MS in Climate

Climate Core Curriculum

The program’s climate core curriculum centers on scientific understanding of climate, advanced quantitative methods, mitigation pathways, adaptation strategies and policies, justice frameworks, and societal impacts. These foundational courses provide students with essential tools to collaborate on, design, and communicate pathways for societies to reduce and adapt to the many facets of climate change. Below are short descriptions of each core course. 

Quantitative Models for Climate Applications provides the quantitative skills needed for analyses of climate datasets and evidence-based decision-making under uncertain climate conditions. The class covers basic statistics and probability theory and an introduction to more complicated subjects like extreme value theory, multiple regression, and geospatial analyses. The lab component serves to provide hands-on experience working with climate datasets and skills applications, including the use of the R-programming language. 

Dynamics of Climate Variability and Change provides an in-depth study of how climate science links to societal impacts, with a focus on understanding the physical mechanisms that govern the climate system. Students will learn to interpret climate forecasts, understand the uncertainties involved, and critically assess the suitability of different types of climate information for societal questions. The course also emphasizes the importance of communication, teaching students to clearly articulate climate-related issues to a variety of audiences. By the end of the course, students will be able to engage fluently in discussions about climate variability, change, and their societal implications.

Climate Justice: Theory, Practice, and Policy delves into climate justice by examining the ways climate change disproportionately affects historically marginalized communities. It focuses on understanding the social, political, and economic drivers of this inequality and how they shape communities' ability to adapt. Drawing on research, policy, and advocacy, students will analyze how climate impacts intersect with issues of social justice. Through discussions, readings, and exercises, students will develop critical thinking, collaboration, and self-reflection skills while exploring equitable solutions to climate change.

Climate Change Mitigation focuses on tools and strategies to address climate change and provides a broad survey of technologies, policies, and market structures that can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Through scenario planning, students will explore decarbonization pathways across economies, considering both technical and behavioral changes necessary for net-zero transitions. Case studies from low-, middle-, and high-income countries will illustrate the complexities of climate mitigation, including risks and opportunities. The course's interdisciplinary nature blends STEM and social sciences to focus on the practical application of these tools in real-world scenarios and explores both the end goals of net zero and the transition needed to achieve them.

Climate Change Adaptation examines climate adaptation policy through an interdisciplinary lens, focusing on how international development and disaster risk management contribute to resilience in the face of climate change. Students will explore global inequities and how these shape vulnerability to climate risks. By analyzing case studies, students will gain insight into effective governance strategies for climate adaptation. The course emphasizes active participation and the practical application of key concepts, equipping students with the analytical tools needed to assess climate resilience and sustainable development efforts globally.

In their second fall semester, MS in Climate students take an additional core course, chosen from a curated list that will build on quantitative skills gained in year one and link them to their Advanced Certificate.

Advanced Certificates

A defining feature of the degree is a New York State-level Advanced Certificate requirement that equips students with a specialization in a targeted climate field of their choosing; current certificate options include analytics, food systems, and disaster management.

Practical and Applied Experiences

Students participate in collaborative, interdisciplinary learning and practice, both inside and outside the classroom, including:

• Case-based learning embedded in coursework
• Applied climate seminars focused on skill-building, applied learning, and professional development
• A summer internship that provides professional work experience with a climate-related organization and/or in a climate-related role
• A capstone on a real-world project in a student’s chosen area of focus during the last semester of the program

Climate Systems and Analytics Advanced Certificate

This 18-credit certificate embedded in the MS in Climate degree provides the skills and understanding to interpret and analyze climate and weather data, understand climate model predictions and projections, assess climate-related risks to human and natural systems, and develop strategies for mitigating these effects.

The program provides training in evidence-based decision-making and advanced quantitative strategies for climate adaptation and mitigation.

The certificate focuses on developing the following specific skills:

• Climate data analysis
• Climate impact assessment
• Climate risk analysis
• Climate communication and visualization

Understanding climate system science and analytics is essential for advancing knowledge of climate change, assessing risks and impacts, informing policy decisions, supporting adaptation efforts, and effectively communicating climate science to multiple audiences. 

As the urgency to address climate change increases, there is a growing demand for individuals with expertise in climate data analysis, interpreting model experiments and simulations, and generating insights to inform climate-related decision-making at local, state, and national levels. 

Some of the roles in which climate analytics skills are relevant include: climate data analyst, climate risk analyst, sustainability consultant, and policy advisor.

Climate and Food Systems Advanced Certificate 

This 18-credit certificate, embedded in the MS in Climate degree, focuses on the intersection of climate with food systems, food production, and human livelihood.

Students learn how to apply evidence-based approaches to food-system transformation, gaining critical skills and knowledge for professional pathways in this emerging field, including:

• Foundational understanding of food systems
• Domestic and international food and climate policy processes
• The impacts of climate mitigation and adaptation pathways on food security
• Applied skills to analyze food and climate challenges

There is a growing demand for individuals with expertise at the intersection of food systems and climate. This certificate prepares students for professional positions in various settings, from international organizations and federal agencies to non-profit organizations and innovative start-ups. 

Graduates will have the skills and expertise to work with decision-makers on informed policy decisions to achieve healthy, equitable, and environmentally sustainable food systems.

Climate and Disaster Management Advanced Certificate 

This 18-credit certificate embedded in the MS in Climate degree provides students with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to conduct and apply research in various intersecting disciplines relevant to managing disasters. 

Students will gain new insights into disaster management, particularly in relation to preparedness, response, recovery, and long-term resiliency best practices.

Disasters are manifesting with increasing frequency and severity, and climate change's role is increasingly evident, necessitating a new kind of disaster management education. All courses in this certificate emphasize an applied, practical, and case-based approach, focused on:

• Climate and disaster management
• Equity and community engagement
• Post-disaster economic and housing recovery
• Research methods
• Leadership and communications
• Disaster finance
• Special topics such as disaster policy, supply chain management, organizational change, mental health, and more

This certificate prepares students for careers in research such as academic, peer review, or field-focused humanitarian research; non-profit management or community groups active in disasters; local, state, national, international governance on disasters; disaster policy; private sector consultancies; and more.

MS in Climate students can develop additional interdisciplinary expertise with a dual degree option in lieu of an advanced certificate. Columbia Climate School is excited to share our first dual degree option with the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP) and their M.S. Architecture and Urban Design program (MSAUD). The MSAUD program is open to both pre- and post-professional students, and encourages applicants from a range of backgrounds who are focused on the questions and possibilities of the changing field of urban design.

Each dual degree program grants two degrees in less time than if the degrees were pursued separately.  Candidates will spend one fall and one spring with the Climate School as well as a summer, fall and spring with GSAPP, earning two Columbia master’s degrees in two years.  

Interested candidates must apply separately to the Columbia Climate School and GSAPP. Each school’s admissions decisions are based solely on that school’s selection criteria and are made independently. 

Dual degree students register in one school per year. Students may begin 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.

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. 

The MS in Climate’s curriculum prepares students to be climate practitioners. Graduates will be qualified to communicate the value and impact of climate-related initiatives, build and steward partnerships to accelerate action and progress, and apply analytical and systems thinking skills that will qualify them for a range of jobs and sectors.

With the completion of an advanced certificate in Climate Systems and Analytics, Climate and Food Systems, or Climate and Disaster Management as part of their MS degree, graduates will be prepared to enter specialized roles within the climate field linked to their chosen area of focus.

Career Management

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.