MA programme in climate and society

The twelve-month M.A. Program in Climate and Society trains professionals and academics to understand and cope with the impacts of climate variability and climate change on society and the environment. This rigorous program emphasizes the problems of developing societies.
Columbia is at the forefront of research on climate and climate applications, and is supported by an extensive network of research units and faculty. Drawing on the superb educational and research facilities of Columbia University, the M.A. Program in Climate and Society combines elements of established programs in earth sciences, earth engineering, international relations, political science, sociology, and economics with unique classes in interdisciplinary applications specially designed for the program’s students.

• Main organization:Columbia University in the City of New York


• Type:University programme


• Level:Masters


• Geographical coverage:Global


• Location:United States of America


• Contact:For more information please contact: climatesociety@ei.columbia.edu or the program office at arezou@ei.columbia.edu or call +1 212-854-9896.


• Frequency:Annual


• Duration:Students complete the twelve-month M.A. Program in Climate and Society in three semesters: autumn, spring, and summer. The program begins in August and all coursework is completed by the following August. Degrees are awarded in October.

A set of tailor-made core courses provides a scientific basis for inquiry and stress interdisciplinary problem solving. The core modules include: Dynamics of climate variability and change; Regional climate and climate impacts; Quantitative models of climate-sensitive natural and human systems; and the Integrative Seminar: Managing Climate Variability and Adapting to Climate Change. A professional development seminar and a choice between a summer internship or research thesis complete the required core. At the end of twelve intensive, rewarding months, our graduates are prepared to address environmental issues from positions in government, business, and nongovernmental organizations. Some continue their academic careers in the social or natural sciences. Practitioners of an Integrated Approach For ten thousand years, farmers have struggled with unknown variables in climate and weather. Atmospheric cycles can be responsible for years of famine or prosperity. In the past few decades, scientists have achieved a new level of understanding of, and some ability to predict, natural climate variability and human-induced climate change. This program is designed to provide the necessary skills and needed background in the social and natural sciences to:

• policy administrators and other decision makers in water resource management, agriculture, health, tourism, and economics, especially from the developing world;

• policy professionals in the United States and elsewhere who want to pursue strategies in sustainable development;

• private-sector professionals dealing with risk and decisions relating to environmental change;

• educators training a generation that can no longer ignore climate.

The program also serves recent graduates in the natural and social sciences interested in interdisciplinary environmental action or research.

The program has an intrinsic interest in recruiting outstanding applicants from the developing world who will return to advance development in their own societies.


Subject Areas
The core modules include: Dynamics of climate variability and change; Regional climate and climate impacts; Quantitative models of climate-sensitive natural and human systems; and the Integrative Seminar: Managing Climate Variability and Adapting to Climate Change. A professional development seminar and a choice between a summer internship or research thesis complete the required core.


Target Audience
This program is designed to provide the necessary skills and needed background in the social and natural sciences to:

• policy administrators and other decision makers in water resource management, agriculture, health, tourism, and economics, especially from the developing world;
• policy professionals in the United States and elsewhere who want to pursue strategies in sustainable development;
• private-sector professionals dealing with risk and decisions relating to environmental change;
• educators training a generation that can no longer ignore climate.

The program also serves recent graduates in the natural and social sciences interested in interdisciplinary environmental action or research.


Admission Requirement
Applicants should have completed a bachelor’s degree in physical sciences, engineering, social sciences, or planning and policy studies. Work experience in a related field is considered desirable, although not required. Students are selected for admission based on their academic background and related work experience. The General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam is required for non-native speakers of English.


Application Procedure

Applications to the program will be handled through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Columbia University. To apply to the program, please register for an application ID and fill out the online application at: https://app.applyyourself.com/?id=COL-GAS

All supporting materials should be sent to:

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
108 Low Memorial Library
535 West 116th Street, MC 4304
Columbia University
New York, NY 10027

Applications for admission in September 2010 can be submitted as early as November 2008. It is possible to enter your information and save it for later submission at any time. NOTE: Students who apply to the M.A. program are automatically considered for M.A. program scholarships and are encouraged to apply early. There is no separate application form. All applicants should make a serious effort to apply to outside scholarships (see below). M.A. program scholarships are limited and it is not possible to offer program scholarships to all students who are offered admission to the program. However, all students are offered the opportunity to earn hourly pay working on climate related projects.



Scholarship

A limited number of full and partial scholarships will be available to students in this program for the academic year. Full scholarships will cover full tuition and fees (including health insurance). Partial scholarships will cover a portion of tuition and fees and are typically between $5,000 and $10,000. In addition to scholarships, a number of program-related work opportunities are sometimes available to students in the program who are receiving financial aid. Scholarships are granted on the basis of merit and need and vary from year to year. There is no special application, other than the application to the program through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Columbia University. Scholarships are available to students on the basis of merit and need, regardless of citizenship. U.S. applicants should fill out the FAFSA form as soon as possible.

For scholarship competitions for international students please visit: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/climatesociety/admissions.html



Tuition and Cost
Tuition and fees for the 2009–2010 academic year (including summer) total about $45,562. A complete list of applicable fees will be provided on a billing invoice. Please note that the Living and Personal Expenses can vary and that these estimates are based on very modest accommodations in New York City.