4+1 Pathway: International & Public Affairs
BA/MIA OR MPA
Columbia School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)
If you are interested in the SIPA 4+1 Pathways, please complete this form to receive important programming updates from our office.
The SIPA 4+1 gives students the opportunity to earn their undergraduate degree and a Master of International Affairs (MIA) or Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree in five years. Students may apply in the second semester of their junior year.
Find the form Course Plan Approval for Juniors Applying to the SIPA 4+1 Pathway here. To submit your completed plan approval form, please follow this link.
SIPA 4+1 Pathway Frequently Asked Questions
Applying to the SIPA 4+1 pathway is a two-step process that takes place in the applicant's junior year. All students planning to apply to the SIPA pathway must submit a course plan to the faculty lead and receive official permission to apply to SIPA. Approved applicants then submit their materials via the SIPA application portal, with a final deadline typically in early February.
There are no specific required courses; applicants can have any undergraduate major so long as they have at least a 3.5 GPA and are on track to have completed the appropriate number of credits by the end of junior year. If you have more than 2 courses at Barnard that you will need to complete in your senior year, you will not be eligible to apply to the pathway.
Students must take 24 of the required 56 credits for the SIPA master's degree during their senior year at Barnard. Because of this, they may take no more than two courses at Barnard during their senior year to complete their undergraduate degree requirements (including major, minor, and general requirements).
Some of the credits taken at SIPA in your senior year can be double-counted toward the Barnard degree. They will appear on your Barnard transcript and applied to your Barnard degree credit total, as long as they are assessed to be ‘liberal arts’ rather than ‘professional’ courses. The Barnard Faculty Lead for the SIPA 4+1 Pathway, currently Professor Elizabeth Ananat, will make that assessment.
The Barnard faculty liaison for the 4+1 Pathway with SIPA is Elizabeth Ananat. You should contact the faculty liaison if you have questions about meeting your Barnard undergraduate degree requirements or major requirements while participating in the 4+1 pathway.
Transfer students, double majors, and students who study abroad for a full semester may have challenges in completing their Barnard coursework in order to have enough room their senior year to start their SIPA degree. Students considering these options should start planning early and work with Beyond Barnard advisors as well as the faculty liaison as soon as possible. If the 4+1 pathway is not available, Beyond Barnard advisors can work with you to consider other options for pursuing graduate school.
Navigating an Application to the SIPA Accelerated 4+1 Pathway
Students intending on applying to the Accelerated 4+1 Pathway at SIPA can follow the below timeline when thinking about their application.
Attend a SIPA 4+1 Pathway Overview Session
Explore the SIPA 4+1 Pathways with faculty advisors. Sessions will provide an overview of the eligibility and application requirements for the SIPA 4+1 Pathways. Students must attend a pathway-specific overview session in order to move forward with an individual session.
Make an Appointment with Beyond Barnard
In this appointment, students will discuss specific application deadlines and receive support with application materials. Students will be matched with a faculty advisor for academic guidance, course planning, and sequencing.
Make an Appointment with a 4+1 Faculty Advisor
In this appointment, students will meet with the faculty advisor dedicated to supporting the specific pathway of interest. Students will utilize this meeting to map out a course plan in line with the eligibility requirements for the 4+1 program of interest.
Stay Informed
Follow Beyond Barnard for updates, announcements, events, and resources surrounding 4+1. If you are interested in the SIPA 4+1 Pathways, please complete this form to receive important programming updates from our office.
Submitting Your Application
Application deadlines vary by pathway. Students should verify submission deadlines with Beyond Barnard. Students should meet with the faculty advisor to verify course approvals and Beyond Barnard to review application materials before submission.
Once Enrolled
Beyond Barnard supports 4+1 pathway students throughout their matriculation in the graduate program. Students are encouraged to utilize Beyond Barnard services throughout their studies.