Frequently Asked Questions

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 10-day intensive workshops to prepare students for their internships as entry-level analysts and consultants at various international organizations.  The training focuses on understanding organizations and communication and other skills essential for becoming successful professionals.

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. DPMI Plus applications are due October 31 for spring assignments and April 1 for summer and fall assignments.

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. A selection committee will review all applicants. this still the case?).

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, students will work with their assigned faculty mentor..

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

DPMI+

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

(IPSS will also meet MPA capstone 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 7-11 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.

IPSS

The IPSS program includes a 6-credit pre-departure course in January, followed by a 6-unit-worth field assignments described below to be completed between February-August. Letter grade will be assigned for the fild assignment.  The academic credit is not awarded for the internship itself, but for the academic work completed in the form of the following three components: 

1. Field assignment: By the end of their internships students must have completed an ambitious project or other relatively autonomous contribution that presents value for the host organization and builds on students’ strengths and advances students’ skills and knowledge.  Internship deliverable can take a form of a report, evaluation, analysis, database, marketing plan, website, or other contribution.  The academic assignment project may overlap with the student’s regular internship requirements.   The organizations receiving interns are encouraged to help students identify such assignments prior to their arrival or within one month since the start of student’s internship (the latest by March 15) and provide informational assistance and guidance in completing this work. In the end of the internship the students are expected to present their work on the assignment to their colleagues at the host organization, and supply to the Institute their feedback on the quality and relevance of that work.
2. Peer feedback: Interns will collaborate with their assigned peers by providing mutual peer feedback on their academic assignments to improve the quality of their work and learn from each other.
3. Final reflection: Interns will submit a final reflection to IPSS faculty and staff near the end of their internship summarizing their most important insights from the internship experience from organizational and professional development perspectives.  Students are also highly encouraged to post their reflections on their experiences and comment on each others’ postings throughout the internship assignment to maximize their learning.

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. 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 (including airfare and living expenses are awarded for the semesters in which the students is enrolled and completing DPMI Plus. Ex: A student can register for 6 units in the spring and 6 units in the summer if he or she would like to complete a DPMI Plus assignment February-August. This would allow federal-aid eligible students to request funding for living expenses through the end of the summer if the student is enrolled in the summer term.

IPSS is only offered January-August and lasts 5 ½ -6 months. Students do not return to Monterey in August as they have in prior years. In lieu of returning to Monterey, students will participate in remote feedback sessions with faculty the third week of August.  

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 director of immersive professional learning and special programs (IPLSP). 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 llist their top three organization choices. Students accepted to IPSS are required to meet with their career advisor to review their resume, personal statement, and cover letters prior to contacting organizations the summer prior to their IPSS. They should also schedule a practice interview with their career advisor. The IPLSP Director will send each IPSS student a resource email with relevant alumni and past supervisor contacts as well as field reports from past students. In addition to the resource email, the IPLSP Director can draft a letter of recommendation on behalf of the student and speak with supervisors about the IPSS program at their request. 

Another Important Point to Consider:

• 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.
• IPSS is best suited for students focusing on trade and nonproliferation and terrorism security issues.

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

• Outline of four semesters of completed and potential graduate coursework showing how the student plans to complete degree requirements and do IPSS. This can be done using degree your map. Please post in documents section of Zócalo.
• Undergraduate transcript*

(*if applying for program during first semester at MIIS; send to Carolyn Taylor)

• Personal statement

(post in documents section of Zócalo)

• Resume or CV

(post in documents section of Zócalo)

• Completed application form
• Contact details for three organizations (enter in online application), ensuring that information provided is specific to the department or program in the organization

With successful completion of IPSS, students will receive 12 credits in the form of 2, 6-unit courses.

Writing tests will be held in early April for applicants who have made it to the second round of the selection process.

Accepted applicants will be invited to an orientation meet in early May after they have received notification that they have been accepted to the program. Students will spend the early part of the summer updating career collateral—like their resume and cover letter. Depending on the student’s organization, contact may start during the summer, although a majority of the communication with organizations will take place during the first three weeks of September.

The fall through January preceeding the start of IPSS internships, students will maintain contact with their future supervisors, organizations and develop a Terms of Reference (work plan).

The pre-departure training will take place in January.  Students will depart for their assignments in late January through early February.

All conditionally accepted students should attend an orientation session in May (the year before the start of their IPSS assignment). At this meeting, IPSS faculty will explain academic requirements and the placement process.

Students must continue to demonstrate high academic achievement and completion of required coursework through the fall semester leading up to IPSS to maintain their status in this academic program.

Students will work on career documents such as resumes and personal statements during the summer prior to IPSS.

IPSS students participate in a January course (2-3 weeks) prior to departing for assignments. This course will cover:

-Planning and development of applied research team

-Preparation for organization analysis and field report

-Personal development for professional career.

IPSS students will complete a capstone course while on assignment. This course will cover:

-Applied research

-Organization analysis and field report

-Presentation at a GSIPM Expo (requires 1-2 week presence on campus in late August)

We recommend that students select an organization with which the Monterey Institute has an established relationship. Please see our list of organizations in the "participating organizations" section.

A student can work with IPSS faculty and career advisors to request that a organization not listed be considered for his or her assignment.

The focus of the work of the organization must be international or transnational. One of the key selection criteria is that the assignment fits the academic specialization of the participating student. Faculty and career advisors are available to assist in identifying an appropriate organization.

Participating students may wish to go to a specific region or country. The "language of work" in that organization/country may have a direct impact on whether a student is accepted into the program. Local NGOs and local/national branches of IGOs may require specific languages of work.

Students should also consider visa needs. Check with the relevant embassy websites for the countries in which organizations are located. We encourage you to view our list of tips for choosing an organization.

This program is for highly motivated, academically prepared, and well qualified students that display exceptional commitment to their academic work and have proven interests in working at an international governmental or nongovernmental organization.

All students enrolled in the International Policy Studies degree programs are eligible to apply. Students in a special degree program (ITP, IEP, MANPTS, and MPA) must have approval from the respective program heads.

Both International and U.S students are eligible. International students may be subject to certain visa requirements depending upon the assignment.

IPSS is offered in the spring semester, with a 2-3 week course taught in January, 6 months of on-site work with an international organization (February-July/August), and a closing 1-2 week session in August here in Monterey.  Students can only go on IPSS in their 3rd or 4th semester at the Monterey Institute.

The Monterey Institute provides no funding for any aspect of the IPSS program. Participating students pay tuition for one semester (12 credits) and in return receive faculty supervision of the academic offerings and assignments outlined above. In addition to tuition, students cover expenses of travel airfare, rent, and other living expenses.

Participating students may apply for a loan through the Monterey Institute's Office of Student Financial Planning for expected expenses while on assignment. Loans are approved by the Office of Student Financial Planning in consultation with the IPSS Director.

Organizations are asked to facilitate the locating of appropriate housing for the student, and any other assistance they deem appropriate.

Current IPSS fellows, IPSS alumni, and those interested in learning about the program can email ipssinfo@miis.edu for more information.

There are positions available in many different fields of international policy. Please see the list of previous IPSS Participants or visit our blog to learn more about the types of positions available.