Tuition and Fees

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

LKYSPP Students - Second Year at SIPA

SIPA welcomes LKYSPP students enrolled in the Master of Public Policy program to apply to the dual degree with Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. . Students should inquire with the relevant LKYSPP administrative office  regarding eligibility requirements. Students approved to apply to the dual program will need to submit an application directly to SIPA.

Specific application information including the application link dates and deadlines will be provided to you by your institution. The application is available in early February.

Students admitted to the program will need to complete specific curricular requirements during their second year at SIPA. Additional information on these requirements are below. 

 

  • 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 LKYSPP
             
      U4200 Economics     For students in MIA Track I ONLY either PP5403 or PP5401 will meet the Economics Fundamentals requirement in full. 
    Microeconomics  OR      
        Economics Fundamentals (3 credits) Only 6400 (upper level) PP5403 Economic Foundations for Public Policy
      U6400 Economic Analysis      
             
      U4201 Economics   Only 6401 (upper level) PP5401 Policy Challenges
    Macroeconomics OR      
      U6401 Economic Analysis      
             
    Quantitative Analysis I U6500 Quantitative Analysis No change  C5 Statistics I PP5406 Quantitative Research Methods for Public Policy I
            PP5407 Quantitative Research Methods for Public Policy II
            (Note: If BOTH courses are taken this also meets the SIPAU6501 Quantitative Analysis II requirement)
    Quantitative Analysis II Not Required Not Required Quantitative Analysis II (3 credits) See above
             
    Conceptual Foundations INAF U6800 Conceptual Foundations  Politics I & II, Policy Skills I & II (6 credits) Same as track  I PP5103 Politics and Public Policy
             
    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) PP5274 Financial Management for Policy Makers
            PP5549 Financial Management for Households.
            Any Public Management and Leadership elective
             
    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) Any Politics and International Relations Specialization elective
             
    Capstone  Capstone Workshop including Capstone Prepatory 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 A language course equivalent to the B2 level or above.
             
    Professional Development TBD if students will be required to register 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 LKYSPP
      U4200 Economics Only 6400/6401 (upper level) PP5403 Economic Foundations for Public Policy
    Microeconomics  OR    
      U6400 Economic Analysis    
           
           
      U4201 Economics    
    Macroeconomics OR   PP5401 Policy Challenges
      U6401 Economic Analysis    
           
    Quantitative Analysis I U6500 Quantitative Analysis No change  PP5406 Quantitative Research Methods for Public Policy I
          PP5407 Quantitative Research Methods for Public Policy II
          (Note: If BOTH courses are taken this also meets the SIPAU6501 Quantitative Analysis II requirement)
    Quantitative Analysis II Not Required 3 credit required course See above 
           
    Politics of Policymaking PUAF U6110 / U6113 Politics of Policymaking (4 credits) Politics I & II, Policy Skills I & II (6 credits) PP5402 Policy Process and Institutions
          PP5405 Politics and Public Administration
          PP5409 Foundations in Public Policy
    Management  List of SIPA courses which satisfy  Management   (singular 3 credit course) Leadership & Management I & II (2) 1.5 credit courses Any Public Management and Leadership elective
           
    Financial Management  List of SIPA courses which satisfy  Financial Management (singular 3 credit course) Financial Management I & II (2) 1.5 credit courses

    PP5274 Financial Management for Policy Makers

    PP5549 Financial Management for Households.
           
    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 students will be required to register 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.