Earn both a master’s in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies from the Middlebury Institute and a master’s in International Affairs from Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO).
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.
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.
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.
Here is a sample of the careers our graduates are pursuing:
Visit our curriculum page to learn more about internship opportunities.
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 rates are subject to change in future academic years.
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):
| Fall (MGIMO) | |
| Room and Board | $5,250 |
| Books and Supplies | $100 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,750 |
| Health Insurance | $1,918 |
| Transportation, Airfare, and Visa | $1,900 |
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.
| by Ian Driscoll
The Experiential Learning team released the fourth annual Experiential Learning Impact Report featuring students’ professional and academic impact during the 2021–2022 academic year.
| by Stephen Diehl
The IAEA’s Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship aims to increase the number of women in the nuclear field.
| by Sarah Ray
As U.S.-Russia rhetoric intensifies, new video series brings together eight former ambassadors to reflect on decades of complex relations. The collection, released by the Monterey Initiative in Russian Studies, is the first known set of interviews of all but one of the living U.S. ambassadors to the Soviet Union/Russian Federation.
