How to Apply | Certificate in Chinese and American Studies + MAIA

1. Name: Please list your full legal name. If you have a maiden name or alternate name that you previously used legally, please list it in the "Other Last Names Used" section.
    
2. Addresses: Please list both your permanent and mailing addresses. If your mailing address expires before admissions decisions are rendered, then any posted correspondence will be sent to your permanent address. If your current mailing address changes at any time during the application process, please notify the Office of Admissions as soon as possible.
    
3. Email Address: Please provide an email address that will be valid throughout the entire application process. Take care to ensure that emails from Johns Hopkins SAIS are not filtered to a junk folder because we will communicate with you primarily through email.
    
4. Phone Number: When entering your phone number, if you are listing a non-US phone number, please include the country code when entering the number, leaving out any parenthesis, dashes, or other symbols.
    
5. Citizenship Information: Please select your citizenship. Dual citizens should select both nationalities. If you do not have a current Current Immigration Status, please select "OTH" from the drop down menu. Citizens of the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao should submit two separate applications, one to the MAIA program and one to the Certificate program through Nanjing University.
    
6. Social Security Number: This is required if you have a US Social Security Number at the time of application.
    
7. Race/Ethnicity Optional: This data is collected as required by the US Federal Government and does not influence our admissions decisions. We encourage you to answer both questions. Ethnicity definitions are provided.

Degree Type: Select "Full-Time" as your degree type.

Program: Select "HNC Certificate + SAIS MAIA" as your program of choice.

Early Notification: Please note, for your application to be considered for Early Notification, all supporting documents (as listed in the application instructions) must be received by the Office of Admissions no later than November 1. If any supporting documents are received after November 1, the application will be reviewed during the Regular Decision process.

All applications and supporting documentation become the confidential property of the Johns Hopkins SAIS Office of Admissions and cannot be returned.

Please use the "type ahead" option in the institution name to search for the College/University you have attended. Selecting your institution through this feature will automatically populate some of the fields below and ensure that the identifying information for this institution is formatted properly in our records. If your institution code is not available, please type the name in "Institution."

Submit Transcript: You must submit transcripts reflecting all university-level course work listed on the application. You may upload unofficial transcripts via the online application, or submit official transcripts via hard copy or electronic copy, either from the college/university directly or via a transcript clearinghouse.

You should not list: 1) institutions at which three or fewer courses were completed, or where courses were only audited or taken on a non-credit basis, 2) executive education programs, 3) non-credit language institutes, or 4) non-credit certificate programs.

Mailing Transcripts: Transcripts in hard copy should be sent to the Office of Admissions in Washington, DC:

555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, WS-605
Washington DC, 20001
 
Transcripts in electronic copy should be sent to [email protected].
 
Unofficial transcripts: Admitted applicants who submit unofficial transcripts as part of the application process will be required to submit official copies prior to enrollment.
 
Study abroad grades and transfer credit: Transcripts listing study abroad grades and/or transfer credits are required unless both the grades and credits are reflected on the primary undergraduate transcript.
 
Non-English-language transcripts: If your transcript is in a language other than English, you are asked to provide an official translation of the entire transcript and an explanation of the grading system of the university. You are strongly encouraged to use a credential evaluation service, particularly if you are not sure of how to obtain original transcripts or face difficulties obtaining them. See the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services for a list of providers. Transcripts and translations must be received by the Office of Admissions before the relevant deadline, so please make any requests well in advance.

1. Chinese Proficiency Results: To apply for any HNC program, you must provide Chinese reading and listening proficiency test results from one of the following language assessments: STAMP, HSK, ACTFL, CEFR, or ILR. Writing and speaking assessments may be taken into consideration, but reading and listening proficiency results are still required. Test results must be from within the last 12 months, and available for review before the application deadline. If you have not yet taken any of these tests, you can request to take the STAMP test via the online application. 
    
2. GRE or GMAT scores: Optional. If you decide to submit scores for either the GRE or the GMAT, Johns Hopkins SAIS will only accept scores directly from the testing service. Please arrange for all standardized test scores to be sent in advance of the application deadline. The GRE code for Johns Hopkins SAIS is 5610-0000; the GMAT code is KGB-GX-99.
    
3. English Language Examination You must submit an official English competency score if (1) English is not your native language and (2) you do not hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution in a country where English is an official language and where English is the language of instruction. Official test scores must be received for admissions consideration. For more information and instructions, please review our English language examination policy.
    

Please provide details of all of your professional positions.

1. City of Birth: Please type the name of the city where you were born.
2. US Military: Please indicate if you are an active duty or former member of the US Armed Forces in the space provided.
3. Current Residency: Please provide the country and city, where you currently reside.
4. Diversity: Johns Hopkins SAIS receives applications from a diverse pool of candidates. These questions ensure we have the clearest possible understanding of each candidate’s background. Your answers will be kept confidential.
5. Affiliations: The Office of Admissions offers application fee waivers to participants or alumni affiliated with the following professional development programs.

To receive a fee waiver, please upload official documentation confirming your participation in the selected program. On the "Review" page, select "Finalize Application and Pay," however do not complete payment. Please contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected], our team will review and confirm your request. Please note: we cannot grant fee waivers for financial hardship.

