International Policy Degrees
Professional Experience
We recommend that applicants to the International Policy Studies program have some professional experience, but we consider all materials in evaluating your application.
Language Proficiency
Native English speakers must complete two years of undergraduate level foreign language courses or be able to demonstrate an equivalent proficiency level. Arabic is not offered at many undergraduate institutions, so we require students who plan to pursue Arabic at MIIS to have one year of language coursework for fall entry and one and a half for spring entry.
Before your first semester begins, you must a pass a placement test for 300 level (or above) language courses. Arabic language students must pass a placement test for at least 200 level courses. Please make use of the following resources to assess your proficiency level:
There are many opportunities to enhance your language skills before and during your degree program. Many students attend our intensive language programs:
When submitting your application for admission, if the Admissions Committee has any questions about your second language capabilities, you may be contacted by our Language Requirements Coordinator and asked to take a self-administered language diagnostic test and to clarify how you acquired your second language capabilities. If appropriate, the Language Coordinator may work with you to devise a Language Learning Plan to help ensure that you are on track for successfully passing the Language Placement exam administered at New Student Orientation.
If are concerned that you might not meet our minimum language requirements, please contact your Enrollment Manager to discuss options that might meet your learning needs:
- International Policy Studies (IPS): Devin Lueddeke (831-647-6543)
- International Environmental Policy (IEP): Caroline Mansi (831-647-6586)
- Master of Public Administration (MPA): Caroline Mansi (831-647-6586)
Language Requirements for 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 their 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.
All 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. 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.
Minimum TOEFL Scores:
Paper-based test: 550
Computer-based test: 213
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
If you feel that you are eligible for an exemption to the TOEFL or IELTS waiver, please contact Admissions for an application to waive this requirement.
If you still have questions about language requirements, do not hesitate to contact our enrollment managers.
Economics Prerequisite
Students in the International Policy Studies (IPS), International Environmental Policy (IEP), and Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs must demonstrate proficiency in microeconomics and macroeconomics before they can register for the required International Economics (IPOL 8520) at the Monterey Institute.
Students in the Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies (NPTS) are not required to take this course and thus do not need to have a background in micro and macro economics.
While completed coursework in micro and macro economics is not a requirement to apply to the Monterey Institute, we strongly recommend that students preparing to enter the IPS, IEP or MPA programs complete their economics study before matriculating to the Monterey Institute. There are several ways to meet the mico/macro prerequisite. Read more about the economics prerequisite.