Frequently Asked Questions

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; however, it is advisable to apply early for priority consideration.

The priority deadline for applications to all summer programs is April 1. Applications received from qualified applicants after this date may be accepted if space is available.  Contact dpmi@miis.edu for more information. Note:  Davis UWC Scholars must apply by February 15 for summer fellowship consideration.

The priority deadline for applications to all winter programs is October 31. Applications received from qualified applicants after this date may be accepted if space is available.

The DPMI Cairo application deadline is November 1. Please note that the 2012 DPMI Cairo program has been cancelled.

There are no scholarships at this time for DPMI. However, you may be eligible to receive financial aid in the form of loans to cover the tuition fee for the program. If you are a Monterey Institute student, please see the Office of Student Financial Planning to learn more about your individual options.  Students who choose to take DPMI for academic credits will be eligible for financial aid.

Past participants have also independently secured outside scholarships to cover the costs of the program. Some who are currently working for development organizations have applied directly to their places of work for reimbursement of tuition fees.

Module #1: Managing Development Projects - Participants learn about the project cycle and how to analyze project opportunities. They become proficient in using the Results Framework, related tools and advanced software to guide project design and monitoring. They also learn how to use indicators to assess project performance. During the module, students use country data to create a project and accompanying monitoring plan that is consistent with the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs).

Module #2: Facilitating Participatory Development - Participants master tools and skills needed to effectively assume the roles of facilitator, trainer, and change agent. Local human resource development is an important component in every development project. The module focuses on transferring skills to participants so they can conduct their own training programs. Topics covered include needs assessments, adult learning practices, community mobilization, stakeholder negotiation, conflict mediation, and the training of trainers.

Module #3: Social Entrepreneurship and Strategic Partnering - Participants, working within a context of social entrepreneurship, become proficient in the use of tools and techniques to conduct an analysis of vision and mission; identify core competencies; and forge strategic partnerships to enhance organizational effectiveness. Innovative software applications are introduced to support a simulation.

 

Students may choose to take DPMI for academic credit from the Monterey Institute. Regular Monterey Institute tuition rates apply for academic credit. Students who successfully complete DPMI and wish to obtain additional academic credit for their experience (up to 12 units) may do so if they enroll in specially designated classes for DPMI participants at the Monterey Institute. These classes, for which regular academic tuition must be paid, engage participants in projects that are applications of DPMI module content. Projects may be completed on- or off-campus as there are no formal class meetings. Work is done under the supervision of a DPMI faculty member for a pass-fail grade (although under special circumstances a letter grade is awarded.)

For more information, please contact us.

The pre-readings will be supplied in electronic form to admitted students one month prior to the course.

An electronic syllabus will also be provided with links to readings. Additional handouts and materials will be distributed in class.

Participants are required to bring a laptop to each session. Participants should have installed the free C-Map software program prior to the start of the class. Instructions on downloading this program will be sent to accepted students.

So what is the difference between IPSS and DPMI Plus?

Hint--It's in the details.

When deciding whether to do IPSS or DPMI Plus, students should consider the following:

1) Which pre-departure training program is the "right fit" for me?

The DPMI program provides participants with practical training in development project management, social entrepreneurship and strategic partnering, and facilitating participatory development. During the training--students learn new technologies used in the development field, work in teams representing various non-governmental organizations that are selected, ad hoc, during the program, and facilitate simulated trainings among their peers. By the end of the training, participants will have acquired a unique set of tools and techniques that they can apply in the field.

The IPSS pre-departure training includes planning and development of applied research teams, preparation for organization analysis and field reporting, and personal development training for a professional career. By the end of the three week training, participants will have a solid research design that will guide their field research, resulting in a substantial product that will be presented during the August Expo.

2) What is the difference in the application process?

DPMI Plus and IPSS application standards are approximately the same. Both programs seek students who have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA at the Institute.

DPMI Plus participants should apply online AT Least 10 weeks prior to their desired internship start date. Dr. Levinger reviews all applicants.

The IPSS application process is also online. Applications are due nearly a year in advance (in late March for the subsequent spring class). Students, who make it to the second round of the IPSS application process, will be asked to complete a writing assignment in which they summarize multiple documents into a memo or report. This exercise simulates a task that most IPSS students will need to complete while on assignment. Dr. Ed Laurance and Dr. Fernando De Paolis review all applicants.

3) Which faculty member would be most suited to supervise my field research?

All DPMI Plus projects are supervised by Dr. Beryl Levinger, the DPMI academic director.

During an IPSS assignment, student research teams will work with Fernando De Paolis and other relevant faculty members to define and create their research projects.

4) What are the deliverables for each of the programs? How are the deliverables graded?

The 3-week DPMI training is worth 3-6 units of credit. The DPMI Plus field course is worth 6 units of credit and may fulfill the MPA capstone requirement and a seminar requirement.

Three-week Training: Each of the three weeks has a different set of deliverables that pertain to the type of work done that week. All students that wish to receive a certificate of completion for the DPMI program are required to submit a comprehensive development philosophy statement that reflects on themes and concepts discussed during the three week training. Projects are reviewed on a pass-fail basis.

