Application for the MA in Policy Economics Program 2026-27 at Williams College will open in September 2025. Applicants from low—or middle-income countries with practical experience in economics can apply for an intensive one-year master’s degree program offered by the Center for Development Economics (CDE) at Williams College, USA.

Admission to the Williams College Center for Development Economics (CDE) MA in Policy Economics program is highly competitive.  Selection is based on high qualifications and who would benefit the most from the program. Additionally, interview results and at least one reference are important considerations.

Scholarships

There are several scholarship options available for applicants, such as:

If candidates do not have a scholarship, they are responsible for their own financial support for their studies at the CDE. They are encouraged to explore training funds from their employer or the government. The CDE may also work with individual governments and sponsoring agencies to assist. Scholarships are available from Williams College and are open to all admitted students.

Details of William College’s MA program in Policy Economics

• Host University: William College, Center for Development Economics (CDE)
• Application start: September 2025
• Application Deadline: December 15, 2025
• Result of admission: February – March 2026
• Program period: 10 months (August 2026- June 2027)

Available Scholarship for this program: –

• MA Degree Scholarships of OSCE Academy in Kyrgyzstan  (Fully Funded)
• Pakistan 4500 Scholarships for Afghanistan (3rd phase of Allama Iqbal Scholarships)
• Chancellor’s International Scholarship for PhD Degree at the University of Warwick [Fully-Funded]

Who can apply to William College in policy economics?

Applicants must meet the following criteria :

• Be a citizen of a developing nation and eligible for a J-1 “Exchange Visitor” visa for the United States (those holding US citizenship or permanent residency are not eligible for admission)
• Not a US citizen or permanent resident of the USA
• A bachelor’s degree in economics or a related field is required (and including core economics courses).
• Have work experience in economic development issues (in central banks, finance ministries, offices of president or prime minister, agriculture, health, environment and planning, NGOs.
• Have TOEFL score of 120 Duolingo / 97 TOEFL iBT / 593 TOEFL PBT / 7.0 IELTS (not required if the medium of instruction in university was English)
• GRE general test (recommended but not required)

Required Documents:

Applicants for the MA in Policy Economics Program 2026-27 at the Williams College  should prepare the following documents:

• Supplemental Information Form
• Personal statement (official form)
• CV (max 2 pages, only PDF)
• Academic transcripts and certificate (JPG or PDF)
• Passport/birth certificate
• GRE general test (recommended but not required)  (If the GRE test is available in computer-based format (CBT) in your region, it is highly recommended (though not mandatory) that you take it. Locate GRE testing centers. If the GRE is not easily accessible in your country, we might allow you to take our exclusive mathematics exam. This exam is only invited to exceptionally qualified candidates who have submitted all application materials by the specified deadline. The in-person proprietary exam is conducted annually in January in numerous countries worldwide.
• Duoling120, TOEFL 97, IELTS 7.0 (not required if the medium of instruction in university was English)
• Professional (rather than academic) reference on the official reference form submitted directly to Williams College by your referee by December 23 (a second professional reference is optional). The referee should fill this form online and send the letter directly to the William College

Do not submit the following documents; 

• middle or secondary school transcript
• certificate of professional course (give information in your CV)
• Academic or professional paper

How to apply?

To apply for the MA in Policy Economics Program at Williams College, applications must be filled out and submitted electronically. Documents supporting your application must be uploaded via the online form. Please have all supporting documentation, such as PDF or .jpg files, on hand when completing the online application.

Apply Now

Note: this opportunity is highly competitive; good personal statements can increase your chance of being selected.

Please visit the Williams College Center for Development Economics (CDE)’s website to learn more about its master’s degree program in policy economics for developing countries.

Related: What is the Duolingo test

Submitting test scores:

Please note the following instructions for submitting standardized test scores:

• – For GRE scores, use institution code 3965 and department code 1801 to have scores sent to the Center for Development Economics (CDE) at Williams College.
• – For DuoLingo scores, share your scores with “Williams College – Center for Development Economics” listed under “graduate programs.”
• – For TOEFL scores, use institution code 3965 and department code 84.
• – For IELTS scores, request to have scores sent to the Center for Development Economics at 1065 Main Street, Williamstown, MA 01267, USA.

You may also be interested in these opportunities:

Japan Scholarship for Research, Undergraduate and College of Technology Students (Fully funded)

Oxford Pershing Square Graduate Scholarship 2026 | Study in UK

Chancellor’s International Scholarship for PhD Degree at the University of Warwick [Fully-Funded]

NOHA-EMJMD Erasmus+ Scholarship in International Humanitarian Action 2026-2027