QMSS offers two dual degree programs with Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), through which students graduate with a Master of Arts (MA) degree in QMSS and either a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) or Masters in International Affairs (MIA). 

In addition to the information provided here, SIPA has further information available on its website as well: Columbia Dual Degree Programs

Please also familairize yourself with the appropriate degree planning worksheets HERE.

Admission

Students must apply separately to and be accepted by both the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (for the QMSS MA program) and to the School of International and Public Affairs (for the MPA and MIA programs).  Please consult the SIPA admissions website and the GSAS admissions website for further information.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Students pay the tuition and fees of the schools in which they are registered each term. QMSS dual degree students will be in residence at GSAS for two semesters and SIPA for three semesters.

Students are granted financial aid by the school in which they are registered each term. Students should adhere to financial aid deadlines and procedures in each school.

Dual-degree students are eligible to apply for SIPA Continuing Student Fellowships after completing two semesters of study at Columbia. Students who did not complete their first two semesters at SIPA are still eligible to apply for fellowships. The Continuing Student Fellowship Application is available on-line in January. The application is due at the end of February for the next academic year's awards. Dual-degree students who receive SIPA Continuing Student Fellowships must be in residence at SIPA to receive the fellowship award.

Dual-degree students are also eligible to apply for the Foreign Language Area Studies Fellowship after their first two semesters of study at Columbia. The FLAS Fellowship is for advanced training in modern foreign languages and is open to US citizens and permanent residents only. The FLAS application is available on-line in January and is due at the end of February for the next academic year's awards. Dual-degree students who receive the FLAS Fellowship must be in residence at SIPA to receive the FLAS award. 

Course Planning

Both dual degree programs are completed in five semesters of full-time study and a total of 67 credits, 30 credits at QMSS and 37 credits at SIPA. Students are encouraged to start the dual degree at QMSS rather than SIPA as this gives them a foundation to take more advanced courses while at SIPA. It also means they won't risk falling behind their peers while waiting to take the quantitative methods classes.   

The QMSS curriculum consists of five core courses and five electives, totaling two residence units and a minimum of 30 points of credit.  Please see the Degree Requirements page for Dual Degree Planning Worksheets. 

QMSS/MPA Dual Degree

The MPA program at SIPA is taught in the case method, combining the "hands-on" applied approach influenced by the disciplines of the social sciences. The MPA curriculum for a QMSS MA/MPA dual degree student includes a standard core set of courses (20 points), and a summer internship (3 points). QMSS coursework takes the place of the 15 credit focus usually required of an MPA student, but dual degree students may opt to use their electives to construct an emphasis though not a formal focus.

Required MPA core courses include: a year-long course on the political environment of public affairs (4 points); a year-long course in economic and policy analysis (6 points); public management and institutional analysis (3 points); workshop in public affairs (3 points); a course in professional development (1 point) and a financial analysis requirement (3 points).  A public affairs internship in public service is usually taken in the summer between the first and second years (between the fourth and fifth semesters for dual degree students) and is credited as 3 points the following fall.  MPA core requirements do not change within the framework of the dual degree, with the exception of the quantitative methods requirement, (PUAF U6310 Quantitative Techniques).  This requirement is waived for students enrolling first at QMSS.

QMSS/MIA Dual Degree

The MIA program at SIPA is taught in the case method, combining the "hands-on" applied approach influenced by the disciplines of the social sciences.  The MIA curriculum for a QMSS MA-MIA dual degree student includes a standard core set of courses (24 credits) and a summer internship (1.5-3 credits). QMSS coursework takes the place of the policy focus usually required of an MIA student, but dual degree students may opt to use their electives to construct an emphasis though not a formal focus. MIA candidates must also demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English.

Required MIA core courses include: a course on the conceptual foundations of international politics (4 credits); a two-semester course in economic and policy analysis (6 credits); management (3 credits); capstone workshop in international and public affairs (3 credits); a course in professional development (.5 credits), and a financial analysis requirement (3 credits).  An internship in international and public affairs is usually taken in the summer between the first and second years (between the fourth and fifth semesters for dual degree students) (1.5-3 credits).  MIA core requirements do not change within the framework of the dual degree, with the exception of the quantitative methods requirement (SIPA U6500 Quantitative Methods).  This requirement is waived for students enrolling first at QMSS.

Advising

The primary faculty and administrative contacts for this dual degree are:

Stefan Brown
Senior Assistant Dean, SIPA Office of Student Affairs
International Affairs Building, Room 613
Phone: 212-854-1431
Email

Meghan McCarter
Program Coordinator, Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences MA Program
International Affairs Building, Room 807
420 W 118th Street
New York, NY 10027
Phone: 212-851-7531
Email

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