Field Course: Students should propose approximately 5-7 deliverables for the DPMI Plus course by the third week of their internship. These deliverables should relate to the skills presented during the DPMI training and might include an indicator plan, core competency matrix, partnership strategy matrix, baseline survey, logical framework analysis, etc. Students will also need to complete a cover sheet for each deliverable and one case study report.

The IPSS program includes a 6-credit pre-departure course in January, followed by a 6-unit capstone course from February-August. The pre-departure course is described in question one. The capstone course includes an applied research team project led by Fernando DePaolis, organization analysis, field reporting, and a team presentation at the GSIPM Expo in August. Letter grades are assigned in IPSS courses.

5) How much peer support and pre-departure preparation would I like to have prior to starting my professional service assignment?

DPMI Plus participants develop a strong set of professional contacts through the three-week, intensive training, although only a small percentage of participants from a specific training will be departing on DPMI Plus assignments at the same time. Students can stay in touch through email, social-networking sites, and Zoho Project.

The IPSS pre-departure training has the added benefit of helping students build a peer support network prior to departing for their IPSS assignment. Students go through the experience with a group of students, and they have the opportunity to reconvene for the capstone seminar and GSIPM Expo at the end of the program. IPSS brings together a group of peers working across a broad range of policy sectors, thereby giving students broader exposure to different policy fields.

6) When do I want to complete a professional service assignment?

DPMI Plus is offered spring, summer, and fall (or any combination of subsequent semesters) and can range in length from 3-9 months (May-January being the longest range). Some students completing DPMI Plus during the "summer semester" can graduate with 60 credits one season ahead of schedule if they take the maximum amount of credits offered for DPMI and DPMI Plus and are not required to return to Monterey. Regular tuition costs for 60 units (One degree program) apply. Note: financial aid is only awarded for four months (standard semester) for DPMI Plus students. Participants choosing to complete an internship longer than four months should budget accordingly and not depend on financial aid to support themselves for month 5, 6, etc.

IPSS is only offered January-August and lasts 5 ½ -6 months. All students return to Monterey in August for a  1-2-week capstone seminar and GSIPM Expo.

7) What kind of career development approach do I prefer?

DPMI Plus assignments are most often secured by the student with document review and strategic support from their career adviser and the GSIPM special programs manager. Certain DPMI Plus assignments are secured for students by DPMI staff if the student's internship interests match a contact of the DPMI Plus or career advising team. DPMI Plus staff work continually with students to ensure that an appropriate internship is secured and may contact an employer on behalf of the student to describe the DPMI Plus program and the student's credentials. DPMI Plus participants are expected to apply to relevant positions on their own as well.

Through the IPSS application process, students list his or her first and second organization choice. IPSS career advisers and Prof. Ed Laurance will consult with accepted applicants and then formally contact an organization in writing to describe the IPSS program in detail as well as the most significant academic and professional attributes of the IPSS fellow. IPSS staff work continually with students to ensure that appropriate internship are secured, sometimes moving to a third or fourth organization choice.

Another Important Point to Consider:

• 1) DPMI Plus is best suited for MPA and IPS students within the development track or IEP students specifically interested in working in a program management capacity for international conservation NGOs.

For more information on DPMI Plus or IPSS, contact ctaylor@miis.edu or your career adviser. You can also visit http://go.miis.edu/dpmi or http://go.miis.edu/ipss.

Apply to the DPMI program by following the link below and applying online.

DPMI Monterey-Summer 2012 (coming soon)

DPMI Washington, DC-Summer 2012 (coming soon)

DPMI Plus (MIIS students only)

If you are an enrolled Monterey Institute student, you may simply fill out the online application and submit it electronically. Additional materials are required of non Monterey Institute students, including a personal statement, resume or CV, and an unofficial transcript.

Participants who have completed at least two years of undergraduate work, and have a demonstrated interest in international development are welcomed to apply to the DPMI training. This program is for junior professionals, advanced undergraduates, and graduate students.

Note: the DPMI practicum (professional service internship) progarm is only available to DPMI participants enrolled at the Monterey Institute in a full time graduate degree program.

We recognize that many of our international students come to the Monterey Institute with sophisticated language backgrounds. Terms like "native-speaker," "fluent," or "bilingual" often do not accurately reflect the rich backgrounds of our students. In order to maintain the quality and integrity of the Monterey Institute experience, candidates will be asked to demonstrate English proficiency as part of the application process. Non-native English speaking candidates are asked to provide evidence of English proficiency from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examinations.

Minimum TOEFL Scores:

• Internet-based test: 79
• Writing sub-score: 23
• No sub-scores below 19

Minimum IELTS Scores:

• 6.5 Overall
• No Sub-score below 6.0

Please contact Carolyn Meyer at cmeyer@miis.edu if you are a non-native English speaker and do not have a TOEFL or IELTS score.

There are four annual offerings:

DPMI 2012 – Dates:

1. January 2-20, 2012 (Monterey, California)

2. January 2012--abbreviated program for 10 days mid-month (AUC, Cairo, Egypt)

3. May 21 -June 8, 2012 (Monterey, California)

4. May 28-June 15, 2012 (Washington, DC)

All three full offerings are taught by the same instructors, and the skills practiced in the course are the same although the development context may change.