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About the Program

What is a Master of Development Practice degree?

The Master of Development Practice (MDP) is a two-year degree providing graduate students with the skills and knowledge required to better identify and address global sustainable development challenges such as poverty, population, health, conservation, climate change, and human rights.

How is this degree different from other programs in sustainable development?

Currently, the bulk of development leaders are trained in specific fields, often in social sciences such as economics. By broadening their training and providing them with a knowledge base including health sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, and management, and by taking an integrated, holistic approach to finding solutions to development challenges, they will be able to more effectively understand and address the root causes of extreme poverty and the challenges of sustainable development.

What kinds of careers do graduates of the MDP program pursue?

MDP students come from a diverse range of academic and professional backgrounds and go on to do important work in a multitude of different fields. Graduates will gain invaluable knowledge and skills from the MDP and will be well equipped to take on roles in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors in disciplines ranging from finance and public policy to international aid and academia.

How large is the usual class size?

Each cohort consists of roughly 25 students.

Does the Master of Development Practice offer a Ph.D.?

No. UC Berkeley does not currently offer a Ph.D degree in Development Practice.

Does MDP offer a dual MBA degree or any joint degree programs?

At this time, MDP does not offer any dual degrees and UC Berkeley’s Graduate Division does not permit concurrent enrollment in multiple graduate programs. One of the advantages of the MDP program is that students are able to complete elective coursework in a diverse array of disciplines and topics. This flexibility allows students to customize their program to their interests and career aspirations.

Can I pursue the MDP on a part-time basis?

No, we do not currently have a part-time option.

How much time should I expect to devote to this program? Will it be possible for me to work at the same time?

This is a two-year, intensive full-time graduate program. You will have at least 12 units of coursework each semester and should plan other significant time commitment accordingly.

I have specific research or professional interests within the wider development arena. Will it be possible to focus my studies in a particular area?

Yes, the MDP program provides a solid foundation through a core of required classes but also provides many opportunities to specialize. MDP students will choose Areas of Emphasis within the program, and will be able to pursue and develop their particular areas of interest through faculty advising, practicum work, elective courses, and a comprehensive final research paper.

Areas of emphasis include:
Global Public Health
Development Economics/ Policy
Governance and Human Rights
Poverty Alleviation/Social Welfare
Technology and Information
Energy /Climate
Urban/Metropolitan Development and Infrastructure
Private Sector Solutions (CSR, Social Entrepreneurship)
Project and Organizational Management
Emergency Preparedness/Response

Will I be able to take classes in other departments at UC Berkeley?

Yes, MDP students will have the option of taking elective courses in the second year of the program to further explore and develop their Areas of Emphasis.


What are the requirements for admission?

To apply for admission, you need the following:
. Online application submission and $90 fee
. Official GRE scores (Berkeley’s institution code is 4833)
. TOEFL or IELTS scores if you are an applicant from a country where English is not an official language
. Three letters of recommendation
. Personal history statement
. Statement of purpose
. Official transcripts of all undergraduate/graduate institutions
More information about each element can be found at the general UC Berkeley graduate requirements site: http://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/requirements/

Can I visit the campus to sit in on classes and talk to professors and students?

Yes. Please follow the instructions given at the page for scheduling visits: http://mdp.berkeley.edu/mdp-prospective-student-visits/

How do I apply?

You can submit your application online through UC Berkeley’s Graduate Division application system.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline for this cycle is January 8th, 2016. All application materials, including standardized test scores, must be submitted by the deadline.

When can I expect to hear back about admissions decisions?

Early to mid-March.

How competitive is the admissions process in your program?

We receive a high volume of applications, and last year we were only able to admit roughly 18% of students who applied. Our program is fairly new and continues to grow each year, so we have developed a highly selective admissions process to try to determine which applicants would be best suited to and receive the most benefit from this program.

Does your program keep a waiting list for admission?

Yes. You would be informed that you are placed on the waitlist in early March. Students will be admitted from the waitlist on a rolling basis once we have a better idea of the class makeup.

What is the age, race, gender balance, ratio of married/single, and geographical origin of graduate students in the program?

We consider all applicants equally and do not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, marital status, or socioeconomic background. Our highly competitive selection process consistently leads to a diverse mix of highly qualified students.

What are the minimum academic qualifications for this program?

The minimum graduate admission requirements are: (1) a bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution; (2) a satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale; and (3) enough undergraduate training to do graduate work in your chosen field. Please remember that these are only minimum requirements, and meeting them does not guarantee favorable consideration in admissions. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency by taking one of the following exams:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Does the MDP program require the GRE?

