MPA-ESP Frequently Asked Questions

The early notification deadline for the program is November 1. Those who submit their application to the program and for fellowship consideration early will receive a response in December. Applications submitted by January 15 will also be considered for fellowship awards.

The final deadline for applying to the program without fellowship consideration is February 15. All applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Please ensure that all necessary supporting documents are included in your application and submitted by the appropriate deadline.

All application materials can be submitted online. If you are unable to submit materials online, please contact the SIPA Office of Admissions for assistance.

If your bachelor’s degree was not earned in a country in which English is the language of instruction, then you must submit proof of competency in English. If you need to prove competency in English, you can find out more about the TOEFL at www.ets.org or call the TOEFL Educational Testing Service at 609-771-7100.

A minimum score of 600 on the paper test, 250 on the computer-based test or 100 on the internet-based test is required

The GRE is optional for the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program.

​Admission decisions are based on the application, science background, familiarity with environmental issues, the personal statement, the résumé/curriculum vitae, transcripts of prior college and/or graduate school work, three letters of recommendation, prior work experience, GPA, and standardized test scores. GRE results are never the sole basis for an admissions decision, merely part of what is considered as an indicator of academic ability if submitted for admission consideration.

The GRE code is 2161.

We accept checks, money orders, drafts, and travelers’ checks made out to Columbia University.

All students who apply by January 15 are eligible for the Dean’s fellowship – a full tuition grant and Earth Institute internship – and numerous partial fellowships. The average fellowship award in 2024 was nearly $23,000; the greatest partial fellowship award was $50,000. Over 90% of the current class received fellowships. 

The MPA-ESP Program is an intensive twelve-month program. There is no part-time or online options available. For students interested in part-time study, SIPA has a part-time Executive MPA program.

Please visit the SIPA website for a complete list of tuition, fees and other estimated expenses.

The MPA-ESP program allows admitted applicants to defer their offer of admission to one year. Admitted applicants that are not able to attend the following year must re-apply to the program for admission consideration.

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The Class of 2018 represents 10 different countries. The professional and educational backgrounds of students, both those who were born in the United States and those from abroad, are diverse. The diversity enhances the learning experience as students bring different perspectives and experiences to class discussions and to the projects on which they work together. The cultural exchange that inevitably happens helps prepare our graduates for the increasingly international sustainability job market.

The program requires that all incoming students be fluent in English, with exemplary reading, writing, and conversation skills. We encourage applicants, whose English language skills need improvement, to take preparatory courses. A TOEFL Score of at least 100 is required for admission. A video conferencing interview (e.g. Skype) is also required for admission.​

Applicants whose undergraduate study was conducted in a language other than English ought to have their academic transcripts and other post-secondary credentials translated by World Education Services, Inc. (WES), a third party verification agency.

ISSO (International Students and Scholars Office) and Visa Information

For all questions regarding visas, immigration, and employment guidelines, please contact the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) directly. The ISSO provides an international student’s guide with important information for students who are admitted to Columbia.

All students are required to submit vaccination documentation in order to meet Columbia’s University Vaccination Compliance. International students should plan accordingly so that all documents are secured and submitted early, as this process can take several weeks. No students can be registered for classes at Columbia until all immunization records have been received and processed. For more information, please contact the University Health Office.

International students of the program are eligible to work on the Columbia University campus if they have an F-1 visa. All students who work on-campus may work a maximum of 20 hours per week. We recommend that students do not work during the summer semester, when the course schedule is especially demanding.

​An internship is not required for the completion of the degree. The 5-credit Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management allows students to obtain a similar professional experience as an internship. In that course, students undertake a sustainability project for a client organization in either government or the non-profit sector.

International students who wish to work outside of Columbia University should contact the ISSO office, as well as SIPA Career Services to inquire about work authorization and any adjustments to visa status.

On-campus housing is available for approximately 40% of incoming ESP students through the University Apartment Housing Office. The University Apartment Housing (UAH) inventory consists of apartment shares and dormitory-style rooms. There is also a limited number of studio/efficiency, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units, for which priority is given to couples and families. Most student housing is located within walking distance of the campus in the Morningside Heights neighborhood. We encourage you to apply for on-campus housing as early as possible because there is high demand and availability is limited.

ESP students may also choose to live in International House, an independent residential community just a few minutes away from the School of International Affairs. International House regularly hosts social events and trips to facilitate community and help international students adjust to life in New York. The residence is privately owned and operated.

​The real estate rental market in New York City is competitive, particularly in Manhattan. So if you plan to live off-campus, please familiarize yourself with the rental process and plan accordingly in order to give yourself enough time to rent an apartment. The Columbia Off-Campus Housing Assistance Office manages a database of vacancies, which is known as the Housing Registry. The database includes available rooms and apartments in privately-owned buildings, as well as sublets of units in Columbia-managed housing. Prospective roommates can also post and search profiles on this site. The Office can familiarize you with the requirements necessary for international students to rent an apartment, including required documentation and fees.

