The Institute welcomes applicants who demonstrate a serious interest in the study of national security and international affairs but do not need a degree or certificate. Students have the option of enrolling in courses for credit or as auditors (non-credit). Auditing a course is a conditional privilege extended by the Institute: auditors are expected to attend class regularly and abide by the rules outlined in the section on auditing courses under the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the catalog.
Application requirements for the Continuing Education Program
- A completed Continuing Education application.
- Current resume (which you will upload to the application).
- TOEFL scores (for international students only). The results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language are required from students whose first language is not English, except for those who have completed a bachelor’s degree at an accredited English language institution of higher learning or have demonstrated fluency in English in an interview at the Institute. For those taking the TOEFL, a minimum score of 600 (paper-based exam) or 95 (Internet-based exam) is required. TOEFL scores should not be more than two years old. The institutional code for The Institute of World Politics is 9022. Go to www.toefl.org for more information.
Application Deadlines
View our application deadlines.
Matriculation Fee
All students admitted to the Institute (regardless of program) must pay a non-refundable $600 matriculation fee to secure their admission. This fee is due upon acceptance of admission and is credited toward the first semester’s tuition balance.
Applying for Degree or Certificate Status
Current or prior continuing education students are not guaranteed admission into the certificate or degree programs. Students wishing to apply to these programs must follow the relevant application instructions which require the submission of additional and updated materials. No more than five courses taken prior to the granting of degree candidacy status may be credited toward the degree, and only if the grades received are B or higher. No more than two courses taken prior to admission into the certificate program may be credited toward any certificate, and only if the grades received are B or higher.
Undergraduate Admission Policy
The Institute normally does not admit undergraduate students. However, truly exceptional undergraduates may petition the Chairman of the Admissions Committee for permission to apply to the continuing education program. A recent writing sample must accompany the continuing education application.