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How to Apply | Individual Courses and Four-Course Certificates

We encourage you to review all of the application instructions before beginning the application. 

Only new non-degree and certificate students must submit an online application. Returning students can self-register directly in SIS (see application instructions below).

Application Deadlines

Enrollment Term Application Deadline
Fall Semester 2022 Semester Dates: August 29-December 5
Returning Student Enrollment: Opens May 26
Application Period (new students): June 5-August 24
New Student Enrollment: Opens July 6
Spring Semester 2023 Semester Dates: January 23-April 28
Returning Student Enrollment: TBD
Application Period (new students): November 15-January 18
New Student Enrollment: TBD
Summer Term 2023 Virtual Class Dates: June 5-July 18
Online Class Dates: June 5-July 30
Application Period: March 15-May 12
(late application will be accepted on a space available basis)

Application Checklist

  • Online application
  • Application fee: $50
  • Resume/CV
  • Transcripts for all university-level course work
    • You may upload unofficial transcripts via the online application or submit official transcripts via hard copy or electronic copy
  • Statement of purpose:
    • For non-degree students taking individual courses (non-certificate): A one-page personal statement describing your background, motivation, and goals for pursuing individual courses at Johns Hopkins SAIS
    • For accelerated and part-time certificate students: What experiences have most contributed to your desire to study International Development, International Economics or International Studies? How will the Johns Hopkins SAIS certificate serve to meet your academic and professional goals? (500 word maximum)
    • For accelerated certificate students only: Analytical essay: Analyze an important national or international challenge and recommend a policy to address it. (500 word maximum)
  • For accelerated certificate students only: Online or in-person interview with the Non-Degree Programs office. 
  • 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.
    • For accelerated certificate students: TOEFL score of 109+; or TOEFL score between 105-109 and have a score of 25 or higher on the writing and speaking sections; or IELTS score of 7 and a score of 7 or higher on the writing and speaking sections, is required.

Application Instructions 

Please refer to your student type below when completing your application. Note: current degree students enrolling in summer courses should register via SIS just like during the academic year.

  1. Setup an account as a First-Time User in the online application platform.
  2. Complete the Personal Background section
  3. Under the Program Details section, select either Graduate Certificate or Non-Degree. If pursuing a certificate, select the certificate type in the dropdown.
    • For the Applicant Status question select one of the following: New Certificate Student or First-time Non-Degree Applicant. 
    • Next select the courses for which you are applying. Select yes if you are applying in the fall or spring term so you can choose alternate courses in case you don’t get your first choice.
  4. Complete the rest of the application sections and upload your supporting materials.
  5. Please note that you must complete all required fields in order to submit your application. Any missing fields will appear on the "Review" section. Please review all application sections to check for any errors or incorrect data. When you are ready to submit, click the button that reads “Finalize Application and Pay." After you have submitted your application, confirmation of your application status as “submitted” will appear on the online application dashboard.
  1. Select your course(s) from the Class Search page. 
  2. Login to SIS with your JHED ID. Note that course registration is on a first-come first-served basis.
  3. If you have any issues logging into SIS or have forgotten your JHED, please email [email protected] so we can help you.
  1. If it’s your first time using the online application system, you’ll need to setup an account as a First-Time User. If you’ve already applied via the online application system, login as a Returning User.
  2. Complete or update the Personal Background section.
  3. Under the Program Details section, select either Graduate Certificate or Non-Degree. If pursuing a certificate, select the certificate type in the dropdown.
    1. For the Applicant Status question select SAIS Alumna/us. 
    2. Next select the courses for which you are applying. Select yes if you are applying in the fall or spring term so you can choose alternate courses in case you don’t get your first choice.
  4. Complete the disciplinary history and privacy waivers section and sign the application.
  5. When you are ready to submit, click the button that reads “Finalize Application and Pay." As you are a SAIS alum the application fee is waived.
  1. If it’s your first time using the online application system, you’ll need to setup an account as a First-Time User. If you’ve already applied via the online application system, login as a Returning User.
  2. Complete or update the Personal Background section.
  3. Under the Program Details section, select either Graduate Certificate or Non-Degree. If pursuing a certificate, select the certificate type in the dropdown.
    1. For the Applicant Status question select either JHU Alumna/us or Current JHU Student. 
    2. Next select the courses for which you are applying. Select yes if you are applying in the fall or spring term so you can choose alternate courses in case you don’t get your first choice.
  4. Complete the disciplinary history and privacy waivers section and sign the application.
  5. When you are ready to submit, click the button that reads “Finalize Application and Pay." As you are a JHU alum or current JHU student the application fee is waived.
  1. Setup an account as a First-Time User in the online application platform.
  2. Complete the Personal Background section.
  3. Under the Program Details section, select Non-Degree.
    1. For the Applicant Status question select Incoming SAIS Student. 
    2. Next select the courses for which you are applying. Select yes if you are applying in the fall or spring term so you can choose alternate courses in case you don’t get your first choice.
  4. Complete the disciplinary history and privacy waivers section and sign the application.
  5. When you are ready to submit, click the button that reads “Finalize Application and Pay." As you are an incoming Johns Hopkins SAIS student the application fee is waived.

Johns Hopkins SAIS requires all full-time students to enroll in the fall or spring semester to purchase the university’s health insurance. Accelerated certificate students will pay a prorated fee for the semester that they are enrolled. Students with private insurance coverage comparable to the university plan may be eligible to submit a waiver request during the open-enrollment period. International students with an F1 or J1 visa status are ineligible to waive coverage and are required to purchase the university plan.  Read more about the university’s student insurance plan: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/student-health/insurance/.
 
Academic Year 2021-2022 Student Insurance Rates
$1,241 for the semester
Fall coverage: August 15, 2021-February 14, 2022
Spring coverage: February 15, 2022-August 14, 2022

Professors may limit enrollment in their classes, and these limits are noted in the Johns Hopkins SAIS course search. A bidding system is used at the school when classes exceed their limits. Certificate students will receive a one-time allocation of 325 bid points. Certificate students may use their points to bid for entry into oversubscribed classes and should meet with an advisor to have substitutes selected for classes that may involve bidding. Students should attempt to attend part or all of the first class session for both their first choice and alternate classes.

If a certificate or non-degree student is later admitted to SAIS as an MAIR or two-year MAIA candidate, credit can be transferred for up to four courses (16 credits) taken while enrolled in a non-degree/certificate program. For the MIPP, PhD, DIA and Diploma programs, credits can be transferred for up to two courses (8 credits). Credit transfers must be requested within 10 years of when the coursework was completed.