The following are some frequently asked questions about the M.A. in Humanitarian Assistance. If you do not find the answer to your question here, please contact us at maha@tufts.edu.
Admissions Criteria
What criteria make an eligible candidate? How many years of experience are necessary to be considered for this program?- More than 2-3 years experience working in the humanitarian field
- Must have a bachelors degree
- Strong English writing skills
No, the GRE is not required.
Not as long as English was the primary language of instruction.
Non-native English speakers will succeed if they have sufficient English language ability. A TOEFL score of 100 on the internet-based test, 250 on the computer-based test, or 600 on the paper-based test is generally considered evidence of sufficient English language ability. Occasionally we will admit a student with a score just below or above 250 but require that the student complete additional language training before enrolling.
For students whose native language is English, you must pass a reading and oral foreign language examination before you graduate. (Non-native English speakers who were primarily educated in an English speaking environment may also be required to demonstrate their proficiency in a second language by completing a reading and oral foreign language examination.)
Tuition and Financial Aid
If I am an international student, am I eligible for financial aid?Non-US citizens cannot be considered for financial aid. You can apply for scholarships.
Please check the box on the online application if you wish to be considered for a scholarship.
Scholarships will be determined in April once all applicants have been selected. Scholarship aid is distributed on the basis of both need and merit.
Please visit http://nutrition.tufts.edu/admissions/tuition-expenses-financial-aid for the most current information on tuition and other fees. Please note this does not include other expenses you may incur such as transportation, housing, food, clothing, etc.
You may defer for one year and will automatically be enrolled in the program. However, if you were awarded a scholarship, this will not be guaranteed.
It is not possible to pay your tuition bill by credit card. It is a question we get asked a lot. The university requires that students pay their bill directly from a bank account. Here is the information that you will need to make a wire transfer:
Wire transfers may be made in US dollars to:
Bank of America
100 W 33^rd Street
New York, NY 10001
ABA: 026009593
Credit to: Trustees of Tufts College
Account: 000054117790
Swift Code: BOFAUS3N
CHIPS: 0959
Along with this information you will want to make sure that you include your name and your student ID number.
Applying
I know there is an online application. However, is there a paper application I can complete?You must complete the online application at http://nutrition.tufts.edu/admissions/. If you are having difficulty completing the application, you may contact the Friedman School for assistance at 617-636-3777.
If you feel that you are having issues with the technology of the application, we encourage you to contact our vendor directly. You may do so by logging into the application and clicking on the ‘help’ button at the top of the application. This will allow you to open up a query and check the status of your query.
You will want to be sure that you have selected to apply to the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Our MAHA program is not listed under the Fletcher School, and this is a common error.
- Application fee of $70
- Academic transcripts from all previously attended institutions
- Three letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Personal Statement
- Supplemental Essay (1 essay required)
- Official TOEFL score (if applicable)
International applicants are asked to provide the official copy of their transcripts in their native language with the university seal along with an official translated copy of their transcript performed by a translating service. As long as you have the transcript with a university seal, that will be acceptable. There are some universities which translate their own transcripts into English and provide the university seal. If your university does not perform this service, I recommend that you send your transcripts to an agency such as http://www.cedevaluations.com or http://www.wes.org.
The online application does not offer an electronic transfer option. Applicants must pay the fee by submitting a bank note or money order. If it is impossible for you to obtain a money order, you may request a fee waiver if due to an economic hardship.
The deadline for application to the MAHA program is February 28th each year.
You will be notified by email in April.
Miscellaneous
Is the MAHA program offered online?Currently the program is only offered on-campus from September-May in Medford/Boston, MA in the U.S.
Since this is a one-year rigorous program and the courses may change from year to year, it is not possible to attend on a part-time basis.
It is not recommended because the program is very rigorous. However, there may be research assistant positions available throughout the year. This should be discussed with the Academic Director.
On campus residences are not available for MAHA students. Students must locate their own housing. We suggest finding housing closer to the Medford Campus because the rent is more affordable than the Boston housing market. Housing should be set before students arrive in June and July.
