Dual Degree with Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO)

Fall 2023 Plans

We are continuing program operations because we believe at some point in the future, it will be necessary to resume diplomacy around nuclear arms control and nonproliferation, and we want to equip the next generation to work together to reduce nuclear dangers.

Traveling to and from Russia is complicated and, in many cases, not possible. As a result, we will offer this program in a hybrid format in fall 2023:

• Semester 1 will be online for students outside of Russia. Classes will be offered by MGIMO at 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Moscow Time, 6 days a week, Monday–Saturday.
• Semesters 2 and 3 may be done in person at the Middlebury Institute or remotely. We will try to schedule required classes in the morning Pacific Time, which is evening Moscow Time. Please note that electives may only be available at later times.
• Semester 4 internships can be done in your preferred location.

Given the fluidity of international relations between Russia and the United States, we may need to adapt this plan and we will keep you posted. If you have not already, fill out this form to receive future updates.

Admitted Students

If you have been admitted to the dual degree program, please confirm your plan to enroll by paying your tuition deposit. We will then follow up with specific next steps.

Converting Your Application/Admission

If you are no longer interested in the dual degree program, you may convert your application/admission to the MA in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies program and enroll at the Middlebury Institute. Any Middlebury Institute scholarships would be extended to cover all four semesters required to complete the program. Please contact your enrollment advisor to make this change.

Apply for Fall 2023

If you are interested in applying to the dual degree program, please follow the instructions below.

Questions

Please contact your enrollment advisor if you have any questions.

Program Highlights

Designed for students particularly interested in weapons of mass destruction (WMD) nonproliferation and U.S.-Russian relations, the 62-credit (124 ECTS) program covers global security, history, science and technology, area studies, public policy, and research methods—with an emphasis on practical skills. Students complete an internship and also prepare and defend a required thesis.

All subject-matter courses are in English, though students who are not fluent in Russian also receive training in the Russian language. Students take classes at MGIMO in Moscow in the first semester and classes in Monterey in the second and third semesters. The fourth and final semester is devoted to an internship and thesis preparation, with locations determined on a case-by-case basis. See the Dual Degree Curriculum for details.

Graduates are prepared for professional careers in the nonproliferation field in national governments, international organizations, academia, think tanks, and the private sector.

Application Deadlines

To apply to this dual degree, you will need to submit an application to the Middlebury Institute and a separate application to MGIMO. See below for the deadlines and appropriate links for each application.

• Apply to the Middlebury Institute by July 1. Submit your Middlebury Institute application.
  • Students who do not have sufficient Russian or English language skills are encouraged to apply earlier as you may be required to attend summer language programs, which begin in early June. Contact your enrollment advisor with questions.
• Apply to MGIMO by July 1. Submit your MGIMO application.
  • If you submit your application after July 1, you may experience delays in visa processing.
  • The MGIMO portal closes on July 20 and no applications will be accepted after this date.

The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to receive our largest scholarships, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Career Outcomes

Here is a sample of the careers our graduates are pursuing:

• Program Director at the PIR Center in Moscow, Russia
• Research Assistant at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow, Russia
• Research Associate at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Nonproliferation in Vienna, Austria
• Global Trade Compliance Analyst at Tesla in Oakland, California
• Risk Analyst at Morgan Stanley in Baltimore, Maryland

Visit our curriculum page to learn more about internship opportunities.

Monterey Initiative in Russian Studies

During your time at the Middlebury Institute, you can take advantage of the Monterey Initiative in Russian Studies (MIRS), which enables students with advanced Russian language skills to professionalize their interests in Russia and Eurasia. It provides experiential learning and international opportunities for students interested in careers in policy making, NGOs, and global business.

Tuition and Expenses

Tuition rates are subject to change in future academic years. 

2022–23 Academic Year Tuition

• MGIMO: $7,875 per semester.
• Middlebury Institute: visit our tuition page.

2023–24 Academic Year Tuition

• MGIMO: $7,875 per semester.
• Middlebury Institute: visit our tuition page.

Estimated Living Expenses

For estimated living expenses for your semesters in Monterey, visit our tuition page.

For estimated living expenses for your time in Russia (when that option is available):

For U.S. Students Using Veterans’ Benefits

U.S. students who want to use veterans’ benefits toward tuition and expenses can only do so for the semesters they are enrolled at the Middlebury Institute (second and third semesters). For the first and fourth semesters, while enrolled at MGIMO, students will have to make other arrangements to pay tuition and expenses. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for federal financial aid.