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Master of Arts in International Relations

Create the Future You Envision with a Master's in International Relations

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

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Program Info

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A World-Renowned International Relations Master's Degree

Gain hands-on expertise in international relations from the experts at The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Spend your first year studying at SAIS Europe in Bologna, Italy, 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.

94% of the two-year Master of Arts in International Relations Class of 2021 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. Develop tangible skills through rigorous coursework tailored to your personal and professional goals. Challenge yourself to think critically and execute hard skills at the top level of organizations that influence international relations and policy.

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 involved in foreign affairs and policy.

Develop Focused Expertise in Your Area of Interest

All students will study core concepts of leadership, decision-making, data analytics, economics, geopolitics, and research methods. Further expand your global expertise by exploring both a functional and regional focus area that aligns with your personal and professional goals.

Functional

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

Regional

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

Collaborate with Foreign Policy Experts

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

Johns Hopkins SAIS graduates have the competitive edge in the workplace thanks to their exposure to advanced quantitative training and our expert faculty. Starting salaries vary greatly depending on geographic location, employment sector, and functional area within the sector.

Recent Employers

  • Deloitte
  • U.S. Department of State
  • Climate Policy Initiative
  • United Nations

Compensation by Sector

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

Discover a World of Opportunities

Build Your 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, 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 Make a Difference

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, Public Service Fellow,
Master of Arts in International Relations

[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