Master of Arts

Engage With Policymakers

Proximity to power and access to thought leaders create rich academic and professional opportunities.

Prepare to Lead

SAIS always has attracted idealistic individuals who want to make a difference in the global community.

On the Front Lines

Study with professors who are practitioners in their field.

Articulating Ideas

Classes are discussion-driven and characterized by vigorous debate.

The SAIS Advantage

This two-year program for full-time students is the cornerstone of the SAIS experience. About half of all entering M.A. students spend a year in Bologna and a year in Washington, while the other half spend both years in Washington. The academic program is the same and consists of interdisciplinary course work in international relations, economics and languages.

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Application Deadline

  1. M.A. application deadline
    Jan7

Study With World-Class Thinkers

The Students

Students at SAIS do more than study global politics and interactions among nations-they live international relations. Our student body represents approximately 75 nations, promoting a diversity that lends richness and vitality to academic life.

The Faculty

SAIS faculty are world renowned for their expertise and commitment to teaching. They transition seamlessly from academia to government service, from the field to the classroom, from elite journals to the mainstream media.

Recent Speakers

  • Hillary Clinton
  • Thomas Friedman
  • Mario Draghi
  • Romano Prodi

Global Presence, International Perspective

About half of all entering M.A. students spend a year in Bologna and a year in Washington, while the other half spend both years in Washington. Students who are proficient in Mandarin may pursue a five-semester option by completing two semesters in Nanjing to receive a certificate in Chinese and American Studies, combined with three semesters in the M.A. program. One of these three semesters must be at the Washington campus.

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is an undisputed center of power that acts as an extension of SAIS's campus. Students interact with distinguished guest speakers engaged in foreign policy from across the globe and are positioned to take advantage of valuable internship opportunities.

Bologna, Italy

Teaching at the Bologna campus is complemented by a thematic seminar series, and small classes, strong faculty-student relationships and vigorous debate characterize the cohesive social and intellectual community.

Nanjing, China

Located on the downtown campus of Nanjing University, the Center upholds the highest American and Chinese academic standards in the pursuit of educating future leaders in the field of global-Sino relations.

Gain a Career-Building Edge

SAIS graduates are in great demand by employers in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Economics knowledge, analytical abilities, regional expertise, diplomatic skills, language proficiency and the capacity to apply theory to real-world problems give our students a distinct professional advantage.


Career Services

Career Services works with students to help them explore careers and set goals, acquire experience through internships and develop a network of professional contacts. Career services staff members:

  • Offer both group and individual assessments and counseling to help students develop focused career goals
  • Organize job-hunting workshops, employment fairs and career treks
  • Offer professional skills courses that augment the academic curriculum to help students develop specific professional skills, such as presentation techniques, consulting skills and financial modeling
  • Connect students to the school's influential worldwide alumni network

A Global Alumni Community

As a SAIS graduate, you will join a 16,000-strong lifetime community of friends and colleagues around the world. Our accomplished alumni are leaders in government, business, journalism, nonprofit groups and multilateral organizations in more than 140 countries.

Common Paths

Students graduating from SAIS have pursued careers at:
  • U.S. Department of State
  • United Nations
  • The World Bank
  • Booz Allen Hamilton
  • U.S. Agency for International Development
  • JPMorgan Chase & Co.
  • The EU commission
  • Brookings Institution

A Curriculum for a Complex World


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