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Master of Arts in International Relations

Become a Master of International Relations

Locations Offered
Washington, D.C., Bologna, Italy, and Nanjing, China
Time to Completion
(Full-Time)
2 Years
Credit hours required
64

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Program Info

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Johns Hopkins SAIS Master’s Degrees Ranked #2 Worldwide

Over the past two decades, Foreign Policy magazine has published a reputational ranking of academic programs in international relations. Each time, international relations professionals are asked to list the five best programs in the world for students who want to pursue careers similar to theirs.

In the latest ranking released on July 30, 2024, generated with responses from three categories of international relations experts—scholars, policymakers, and think tank staffers, master’s programs offered by the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) are ranked number two by all three groups of responders, up from number three in the last Foreign Policy survey.

Obtain Key Skills to Create Global Change With a World-Renowned Master’s Degree

Gain hands-on expertise in international relations from the experts at The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). The Master of Arts in International Relations program allows students to benefit from our integrated, three continent, three campus-wide network.

Spend your first year studying at SAIS Europe in Bologna, Italy, or the Hopkins-Nanjing Center in Nanjing, China, or spend both years in Washington, D.C. — the epicenter of foreign affairs and policy — at our new location just steps away from the U.S. Capitol.

96% of the two-year Master of Arts in International Relations Class of 2023 were employed, pursuing fellowships or internships, or had gone on for further study within six months of graduation.

Explore Your Future at SAIS Today

Do You Aspire to be an International Relations Expert?

As you strive to lead on the world stage, you will face many challenges. That's why at Johns Hopkins SAIS, we prepare you to overcome those obstacles. The Master of Arts in International Relations degree program will prepare you with the knowledge, skills, and experiences to tackle the complex global challenges of today—and tomorrow.

The Master of Arts in International Relations was designed for:

  • People who want to make a difference in the world.
  • Individuals who are looking to gain hands-on expertise in international relations from influential experts.
  • Professionals looking to build a resume that allows for career advancement or a career change to organizations in the public, private, non-profit and multilateral sectors.

Experience a Flexible & Diverse Curriculum

Following a self-designed program of study, students will complete six core courses (24 credits), including leadership, decision-making, data analytics, economics, geopolitics, and research methods. Further expand your global expertise by exploring a selection of three courses from both a functional and regional focus area that aligns with your personal and professional goals (40 credits).

Functional

  • Development, Climate, and Sustainability
  • Governance, Politics, and Society
  • International Economics and Finance
  • Security, Strategy, and Statecraft
  • Technology and Innovation

Regional

  • Africa
  • The Americas
  • Asia
  • China
  • Europe and Eurasia
  • The Middle East
  • United States

Learn from World-class Scholars and Practitioners in International Relations

The reputation of Johns Hopkins SAIS as one of the world's most respected international relations programs attracts the best students and faculty from around the globe. Learn theory and applied practice that informs international relations as you work with world-class experts renowned for their scholarship, influence, networks, and practical experience. Supplement your studies with professional training that will prepare you for your future career in international relations.

Go beyond the classroom and gain real-world, cutting-edge expertise needed to address today's most pressing global challenges.

Become a SAIS student and enjoy:

Tailor Your Experience

Advance Your Career in International Relations

Johns Hopkins SAIS graduates have a competitive edge in the workplace thanks to their exposure to advanced quantitative training and our expert faculty. From consultants to entrepreneurs, leaders of nongovernmental organizations to policymakers, Johns Hopkins SAIS graduates put their degrees to work.

Compensation by Sector *

Private Sector Public Sector Multilateral Sector Non-Profit Sector
$74,269 - $202,500 $69,805-$127,000 $50,883-$125,000 $50,625-$75,000

Recent Employers

Private Sector Public Sector
Beacon Global Strategies
Bloomberg
Chemonics International
Deloitte
 Millennium Challenge Corporation
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
U.S. Department of State
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Multilateral Sector Non-Profit Sector
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
NATO Parliamentary Assembly
United Nations
World Bank Group 		Atlantic Council
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Climate Policy Initiative
Council on Foreign Relations
U.S. China Business Council

Discover a World of Opportunities

* Starting salaries vary greatly depending on geographic location, employment sector, and functional area within the sector.

Join a Thriving Global Community in Washington, D.C.

Form lasting bonds in a close-knit group of fellow students and faculty who share your passion for international relations and who seek to make the world a better place. Gain unrivaled access to professional opportunities at leading global organizations supported by our global alumni network.

Share Global Experiences with Your Peers

Start your MA in International Relations at SAIS Europe in Bologna, Italy, or at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center in Nanjing, China, and share unique experiences with your fellow students. Alternatively, students can spend both years studying just blocks from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Graduate Prepared to Influence Positive Global Change

With campuses on three continents, SAIS truly has a global footprint. Benefit from our Global Career Services office and our global alumni network that will help connect you with incredible opportunities.

See How You Can Change the World

See What Our Students Have to Say

I chose SAIS because of the people, and not just the distinguished faculty and staff. Every SAIS student I had the privilege of meeting before I applied was incredibly kind, academically dynamic, and supportive. I instantly knew this was the kind of program I wanted to be a part of.

- Joy Woods, '24, Master of Arts in International Relations,
Public Service Fellow

[SAIS] provided the opportunity to explore the rich professional network of Washington D.C. The school offered a diverse range of classes and the right balance of both quantitative and qualitative courses to enrich my understanding of various areas such as international economics and international relations.

- Rohail Khan , '22, Master of Arts in International Relations