Overview

The sustainability of development presents some of the most important policy challenges concerning the future of our planet, and it requires an interdisciplinary approach involving the social, natural, engineering, and health sciences.

No other doctoral program produces graduates with the unique combination of diverse skills and deep insight into the most challenging problems of future human welfare.

Together with experts and faculty at Columbia, you’ll conduct research in a wide variety of areas, including climate change and its social consequences, causes and solutions to extreme poverty, energy systems, agricultural transitions, water resources, and more.

Who It's For

The PhD program in Sustainable Development from Columbia University is for those looking to pursue rigorous scholarship and research at the boundary between social and natural sciences. Students should have an interest in pursuing academic careers in interdisciplinary graduate and undergraduate programs with a focus on policy and the environment as well as in the more traditional social science disciplines.

This degree is also ideal for students interested in a variety of non-academic career paths, including leadership roles in government ministries throughout the world, creating environmental and sustainable development policy for NGOs, in international institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank, or in private firms engaged in environmental and development projects.

Career Paths

Students have their choice of academic positions as tenure-track professors or post-doctoral fellows, as well as high-level positions in non-academic fields, such as the private or NGO sector, government, or finance.

Programme Structure

Students in the first two years of the program generally take a total of 60 credits in the areas of sustainable development, economics, qualitative analysis, natural sciences, and social science.

This is followed by the planning and execution of research. In the third and fourth years, students may take electives as needed for ongoing research and preparation for the oral exam.

The fifth year is highlighted by the dissertation defense.

The PhD dissertation will be on a social science topic in sustainable development.

The social science research will be informed by an understanding of physical and natural science constraints and opportunities influencing economic development.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 84 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2025-09-02 00:00:00
- Apply before 2024-12-15 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Credits

60 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

Sustainable Development View 14 other PhDs in Sustainable Development in United States

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Columbia University and/or in United States, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Other requirements

General requirements

The PhD program requires the following:

Strong background in social science, including four courses in college-level social science with a minimum of two economics courses

Quantitative skills, including at least two courses in college-level calculus through multivariate calculus (Calculus III in the US) and at least one college-level course in linear algebra

Three or more college-level courses in natural science or engineering

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

53576 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 26788 USD per semester during 84 months.
National

53576 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 26788 USD per semester during 84 months.
In-State

53576 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 26788 USD per semester during 84 months.

Living costs for Manhattan

2638 - 5751 USD /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Loading

Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Sustainable Development.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About