Master of Arts in Applied Ethics & Policy
Qualifications and Requirements
Duke Master of Arts in Applied Ethics & Policy Application Qualifications and Requirements
Review the following application qualifications and requirements carefully before starting your application. Then click the button below to begin the application process on the Duke Graduate School website.
Application Deadlines
Applications Open: August
Spring Admission Deadline: October 1st, 2026
Fall Admission Deadlines:
- Early action – January 21, 2027
- Regular admission – March 18, 2027
- Rolling admission – May 31, 2027
Program Qualifications
Academic Strength and Experience
Your academic background should demonstrate the capability to undertake rigorous graduate-level studies. Duke University requires a four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent to be eligible to apply. The program reviews applications holistically and does not have an absolute cutoff point for GPA. However, most applicants accepted into the program have achieved a 3.2 or higher.
Strong Command of the English Language
Strong written and oral English skills are essential to succeed in this program. International students are required to submit scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the academic modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test with subscores.
Ability to Move to Durham, NC
This is a fully residential graduate program that requires students to attend classes in person.
Application Requirements
Applicants must hold either a US bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited institution. If the degree was granted by an institution outside of the US, the institution must be accredited by the governing educational body of the country (such as the Ministry of Education).
Undergraduate students may provide unofficial transcripts during the application process, but are required to show proof of their degree and have their official transcripts issued by their school before they can matriculate.
Review the application requirements carefully before starting the application. When you’re ready, create an account on the Graduate School website and begin the application process.
You must upload transcript(s) from all colleges and universities previously attended. Applicants must have, at a minimum, the equivalent of a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree to be considered for admission. For admission review, unofficial transcripts are acceptable. As part of your online application, you must upload one copy of the scanned unofficial transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution where you:
- earned (or will earn) a degree;
- studied for one semester or more;
- earned 12 or more hours of credit; or
- took classes that relate to your graduate study interests.
If you are offered admission and accept, the Graduate School will contact you to request that you send your official transcripts. Do not send your official transcripts until you are contacted.
Review the Duke Graduate School’s transcripts page for more information about submitting your transcripts, including what constitutes unofficial and official transcripts, and what to do if your school does not issue transcripts directly to students.
As part of your online application, you must upload a statement of purpose. The statement should be one to two pages and single-spaced. It should briefly discuss:
- Why you want to study Applied Ethics & Policy at Duke
- Your purposes and objectives in pursuing graduate study
- Your special interests and plans
- Your strengths and weaknesses in your chosen field
- Any research projects or any independent research in which you have actively participated and how they have influenced your career choice and desire to pursue graduate studies
- Any particular reasons you may have for applying to Duke (e.g. you would like to work with a specific faculty member).
As part of your online application, you must upload a Life Experiences Statement. The statement should be no more than one (1) page single spaced.
Life Experiences Statement Prompt: Please provide a brief statement that highlights the unique life experiences that have shaped your personal and professional identity and prepared you for graduate work. Share how these experiences have influenced your perspectives and your vision for leveraging them to contribute to Duke’s academic community.
While the Statement of Purpose focuses on your academic and professional goals, research interests, and reasons for applying to Duke, the Life Experiences Statement is designed to provide insight into your personal background and the unique experiences that have shaped who you are. This statement should highlight how your life experiences contribute to your identity, how you plan to leverage them within Duke’s academic community, and expand on any perspectives and experiences outlined in our mission statement.
Learn more on the Duke Graduate School website.
As part of your online application, you must upload a resume or curriculum vitae (CV). This document should summarize your education, academic achievements, work history, and professional accomplishments. It may also include a list of skills, publications, research experiences, and other credentials that demonstrate your preparedness for graduate study.
How to Submit: Upload the resume or CV in the “Required Supplemental Uploads” section of the online application.
(1) Choose a current issue or challenge related to bioethics, technology ethics, and/or public policy that you find important. (Maximum 1,200 words)
In your essay, describe the issue, explain why it matters, and discuss the ethical questions or policy challenges it raises. Share your perspective on how the issue should be addressed and explain the reasoning behind your views. You may draw on your academic, professional, volunteer, or personal experiences, as well as examples or evidence that have informed your thinking.
We are interested in learning how you approach complex issues, consider different perspectives, and communicate your ideas clearly. There is no single “right” answer. Instead, we are looking for a thoughtful, well-reasoned response that reflects your interest in applied ethics and public policy.
(2) Describe your career goals and explain how earning a Master of Applied Ethics and Policy will help you achieve them. (Maximum 600 words)
In your essay, discuss your professional interests, the experiences that have shaped your goals, and the knowledge and skills you hope to gain through the program. Explain why this degree is the right next step for you and how you plan to apply what you learn to make a meaningful impact in your field or community.
We are interested in understanding your motivations, your aspirations, and how you envision the program contributing to your personal and professional development.
The Graduate School requires three recommendation letters in support of your application (Applications for Graduate Liberal Studies require only two recommendation letters). Your recommenders must submit their letters of recommendation electronically via the online recommendation system. Request letters of recommendation from people best qualified to attest to your capacity for graduate work.
How to Submit
In the recommendations section of the online application, choose “Add Recommender” to enter the contact information of your recommenders, including their e-mail addresses. Each recommender will then receive an e-mail that includes a link to an online recommendation form. This is the form the recommender will use to upload a letter in support of your application. We ask that you provide professional email addresses for your recommenders if possible. Recommendations sent to a general email account (Gmail or Yahoo, for example) will be more closely monitored in our application credentials review process.
Read more about letters of recommendation on the Duke Graduate School website.
Applicants may choose to submit GRE scores for consideration, but they are not required. (To submit, use the Duke University code 5156.)
Ask Educational Testing Service to send an official copy of the scores to The Graduate School. Use institution code 5156. You do not need a department code. If ETS requires a department code, select any one of the department codes listed on its site. Regardless of the department code entered, the scores will come to The Graduate School as long as you use institution code 5156.
Be sure to alert us at grad-admissions@duke.edu if the name on your application is different from the name on your score report. You do not need to notify us about minor differences in spacing or hyphenation (such as “Juan Carlos” vs. “JuanCarlos” or “Jane Henry Doe” vs. “Jane Henry-Doe”).
For applicants whose first language is not English, an English proficiency test is required. Applicants must submit scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the academic modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test with subscores.
Details on the TOEFL and IELTS exams and registration forms are available at U.S. embassies and consulates as well as U.S. Information Agency offices, or from TOEFL and IELTS. Please request that the official TOEFL scores be sent to the Duke Graduate School admissions office, institutional code 5156.
More information is available on the Duke Graduate School website.
The Duke University Graduate School application fee is $105. Your application will not be considered unless the fee has been submitted prior to the application deadline. You may submit the fee via the online application management system using Visa, Discover, or Mastercard. The application fee is nonrefundable.
Application Fee Waiver
Applicants to the Master’s in Applied Ethics & Policy Program can apply for an application fee waiver through either the Graduate School or through the Applied Ethics & Policy Master’s Program. The two entities have distinct criteria for approving waivers:
- The Graduate School application fee waiver is available only to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Visit the Graduate School application fee page for more information.
- The Applied Ethics & Policy Master’s Program offers a limited number of fee waivers for non-U.S. citizens applying to the program who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and potential for contributing to the program. Requests should include a college transcript and a CV/resume and be directed to madeline.liddicoat@duke.edu.
For more information on the application process, please visit the Duke University Graduate School.
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit our Admissions FAQ page for answers to commonly asked questions about the application process.