• AmeriCorps Volunteer
• Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Graduate Program Fellow
• Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Participant
• Fulbright 
• Institute for International Public Policy Fellowship (IIPP)
• McNair Scholar
• Peace Corps
• Public Policy & International Affairs (PPIA) Fellow
• Teach for America Member
• Teach for China Member
• Teach for India Member
• Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellow
• U.S. Military Active Duty
• U.S. Military Veteran
• Other
   
• Languages: Please list your native language; bilingual applicants should list their dominant language. Your native/dominant language is the one that meets 2 out of 3 requirements: it is (a) the main language of communication between you and one of your parents or caregivers, (b) an official language in the community where you grew up, (c) the language of instruction in the high school you attended.
  
  You should indicate levels of proficiency for up to two additional foreign languages in the areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening comprehension. Any language experience beyond these should be included on your resume.
   
• Time Spent Abroad: You should use this section to indicate any time spent living, working and/or studying outside of your home country. Please list the most significant experience abroad first.
   
• Financial Aid: Indicate in this section if you wish to be considered for need and merit-based aid for Johns Hopkins SAIS scholarships. Financial aid decision letters for both early notification and regular decision are sent via email to admitted students in mid-March.

Please note: in order to be considered for scholarship funding, you must answer “yes” to the question in this section. Applicants who answer “no” will not be considered for any scholarship funding.

For more information on financial aid eligibility and forms, visit Financial Aid.

Please indicate all university-level quantitative (i.e. economics, math, natural science, etc.) coursework that you have completed with the grade received (must correspond to information on an official transcript) or courses currently in progress. Only list completed courses for which you received a B-, or equivalent non-US grading scale, or higher.

Note: completion of a college-level introductory course in microeconomics and macroeconomics with a B- grade or higher is a prerequisite for enrollment prior to starting the master's portion of the program. This is not an admissions requirement. Students admitted without having fulfilled this prerequisite will be enrolled in our online Principles of Economics course during the summer term in between their year in the Certificate and the master's program.

Upload the relevant required documents here for your program of interest.

1. Résumé/CV: Provide a current résumé or curriculum vitae, which includes your education, employment history, awards and accolades, international exposure, publication credits, and leadership roles in any volunteer and/or extracurricular activities.
    
2. Statement of Purpose: How does Johns Hopkins SAIS's unique educational approach align with your personal and professional aspirations? Drawing from your background and experiences, explain how you plan to leverage the program's offerings to achieve your career goals. Provide specific examples from your academic, professional, or personal life that demonstrate your readiness for and commitment to this program. (Maximum 600 words)
    
3. Essay: Reflect on a personal, academic, or professional challenge that you have encountered in your journey towards pursuing a career in international relations. Describe the barriers you faced and how you overcame them. How has this experience shaped your passion for the field and reinforced your commitment to making a positive impact on the world? This essay should be no more than 600 words. 

You are required to submit two letters of recommendation and have the option of submitting a third. Recommendations should be written by individuals well placed to discuss the applicant’s qualifications for graduate study and a career in international affairs. We will only accept letters written or translated into English. 

Please note that Johns Hopkins SAIS will accept letters of recommendation only through our online application system or in hard copy directly from the recommender. Recommendations submitted via email or fax will not be accepted. All recommendation letters must be written and submitted in English. Please list all your references in the "Recommendations" section, including recommenders who prefer to submit their letter in hard copy.

If your recommender prefers to submit a hard copy letter of recommendation, please advise them to mail to:
 
555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, WS-605
Washington DC, 20001

All required fields must be completed before your application can be submitted. Required fields are designated by an asterisk.

To submit your application, click the button that reads “Finalize Application and Pay." Please note that you must complete all required fields in order to submit your application. Any missing fields will appear on the "Review" section. Prior to submission, please review all application sections to check for any errors or incorrect data.

After you have submitted your application, confirmation of your application status as “submitted” will appear on the online application dashboard. A checklist of all application materials will also be visible in order for you to track the status of supporting documents.

The $85 USD application fee is payable via credit card, debit card, or e-check. 

If you were granted a fee waiver: When submitting the online application, on the "Review" page, select "Finalize Application and Pay." If you are routed to the Payment Net website, do not complete payment and please email [email protected].

The Office of Admissions retains application files for one year after a decision is rendered. An applicant who applied for an academic year before last year is not considered a re-applicant, and must resubmit all application materials. Candidates who did apply last academic year do not have to resubmit all materials and can follow this checklist: 

• Online application form
• Updated résumé/CV
• Re-applicant essay: In 600 words or less please tell us what you have done both professionally and academically over the past year to change your application and fit for Johns Hopkins SAIS.
• Chinese Language Proficiency Test Results from within the last 12 months
• TOEFL or IELTS scores (for non-native English speakers): Exams more than 2 years since test date must be resubmitted.
• New transcripts: Transcript(s) of any additional courses you have taken since you last applied (include grades not finalized at the time of your last application).
• Recommendation letter: One new recommendation letter, preferably from your current employer. If you have already used your current employer for a recommendation, please choose someone else in a supervisory role or a client.
• Interview: All SAIS Europe candidates are required to interview as part of the application process. You will be contacted by the SAIS Europe Office of Admissions in either autumn (for early applicants) or early spring (regular admissions) to schedule an interview.