Admission to the MIDP program is competitive and based upon the applicant’s academic and professional credentials, essays, letters of recommendation, and English proficiency. Past applicants have held positions in U.S. and foreign government agencies, NGOs, public international organizations, private corporations, the U.S. military, and the U.S. Peace Corps.
To be eligible for the accelerated 30 credit degree, applicants must have completed at least 5 years of professional experience and the equivalent of one-year of previous graduate level coursework in a relevant field.
The MIDP’s accelerated 30 credit degree is completed over 3 semesters:
1. Fall, Spring, and Summer or
2. Fall, Spring, and Fall with Summer off.
When is the application deadline for the MIDP program?
The priority deadline for fall admission is January 5. Only applications received before that deadline are eligible for scholarship consideration. After January 5, applications are considered on a rolling basis, based on candidate qualifications and space available. We encourage all candidates to apply as soon as possible.
MIDP accepts a limited number of applications for spring admission through partner universities. The deadline for those applications is October 1.
In addition to taking the TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or PTE exam, Duke University requires all accepted applicants whose native language is not English to take both oral and written English assessments upon arrival at Duke. Based on the results of these assessments, fellows may be required to take one or two English language courses. English language course credits do not count toward the MIDP degree requirement. They must be taken in addition to the regular course-load as part of the Duke University graduation requirements. Read more about academic policies related to English language courses.
Applicants are NOT required to submit GRE scores. However, if you have taken the GRE and would like to submit your scores, please request that the official GRE scores be sent to the Duke Graduate School admissions office, institutional code 5156.
All applicants whose first language is not English or who are not U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents must submit TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or PTE scores (not older than two years). To be eligible for a waiver, you must have studied full-time for two years or more at a college or university where the sole language of instruction is English and in a country where English is the primary spoken language. The two years of study must be completed prior to application submission.
Details on the TOEFL and IELTS exams and registration forms are available at U.S. embassies and consulates as well as U.S. Information Agency offices, or from TOEFL and IELTS.
Please request that the official TOEFL scores be sent to the Duke Graduate School admissions office, institutional code 5156.
For PTE scores, please follow the instructions listed on the exam and select the MIDP program. Learn more about the PTE exam here.
For Duolingo scores, please follow the instructions listed on the exam and select Duke University. Learn more about the Duolingo exam here.
IELTS scores may be verified electronically with the TRF. Please send your TRF to the MIDP admissions office at midpinfo@duke.edu or request hardcopy scores to be mailed to the following address:
Master of International Development Policy Program
Attn: Admissions Office, RH 166
Duke Center for International Development
Box 90237
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina USA 27708-0237
Still have questions?
You can email the MIDP team here: midpinfo@duke.edu
