Admissions / Application
The priority deadline for fall admission is January 5. Only applications received before that deadline are eligible for scholarship consideration. After January 5, applications are considered on a rolling basis, based on candidate qualifications and space available until April 15. We encourage all candidates to apply as soon as possible.
MIDP accepts a limited number of applications for spring admission through partner universities. The deadline for those applications is October 1.
No.
However, if you have taken the GRE and would like to submit your scores, please request that the official GRE scores be sent to the Duke Graduate School admissions office, institutional code 5156.
The MIDP program requires at least five years of professional work experience. As long as your career interest is in international development, it's ok if your experience is in another field.
Full-time work is considered 30 or more hours per week.
No, admissions interviews are not required.
The most valuable recommendations come from the people who know your professional skills and analytical abilities and who can write specifically about them. We encourage you to submit at least one recommendation from someone who knows you well in your current position and can speak to your professional performance, such as a current supervisor or director. Also, people who have known your work in past positions are valuable recommenders. If you have recently been a student, a reference from a former professor who knows your academic work well is helpful.
We require all evaluation forms and recommendation letters to be uploaded and completed online in your application portal. We regret that we cannot receive these via other channels nor can we process applications until we have received all your recommendations.
Non-native English speakers are required to submit English language test scores. Please keep in mind that scores are valid for only two years. Minimum scores of 90 on the TOEFL IBT, 7.0 on the IETLS, 115 on Duolingo or 64 on the PTE are required.
To be eligible for a waiver for the language proficiency test requirement, you must have studied full-time for two years or more at a college or university where the sole language of instruction is English and in a country where English is the primary spoken language. The two years of study must be completed prior to application submission date.
You can check the status of your own application through your Slate login.
We typically deliver admission decisions via online notification in mid-March.
Be sure to take at least one course in microeconomics and one in macroeconomics. The knowledge from these courses will give you a stronger foundation for our program. You must also have at least five years of experience in a development-related field, though this can include volunteering, internships and professional work experience.
Academics
The accelerated option requires 30 credits and the traditional, two-year option requires 48 credits.
Yes, Duke University has inter-institutional agreements with North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. However, you cannot take more classes outside your home institution per semester than you are taking at Duke. For example, if you are taking two classes at Duke, then you may take up to two classes at another university. If you are taking one class at Duke, then you may take only one class at another university.
The program’s curriculum and course sequence require full-time, on-campus study. Part-time study may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Classes are held throughout the day, with morning classes beginning at 8:30 a.m. and evening classes typically finishing by 7:00 p.m. Most classes are held Monday through Thursday.
While we don't have concentrations, there are nine optional areas of focus that fellows may follow to help guide their studies. In addition, fellows can work with their advisors to find elective courses in their areas of interest.
The MIDP offers a two pronged approach for academic advising. MIDP staff and faculty advisors work together to advise fellows. Assigned faculty advisors are familiar with fellows’ professional interests and can help guide them in creating a study plan. Later, fellows will be assigned a Master’s Project (MP) advisor, who will guide them on their Master’s Project research.
Fellows also have access to career advising through Sanford’s Office of Career Services, to help with searching for summer internships, crafting resumes and seeking career opportunities.
Living Here
Duke has extremely limited on-campus housing for graduate students, which is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority for housing assignment will be awarded to graduate students who arrive from abroad on student visa status and who are attending school outside of their home country for the first time. Learn more about Duke’s on-campus housing options.
- Visa Services has full-time staff available to help with any visa-related matters that may arise while you are here.
- Duke International Student Center (DISC) has a wide range of services available to international students, rides to the Social Security Office, an English Conversation Club and much more.
- Graduate and Professional Student Services provides supports for housing, health and wellness, and the Graduate and Professional Student Government.
While the United States is still largely a car-dependent culture, there is a wide variety of public transportation options available to Duke students. Learn more about the public transportation system and how Duke students are eligible for a free bus pass on the Duke Student Affairs website.
International students must purchase Duke’s Student Health Insurance. Families should also have health insurance. Learn more about Duke's health insurance requirement.
Duke requires all students to meet its immunization requirements. Proof of immunizations must be submitted to the university before you arrive on campus.
Have more questions?
Email us at midpinfo@duke.edu and join the prospective MIDP student email list to receive program information and updates.