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Home―Academics―Master Degrees―Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA)

Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA)

  • Campus: SAIS Europe
  • Program Duration: Two Years; Full-time
  • Credits: 64 Credits

In this section

How to Apply

Overview

Through this two-year, research-focused degree, you will have the flexibility to personalize your curriculum and focus on the contemporary issues in international affairs of the greatest importance to you and your career interests. You may pursue both years at SAIS Europe or spend one of the two years at an international university that is one of our cooperative degree partners. 

Become an Expert

Deepen your knowledge of international affairs and acquire the skills to address complex global challenges. With Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East as your extended neighborhood, you will gain valuable experiences both inside and outside the classroom.   

What Your Schedule Will Look Like

You will learn under the American system of graduate education and can select courses based on your academic interests.

Pre-Term

Get a jump-start on your studies and meet fellow classmates and professors during Pre-Term.

Sample Courses

  • Intensivel Italian
  • Survival Italian
  • Statistics for Data Analysis

Duration

Mid August - Mid September 

Fall Term

Whether you are interested in building your expertise in economics, on a specific region of the world, or on a specific international affairs issue, you can tailor your studies and select courses from the approximately 35 options taught at SAIS Europe each semester.  If you are writing a thesis, you will participate in the thesis research design workshops in addition to your classes.

Sample Courses

  • Risk in International Politics and Economics
  • History and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa
  • Democracy and its Discontent
  • Multiculturalism and the Human Rights of Women
  • Energy and Climate Change
  • Constitutional Development and Democratization

Duration

September – December 

January Intersession

Gain hands-on experience in your field of study by participating in a study trip, or participate in a career trek to meet with company executives and alumni to further explore different career paths.

Spring Term

In the spring term of your first year (for two-year MAIA), continue to develop expertise in your areas of interest by selecting 4 courses. If you are in your second year (or a one-year cooperative program) this semester you will complete your final academic courses and participate in the academic writing sessions. Thesis writers take two courses and focus on their thesis, while the others take two additional courses, one of which includes a substantial research paper.

Sample Courses

  • Topics in International Finance
  • Conflict Risk and Stability in Cyberspace
  • Scenarios for the Future of Europe
  • Rural Development, Gender and Social Inclusion
  • Twin Pillars of the Gulf
  • The Geopolitics of Organized Crime

Duration

January – May

Curriculum

Learn From the Best

Study with world-class experts who are renowned for their scholarship, influence, and networks.

Nina Hall

Assistant Professor of International Relations

Mark Gilbert

C. Grove Haines Professor, Professor of History and International Studies

Raffaella A. Del Sarto

Academic Director, Master of Arts in International Affairs, Associate Professor of Middle East Studies

Justin Frosini

Adjunct Professor of Constitutional Law

View Faculty

In the News

Will the China-Russia relationship hold? Understanding contradictions and convergence.

Sergey Radchenko participated in The Democracy Forum webinar, 08/25

Driving a wedge between China and Russia won’t work.

Sergey Radchenko wrote in War on the Rocks, 08/24

Afghanistan has never been Moscow or Washington’s to win or lose.

Sergey Radchenko wrote in The Moscow Times, 08/16

Global Britain.

David Ellwood wrote Il Mulino, 08/09

Floods and their impact on German voters.

Nina Hall interviewed on Radio New Zealand, 08/03

Taming the Afghan menace.

Sanam Vakil quoted in Ahram Online, 07/17

Global trading system not at tipping point yet.

Michael G. Plummer interviewed in Unravel, 07/06

Saudi-Iran talks could move to Oman, an intriguing shift for Israel.

Sanam Vakil quoted in The Times of Israel, 07/06

Sustainability, the green economy festival returns to Parma.

Vera Zamagni cited in WorldMagazine, 07/06

Advance Your Career

Our graduates are valued in the global marketplace and known for their ability to address multifaceted challenges across all sectors around the world. Johns Hopkins SAIS alumni–including more than 20,000 graduates–8,000 of which studied at SAIS Europe–will expand your global professional network.

92% of the one-year MAIA Class of 2020 were employed, pursuing fellowships or internships, or had gone on for further study within six months of graduation.*

Recent Employers

  • Bloomberg
  • Center for International Trade Development
  • International Development Law Organisation (IDLO)
  • International Fund for Agricultural Development
  • International Monetary Fund
  • Ministry Economics Affairs and Climate
  • Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM)
  • U.S. Department of State
  • UNESCO
  • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
*Based on results of a survey of students who graduated between December 2019 and August 2020. MAIA survey participation rate was 93%.
Employment Outcomes

Build Your Network

Join an influential alumni network of 20,000 Johns Hopkins SAIS professionals working across sectors in 140 countries around the world.

Master of Arts in International Affairs Degree, Study Trip profile

Throughout the academic year, students have the opportunity to learn outside the classroom during study trips, where they visit a myriad of organizations and meet with individuals who offer unique perspectives on current global affairs.

Master of Arts in International Affairs Degree, Alumni Weekend profile

Alumni return to SAIS Europe each year for the school's annual alumni weekend to share their professional and personal stories since graduating, and to connect with current students.

photo of Elif

A Culturally Rich Education at SAIS Europe

"The international composition of the school has allowed me to engage with and learn from people of varying regions,cultures and backgrounds, an opportunity I am grateful to have been given."

View Story

photo of rony

Finding the Perfect Fit at SAIS Europe

"I had a short list of objectives when searching for a graduate school and when I came across SAIS Europe I knew I found what I had been looking for all along."

View Story

All Student Stories

Admissions Events

Sep 17 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Online SAIS Event

Master of International Economics and Finance Virtual Information Session

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 The Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) Office of Admission invites you to learn more about the Master of Arts in...

Sep 21 8:00 am - 9:00 am Online SAIS Event

SAIS Europe Virtual Information Session

Join SAIS Europe to learn more about all our degree offerings. This informative virtual information session will present information on the admissions process for the MAIR (SAIS Europe), MAIA, MAGR,...

Sep 22 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Online SAIS Event

Master of Arts in International Relations Virtual Information Session

The Johns Hopkins SAIS Office of Admission invites you to learn more about the Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR) degree by joining an online information session. Current MAIR...

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Beyond the Classroom

Through study trips, career treks, and internships, you will gain practical, hands-on experience.

Bologna Institute for Policy Research (BIPR)

Contribute to BIPR - the research division of SAIS Europe. Its purpose is to promote problem-centered, interdisciplinary research in international policy by drawing upon the global network of the school's faculty, students, and scholars.

Student Government Association

Serve as the liaison between the student body and administration, offering ideas for programming at SAIS Europe and selecting guest speakers for the faculty research seminar series.

World-Class Events

Hear groundbreaking research from leading scholars and practitioners at our weekly seminars. Recent sessions have explored topics including the dynamics of commodity economies, push and pull factors in international migration, and Canadian climate policy in a warming world.

Networking Events

Network with alumni and professionals and organize student-led events exploring your area of interest's challenges and opportunities outside the classroom.

More Opportunities