The PhD in Sustainable Development at Columbia provides students with an interdisciplinary approach involving social, natural, engineering, and health sciences. Students take a number of course in development, economics, qualitative analysis, natural sciences, and social science. Following this, they conduct research and take electives as needed to supplement research. During the final year, students defend their dissertation research to complete their degree.
This 5-year, full-time, on-campus program is fully funded for all admitted students who do not have other sponsorship. This funding includes health insurance. The program enrolls 4-6 students per cohort. Applicants must have a strong background in social science, including 4 college-level courses, with a minimum of 2 economics courses. They also must have at least 2 college-level courses in calculus and 1 in algebra, plus 3 or more college-level classes in natural science or engineering. Other admissions requirements can be found on the Columbia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.