The Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) is a two-year, research-focused degree program in which students work with faculty advisors to develop and produce original research, supported by research methods training and culminating in a thesis and thesis defense. Students have the flexibility to personalize their curriculum and focus on contemporary issues in international affairs that align with their academic and career interests. They may pursue both years of the program at SAIS Europe in Bologna, Italy; spend one year at one of the established cooperative degree partner programs; or spend one year at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center. Students who begin the program at HNC Nanjing will join the SAIS Europe campus in their second year. For all other cooperative degree options, please review the information below.
Students are taught in English under the American system of graduate education and may 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 2026, 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.
NOTE: This partnership is currently under review and potential changes will be finalized and announced in fall 2026.
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
Master Cycle in Multilateralism and Transnational Governance
If you are completing your first year in the Master Cycle in Multilateralism and Transnational Governance at Sciences Po Lille, you may apply to SAIS Europe for your second year of study. Upon successful completion of both programs, you will earn:
- a master’s degree from Sciences Po Lille, and
- a Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) from Johns Hopkins SAIS.
Alternatively, if you begin your studies in the MAIA program at SAIS Europe, you may apply to continue at Sciences Po Lille to complete the Master Cycle in Multilateralism and Transnational Governance. Upon successful completion of the Sciences Po Lille degree requirements, you will also receive the MAIA degree from SAIS Europe.
Additional Master Cycle Options
Students with C1 proficiency in French may also be eligible, on a case-by-case basis, to pursue one of the following Sciences Po Lille Master Cycle programs through the cooperative degree program:
- Peace, Humanitarian Action, and Development (Majeure Paix, Action Humanitaire et Développement)
- Public Affairs in Europe (Majeure Affaires Publiques en Europe)
- Strategy, Economic Intelligence, and Risk Management (Majeure Stratégie, Intelligence Économique et Gestion des Risques)
If you are completing your first year in one of these eligible Master Cycle programs at Sciences Po Lille, you may apply to SAIS Europe for your second year of study. Upon successful completion of both programs, you will earn:
- a master’s degree from Sciences Po Lille, and
- a Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) from Johns Hopkins SAIS.
Alternatively, if you begin your studies in the MAIA program at SAIS Europe, you may apply to continue at Sciences Po Lille in one of these Master Cycle programs, subject to Sciences Po Lille’s admissions process and French-language proficiency requirements. Upon successful completion of the Sciences Po Lille degree requirements, you will also receive the MAIA degree from SAIS Europe.
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 may begin their studies either at SAIS Europe or at SOAS University of London. After successfully completing the first year at one institution, students may apply to continue their second year of study at the other institution through the cooperative degree program.
Upon successful completion of all degree requirements at both institutions, students will earn both:
- a master’s degree from SOAS University of London, and
- a Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) from Johns Hopkins SAIS.
If you are completing your first year of study in one of the eligible master’s programs at SOAS, you may apply to SAIS Europe for your second year of study. Upon successful completion of both programs, you will earn the SOAS master’s degree and the MAIA degree from Johns Hopkins SAIS.
Alternatively, if you begin your studies in the MAIA program at SAIS Europe, you may apply to continue at SOAS University of London in one of the eligible master’s programs. Upon successful completion of the SOAS degree requirements, you will also receive the MAIA degree from SAIS Europe.
Eligible SOAS master’s programs include:
Department of Economics
- MSc Economics
- MSc Development Economics
- MSc Economic Policy
Department of Politics and International Studies
- MSc Politics and International Relations
- MSc Global Energy and Climate Policy
- MSc Global Political Economy
Department of Development Studies
- MSc Global Development
- MSc Environment, Politics and Development
- MSc Violence, Conflict and Development
- MSc Migration, Mobility and Development
- MSc Humanitarianism, Aid and Conflict
Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy
- MA International Studies and Diplomacy
Tel Aviv University
Students may begin their studies either in the Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) program at SAIS Europe or in an eligible Master of Arts program at Tel Aviv University.
If you are completing your first year in one of the eligible Master of Arts programs at Tel Aviv University, you may apply to SAIS Europe for your second year of study. Upon successful completion of all degree requirements at both institutions, you will earn both:
- a Master of Arts degree from Tel Aviv University, and
- a Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) from Johns Hopkins SAIS.
Alternatively, if you begin your studies in the MAIA program at SAIS Europe, you may apply to continue at Tel Aviv University in one of the eligible Master of Arts programs. Upon successful completion of the Tel Aviv University degree requirements, you will also receive the MAIA degree from SAIS Europe.
Eligible Tel Aviv University programs include:
- Conflict Resolution and Mediation
- Cyber Politics and Government
- Sustainable Development
- Security and Diplomacy
- Social and Policy Aspects of Climate Change
Students must apply to the partner institution during their first year of study and meet the admission requirements of the relevant program.
University of Leiden
MSc in Political Science
If you are completing your first year of study in the MSc in Political Science at Leiden University (in Leiden or The Hague), you may apply to SAIS Europe for your second year of study. Upon completion, you will earn both:
- an MSc in Political Science from Leiden University, and
- a Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) from Johns Hopkins SAIS
Alternatively, if you begin your studies with the MAIA program at SAIS Europe, you may continue at Leiden University (in Leiden or The Hague) to complete the MSc in Political Science. Upon completion of the MSc, you will also receive the MAIA degree from SAIS Europe.
