Public Policy and Administration

The Public Policy and Administration minor is open to any student who wants to increase his/her competency in social policy and analysis.

To pursue a minor in Public Policy and Administration, students must:

• take any three courses in the Public Administration track at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA).

Students should meet with the Coordinator for the Public Policy and Administration Minor to get approval for selected courses.

If you choose Policy Practice as your method area, you also are required to take three courses at SIPA to fulfill the requirements of the minor. To declare a minor in Public Policy and Administration, submit a Policy or International Social Welfare Minor Declaration Form to Karma Lowe in 1255 Amsterdam Avenue, Room 525.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I identify courses that are offered through the School of International and Public Affairs?

Log-on directly to http://www.sipa.columbia.edu/courses/ to view the courses that are offered by SIPA.

After identifying courses that are of interest, contact the faculty assistant in the department through which the course is offered or the professor who is teaching the class to obtain a copy of the syllabus. Meet with the faculty coordinator who works directly with CUSSW students pursuing the minor to make sure that the courses you have selected are approved for the minor.

Keep in mind that there are three types of SIPA classes - SIPA Open Enrollment, SIPA Application classes, and SIPA Limited Enrollment classes:

• Open Enrollment Classes - All Columbia students can enroll in Open SIPA classes beginning on the first day of classes. You can receive permission to register at the SIPA Registration site on the 6th floor of the International Affairs Building.

• SIPA Application Classes - All Columbia students can submit a SIPA Application form for consideration. If admitted, students can receive permission to register in an application class at the SIPA Registration site on the 6th floor of the International Affairs Building.

• Limited Enrollment Classes - These classes are limited to SIPA students only. Students from other divisions may not register in these classes.

Will I be able to cross-register by phone or online when I register for my Social Work classes?

No. You will add the course during the drop/add period at the start of the semester in which the class you want to take is offered. You will need to get either the course professor's signature or the signature of the administrator who oversees cross-registration at SIPA. Registration and Add/Drop Forms are available online.

When should I start preparing for cross-registration?

Because you will need a professor's or an administrator's signature, it is highly recommended that you identify the course(s) that you want to take and make contact either with the faculty member or a school administrator before the start of the new semester.

Because a class in which you are interested may be full, choose two or three classes that you would be interested in taking and get the necessary signatures to increase your chances of being able to cross-register.

Faculty and Administrative Contacts at CUSSW

For help in selecting appropriate courses, contact:

Professor Irwin Garfinkel
Faculty Coordinator for the Public Policy and Administration Minor
212-851-2383 | ig3@columbia.edu

For details on cross-registration and to submit forms, contact:

Karma Lowe
Assistant Director
212-851-2364 | knl3@columbia.edu