Accelerated & Advanced Entry

Students meeting one or more of the following criteria may be considered for a one-year advanced entry or an accelerated degree program:

  • Have already completed an advanced degree (MA, MBA, JD, PhD, etc);

  • Who are career professionals with significant professional experience (more than 10 years);

  • Have extensive coursework in relevant international policy-related courses.

Only those applicants who clearly meet one or more of the above criteria may be considered. Applicants are reviewed by our Enrollment staff and the Dean in these special cases, with a select few qualifying for advanced or accelerated entry.

Accelerated Entry

Allows students to have a portion of their prior graduate level coursework recognized in their applications, and thus can be waived from, and/or given credit for, certain courses and related credits in the curriculum requirements. Traditionally, these courses may include Global Politics, International Economics, Data Analysis, and occasionally language classes. Typically, students who qualify for accelerated entry status are able to waive out of the equivalent of 12 semester credits. This means you would be able to complete your master degree by completing 48 credits at the Monterey Institute instead of 60. Or, put another way, accelerated entry students are generally able to complete the degree in three semesters instead of four, but in all cases, students must complete the core courses, language requirements and fulfill all degree requirements. Based on the study plan established, accelerated entry students may be eligible to participate in credit-bearing professional service programs such as IPSS, DPMI Plus, etc., with the prior approval of the Dean.

Advanced Entry

Students who qualify for advanced entry status have typically already obtained an advanced degree and also have at least 10 years of relevant work experience. Advanced entry students may be waived from, and/or given credit for, up to 24 semester credits, based upon the length and type of careers, and related educational experiences. However, the number of credits advanced entry students must take ranges from 32-36, including core course requirements and 1-2 language courses. This is achieved by taking 4 credit courses as well as workshops and possibly directed study classes. Due to time and credit constraints, advanced entry students are not eligible to participate in credit-bearing professional service programs such as IPSS, DPMI Plus, etc.

If, prior to application, you feel your extensive professional and/or academic experience might qualify you to be considered for accelerated or advanced entry, please contact us.