MA in International Relations
If you are completing your first year of study in the MA in International Relations (Humanities) at Leiden University, you may apply to SAIS Europe for your second year of study. Upon successful completion of the program, you will earn both:
- a Master of Arts in International Relations (Humanities) from Leiden University, and
- a Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) from Johns Hopkins SAIS
Alternatively, if you begin your studies with the MAIA program at SAIS Europe, you may continue at Leiden University to complete the MA in International Relations (Humanities). Upon completion of the MA, you will also receive the MAIA degree from SAIS Europe.
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 or Nanjing, China (first-year only)
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.
Two Year Program at SAIS
Students may pursue the MAIA by completing all degree requirements over two academic years at SAIS Europe or by completing their first year at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center followed by a second academic year at SAIS Europe.
International Economics (8 credits)
Students must complete:
- International Economics I (SA.100.303) or Essentials of International Economics I (SA.100.301)
- International Economics II (SA.100.304) or Essentials of International Economics II (SA.100.302)
If a student is waived from International Economics I and/or II, the student must take a replacement International Economics and Finance course(s) to fulfill this requirement.
A student may only be waived by passing a waiver exam or by having completed the equivalent course at Johns Hopkins University within the previous five years.
Research Methods (4 credits)
Students must complete one approved Research Methods course. Research Methods courses vary by year and students in cooperative programs may have different options from students in the two-year program.
Thesis (4 credits)
All students must write a thesis of at least 12,000 words (excluding footnotes and bibliography). At SAIS Europe, this requires students to select a Thesis Supervisor and submit a thesis proposal after completing the Research Methods course. Students will defend their final thesis publicly in front of a committee.
Cooperative students may waive this requirement if the equivalent academic requirement was completed at the cooperative institution.
Electives (48 credits)
Students must complete 48 credits of electives via the course offerings of SAIS Europe (and/or the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, if applicable). Students should choose elective courses that are relevant to their thesis research and deepen their understanding of associated international affairs topics.
Language Proficiency
Students must demonstrate proficiency in a non-native language by passing a proficiency examination. To satisfy this requirement, students must successfully complete all required components. Students may enroll each semester in non-credit language courses taught at SAIS to help them reach the required proficiency level. SAIS Europe offers courses in Arabic, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish.
Non-native English speakers must fulfill the Non-Native English Speaker requirement by demonstrating an adequate level of English through an in-house diagnostic test. Completion of this requirement does not satisfy the Language Proficiency requirement. If English is selected as the non-native language to meet the graduation requirement, students must pass all components of English Proficiency Examination.
Non-credit language courses do not count toward the number of courses or credits needed for the degree.
One Year at SAIS Europe (Cooperative Degree Pathway)
Students who pursue the Cooperative Degree Pathway received 32 credits of Advanced Standing, reducing the total number of credits to be completed at SAIS Europe from 64 to 32. Within these 32 credits, they must complete all degree requirements.
International Economics (8 credits)
Students must complete:
- International Economics I (SA.100.303) or Essentials of International Economics I (SA.100.301)
- International Economics II (SA.100.304) or Essentials of International Economics II (SA.100.302)
If a student is waived from International Economics I and/or II, the student must take a replacement International Economics and Finance course(s) to fulfill this requirement.
A student may only be waived by passing a waiver exam or by having completed the equivalent course at Johns Hopkins University within the previous five years.
Research Methods (4 credits)
Students must complete one approved Research Methods course.
Cooperative students may waive this requirement if the thesis requirement was completed at the cooperative institution. If the requirement is waived, students must complete an additional elective as a replacement.
Thesis (4 credits)
All students must write a thesis of at least 12,000 words (excluding footnotes and bibliography). At SAIS Europe, this requires students to select a Thesis Supervisor and submit a thesis proposal after completing the Research Methods course. Students will defend their final thesis publicly in front of a committee.
Cooperative students may waive this requirement if the thesis was completed at the cooperative institution. If the requirement is waived, students must complete an additional elective as a replacement.
Electives (16 credits)
Students must complete 16 credits of electives via the course offerings of SAIS Europe (and/or the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, if applicable). Students should choose elective courses that are relevant to their thesis research and deepen their understanding of associated international affairs topics.
Language Proficiency
Students must demonstrate proficiency in a non-native language by passing a proficiency examination. To satisfy this requirement, students must successfully complete all required components. Students may enroll each semester in non-credit language courses taught at SAIS to help them reach the required proficiency level. SAIS Europe offers courses in Arabic, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish.
Non-native English speakers must fulfill the Non-Native English Speaker requirement by demonstrating an adequate level of English through an in-house diagnostic test. Completion of this requirement does not satisfy the Language Proficiency requirement. If English is selected as the non-native language to meet the graduation requirement, students must pass all components of English Proficiency Examination.
Non-credit language courses do not count toward the number of courses or credits needed for the degree.
Sample Electives
SAIS Europe offers a wide variety of electives on international affairs topics and regional studies with a special emphasis on Europe in the world. Offerings vary on a yearly basis. Sample electives include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SA.502.203 | African Agency and the International Order | 4 |
| SA.502.160 | Conflict Risk and Stability in Cyberspace | 4 |
| SA.503.127 | Democracy and Its Discontents | 4 |
| SA.510.139 | Digital Transformation | 4 |
| SA.503.126 | Europe and the Mediterranean Middle East | 4 |
| SA.510.143 | Europe in the World Economy | 4 |
| SA.500.160 | Food Systems & Climate Futures | 4 |
| SA.502.156 | Foreign Policy Analysis | 4 |
| SA.500.158 | Geopolitics of Energy and Climate | 4 |
| SA.502.198 | History & Politics of Sino-European Relations (1949-2025) | 4 |
| SA.501.109 | Technology, Innovation and Strategy | 4 |
Course offerings vary by year and are subject to change.