Changing Academic Programs

Students admitted to SIPA who wish to change their academic program after being admitted to the School must follow the requirements below:

Changing Degree Program

Students wishing to change their degree program are required to re-apply through SIPA Admissions*.

Master of International Affairs
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
MPA in Development Practice
MPA in Economic Policy Management
MPA in Environmental Science Policy
MPA in Global Leadership
Executive MPA
Ph.D. in Sustainable Development*

*Must apply through the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences

Changing Concentration or Specialization

Masters of International Affairs and Public Administration (MIA & MPA)

SIPA permits MIA and MPA students to change their concentration or specialization after the point of admission. All change of concentration or specialization requests must be submitted to SIPA Student Affairs during the declaration period and through the concentration/specialization declaration form. All requests to a change concentration or specialization must be reviewed and approved by the individual student's Advising Dean in OSA.

To ensure students’ academic readiness to change into a quantitative concentration or specialization, IFEP or DAQA, and to ensure that these programs’ existing minimum grade requirements are being met, the following applies: Students wishing to change their concentration or specialization into IFEP or DAQA must demonstrate proficiency in SIPA U6400 Microeconomic Analysis for International and Public Affairs and SIPA U6500 Quantitative Analysis I for International and Public Affairs by earning a minimum grade of B- in these courses before being approved to change.

Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA)

Executive MPA students declare their concentration after their first semester of matriculation. All concentration declarations in the Executive MPA program must be reviewed and approved by the individual student's Advisor to ensure academic readiness.