Students must finish the MA within the Fall and Spring semesters by completing 30 credit units and their MA essays. To support the pursuit of original research for the essay on this schedule, students enroll in two semester-long MA seminars, which constitute 20% of the course load for the degree.

Applications are open each year from October through March. Accepted students begin the program in September and graduate the following May. Due to the highly structured nature of the program, we do not offer a spring semester start.

In addition to successfully completing their courses, students submit the MA essay, a research paper of the length and quality of an article in a scholarly journal (approximately 35 pages) by mid-April of their Spring semester. Students collaborate with faculty as they articulate and pursue their research topics.

To complete the MA degree, students must demonstrate intermediate proficiency in a language other than English upon arrival in the fall by completing the Columbia language placement exam, or an ACTFL or IETLS recognized qualifying exam in their language of proficiency. Language study is not recommended during the program, as the curriculum leaves little space for courses that do not count towards the 30 credit degree requirement. Further details are available upon admission.

Students whose native language is not English may meet the language requirement by producing documentation of their secondary schooling (high school) or tertiary studies (bachelor’s degree) in an institution where the ordinary language of instruction is not English. Alternatively, they may submit evidence of professional translation work.

The MA program is composed of core courses and electives. All students must complete the core courses and MA seminars. Columbia’s policy permits the transfer of qualifying graduate-level credit units earned at Columbia that have not been applied to a previous degree. If you have such credit units, you must complete the Application for Transfer Credit form and submit it to the Graduate Program Director. The application of transfer credit units to the MA in Global Thought is subject to the approval of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

The MA in Global Thought program recognizes elective courses from across Columbia University’s graduate schools. Global Thought students are part of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS), so courses at all other schools require cross registration. Each school has its own policies and procedures for cross registration, which are available on their respective websites. In short, priority enrollment is often reserved for students enrolled directly at a school, and not all courses may be open for cross registration. Global Thought students can and do enroll at all 10 graduate schools each year, but we cannot guarantee the availability of any given course and encourage students to search widely for a variety of courses they may wish to take.

Columbia University has an International Students and Scholars Office that assists foreign students with visa issues and other transition questions. The ISSO has compiled a handbook which provides necessary visa and immigration information for incoming international students. Students should contact isso@columbia.edu with any additional questions.

There is no single template for an effective statement of purpose, but those that work best present a clear voice and individual, demonstrate why the MA in Global Thought is a good fit for the applicant’s goals, and discuss well-researched plans for a year at Columbia University.

You can submit any type of writing sample that is no longer than 10 pages. Extracts of longer pieces are also acceptable. The writing does not need to be about your proposed research area or Global Thought, but it does need to demonstrate your ability to think critically and write clearly.

Your writing sample should be maximum 10 pages (double spaced) in English, composed of one piece or a combination of up to three pieces or selections showing critical thinking and analytic capability. The topic of the writing sample does not need to speak directly to Global Thought, but we do recommend work that reflects a Social Science or Humanities approach, if possible. Extracts of longer pieces are also acceptable. References/Bibliographies do not count towards the 10 page total.

Letter writers should have a direct knowledge of your academic background and abilities. One letter can be submitted from supervisors or colleagues at a place of employment, but the other two should be from your educational preparation.

Applicants must complete the English proficiency requirement if their native language is not English and they have received an undergraduate degree from an institution in a country where the official language is not English. See gsas.columbia.edu/content/information-international-students for more information.

The minimum score for TOEFL is 100 on the internet-based test and 600 on the paper-and-pencil test. Students must reach 7.5 if they opt to submit the IELTS test.

You may choose to include a GRE score report to supplement the required application materials, but please note that GRE scores are not required to apply. If you would like to provide GRE scores to supplement your application, we recommend that you take the GRE as early as possible, and provide your results as soon as you have them. However, you should not delay submitting your application due to pending GRE scores. To submit your scores to Columbia’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, select 2162. Because Global Thought is interdisciplinary, we do not have a department code. You may select 0000.

No, please do not write to Committee on Global Thought Faculty members, as their involvement with the program varies from year to year. There is not an expectation for prospective students to connect with faculty mentors before enrolling in the program. All queries about the program should be directed to cgt-admissions@columbia.edu.

The Committee on Global Thought is pleased to offer partial fellowships to select applicants, which are applied directly to reducing tuition costs. Priority for partial fellowships will be given to applicants who submit all requisite application materials by the priority application deadline. Partial fellowship applications received after the priority deadline will be considered depending on the availability of funds. We encourage all applicants to seek external funding, and to start applying for those funds as early as possible. For more information, please see our separate page on MA tuition and funding opportunities.

The diversity of our cohorts means that each student designs their own professionalization pathway, and Columbia and Global Thought provide a variety of connections, tools, and opportunities to do so. As part of the program, MA students develop a toolkit of disciplinary and practical approaches to a wide variety of questions and challenges, and learn to write for an educated but non-expert audience. Classes and events throughout the year introduce students to CGT faculty, Advisory Council members, and alumni, and our location in New York City opens up direct connections to a variety of sectors within and beyond the academy. GSAS Compass offers customized career advising, workshops, and resources for graduate students, as well as membership in a Columbia exclusive alumni network.

Students will acquire a strong background in the political, economic, and cultural processes that shape the contemporary world, and will be prepared to contribute to a range of fields at the conclusion of their studies. They pursue careers in development, nongovernmental organizations, education, research, government, public policy, and the private sector. This program also prepares students for further study in professional schools and Ph.D. programs. Click here to view profiles of program alumni.

The MA in Global Thought is a demanding program that requires at least 40 hours per week for class work and preparation. Some students choose to hold part-time positions; part-time jobs must be flexible or on Fridays/weekends to accommodate the schedule of core and elective courses. All students (both U.S. citizens and international students) are eligible for casual campus employment. Our students pursue a variety of internships in New York City, via Columbia Global Centers, and beyond. Please note that international students on an F-1 visa are not eligible for paid internships while studying, but they can apply for these opportunities upon completion of the program via OPT (Optional Practical Training).

The intensive nature of this program leaves little time for additional commitments beyond coursework, and most student research focuses on their individual capstone projects. However, students can pursue research opportunities with faculty within and beyond the Committee on Global Thought. These roles may or may not be compensated, but they do offer an opportunity to engage in the production of scholarship and build a rapport with faculty in your field. We publicize any such positions that we know of, but the best way to find one is to research which faculty are working on projects that interest you, and to contact them directly (only after you have been accepted and enrolled) to ask about any potential roles for MA students to contribute to their work.

After completing the program in May, students are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Students are not eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) while studying as the one-year program does not meet the federal requirement of at least two consecutive semesters of study in the U.S. before applying for CPT. Please visit the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) for more details.