International Policy

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

Admissions Requirements Overview

Language Proficiency

Native English Speakers

International Policy students are required to complete 12 credits of advanced foreign language study as part of their degree program. The 12 credits must be dedicated to a single language of study (e.g. Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Spanish, or Russian).

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 second-year college level. Successful applicants will have had at least one academic year of beginning language;
-or-
one summer of intensive language the summer prior to enrolling in the degree program.

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

Language Placement Test

Before your first semester begins, you must a pass a placement test that indicates you are ready to begin your studies at the appropriate level. Please make use of the following resources to assess your proficiency level:

Arabic Diagnostic Test Arabic Diagnostic Test Japanese Diagnostic Test Japanese Diagnostic Test
Chinese Diagnostic Test Chinese Diagnostic Test Russian Diagnostic Test Russian Diagnostic Test
French Diagnostic Test French Diagnostic Test

English for Academic and Professional Purposes Diagnostic Test French Diagnostic Test
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 for full-tuition, room, and board to study at Middlebury Language Schools prior to enrolling in a degree program at the Monterey Institute. Languages include Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian.

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

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 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 Policy Studies programs must demonstrate proficiency in microeconomics and macroeconomics before they can register for the required International Economics (IPOL 8520) at the Monterey Institute.

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.

Advanced & Accelerated Entry

Advanced Entry

We grant advanced entry students up to 24 academic credits based upon their qualifications. You may qualify for advanced entry if you meet one or more of the following requirements:

  • You've already completed an advanced degree (MA, MBA, JD, PhD, etc);

  • You have significant professional experience (more than 10 years);

  • You've completed coursework in international policy or a closely related field.

Accelerated Entry

Additionally, our students may qualify for accelerated entry if they have past graduate coursework in related fields. We typically grant our accelerated entry students 12 academic credits based on their qualifications.

Transfer Credits

You may also transfer up to 25% of total degree program credits from an accredited college or university and, therefore, complete your degree in three semesters.