MPA-DP Frequently Asked Questions

STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.  The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) supports STEM education in the U.S. by establishing criteria that marks some degree programs as “STEM degrees.”

Students completing STEM-designated programs receive an internationally recognized education in these disciplines, which can help them prepare for and secure jobs after graduation.

International students completing a STEM-designated program are eligible to apply for the F-1 STEM OPT Extension. This designation enables students to apply for an additional 24 months of OPT authorization beyond their standard 12-month OPT.

For each cohort, we seek diverse international representation and a range of disciplinary backgrounds to enrich the learning environment. Our current two MPA-DP cohorts include students from 28 countries, coming from a range of academic backgrounds, including economics, business, architecture, engineering, finance, geography, mathematics, computer science, agriculture, public health, biology, religion, history, communications, political science, law and social work. This cultural and professional diversity within each cohort is a powerful asset for learning and contributing to a vibrant program.

We look for candidates with some professional international experience, with most of our successful candidates having between two and 10 years. We believe that prior field experience improves the quality of the education experience. We especially seek out candidates with a demonstrated passion for sustainable development practice.

No, but students with majors that are far removed from the international relations or public administration fields are advised to address with extra care in their essay why they now wish to “change gears” and study at SIPA.

A very small number of the accepted students each year may come directly from undergraduate institutions. These are individuals with extraordinary academic records who have also had significant internship and/or study abroad experience. Recent undergraduates with very strong academic credentials might be encouraged to reapply after they have pursued one or more years of relevant work experience.

The MPA-DP program administration is available to meet with you by appointment. Please email us at [email protected]. With advance notice, we can also arrange for you to sit in on a current MPA-DP core course.

The MPA-DP program has a separate admissions committee that reviews applications and selects students for admission.

SIPA's MIA, MPA and EMPA students can request to transfer to the MPA-DP program before the course registrations’ add/drop deadline, in their first semester, or before registration opens for the second semester of their degree. Students need to express their wish to one of the Deans at the Office of Students Affairs. The Dean will then contact the MPA-DP leadership, and a decision will be made based on the student's application material submitted to SIPA, plus the number of available spaces in the MPA-DP cohort.

This additional fee contributes to the cost of the 12-week professional summer placement, one-week “Getting Started” program, and three-day MPA-DP retreat.

In exceptional cases, the MPA-DP Program Director may grant students a waiver from completing core requirements. If a student can clearly demonstrate that he or she has expertise in the subject and that there is no advantage to taking the course, he or she may request a waiver from the Program Director. The decision to approve course waivers will be made jointly by the Program Director and the professor of the required course. Students are also required to identify an alternative course to fulfill the requirement.

Yes. You may take any Columbia University course that allows SIPA students to enroll, and are encouraged to do so when possible. Students should be aware that some undergraduate courses, such as Elementary level language courses, will not count toward the 54 credits required for graduation from SIPA.

Yes. MPA-DP students have conducted research on a wide range of topics related to sustainable development practice. Learn more.

MPA-DP students are required to complete a 12-week consultancy with an organization between their first and second year at SIPA. The scope of work must be graduate-level and related to sustainable development. In addition to completing the deliverables required by the host organization per the Terms of Reference, students must submit several deliverables to the MPA-DP Program Director designed to facilitate reflection on this experience.

The minimum duration of the professional summer engagement is 12 full-time weeks. 

The MPA-DP program administration aims to limit out-of-pocket expenses for basic expenses incurred during the professional summer engagement. Some host organizations fully fund summer engagements per internal policies, but often there is a cost-sharing arrangement. Partner organizations are asked to provide financial or in-kind support for their student “consultants,” and often cover accommodations, meals and in-country project-associated travel. Students can apply for a DP summer stipend up to a maximum of $3,000 to cover gaps in basic expenses.

Yes! In fact, MPA-DPs hold leadership positions on the executive boards of 14 student organizations within SIPA. More than half of the MPA-DP class of 2025 hold leadership roles in organizations such as Ethical Fashion Working Group, Columbia Impact Investing Initiative - Ci3, Menstrual Equity Coalition, SIPA Pan-Africa Network, Migration Policy Group, Women in Leadership and more. As true interdisciplinary practitioners, many MPA-DP students serve on the boards of multiple organizations.

Besides the required professional summer engagement, many MPA-DP students take advantage of the opportunity to intern with an organization in New York City.  Though not required, MPA-DP students may receive up to 3 credits for internships undertaken during their first or second year at SIPA.

Please refer to SIPA's auditing policies. Please note that you cannot audit required courses.