Transcripts: Applicants should upload a transcript or record of any academic work showing courses and grades from all post-secondary schools attended. Consult the GSAS Admissions Supporting Materials page for details and instructions.
Statement of academic purpose: Your statement of purpose should emphasize academic goals, an anticipated program of study, and expected impact on career. The statement should not exceed 1,000 words.
Personal statement: Your personal statement should explain how your personal experiences and history will allow you to contribute to the wealth of perspectives in the entering class of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and in the Columbia community at large. You may also use the personal statement to demonstrate how your life experiences have led you to pursue a MA in Global Thought. The statement should not exceed 1,000 words.
Writing sample: Your writing sample should be a maximum of 10 pages (double spaced) in English, composed of one piece or a combination of up to three pieces or selections showing critical thinking and analytic capability. The topic of the writing sample does not need to speak directly to Global Thought, but we do recommend work that reflects a Social Science or Humanities approach, if possible. Extracts of longer pieces are also acceptable. References/Bibliographies do not count toward the 10-page total.
Three letters of recommendation: Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, at least TWO of which must be from referees with direct knowledge of the applicant’s academic background and abilities, i.e. an instructor or academic tutor or advisor. No more than one letter should be from a professional supervisor or colleague (including internship supervisors).
English proficiency: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)/IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is required for most international students applying to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). Consult the GSAS page for international applicants for details about the English proficiency requirement, including deadlines, exceptions to the policy, minimum score requirements, and TOEFL/IELTS score submission instructions.
Language: On their applications to the program, prospective students must be able to indicate at least intermediate-level proficiency in a language other than English. Upon acceptance, students will be required to prove proficiency by taking a CU Language Placement exam or by other approved means. For more information, please review the “Language Proficiency” section of our MA Curriculum Requirements page.
GRE scores (Optional): You may choose to include a GRE score report to supplement the application materials listed above, but please note GRE scores are not required to apply. To submit your scores to Columbia’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, select 2162. Because Global Thought is interdisciplinary, we do not have a department code. You may select 0000.
Partial fellowship application (Optional): To be considered for a partial fellowship, you must submit both a program application and a partial fellowship application (link will be available here by November 2026) by the priority or general application deadline listed above. Please note that MA admissions are need-blind; partial fellowship decisions are made after MA admissions decisions have been made and through an entirely separate review process. For more information about funding opportunities, please follow this link to the MA Tuition and Funding Opportunities tab.
Full- or part-time interest: Please indicate if you wish to enroll full-time or part-time when prompted on your application.