Applying for Graduate Admission
UC Berkeley’s Master of Development Engineering program admits students for the fall semester only. Applications for admission to the Fall 2024 semester will be available online at the Graduate Admissions website starting September 2023. Select Fall 2024 and the Master of Development Engineering (MDevEng) in the entry pulldown menu. We recommend that applications are completed as early as possible.
For priority consideration and for departmental grants consideration, the application and all supporting materials (transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.) must be submitted by Monday, January 8, 2024 at 8:59pm PT.
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required. You will be asked to submit the names of your recommenders as part of the online application. We strongly recommend that you use the UC Berkeley’s online letter of recommendation system instead of having your recommenders send their letters through the mail. You will still be able to log in to the application and manage your letters of recommendation after you submit your online application. When seeking recommendations, please allow sufficient time for the letter to reach us by the deadline.
Prospective students must include a (1) research statement, (2) personal and diversity statement and (3) portfolio with their application. A resume and sample of writing may be provided as well.
Research Statement
A research statement should discuss motivations for graduate school, professional interests, current and prior design/research/work experience, and how your interests can be developed with a Master of Development Engineering degree. Maximum Word Limit: 1,000 words (roughly 2 pages, single spaced). For more information please see https://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/apply/statement-purpose/
Personal and Diversity Statement
Personal and diversity statement should discuss personal motivations for pursuing a Master of Development Engineering. It is also important to discuss any personal and leadership experiences with advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Maximum Word Limit: 1,000 words (roughly 2 pages, single spaced). For more information please see https://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/apply/personal-statement/
Portfolio
All applicants are required to submit a portfolio that demonstrates their experience with complex problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. Depending on background and experience, this may include examples of community development, design work, products, services, entrepreneurial endeavors, course projects, research artifacts, creative works deployed in the field and other creative or technical pursuits that are valued and celebrated by the intended users and other communities of practice.
What do we look for in a portfolio?
Your portfolio will be reviewed by a broad array of faculty and practitioners and therefore should be accessible to a general audience. Portfolios are expected to include both images and supporting text. They should convey the context from which the project arose, the impact or outcome of the work, and for whom the project was intended for. Collaborative work is encouraged, but please credit all authors and detail your specific contribution. Similarly, academic, professional, and personal work are all welcome, but please differentiate these types of work.
Strong portfolios describe a limited selection of projects in depth, rather than account for a large breadth of projects superficially. We suggest highlighting between 3–5 of your most compelling exemplars of creative work. The most important role of a portfolio is to clearly communicate your skills, experience, and perspective.
Your portfolio must include your name and contact information and be submitted as a stand-alone PDF formatted document. You may submit your portfolio of up to 10 pages maximum and 20MB total PDF file size. Portfolios that are submitted in excess of this page and size restriction will not be reviewed by the admissions committee. Any URLs or links to outside materials within your portfolio or elsewhere in your application will not be reviewed.
Final Decision on Acceptances: Once ALL application materials are received, the Development Engineering Admissions Committee will review your application and then make recommendations for acceptance to the Dean of the Graduate Division. The final decision on admission acceptance is made by the Dean of the Graduate Division. Most admits will be notified of their acceptance by late March.
Helpful information on submitting your application can be found at Graduate Admissions.
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