Applicants to the UC Berkeley Master of Development Engineering should be early- to mid-career professionals with an interest in advancing technology-driven solutions for local and global development.
Applicants must meet all Graduate Division admission requirements. Strong candidates will have a STEM background with prior work experience in development or applied technologies. Preparation can be a degree in an engineering or science discipline or in a social science or natural resource discipline with some quantitative coursework.
All applicants must have the requisite technical preparation. At minimum, all applicants should have a two-course series in a technical area, such as computer science, economics, mathematics, physics, engineering, or data science, dependent on their undergraduate major. While post-baccalaureate work experience is not required for this program, prospective students are encouraged to have one to three years of work experience before applying. Outstanding undergraduates with professional experience, such as internships, will also be considered. Additionally, non-required qualifications include: experience in technology, development, entrepreneurship, leadership, or social or environmental policy; a background in nonprofit, community engagement, or government work; or contributions to diversity, equity, or inclusion.
Students at the time of application will be asked to decide in one of the four following concentration areas — AI/data analytics for social impact; energy, water, and the environment; sustainable design innovations; or healthcare transformations — and provide context for their area of interest.
As with all approved graduate-level programs at UC Berkeley, applicants will be held to rigorous academic criteria in order to be admitted to this program. A bachelor’s degree, or recognized equivalent, from an accredited institution is required. Applicants will be evaluated on:
- Undergraduate coursework and grade point averages
- Previous graduate coursework and grade point averages, if applicable
- Quality of relevant work or research experience
- Performance on the GRE (recommended but not required) and, if required, the TOEFL
Interest in pursuing a particular problem area that will form the students’ concentration focus
Applicants will also be required to submit a statement of purpose, personal statement, and three letters of recommendation, which will be evaluated by the Graduate Group in Development Engineering Admissions Committee for academic and professional promise, enthusiasm for the field, and academic and career interests that align with the program. Students may be invited for an interview, either in-person or remote, and should be prepared to explain their qualifications, motivations to apply to the program, and goals for the program.
