Environmental Policy

Admission to the International Environmental Policy program is based on a candidate's prior academic record, professional experience and foreign language proficiency.

Admissions Requirements Overview

Language Proficiency

Native English Speakers

Environmental Policy students are required to complete 8-12 credits of advanced foreign language study as part of their degree program. The 8-12 credits must be dedicated to a single language of study (e.g. Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Spanish, or Russian). Students must complete at least 8 credits of advanced language and may choose to select an additional 1-4 credits of language coursework or up to 4 credits of Intercultural Competency coursework.

For successful admission students must be ready to begin their language studies at the following level by the time they begin the degree program:

Spanish or Arabic – ready to start at the 200-level, equivalent to second-year college level. Successful applicants will have had at least one recent academic year of beginning language;
-or-
one summer of intensive language the summer prior to enrolling in the degree program.

Chinese, French, Japanese, Russian, or any other language – ready to start at the 300-level, equivalent to third-year college level. Successful applicants will have had at least two recent academic years of beginning and intermediate language;
-or-
one recent academic year plus one summer of intensive language at the intermediate level the summer prior to enrolling in the degree program.

Test Your Language Proficiency

Diagnostic Test

Self-assess the level at which you read, write and understand your target language of study.

Placement Test

New students are required to complete an online language placement test prior to orientation week.
 
Non-native English Speakers

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 admission process.

Non-native English speaking candidates must provide evidence of English proficiency from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examinations. Institutional TOEFL reports are not accepted.  Students who have completed all four years of their undergraduate degree at a U.S. University may be eligible for a TOEFL or IELTS waiver. If you feel that you are eligible for a TOEFL or IELTS waiver, please contact Admissions for an application to waive this requirement.

Minimum TOEFL Scores
Minimum IELTS Scores
  • Internet-based test: 79
  • Writing sub-score: 23
  • No sub-scores below 19
  • 6.5 Overall
  • No sub-score below 6.0
 
Scholarships for Summer Intensive Language Study

The Betty and David Jones Scholarships offer the opportunity to attend either the Monterey Institute or Middlebury Language Schools to enhance their foreign language proficiency prior to enrolling in a degree program at the Monterey Institute. Languages include Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish.

The Kathryn Davis Fellowships offer scholarships to study at Middlebury Language Schools prior to enrolling in a degree program at the Monterey Institute. Languages include Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian.

Economics Prerequisite

While completed coursework in economics is not a requirement to apply to the Monterey Institute, we strongly recommend that students preparing to enter the IEP program complete their economics study before matriculating to the Monterey Institute. There are several ways you can meet the economics prerequisite.

Students in the International Environmental Policy (IEP) program will only need to demonstrate proficiency in microeconomics in preparation for the required Environment & Natural Resource Economics (IPOL 8542) course. A background in macroeconomics is recommended, but not required.

Standardized Test Scores

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

GRE scores are not required. However, applicants who have taken the GRE are encouraged to submit them because they may positively influence merit scholarship awards. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 are strongly encouraged to submit GRE scores for admission consideration. Please use our four-digit institution code [4507] to send us your scores.

Accelerated & Advanced Entry

Applicants may qualify for advanced entry if they meet one or more of the following requirements: you have an advanced degree, significant coursework in environmental studies, and significant professional experience. We grant advanced entry students up to 24 academic credits based upon their qualifications.

Additionally, our students may qualify for accelerated entry if they have past graduate coursework in related fields. You may transfer up to 25% of total degree program credits from an accredited college or university and, therefore, complete your degree in three semesters.

Joint MBA / MA in International Environmental Policy

Students can broaden their career options by earning both the MBA in International Management and the MA in International Environmental Policy in 5 semesters. Applicants may qualify for a joint degree program if they meet specific requirements. The requirements are the same as above (including language), with the addition of submitting the test score from the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) with all other application materials. GREtest scores may be received as a substitute for the GMAT, as our AdmissionsTeam is able to convert the score.
Learn more about the Joint MBA / MA in International Environmental Policy degree.