Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences

Program Category: MA Programs
Director of Graduate Studies: Greg Eirich
Program Coordinator: Rachel Raven-Chabin
Website: qmss.columbia.edu
Email Address: [email protected]
Degree Programs: Full-Time/Part-Time: Free-Standing MA

To view this program's application requirements, please click here.

The Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences (QMSS) program is an innovative, flexible, interdisciplinary course of study that focuses on quantitative research techniques and strategies. The program integrates the perspectives and research methods of six social-science disciplines: economics, history, political science, psychology, sociology, and statistics. 

QMSS provides students with rigorous training in quantitative research, with an emphasis on written and oral communication about research techniques and findings applicable to problems. These skills prepare QMSS graduates to enter (or further) an analytical or research career or to continue their education in a PhD program. For more information, see the Academics section of the QMSS website.

QMSS students bring a unique range of experience and expertise to the program. Each year approximately half of the incoming cohort is comprised of international students. The majority of incoming students are returning to academic study after several years of postbaccalaureate work experience, but each year a handful of students join QMSS directly from undergraduate programs. While most students enroll full time, some students maintain careers or other endeavors, completing the program on a part-time basis in order to apply the skills they acquire through the program directly to their work.

Special Admissions Requirements

In addition to the requirements listed below, all students must submit one transcript showing courses and grades per school attended, a statement of academic purpose, a personal statement, and three letters of evaluation from academic sources.

A minimum of two academic references is required for all applicants. If you choose to include a recommendation from an internship supervisor, the MA program in QMSS strongly prefers that this reference be related to an in-person internship that lasted at least 2 months.

All applicants whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official language is not English must submit English proficiency exam scores. The English proficiency requirement can be fulfilled through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

For more information, refer to our Admissions Information and Frequently Asked Questions pages.

*To be eligible for admission in GSAS, at least TWO letters must be submitted by academic recommenders. You may include up to four letters in your application, regardless of the number required by your program of interest.