Yes. Though there is no minimum GRE required for admission, incoming student’s average GRE scores are in the mid-70th percentiles in all sections of the GRE General Test.

What else do you look for in an applicant?

UC Berkeley Master of Development Practice offers admission to applicants who appear to have the highest potential for graduate study and who, with the benefit of a graduate education, are the most likely to contribute substantially to their fields. Successful applicants may come from a diverse range of personal, academic, and professional backgrounds, but share a high level of excellence in their current fields, as well as a proven dedication to sustainable development and bringing about positive change.

Selection criteria for master’s program will include the applicant’s talent, academic background, work experience, leadership experience, vision, involvement in critical issues or new areas of research (such as poverty or climate change) and/or proven entrepreneurship. Applicants oriented towards developing managerial skills, improving public policy, and increasing interdisciplinary capacities as development practitioners will receive priority.

Here are some suggestions for your application statements: http://mdp.berkeley.edu/admissions-tips/

I am a re-entry/older student. Will it count against me that I don’t come directly from an academic program?

No, we consider all applicants equally regardless of age and time since graduation. Many successful applicants are returning to school after years spent developing their professional careers, and we encourage re-entry students and students of all ages to apply.

My undergraduate degree was in an unrelated field. Will that affect my chances of being admitted?

If you meet the basic requirements, we encourage you to apply regardless of your academic background. However, please keep in mind that the Berkeley MDP has a high degree of rigor in terms of quantitative skills. If you come from a non-quantitative background, we suggest that you refresh or take basic courses in economics (micro/macro), calculus I, and statistics to ensure that you are fully prepared for our program.

I am an international student. Will that affect my chances of being admitted?

No, we consider all applicants equally regardless of nationality and encourage international students to apply.

I am an international student but I am fluent in English and don’t believe that I need to demonstrate my English proficiency. Do I still need to take the TOEFL or IELTS?

International students may be exempt from English proficiency exams if they

a) Are a citizen or permanent resident of a country where English is the official language.

b) Received their undergraduate and/or post-graduate degree from a college or university in which English was the language of instruction.

If neither of the above conditions applies to you, you are still required to submit a satisfactory TOEFL or IELTS score along with your application.

My grades don’t accurately reflect my abilities because of special circumstances. How I can explain?

You can explain your special circumstances in the Personal history statement of the application.

If I am accepted, can I defer admission?

Except in special circumstances, we do not allow deferrals.

If I am not admitted, can I challenge or appeal the decision?

No. The Graduate Division accepts the Admissions Committee’s decisions as final.

If I am not admitted, can I find out why?

The number of qualified applicants far exceeds the number of admits allotted to the Berkeley MDP Program, thus tough decisions have to be made every year. Please be aware that non-admission is often a reflection not of your qualifications per se but of your relative competitiveness in that year’s applicant pool. You may ask the Berkeley MDP to give you feedback on your application, but please be aware that this process may take some time.

If I am not admitted, can I reapply?

Yes. Before reapplying, you should consult the Program Administrator for suggestions to strengthen your application. However, efforts to improve your competitiveness do not guarantee admission.

Financial Support

How do I apply for financial aid?

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). See more information on the UC Berkeley Graduate Division Financial Aid page.

When you apply for this program you automatically apply for the MDP Departmental Fellowship, which is merit-based. If you are chosen for an award, you will be notified along with admission.

Is financial aid available to international students?

International students are not eligible to receive US federal financial aid, including federal grants, loans and work study. However, international students are eligible to receive fellowships and some other independent scholarships and grants. More information can be found on the Graduate Division Financial Aid website.

What are Graduate Student Instructor (GSI), Graduate Student Researcher (GSR), and Reader positions?

The GSI positions require you to run discussion sections for a course taught by a professor or lecturer. When you work in this capacity for a minimum of ten hours per week, you will receive a monthly salary as well as payment of most of your tuition and fees (California residents only).

The GSR positions require you to do research for a specific professor. If you work at least 10 hours per week for an entire fall or spring semester, you will also earn a monthly salary as well as the benefit of payment of most of your California resident tuition as well as health insurance. However, if you work in this capacity for 20 hours per week, a benefit of employment is full payment of your tuition for both California and non-California residents alike.

Readers grade exams and papers for a course that does not have discussion sections or simply doesn’t have enough GSIs running sections and grading. These jobs can have tuition and fee remissions if the reader works enough hours over the course of the semester.

How do I apply for Graduate Student Instructor and Researcher jobs?

See application information on the GSI/GSR page.