Washington DC | Pre-Term

Pre-Term is a full-time program that offers incoming students the chance to get a jump-start on their studies, build professional skills, and connect with classmates before the academic year begins.

Registration

Registration for Pre-Term 2025 will be open April 15 through June 15. Tuition will be due June 23. Reserve your place in DC Pre-Term through our Online Registration Form.

Pre-Term Courses & Tuition

Unlike Summer Programs, Pre-Term courses are non-credit and do not count toward the number of courses/credits required for graduation, but they offer the opportunity to complete degree requirements before the start of your first semester. Successful completion of Pre-Term courses is noted by High Pass (HP) or Pass (P) on your transcript. No mention of Pre-Term is noted for failed courses. Pre-Term tuition is due June 23.

Statistics for Data Analysis
Completion of this course will fulfill the Data Analytics requirement of the MAIR and frees up space for an additional elective. The course also fulfills prerequisites for more advanced Research Methods and International Economics and Finance coursework.
 
English
Non-native English speakers will develop their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in preparation for graduate coursework. Pre-Term English is required for students who do not meet minimum English test scores, but can also benefit students enrolling in an English language degree for the first time. 
 
Professional Skills Courses
Students will enroll in an on-campus professional skills course that will be offered the last week of Pre-Term. This course will emphasize team-based problem solving, leadership skills, and experiential learning through out-of-classroom activities. For MAIR students, the course will fulfill one of two professional skills course requirements. For all other degree students, enrolling in the skills course is optional but strongly encouraged.

The skills courses are offered at no additional cost and are open to all students enrolled in Pre-Term.

Schedule

Pre-Term is structured as a hybrid online and on-campus program.

July: The first four weeks of Pre-Term will be fully online with students participating from anywhere in the world as long as they have high-speed internet. Classes are asynchronous learning divided into weekly modules, consisting of pre-recorded lectures, activities and assignments housed in the Canvas learning management system.

Students taking Statistics for Data Analysis will attend twice weekly live sessions to connect with the professor, practice problem sets with your classmates, and help synthesize the material you are learning in the pre-recorded lectures. Pre-Term English students will meet virtually 1:1 with their instructor to review their writing each week.

August: All students will come to campus to complete the final two weeks of their academic coursework. The Pre-Term program culminates with professional development skills courses and leadership activities.

Statistics for Data Analysis

• June 29– July 25: Online portion of the course
• July 31-August 15: On-campus portion of the course
• Final exam: August 14/15

Engl​ish

• June 29 – July 25: Online portion of the course
• July 31-August 15: On-campus portion of the course

Professional Development Skills course

• August 18: On-campus

Student Testimonials

Pre-Term led me to meet the people who would become my closest friends while at SAIS, as it gave me the opportunity to meet people at a deeper level without the stress and hecticness of a regular semester.

MAIR Student

Attending Pre-Term was one of the best decisions I made. I would recommend it to any incoming student as a major key to success at the school.

MAIR Student

At Pre-Term I was able to get a key course out of the way and clear up my schedule for more classes.

MAIR Student