MPA in Economic Policy Management Curriculum
The Master of Public Administration in Economic Policy Management (MPA-EPM), formerly known as the Program in Economic Policy Management (PEPM), is designed to enhance students' technical competence in economic management and policymaking. The program trains students in the application of these skills and educates them about current thinking on the global economic environment, as well as its history and institutions.
Curriculum and Degree Requirements:
The MPA-EPM curriculum focuses on building technical expertise in economic management. Students must complete a minimum of 54 credits of graduate-level coursework with a GPA of 3.0 or higher to earn the Master of Public Administration degree. The program offers three specialized focus areas:
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Economic Policy Management (EPM)
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Climate, Energy, & Environment (CE&E)
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Central Banking and Financial Markets (CBFM)
Transfer Credits:
MPA-EPM students who have previously completed a graduate degree in economics or a related discipline may transfer up to twelve credits from their previous graduate degree toward the MPA in Economic Policy Management degree. To apply for a transfer, students must contact the MPA-EPM Office before April 1st. The criteria for credit transfer include:
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The course(s) must be part of a completed graduate degree.
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The course(s) must relate to the MPA-EPM course(s) for which a transfer is requested.
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The student’s performance in the course(s) must meet the program’s standards.
Skill Development and Professional Preparation:
The MPA-EPM program is designed to equip students with the skills needed to address complex economic policy issues. Through rigorous coursework and practical application, students learn to analyze economic problems, design effective policies, and manage economic programs. The program prepares graduates for careers in government, international organizations, financial institutions, and the private sector, where they can contribute to shaping economic policy and managing economic programs.
Learn more about the MPA-EPM Core and Focus Areas
The core of the MPA-EPM program at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) consists of two three-semester course sequences in Macroeconomic Policy Management and Econometrics. These core courses are supplemented by classes in management skills and political economy. Students also have the opportunity to choose additional elective courses offered at SIPA and other graduate schools at Columbia. Each course is designed around real-world examples and case studies to enhance practical understanding and application.
Economic Policy Management Focus Area (EPM): This focus area builds students' technical competence with the tools of economic management and policymaking, as well as their application. It educates students about current thinking on the global economic environment, its history, and institutions.
Student Background: Students who select this focus area typically come from national and international development agencies, international financial institutions, and banks. It is also popular among professionals with consulting and legal backgrounds.
Climate, Energy, & Environment Focus Area (CE&E): This focus area teaches the energy industry fundamentals within the context of environmental sustainability. It covers international energy systems and business organizations involved in the production, transportation, and marketing of energy products.
Student Background: Students in this focus area are often accomplished professionals from energy ministries, national oil companies, and energy-producing firms. They also include professionals from around the world who are involved in various aspects of the global energy markets and environmental sustainability.
Central Banking and Financial Markets Focus Area (CBFM): This focus area builds an in-depth understanding of corporate finance, capital markets, and central banking. It covers both emerging and advanced economies, examining the process of building sound capital markets in emerging economies.
Student Background: Students in this focus area are typically mid-career professionals working at central banks, finance ministries, and various financial institutions.
For additional information on the MPA in Economic Policy Management, including information for prospective students and admissions, please refer back to the main site or email mpa-epm@sipa.columbia.edu.
