English for Professional Purposes: International and Public Affairs

Available in Summer

An intensive four-week program in English for International and Public Affairs.

Please note: This course is open only to SIPA students who are entering SIPA in the Fall.

This program has been designed in collaboration with Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and is intended to prepare international students entering SIPA in the Fall for the demands of their graduate coursework. Although all language skills will be addressed, this course will focus primarily on improving participants' fluency and listening comprehension skills. In order to develop these skills, the course will cover topics relevant to professionals in the field of international and public affairs. Particular emphasis will be given to the topics of globalization and privatization and their impact on national governments and the international arena.

The Program will Include:

Instruction in the professional language used to give formal presentations
Special lectures by professionals and professors in international affairs
An orientation to research tools available to graduate students

Participants Will:

Give impromptu speeches and prepared presentations on topics related to their areas of expertise
Practice their listening and reading comprehension skills
Gain a better understanding of students' role in U.S. academic culture
Increase their ability to participate in seminars and group projects, and to understand lectures

Those who successfully complete the seminar will become more comfortable discussing topics in their field and interacting with their professors and other graduate students.

If you have questions about this course please email: alp [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu (alp[at]columbia[dot]edu)

For a full explanation of fees, see below.

Dates and Prices

Click on the box for full details.

Tuition and fees are subject to Board of Trustee approval and may change.

For a full explanation of fees, see below.

Application Deadline: June 23

Course Dates: July 22 – August 16

Tuition and Fees
Fee	Cost
Tuition	$5,071
Activity Fee	$100
Instructional Support Fee	$90
ALP Student Services Fee	$20
Technology Fee	$35
Health & Related Services Fee	$147
Books & Materials	$50 (estimated)
Estimated Living Expenses	$2,800 (This is what you can expect to spend to live in NYC)
Estimated Total Cost of Study	$8,264

Important note: Students in EPP: SIPA will not be eligible and will not be billed for the Columbia Summer Health Insurance plan because ALP registration will happen after the Columbia Health Insurance enrollment deadline for Summer has passed. If Columbia Health changes this policy, ALP will notify you immediately.

SPS Activity Fee: this covers SPS expenses relating to orientation, handbooks and events.
Instructional Support Fee: this covers class materials and expenses such as playbooks, novels, newspapers, photocopying, theater tickets, museum or event entry.
ALP Student Services Fee: this covers internal I-20 processing fees and other SEVIS transactions.
Technology Fee: this covers SPS technology expenses, including access to online course management software, Canvas, and tools used to develop online course content.
Health and Related Services Fee: All ALP students are required to pay the Health and Related Services Fee. This fee covers access to Columbia health services such as medical, counseling, wellbeing, sexual violence response and disability services.
Books and Materials: this is an estimate. Instructors may assign books or media materials during the session. Students are not billed for books and materials but purchase them independently.
Estimated Living Expenses: this includes food, transportation, everyday expenses, and housing. This gives an idea of how much money is needed to live in New York so you can plan financially. Students are not billed for living expenses.
Estimated Total Cost of Study: When you apply for an I-20 you must show you have this total amount on your financial document.

*Note: not all fees are refundable if students withdraw from the program. For a full explanation see the Withdrawal and Tuition Refund page of the ALP website.

Application Requirements

This course is only open to international students who are entering Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) in the Fall. Students required to take this course will be notified by SIPA.

I-20 Information

In general, an F-1 (student visa) is required for study in the US. All international students taking EPP: SIPA must have an I-20 issued by the ALP (not SIPA) in order to obtain the F-1 visa. At the end of the summer, we will transfer your I-20 from the ALP to the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) so that you can begin your studies at SIPA.

If you are already holding an F-1 visa and attending another school you must also transfer your SEVIS record from your current school to the ALP. Please speak to your Advisor at your current school.

Ready to apply? Click this link:

APPLY TO THE ALP