​Please familiarize yourself with temporary housing options in order to have a place to stay during your search. Please consider the proximity to the major NYC MTA subway and bus lines when selecting housing, as ESP Students spend a great deal of time on campus.

Students can open a bank account at one of the banks located in the Columbia University neighborhood. Many banks have special checking services for students. In order to open a bank account, you will need your passport, I‐20 or DS‐2019 information, a letter of admission from the School of International and Public Affairs, and your Columbia ID card. The bank may require proof of your local or home address, such as a copy of a housing contract or apartment lease, or a copy of bank statement from your home country with your name and address printed on it. Some of the banks that are located near the campus includes Citibank, Chase, TD Bank, Bank of America, and Banco Popular.

Mobile phone service is available either on a yearly basis with monthly payments, or on a pre-paid basis. Pre-paid plans, which can be more expensive, may be easier for international students to obtain. Mobile phone service providers can offer additional information. Students can also use free services, such as Skype, a web-based platform, to communicate with people outside the United States.

There are three area international airports that serve New York City. There numerous ways to reach the campus from the airport, including affordable public transportation options. Please review your transportation options. The public transportation system of subways and buses allows students to travel efficiently throughout the city. New York is also made for walking and bicycling. Citibike is a bike sharing service in New York. Unfortunately, there are no Citibike bicycles near Columbia. But Columbia offers its own bike sharing service. Taxis, too, offer another transportation option. When telling the taxi driver your destination, it’s helpful to state both the address and the intersecting streets—for example, 400 W. 119th St. between Amsterdam Avenue and Morningside Drive.

ESP graduates who hold an F-1 student visa may gain experience in their field of study by applying for off-campus work authorization in United States for a period of up to three years, as part of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.

​Often international students are limited to just a one-year work authorization after graduation. But because the ESP offers a rigorous science curriculum, its graduates are able to request “STEM OPT extension,” or Optional Practical Training extension for an additional 24 months. Graduates who seek this work authorization must use the Department of Education Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) code (03.0103).

​Please contact the Columbia International Student and Scholars Office for more information about eligibility requirements and how to apply. 

One to World, located at 285 West Broadway at Canal Street, helps international students interact and connect with Americans through activities and events designed to build awareness and a deeper understanding of American culture.

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.

Our program is the only one of its kind to require 12 points (i.e. six two-point classes) in basic applied environmental science, which ensures that our graduates are able to understand and communicate the scientific issues behind the sustainability issues that they are called to address.

The one-year structure of the program has several important advantages: 1) It saves you time, allowing you to re-enter the workforce more quickly; and 2) it saves you money, both in terms of tuition and in lost income. The one-year structure also makes for an immersive program, which creates a lifelong camaraderie among the cohort of students who complete the program each year.

The program awards the Dean’s Fellowship, a full-tuition grant and Earth Institute internship valued at about $80,000. In addition, the program offers partial fellowships, ranging from $5,000 – $20,000. In rare occasions, partial fellowship support of up to $50,000 is available. All fellowships are based on academic merit and financial need. In addition to fellowships, the program also offers a small number of Earth Institute internships, valued at about $3,600 per semester; course grading assistantships ($6,000); and financial aid in the form of work-study, and subsidized and private loans. To deadline for fellowship consideration is January 15.

No, a five-credit Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Policy Analysis and Management course in the spring semester takes the place of a thesis. In this course, student teams work as consultants to clients in government and the nonprofit sector. These teams, working under the supervision of faculty advisors, analyze sustainability problems and recommend solutions. Clients have included the New York City Mayor’s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, Natural Resource Defense Council, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

No, the intensive nature of the MPA-ESP program requires a great deal of dedication and time, so an internship is not required for the completion of the degree. The five-credit workshop in the spring semester allows students to obtain similar professional experience as an internship.

The MPA-ESP program is a terminal master’s degree, intended to prepare students for professional, not academic, careers. Although some MPA-ESP graduates go on to pursue doctoral degrees, the program is not designed to prepare students for further academic study.

On-campus housing is available for approximately 40 percent of incoming MPA-ESP students through the University Apartment Housing Office. All incoming students are given access to Off-Campus Housing Assistance (OCHA). Many MPA-ESP students choose to live in International House, an independent residential community just a few minutes away from SIPA.

The MPA-ESP program boasts an international network of over 800 sustainability professionals. These graduates hold important positions in government, business, and civil society. In these positions, they provide the expertise and leadership that have been integral in advancing sustainability since the program’s first graduation in 2003.