Soka University of America

Partner Scholarship

We have partnered with Soka University of America (SUA) to provide scholarships to qualified alumni in recognition of their university’s commitment to peace, human rights, and the sanctity of life. 

Alumni of Soka University of America (SUA) are guaranteed 25 percent scholarships for our in-person master’s degree programs. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to receive additional merit and need-based scholarships.

We will also provide a matching $10,000 scholarship to SUA alumni awarded the $10,000 Makiguchi Memorial Educational Fund upon enrolling in Middlebury Institute in-person degree programs.

If you are interested in an online degree program, you can still waive the application fee and benefit from the lower tuition cost for our online programs.

Next Steps

• Speak with an enrollment advisor to get personalized info.
• Determine the degree program that is right for you.
• Get your application fee waiver.
• Submit your application by the next deadline. Indicate your partner affiliation when prompted.

Partner Representatives

Please contact Senior Director of Institutional Partnerships Jill Stoffers.

SUA Alumni Profiles  

There are a number of SUA graduates who have gone on to study at the Middlebury Institute and find success in international careers. Here are just a few examples:

How did SUA prepare you for your studies at MIIS? 

SUA instilled in me the fundamental principles of humanism and the power of dialogue—values that I believe no other institution could have imparted as profoundly. I am deeply grateful to my alma mater for teaching me key interpersonal and emotional skills, the bedrock of diplomacy and global citizenship. Alongside conflict resolution techniques and the constant, in-depth guidance I received from my professors, these skills have become invaluable. I am proud to bring this foundation with me to MIIS, where, as a Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies (NPTS) student, I now study conflicts, terrorism, weapons, war, and, most importantly, peace.

How is MIIS preparing you for your future career? 

MIIS is helping me further refine these diplomatic skills, especially through hands-on experiences like simulation exercises that offer real-world insights. Additionally, MIIS has provided a crucial platform for me to express my passion for empowering women, particularly through my focus on countering digital extremism. It is also a great honor to represent Marie Skłodowska-Curie as one of the IAEA Fellows, which strengthens my lifelong commitment to fostering international peace alongside fellow women with the same goals. 

What would you recommend to SUA students and alumni who are interested in studying at MIIS?

I encourage SUA students to bring their emotional intelligence and humanistic values into specialized programs like NPTS. The unique focus on conflict resolution and value creation offered at Soka can be further enhanced by the hands-on, practical classes offered here at MIIS. A specialized field like nonproliferation and counterterrorism always needs more peace advocates and change-makers—SUA graduates. Our passion and skills can make a lasting impact.

How have your studies at SUA and MIIS prepared you for a career in language services?

Leveraging SUA’s unique curriculum, I explored my interest in language through learning cluster and the language requirement. These diverse learning opportunities led me to pursuing my graduate studies in language at MIIS—a globally renowned institution for translation and interpretation in East Asian languages. With small classroom sizes much like SUA, each student at MIIS receives customized and high-quality instruction from experienced professionals, preparing all of its students for their desired career path. 

What tips would you give current SUA students interested in graduate studies?

I hope through your time at SUA, you uncover your passions and learn to take advantage of every resource you have! 

How did SUA prepare you for your studies at MIIS? 

At SUA, the professors really prepared us to become well-rounded students who will become global citizens. 

How is MIIS preparing you for your future career? 

My ultimate goal is to work at the United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). MIIS has helped me develop as an individual and map out a career plan. The Center for Advising and Career Services (CACS) has broadened my perspective on career paths, and the Conflict Transformation Fellowship has given me the opportunity to further my capstone research. The small community at MIIS, similar to that at SUA, helped me build friendships and a network from around the world.

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