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Home―Academics―Master Degrees―Certificate in Chinese and American Studies + MAIR

Certificate in Chinese and American Studies + MAIR

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How to Apply Blog

Overview

Gain a professional edge in your career and further your Hopkins-Nanjing Center studies with a Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR) degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Spend one year in China working towards the Certificate in Chinese and American Studies credential and then spend one year in Washington DC or SAIS Europe to complete an MAIR degree on an accelerated timeline.

Become an Expert

Certificate in Chinese and American Studies 

The one-year certificate, jointly awarded by Johns Hopkins SAIS and Nanjing University, is delivered at the HNC, and provides you with the flexibility to focus on the issues that matter most to your professional interests. Intermediate- to advanced-level proficiency in Chinese is required prior to the start of the program.

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Master of Arts in International Relations

Continue your graduate studies in economics, geopolitics, security, and the environment at Johns Hopkins SAIS. The MAIR portion of study takes an additional one year to complete. You can pursue your studies at either campus in Washington DC or SAIS Europe, although you must spend at least one semester in Washington DC.

 

What Your Schedule Will Look Like

Overview

Develop high-level professional Chinese-language skills by reading academic articles, debating issues in class, writing research papers, and living in a bilingual community. Complete six courses total, five of which must be in Mandarin.

Sample Courses

  • Chinese History Since 1949  (taught in Chinese)
  • Contemporary International Politics  (taught in Chinese)
  • Comparative Economies: US and China (taught in English)
  • Ethnic Minorities in Chinese Society (taught in Chinese)
  • International Economics (taught in Chinese)
  • International Humanitarian Law (taught in English)
  • Social Issues of China’s Modernization (taught in Chinese)
  • Film, Culture and Society in Contemporary China (taught in Chinese)

Duration

September–June

Overview

Spend the next year in Washington DC or at SAIS Europe to complete the MAIR degree. Build a robust set of skills – including leadership, economic analysis, analytical conceptualization and reasoning, regional expertise, and real-world problem-solving.

Core Curriculum

  • Data Analytics
  • Economics
  • Leadership, Ethics, and Decision-making
  • Research Methods
  • World Order and Disorder/Geopolitics

Learn From the Best

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

Adam Webb

American Co-Director of the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, Resident Professor of Political Science

Joe Renouard

Resident Professor of History and American Studies

Faculty Directory

Advance Your Career

From consultants to entrepreneurs, leaders of nongovernmental organizations to policymakers, Johns Hopkins SAIS graduates put their degrees to work.

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.*

Recent Employers

  • Deloitte
  • Eurasia Foundation
  • European Stability Mechanism
  • ExxonMobil Corporation
  • Fair Labor Association
  • Federal Reserve Board
  • IBM
  • International Finance Corporation
  • International Monetary Fund
  • Institute for Defense Analyses
* Based on results of a survey of students who graduated between May and August 2021. MAIR survey participation rate was 92%.
  • Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas)
  • Morgan Stanley
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • Partners of the Americas
  • United Nations Foundation
  • US Department of State
  • US Department of Treasury
  • US House of Representatives
  • World Bank Group
  • World Resources Institute
Employment Outcomes

Build Your Network

Alumni of the HNC and Johns Hopkins SAIS are renowned for their Chinese-language proficiency and their multidisciplinary approach to understanding international affairs.

Johns Hopkins SAIS students talking

Students gain valuable insights from global leaders and international relations experts through the many events hosted at the school that provide a wide spectrum of viewpoints on the issues that shape our world.

photo of SAIS student Tarela

Forming Lifelong Friendships While Earning a Graduate Degree

"After researching graduate programs, I discovered that the Hopkins-Nanjing Center certificate program was perfect for me because it catered to my academic interests and adventurous personality."

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Studying China's Engagement in Latin America

With my degree, I am hoping to build a career that would allow me to give back to my community, to give back to Colombia. As a Chinese Colombian, I would like to be part of that bridge that connects the two countries and the wider Latin American region.

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Events

Check back soon for upcoming events.

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Beyond the Classroom

The Hopkins-Nanjing Center fosters a close-knit community, and the bilingual learning environment extends beyond the classroom into everyday interactions on campus.

Study Treks

See policy in action by engaging in a study trip. Recent week-long research trips have taken students to study economic, social, and political issues in China’s border regions and in Yunnan province.

Internships

The school’s global career counselors have a track record for connecting talented students with alumni and organizations to secure rewarding internship opportunities. Nearly half of the second-year MAIR class seeks exciting, part-time internships in the final year of their studies.

Volunteer Opportunities in Nanjing

Serve the Nanjing community by volunteering as student teachers at local schools. Students have worked with students at primary and vocational schools to strengthen English skills and understanding of Western culture.

Career Treks

Through company visits and alumni networking receptions students gain an insider’s perspective on working in different sectors. The school hosts career treks around the world to help students learn about career paths in asset management, consulting, energy and environment, finance, international development, nonprofits, multilateral organizations, political risk, think tanks, and more.

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