Application for 2025-26 Class is Now Open

Welcome

Learning for Action, Learning for Change

The 10-month, intensive MA program in Policy Economics (MaPE) at the Center for Development Economics (CDE) at Williams College trains participants to understand the development process more deeply and to formulate thoughtful economic policies. Designed for public sector economists from low- and middle-income countries who already have practical experience, the program equips graduates with flexible analytical skills (using economics as the core discipline). Practice-oriented courses expand students' knowledge of complex development challenges and teach them to identify practical solutions. When returning to their home countries, CDE graduates are prepared to think, write, and speak like rising policymakers.

Why Choose MaPE from Williams CDE?

Program

A curriculum and degree designed specifically for future policymakers. Build a foundation of analytical approaches and a structure of applied analysis during ten months of rigorous, guided training.

People

Taught by outstanding professors who fuse superior academic and practical experience. Learn from devoted professors with experience across many countries. Closely interact with faculty who mentor and guide you during the program.
Conduct your training among talented peers with similar goals. Up to 30 CDE Fellows enroll each year from hundreds of applicants (on average, fewer than 10% are admitted). Every Williams CDE participant in the last five years has been awarded full or partial scholarship funding.
More than 1,300 successful Williams CDE graduates since 1961. Join a growing family of our alumni who maintain close contact decades after graduation. Build important social networks with key policymakers of the past, present, and future.

Place

The CDE program is an integral part of Williams College, a leader in U.S. higher education since 1793, able to attract excellent professors and maintain first-rate facilities, while situated in a small, supportive academic community.

CDE Brochure.

Click on Images bellow to download PDF version of the CDE Brochures for printing.

(PDF, A4 Format).

(PDF, 8.5x11")

CDE: Who We Are (A Video Primer)

In the video below, CDE Director, Tom Powers explains the CDE history, offers a brief overview about Williams College and discusses funding and application processes. The video was originally intended for a Pakistan-based "Study With US" program but can be of interest to CDE applicants.