Columbia Climate School offers students the opportunity to pursue a second degree with other schools at Columbia University and partner institutions around the world.
Columbia Climate School’s first dual degree program, launching in September 2025, is offered with The Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation (GSAPP). This dual program awards a Master of Science in Climate and a Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design in less time than pursuing the degrees separately. Students who wish to enter the dual program must apply to each participating program and be admitted to both.
Additional dual degree programs with other schools at Columbia and partner institutions around the world will be added in the coming years.
Students enrolled in this dual degree program are awarded both the MS in Climate and MS in Architecture and Urban Design. This 77-credit program, completed over five semesters, combines climate science, adaptation strategies, and innovative design skills to address climate change through resilient, adaptive urban environments. By integrating climate expertise with architecture and urban studies, the program prepares students to design low-carbon, equitable, and climate-responsive communities, equipping future scholars and practitioners with the tools to build a sustainable future.
Interested candidates must apply separately to Columbia Climate School and GSAPP. Each school’s admissions decisions are made independently based solely on that school’s selection criteria. Students may begin the dual program in either school. Students pay the tuition and fees of and are granted financial aid by the school in which they are in residence during a given year.
Students must enroll for 77 points of credit – 32 points of credit over two semesters in the Climate School’s MS in Climate and 45 points of credit over three semesters in GSAPP’s MS in Architecture and Urban Design. Students are responsible for meeting with both program directors periodically to ensure that they meet individual curriculum and point and residency requirements.
While enrolled in the MS in Climate, students receive an immersive year of climate courses centered on the scientific understanding of climate, quantitative methods, mitigation pathways, adaptation strategies and policies, justice frameworks, and societal impacts. While enrolled in the MS AUD degree students learn the history, theory, research, and design techniques from the disciplines of architecture, planning, and urban studies to equip them with analytical and creative tools to design environmentally friendly and responsive developments in the built environment. Together, the dual program will train scholars and practitioners to create and manage built environments that support local, low-carbon economies and just, resilient, healthy, and prosperous communities.
Students will:
- Gain an understanding of the intersections between design, built environment, planning, policy, and climate justice
- Become conversant in climate adaptation policies and investments
- Practice workshop sessions and facilitation skills to advance climate-resilient community change
- Devise and connect design and policy solutions to local climate challenges
- Conceive, develop, and design urban design & infrastructural responses to climate change
Both schools offer career services to enrolled students. Below are the services offered by the Climate School; please see GSAPP website for their offerings.
The climate crisis is a problem of massive scale, complexity, and compounding impact. Society requires knowledgeable leaders to work with businesses, communities, governments, and civil society to develop just climate solutions across multiple industries, sectors, roles, and geographic scales.
There has been an increasing need for professional expertise in climate and design and climate-conscious urban strategies. Upon completing this dual degree, students will be qualified for a range of roles across sectors.
The Career Management Office supports Climate School students as they prepare for and obtain professional opportunities. From enrollment to employment, staff are here to provide students with the following services and programming:
- Coaching
- Resume and cover letter review
- Mock interviews
- Alumni Mentorship program
- Student-Alumni networking events
- Employer info sessions
- An exclusive responsive job board
These resources contribute to the growth and development of each student. Career management staff are also continually forging strategic industry partnerships so that students are exposed to a broad range of opportunities in climate.
Curriculum at a Glance
MS in Climate and MS in Architecture & Urban Design
MS in Architecture & Urban Design and MS in Climate
