Dear First_Name
 

As a new SIPA student, you will be assigned an advising dean in early August, who will guide you through all aspects of your degree program.

On the first day of orientation, August 26, 2024, your advising dean will host an in-person advising session to cover core academic requirements for the MIA and MPA degree, review the course registration process, and answer your questions. You will then register for classes on the second day of orientation.

Before you arrive at SIPA and attend our advising session, we strongly recommend you familiarize yourself with your core, concentration, and specialization. Here are key details and resources to assist you:

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

• Point Requirements: A minimum of 54 points (also called credits) of graduate-level coursework applicable to the MIA or MPA degree must be completed over four full-time semesters. This includes points from the Core Curriculum, Concentration, and Specialization.
• Core Curriculum: Completion of all Core Curriculum degree requirements for the MIA or MPA.
• Concentration and Specialization: In addition to the Core Curriculum, you must complete a Concentration (15 points) and a Specialization (9 points).
• Grading Policy: All coursework for the SIPA Core, Concentration, or Specialization requirements must be completed for a letter grade – pass/fail options are not permitted for these classes. Core courses and lecture courses are curved to produce an average grade of B+ (3.33 GPA). Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 to be in good academic standing and to graduate.
• Enrollment: Four semesters of full-time enrollment at SIPA are required for graduation.
   

RESOURCES

• Sample Curriculum Plans for the MIA and MPA Degrees: For most students, their first semester will include the following courses:
  • Politics of Policymaking (for MPA students) or Conceptual Foundations of International Politics (for MIA students)
  • Microeconomics (SIPA U6300 or SIPA U6400)
  • Quantitative Analysis I (SIPA U6500)
  • Professional Development (SIPA U4040)
  • Concentration Course, Management, or Financial Management Course
  • Foreign Language Course, if needed
• Course Search:
  • Use the University's course search tool, Vergil, to find courses that meet your requirements. Utilize the “Advanced Search Criteria” to filter courses by day, time, and other preferences.
  • Use the SIPA Bulletin pages provided to identify required courses. Then, search for these courses in Vergil to plan your scheduling and registration.
  • Explore the list of new courses being offered for the first time next year.
  • Vergil also allows you to view posted syllabi and course content in CourseWorks during the shopping period, even if you are not yet formally registered.
• Academic Advising FAQ:
  • Refer to our comprehensive FAQ for additional guidance and support.

Starting a new degree program can be both exciting and challenging. As you prepare for your studies at SIPA and life in New York City, remember that the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) is here to support you every step of the way. Should you have any questions or require assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to us.

We look forward to welcoming you to campus soon.

Best regards,

SIPA Office of Student Affairs