Criteria & Program Costs

SPURS is designed for mature individuals who hold responsible positions in public or private organizations or the non-government sector and are concerned with urban, regional and rural development, economic development, and social change. Their experience should be substantial and may be in fields as diverse as architecture, business, economics, engineering, geography, government, and sociology. The principal eligibility requirements for admission are an advanced degree, and/or five or more years of work experience in a related field. All applicants admitted must have a good command of English as shown by a minimum TOEFL score of 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on the computer-based test, or 100 on the internet based test.

Criteria for admission and cost of MIT tuition and the SPURS fee vary according to the terms of admission. There are three categories:

Visiting Scholar

Fellows may be admitted as Visiting Scholar. To qualify, Fellows must be in possession of a Ph.D. or an equivalent advanced degree, and must have made distinguished contributions in fields that are relevant to the areas of study in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at MIT. The fee for a Visiting Scholar for 2008-2009 is $9,360.

Research Fellow

Fellows with significant work experience may be admitted as Research Fellows. These Fellows are pursuing a non-degree program and do not take subjects for credit. This option applies to Fellows awarded support by selected U.S. government agencies or international organizations, or by their own governments. In special cases, one or two subjects may be taken for credit for the academic year. MIT tuition will apply on subjects taken for credit. The fee for a Research Fellow for 2008-2009 is $9,360.

Master of Science (MS) SPURS

Master of Science (MS) SPURS Degree Fellows must be admitted to the Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP) and take the full subject load to meet degree requirements. Full tuition and fees enable Fellows to take a full subject load and earn credits at MIT, which can be applied towards an advanced degree.

Full tuition and fees for the 2008-2009 academic year is $45,500.

Living Expenses

In addition, Fellows will have to meet living expenses. In 2008-2009, these expenses are estimated at $2,100/month for a single Fellow, and health insurance is estimated at $1,600 for nine months for Fellows taking a full subject load. Health insurance for a single Visiting Scholar or Research Fellow is estimated at $2,850 for nine months. All Fellows are expected to be fully funded by foundations or by their government, university, or other relevant organization.

SPURS does not provide any form of fellowship. Most Fellows secure funding from outside sources.