Overview

The Public Administration programme at Columbia University provides students with the analytical tools and management skills required to lead in the public sector. This master level course prepares graduates to address complex societal challenges through evidence-based policy and effective organisational leadership.

Students engage with a curriculum designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice. The academic environment encourages critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving, ensuring that graduates are ready to influence policy at local, national, and international levels.

Why Public Administration at Columbia University?

Studying at this institution provides access to a world-class faculty and a diverse network of global policy experts. The university is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and its strategic location, which offers unique opportunities for professional engagement and networking.

The programme emphasises a multidisciplinary approach, integrating economics, political science, and quantitative analysis. This rigorous training ensures that students develop a versatile skill set that is highly valued by employers in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 26928 per year
National fee: USD 26928 per year
Local fee: USD 26928 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is structured to provide a solid foundation in policy and management. Modules may include:

Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
Quantitative Analysis
Public Management
Financial Management
Policy Analysis
Ethics in Public Policy
Organisational Strategy

Careers with Public Administration

Graduates of this programme are well-equipped for leadership roles in various sectors. Many alumni pursue successful careers in government agencies, international organisations, and global non-governmental organisations. The skills acquired during the course are also applicable to corporate social responsibility and public affairs roles.

Common career paths include policy advisor, programme manager, and research analyst. The university's strong reputation and extensive alumni network provide graduates with a competitive edge in the global job market, facilitating transitions into influential positions worldwide.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

International Security Policy
International Finance and Economic Policy
Economic and Political Development
Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy

Urban and Social Policy

Professional Development
Quantitative Analysis

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 21 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-19 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-15 00:00:00
Starting 2027-09-08 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-02-05 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7.5

Prepare for Your English Test

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4.9/5 student rating

Credits

30 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Manhattan, United States

Disciplines

Public Administration View 594 other Masters in Public Administration in United States

This information is based on LinkedIn alumni data for graduates from 2018 to 2024 and may not fully represent all career outcomes

Total alumni

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Academic requirements

GRE^®

Required

GMAT

Required

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must:

Have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution prior to enrolling at SIPA.
Provide valid GRE or GMAT test scores
Demonstrate proficiency in the English language adequate for study at the masters level, if required, through a proficiency exam.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

26928 USD / year

≈ 26928 USD / year
Out-of-State

26928 USD / year

≈ 26928 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

26928 USD / year

≈ 26928 USD / year

Living costs

Manhattan

United States

2638 - 5751 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Public Administration.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

Public Administration

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About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying Business & Management

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Manhattan

Financing

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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