Urban and Social Policy Curriculum
The Urban and Social Policy (USP) concentration is an interdisciplinary program that provides students with the content knowledge, critical thinking and analytic skills needed for a successful career in urban and/or social policy, while offering students the flexibility to specialize in policy focus areas that fit their own unique academic and professional interests.
The Urban and Social Policy Concentration offers two focus areas:
Contact Us
Ester Fuchs, Professor
Concentration Director
ef25@columbia.edu
Jesse Rentz
Concentration Coordinator
jr4260@columbia.edu
Ester Fuchs, Professor of International and Public Affairs and Political Science; Director of the Urban and Social Policy Concentration; Director of the United States Regional Specialization
Lisa Belzberg, Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs
Sandra Black Youngblood, Professor of International and Public Affairs
Francesco Brindisi, Adjunct Associate Professor of International and Public Affairs
Verna Eggleston, Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs
Vojislava Filipcevic Cordes, Adjunct Associate Professor of International and Public Affairs
Keesha Gaskins-Nathan, Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs
Rose Carmen Goldberg, Adjunct Associate Professor of International and Public Affairs
Alexander Hertel-Fernandez, Associate Professor of International and Public Affairs
Wojciech Kopczuk, Professor of International and Public Affairs
Suresh Naidu, Professor of International and Public Affairs
Alex Navarro-McKay, Lecturer of International and Public Affairs (part-time)
Lisette Nieves, Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs
Michael Nutter, Professor of Professional Practice in International and Public Affairs
Jeri Powell, Adjunct Associate Professor of International and Public Affairs
Camille Rivera, Lecturer of International and Public Affairs (part-time)
Yumiko Shimabukuro, Lecturer in the Discipline of International and Public Affairs
Basil Smikle, Lecturer of International and Public Affairs (part-time)
Erika Whillas, Lecturer of International and Public Affairs (part-time)
Visit our SIPA Faculty Directory to view bios
The Urban and Social Policy Concentration offers two focus areas: 1) Urban Policy and 2) Social Policy. Students should take one core course in the chosen focus area (3 credits) and four elective courses in chosen focus area (12 credits).
Please note: 1) Courses used to fulfill the MIA/MPA core requirements may not be double counted toward the concentration. 2) Students may double count up to two specialization courses. 3) USP short courses (1.5 credits) may count toward your elective requirement. 4) A second USP core course can count towards your elective requirement.
Urban Policy Focus Area
Social Policy Focus Area
Degree Audit Report
Matriculated students in this program can view their degree audit report on Stellic.