Patricia Mosser, Director of the MPA in Economic Policy Management; Senior Research Scholar & Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs
Arvid Lukauskas, Executive Director of the MPA in Economic Policy Management; Adjunct Associate Professor of International and Public Affairs
Muhammad Asali, Visiting Associate Professor of International and Public Affairs
Guillermo Calvo, Professor Emeritus of International and Public Affairs
Sara Calvo, Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs
Doru Cojoc, Lecturer in the Discipline of International and Public Affairs
Christine Cumming, Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs
Augusto de la Torre, Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs
Dimitri Demekas, Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs
J. Benson Durham, Lecturer in the Discipline of Economics
Seyhan Erden, Lecturer in the Discipline of Economics
Emanuele Gerratana, Senior Lecturer in the Discipline of International and Public Affairs
Alain Iza Lamache, Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs
Zachary Metz, Adjunct Assistant Professor of International and Public Affairs
Guillermo Mondino, Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs
Ethan Namvar, Lecturer in the Discipline of International and Public Affairs
Ingmar Nyman, Adjunct Associate Professor of International and Public Affairs
Pablo Ottonello, Lecturer in the Discipline of Economics
Francisco Rivera-Batiz, Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs
Yumiko Shimabukuro, Lecturer in the Discipline of International and Public Affairs
Jan Svejnar, Richard N. Gardner Professor of Economics and International Affairs
Alan Yang, Senior Lecturer in Discipline of International and Public Affairs
Economic Policy Management Focus Area
Course List
Code |
Title |
Points |
| Points |
PEPM U6110 | Mathematics for Economists | 3.00 |
PEPM U6223 | Accounting and Finance | 3.00 |
PEPM U6610 | Quantitative Methods for Economic Policy Managers | 1.50 |
PEPM U6620 | Introductory Statistics | 3.00 |
PEPM U6104 | Macroeconomics I | 3.00 |
PEPM U6101 | Microeconomics I | 3.00 |
PEPM U4050 | Effective Global Leadership for Economic Policymakers I | 1.50 |
PEPM U6102 | Microeconomics & Public Policy | 4.00 |
PEPM U6105 | Macroeconomic Policy Management | 4.00 |
PEPM U6630 | Microeconometrics | 4.00 |
PEPM U6204 | Development Economics | 3.00 |
PEPM U6315 | International Financial Management in Emerging Markets Or other approved elective | 3.00 |
PEPM U6640 | Macroeconometrics | 3.00 |
PEPM U6106 | Macroeconomic and Financial Policy Issues - Global Context | 3.00 |
or PEPM U6103 | Microeconomics II - Topics in Policy-oriented Microeconomics |
PEPM U6650 | Empirical Econometric Project | 1.50 |
PEPM U4051 | Effective Global Leadership for Economic Policymakers II | 1.50 |
| 9.00 |
| Political Economy of Finance | |
| | |
| | |
Total Points | 54 |
Central Banking and Financial Markets Focus Area
Course List
Code |
Title |
Points |
| Points |
PEPM U6610 | Quantitative Methods for Economic Policy Managers | 1.50 |
PEPM U6110 | Mathematics for Economists | 3.00 |
PEPM U6223 | Accounting and Finance | 3.00 |
PEPM U6620 | Introductory Statistics | 3.00 |
PEPM U6104 | Macroeconomics I | 3.00 |
PEPM U6101 | Microeconomics I | 3.00 |
PEPM U4050 | Effective Global Leadership for Economic Policymakers I | 1.50 |
PEPM U6102 | Microeconomics & Public Policy | 4.00 |
PEPM U6105 | Macroeconomic Policy Management | 4.00 |
PEPM U6630 | Microeconometrics | 4.00 |
PEPM U8250 | Financial Development | 3.00 |
| 3.00 |
| Development Economics | |
| International Financial Management in Emerging Markets | |
| | |
PEPM U6640 | Macroeconometrics | 3.00 |
PEPM U6106 | Macroeconomic and Financial Policy Issues - Global Context | 3.00 |
PEPM U8310 | Financial Stability Monitoring | 1.50 |
PEPM U8312 | Macroprudential Policy | 1.50 |
PEPM U6650 | Empirical Econometric Project | 1.50 |
PEPM U4051 | Effective Global Leadership for Economic Policymakers II | 1.50 |
| 6.00 |
| Political Economy of Finance | |
| Unconventional Monetary Policy | |
| | |
Total Points | 54 |
Energy and Environment Focus Area
Course List
Code |
Title |
Points |
| Points |
PEPM U6110 | Mathematics for Economists | 3.00 |
PEPM U6223 | Accounting and Finance | 3.00 |
PEPM U6610 | Quantitative Methods for Economic Policy Managers | 1.50 |
PEPM U6620 | Introductory Statistics | 3.00 |
PEPM U6104 | Macroeconomics I | 3.00 |
PEPM U6101 | Microeconomics I | 3.00 |
PEPM U4050 | Effective Global Leadership for Economic Policymakers I | 1.50 |
PEPM U6102 | Microeconomics & Public Policy | 4.00 |
PEPM U6105 | Macroeconomic Policy Management | 4.00 |
PEPM U6630 | Microeconometrics | 4.00 |
| 3.00 |
| Fundamentals of Environmental Policy | |
| Energy Systems Fundamentals | |
| | |
| 3.00 |
| The Economics of Energy | |
| Environmental Economics | |
| 3.00 |
| | |
PEPM U6640 | Macroeconometrics | 3.00 |
PEPM U6106 | Macroeconomic and Financial Policy Issues - Global Context | 3.00 |
or PEPM U6103 | Microeconomics II - Topics in Policy-oriented Microeconomics |
PEPM U6650 | Empirical Econometric Project | 1.50 |
PEPM U4051 | Effective Global Leadership for Economic Policymakers II | 1.50 |
| 6.00 |
| | |
| | |
Total Points | 54 |
Degree Audit Report
Matriculated students in this program can view their degree audit report on Stellic.