This two-year degree program is based at SAIS Europe. The MAIA program provides students with the option to work with faculty advisors to develop and produce an original thesis. Alternatively, students can base their program entirely on coursework, provided they complete at least one course which entails a major research project. MAIA students can pursue both years of the program at SAIS Europe in Bologna, Italy, or they can attend one year at one of the established cooperative degree partner programs.
Students are taught in English under the American system of graduate education and can select courses based on their academic interests.
The close-knit international academic environment of SAIS Europe fosters a sense of community and collaboration and enables students to learn to communicate across borders and cultures.
International Recognition of Accreditation
The Johns Hopkins University (“JHU”) operates programs in multiple approved locations in the United States, and a few programs in approved locations outside of the United States. Among the programs located outside of the United States is the Bologna campus of JHU’s United States-based School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). The Bologna campus was established in 1955 as part of JHU and as an extension of SAIS. It is usually referred to as “SAIS Europe.” All degrees awarded by any of The Johns Hopkins University Schools (including SAIS) are Johns Hopkins University degrees. No distinction is made between degrees offered in the United States or outside of the USA.
As a U.S.-based and accredited institution, JHU cannot guarantee approval of degrees for employment or other purposes by entities or governments outside of the United States. However, the university will work with students to provide relevant documentation in order to facilitate approval processes.
Cooperative Degree Partners
SAIS Europe offers degree programs with other leading universities. Students may begin their course of study at either institution, earning a diploma or master’s degree from both. Students must apply and be accepted at both institutions.
Students entering SAIS Europe from cooperative degree programs receive advanced standing for courses taken at the partner program (usually 60 ECTS) during the first year. Cooperative degree candidates must then fulfill 32 US graduate credits through a combination of coursework and/or a thesis, in addition to the program’s requirements in economics and non-native language proficiency.
As of June 2023, SAIS Europe manages partner programs with the following schools:
Diplomatic Academy of Vienna
Students who begin their studies in Vienna can apply to spend a second year of study in Bologna at SAIS Europe. Upon successful completion of the relevant requirements, they earn the MAIA from Johns Hopkins SAIS Europe. Those who begin at SAIS Europe can spend a second year of study at the Diplomatic Academy. Upon successful completion of their year at SAIS Europe and the relevant requirements, they can earn the one-year Diploma. At the end of the second year at the DA in Vienna, they can earn a Master of Advanced International Studies (MAIS) from the Diplomatic Academy.
Hopkins-Nanjing Center (HNC)
This two-year program allows students to complete a Certificate in Chinese and American Studies at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center (HNC), as well as a Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) at SAIS Europe. Students spend one year (fall/spring) at each campus, and may begin their studies at either location. Students apply separately to both programs.
Sciences Po, Lille
Students pursuing a first year of study for the Master’s cycle at Lille can apply to SAIS Europe in Bologna for a second year of study. Upon successful completion of the second year at SAIS Europe and all of the degree requirements of Sciences Po and SAIS Europe, students can earn both a Master’s degree from Sciences Po and Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) from Johns Hopkins SAIS. Students who begin at SAIS Europe can earn the Diploma in International Studies and then go on to pursue a Master’s at Sciences Po Lille.
McGill University Max Bell School of Public Policy
Students can begin their studies at either SAIS Europe or at McGill University Max Bell School of Public Policy and after completing all the degree requirements, they receive both the MAIA degree from Johns Hopkins SAIS and Master of Public Policy from McGill.
SOAS University of London
Students begin their studies at either SAIS Europe or at SOAS University of London in one of the pre-approved Master of Science (MSc) programs and after completing the relevant degree requirements they will receive both the MAIA degree from Johns Hopkins SAIS and a Master of Science from SOAS University of London.
Tel Aviv University
This program enables students to attend one year at SAIS Europe and one year in an approved degree programs at TAU and earn a degree from both schools. Approved degree programs at TAU are Conflict Resolution and Mediation, Cyber Politics and Government, Developing Countries, and Security and Diplomacy.
University of Leiden
Students pursuing the one-year Master of Arts in International Relations at the University of Leiden can apply to SAIS Europe for a second year of study. Upon successful completion of your second year at SAIS Europe, they can earn both the MA from Leiden and the MAIA from SAIS Europe. Those who begin at SAIS Europe may earn the Diploma in International Studies and then go on to pursue a Master of Arts in International Relations at the University of Leiden.
University of Bologna
SAIS Europe offers four cooperative degree programs with the University of Bologna at campuses in Bologna, Forlì, and Rimini:
Department of Political Science, Bologna and Forlì. Students who begin the program at the University of Bologna and complete a second year at SAIS Europe can earn both a Laurea Magistrale from the University of Bologna and the MAIA from Johns Hopkins SAIS. Those who complete the first year of study at SAIS Europe can earn a graduate Diploma in International Studies from SAIS Europe and then pursue the Laurea Magistrale at the University of Bologna.
Department of Resource Economics and Sustainable Development of the School of Economics, Management and Statistics, Rimini. Students who begin their studies at the University of Bologna, Rimini and complete the second year at SAIS Europe earn both a Laurea Magistrale in Resource Economics and Sustainable Development and a MAIA from Johns Hopkins SAIS. Vice versa, those who complete the first year of study at SAIS Europe can earn the Diploma and then pursue the Laurea Magistrale in Resources Economics and Sustainable Development at the University of Bologna, Rimini.
School of Economics, Management and Statistics, Bologna. This program enables students to begin at either program and earn both a Laurea Magistrale in Economics and a MAIA from Johns Hopkins SAIS.
Degree Requirements
Campus: Bologna, Italy
Credits: 64
Duration: Two academic years, Full-time
Course delivery: In-person
In order to graduate, students must fulfill all degree requirements and earn a cumulative GPA of 2.67 or above.
Students who spend both years at SAIS Europe may either complete 14 courses (56 credits) and write a long thesis of approximately 15,000-20,000 words (8 credits), or complete 16 courses (64 credits), one of which must entail a substantial research project (short thesis). Approval for the long thesis track is conditional on the approval of the proposal by the first reader. Students who only spend one year at SAIS Europe as part of a cooperative program complete six courses (24 credits) and a long thesis (8 credits) or eight courses (32 credits) and a short thesis. MAIA students select courses from the broad array offered each year at SAIS Europe. The program allows students the flexibility to pursue their specific academic interests under the guidance of a faculty advisor.
International Economics
All MAIA candidates must successfully complete the following courses:
- International Economics I or Essentials of Economics I and
- International Economics II or Essentials of Economics II
The Economics I track covers topics in Microeconomics and International Trade Theory and the Economics II track covers topics in Macroeconomics and International Finance. The Essentials courses are more conceptual in nature and require only basic math skills.
Thesis Option
Students who wish to write a long thesis must apply to do so in fall of their second year. The application must be approved by a committee, and the thesis proposal must be accepted by the proposed thesis supervisor.
Sample Elective Courses
- Contemporary Russian Foreign Policy
- Democracy and its Discontents
- Energy and Climate Change
- Renewable Energy: Markets, Technologies & Projects
- Transnational Advocacy
- The Twin Pillars of the Gulf: Iran, Saudi Arabia & Their Gulf Neighbors
- Challenges for Food and Agricultural Policies
- Technology, Innovation and Strategy
- Genocide and Mass Violence
- Conflict Risk and Stability in Cyberspace
- Digital Transformation