School of International and Public Affairs

SIPA Bulletin

Welcome to the SIPA Bulletin, the official catalog of Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). This Bulletin is a comprehensive resource, detailing our courses, degree programs, requirements, and policies.

Navigation

Use the menu on the left to explore the Bulletin's contents, or navigate the top bar to access other areas of the SIPA website.

Overview

SIPA offers eight rigorous degree programs that blend analytical methods with practical management skills, preparing graduates to address complex global issues. Students combine these core competencies with a specialized policy focus and typically culminate their studies with a practice-oriented capstone or workshop. Leveraging the vast resources of New York City and Columbia University, SIPA maintains a global reach, with 50 percent of our student body hailing from international backgrounds, 23,000 alumni in over 150 countries, and partnerships with educational institutions in major global cities such as London, Paris, Berlin, Singapore, Beijing, Mexico City, and São Paulo.

Mission

SIPA’s mission is to support the global public interest by educating students to serve and lead, and by producing and sharing new knowledge on critical public policy challenges. Our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion is integral to our mission, ensuring a respectful and welcoming environment for our diverse community.

Aspirations

SIPA strives to enhance its standing among the top public policy schools worldwide. We aim to achieve this by recruiting and retaining distinguished faculty, attracting exceptional students globally, and contributing significantly to public discourse on global issues.