Admission Requirements

The MDE program gives priority in admission to middle-level technical and professional personnel from all branches of government service whose current or future work involves development planning, policy analysis, applied economic research, or project development. While those who are officially nominated by their agencies are given preference, the program is also open to other qualified applicants from the private sector.

The applicant should:

• Possess at least a bachelor’s degree, supported by a strong academic record;
• Have a minimum of two years’ experience in work related to development planning, policy analysis, applied economic research, or project development;
• Show adequate verbal and quantitative proficiency as reflected in a required admission test; and
• For government agency nominees, have a regular appointment or be in line for such regular appointment.

The Graduate Admission Committee administers the aptitude and achievement test, interviews the applicants, and selects the successful nominees.

Degree Requirements

To qualify for the MDE degree, a student must successfully complete a program of studies approved by the Department. A student may choose from either of two tracks:

• The thesis track consists of 24 units of formal course work and a master’s thesis of 6 units. Acceptance of the thesis is based on the recommendation of the adviser and the endorsement of the reader.
• The non-thesis track consists of 30 units of course work, an MDE comprehensive examination, and a research seminar course (Econ 299) in which a paper is required.

These requirements are normally completed in three semesters of full-time study. The comprehensive examination shall consist of a four-hour examination in economic analysis (macroeconomics and microeconomics) and another two-hour examination in the field of economic development. It can only be taken after the student has completed all course requirements. The examination is passed or failed as a whole, with a passing mark equivalent to a grade of 2.0. Students who fail the examination may retake it only once.

Grade Requirements

A cumulative weighted average of 2.0 or better must be maintained at the end of every academic year for a student to remain in good standing. Failure to meet this requirement for two academic years will disqualify the student from the program. In addition, a student should earn a grade of 2.5 or better in each course. To qualify for graduation, a student must obtain a general weighted average of 2.0 or better.

Program of Study

Full Time Study Curriculum

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Part Time Study Curriculum

*MDE Comprehensive Examination is usually given in May.

Outside of classroom hours, students may be required to attend lectures given by policymakers and development practitioners, and regular Friday seminars by faculty and graduate students. In addition, participation in a study tour of development projects is recommended but not required. Study tours are usually arranged during the semestral break. Previous study tours were conducted in neighbor countries such as Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Application Requirements

The following documents must be submitted with the accomplished application form:

• Transcript of Records on the courses taken by the applicant at the undergraduate and graduate levels
• Diploma or equivalent document certifying that the applicant has completed a Bachelor’s degree
• For foreign applicants whose native language is not English, a certification of scores obtained in TOEFL with a minimum required score of 250 in the computer-based test
• For foreign applicants without fellowship assistance, a certification from a reputable bank in their country attesting to their capability to finance the travel, education, personal and other expenses they are expected to incur while studying in the Philippines
• A fee of PhP500 (or US$20) for the processing of application

Applicants are required to take the entrance test which is usually scheduled in March prior to the start of the academic year. Interviews are scheduled a few days after the test.