DEDP Master's Program
FAQ
Table of Contents
- Application Process
- General Logistics for On-Campus
- Courses & Internship
- Finances
- International Students
- Useful Links
Application Process
Do I need to have completed all five courses and received the DEDP MicroMasters credential in order to apply?
Yes, in order to apply, you must have completed and passed all five courses. You cannot apply to the DEDP Master’s program if you do not hold the full MicroMasters credential. Therefore, you would need to pass all the courses and their proctored exams by December if you intend to apply during that application period (December-January).
What is the application timeline?
The DEDP Master’s application opens in December and closes in mid-January. Acceptances should be released by early March. The cohort of accepted students would arrive on campus the following year in January.
Why is there such a big time period between acceptances and coming on campus?
Because this program aims to bring in learners from different backgrounds, we want to give students as much time as possible to prepare to come to MIT’s campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This will allow individuals to secure funding, acquire visas, and make all necessary preparations.
How selective is the DEDP Master’s program?
The DEDP Master’s is a rigorous and competitive program. However, because the program is only open to students that have earned the MicroMasters credential, there are significantly less applicants than for a non-blended master’s program. With this in mind, we rely heavily on MicroMasters course scores in helping make acceptance decisions.
What grades do I need to get in the MicroMasters courses in order to be selected for the DEDP Master’s?
For the DEDP Master’s program, we do not have a specific grade cut-off for acceptance. However, this is the most important factor in determining admissions and we encourage learners to obtain high scores to make their application as competitive as possible.
Will I be disadvantaged if I do not have a strong educational background?
No! We want learners from all backgrounds to have an equal chance and opportunity to succeed through the DEDP Master’s. This is why we rely so heavily on the scores from the MicroMasters courses, as it is a way to level the playing field for students coming from different educational backgrounds beyond the DEDP classes.
What is the current cohort like?
If you’d like to learn more about the current cohort of the DEDP Master’s program, please the visit the Curent Students page.
Do I need to submit GRE scores?
No, we do not require GRE scores.
Do I need to submit any additional information as an international student?
We require TOEFL or IELTS test scores for international students whose university’s language of instruction is not English.
Do I need to submit transcripts?
We require transcripts for all past university coursework. Unofficial transcripts are accepted with the application, and official transcripts will be required from students who are admitted to the program.
Is it possible to defer my admissions?
Yes, students are welcome to defer their admissions by one year.
General Logistics for On-Campus
What is the timeline for the DEDP Master’s program?
Students will be expected to arrive on campus in mid-January for an orientation period that will last roughly two weeks. The spring semester will begin in early February and finals will take place in May. Shortly after this time, students will begin their internship (placements may be on or off campus). The summer semester and internship will run until late August.
Will students be able to work as a Research or Teaching Assistant while on campus in the Spring semester?
Students have the option to work up to 10 hours per week during the program. Teaching Assistant positions are often determined by prior enrollment in the course to be TAed, so DEDP students may find Research Assistant positions to be a better fit. Off-campus work up to 10 hours per week is possible for students with US work authorization, while international students must work on campus.
Do you have more information available on housing?
Students may choose to live off-campus or apply for on-campus housing. Applications for on-campus housing will open in late October and close in November the fall prior to the on-campus spring semester. Students will typically hear back regarding housing decisions by the end of November/early December.
What degree will I receive from this program?
Students admitted to the program who complete the residential semester and summer capstone project will graduate from MIT Economics with a Master of Applied Science in Data, Economics, and Development Policy. While this program is often referred to as a "blended" program because of the combination of online and in-person coursework, it will not be designated as such on your diploma.
Could you share the list of courses we will be able to take?
This comes from the Registrar’s list of courses for Spring 2020 and may be subject to change:
- Data Analysis - Select one of the following:
- Econometric Data Science
- Microeconomics - Select one of the following:
- Microeconomics Theory and Public Policy
- Psychology and Economics
- Economics of Incentives
- IO and Competitive Strategy
- Development Economics - Select one of the following:
- Political Economy and Development
- Firms, Markets, Trade and Growth
- Elective - Any of the above courses or select from one of the below (courses outside of these will require the approval of the program director):
- Energy Policy
- Energy Economics
- Seminar
- Seminar in Data, Economics, and Development Policy
- Capstone
- Data, Economics, and Development Policy Summer Internship
What are the general locations of the internships? Will they be paid or unpaid?
Internship placements will range quite a bit student to student. They may be on or off campus, located within the US or abroad (subject to visa requirements). Internship placements may be coordinated with the Program Director or students may coordinate their own internship with final approval from the Program Director. They may be paid or unpaid, depending on the placement.
Can you give me a better idea of the cost of living and how it breaks down?
The MIT Graduate Admissions website provides information on the cost of living (see specifically the "expenses" page). This will give a rough estimate of the cost of living for a student and will be helpful to look over if you are bringing a partner or dependents. You can also view the MIT Medical website to give you an idea of costs for student and partner health insurance.
You can find a detailed breakdown of the estimated tuition costs and fees for the DEDP master's program on the Program Costs page.
I’m still looking to finalize my funding - does this need to be confirmed before submitting my admissions decision form?
You can certainly choose to submit your confirmation by the enrollment decision deadline without your funding finalized. Your finalized funding sources will only be required when completing the visa application.
When is the first bill due? Am I able to make the payments in installments?
Yes, it is possible to pay your tuition bill in installments. The spring semester bill is due on January 1 and will be available for viewing in mid December. The Student Financial Services website provides various resources on payment as well as contact information.
Will the program/department be subsidizing the tuition cost for those who cannot find funding?
As the program does not guarantee funding, it is the expectation that some of our admitted students may have to utilize their own funds or loans, should they decide to enroll with us. We are happy to provide any additional information that might be helpful to make an admissions decision and look into various funding sources.
You can find further information on opportunities for financial support on our Funding Opportunities page. For more information on the costs of attendance, please visit the Registrar’s Office website. The Student Financial Services website can also provide additional resources on funding your Master’s degree. Finally, we recommend exploring the resources provided through the Office of Graduate Education website.
What will I need to provide in order to secure my visa? When will the process begin?
We will reach out to admitted students the summer before arriving on campus to provide additional information on the visa process and contact information for the International Students Office. We recommend students review the ISO website, which includes information on the visa process.
Will the F-1 visa allow me to continue working in the US following graduation?
Unfortunately due to the short duration of the program, students are not eligible for OPT or STEM extension.
I’m having trouble finding funding - can I apply for a private loan?
Unfortunately, only graduate students who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for all US federal and private loan programs. International students may borrow from private sources, but not from U.S. federal programs.
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