M.I.P.P. | Frequently Asked Questions
For answers to common questions on eligibility to apply and the application process, click here.
Requirements
Program
M.I.P.P. Affiliations
How long does it take to complete the program?
Full-time M.I.P.P. students usually complete the program in one academic year (consisting of one fall and one spring semester).
Part-time M.I.P.P. students usually complete the program within two years. They may take courses during the fall, spring and summer semesters; however, students must register for the Summer Program separately.
Please note that any student taking more than two classes will be considered full-time, even though a typical full-time course load is four classes.
Can I complete the program on a part-time bases?
Yes, the M.I.P.P. degree may be completed part-time. The part-time degree takes two years to complete, and students usually take two courses each semester.
Stephanie Hedge, Manager of Graduate Services, is the advisor for M.I.P.P. students. Her contact information is as follows:
Room No.: Nitze 414.A (1740 Massachusetts Avenue)
Telephone: 202.663.7798
E-mail: stephanie.hedge@jhu.edu
M.I.P.P. students who choose an affiliation will receive a faculty advisor as well.
What is the cost of the M.I.P.P. tuition?
M.I.P.P. students taking one or two courses will be billed per course, while students taking more than two classes (languages included) will be billed full-time tuition. The only exception is for non-native English speakers that are required to take English as a result of the SAIS placement exam. In cases where a part-time student is required to take English based on the placement exam results, the cost of the required English language classes will be waived.
To see the exact tuition amounts for the current academic year, click here.
Are there fellowships available for M.I.P.P. students?
Unfortunately, SAIS does not offer fellowships for the M.I.P.P. Program. For information on federal and private loan options, click here.
Can I audit classes as an M.I.P.P. student?
Yes, M.I.P.P. students may audit courses at SAIS. Part-time students may audit a maximum of two classes during their time at SAIS at no additional charge. However, M.I.P.P. students must be enrolled in at least one course for credit in order to be eligible to audit a class. For detailed information on the procedure and rules for auditing classes, please see The Red Book.
If I took non-degree or summer courses at SAIS prior to being admitted to the M.I.P.P. Program, can I apply those credits toward my M.I.P.P. degree?
Yes, you can apply a maximum of two non-language courses taken at SAIS through either the non-degree or summer course offerings towards your M.I.P.P. degree. However, it does not happen automatically. You will need to complete the Registrar's Non-Degree Petition Form and have it signed by the Manager of Graduate Services.
Please note that pre-term courses are different from summer courses, and pre-term courses do not count towards the eight non-language courses.
As an M.I.P.P. student, can I take courses during the summer session?
Yes, current M.I.P.P. students may take courses in SAIS Summer Program, and these courses will automatically appear on your M.I.P.P. transcript. However, there is a separate registration process for enrolling in these courses. Consult the Office of Summer Programs Web site for the most updated information on enrolling in summer courses.
How is the course registration process managed?
For the fall and spring semesters, SAIS degree students are expected to register online for courses during the published dates of online registration. Also, student accounts are settled at that time with the Business Office. Class schedules, course syllabi and course evaluations to assist with course selection are available online.
SAIS uses the ISIS system for registration, which can be accessed through the Registrar's Web site. Information on the dates and times of registration can also be found on that site. When the registration system is open, students will be able to enter their desired courses regardless of course limits. For courses that are oversubscribed at the end of the registration period, a bidding system is used to determine which students will enroll in the course.
Students may use their bid points to bid for entry into oversubscribed classes. Those who bid the highest number of points gain entry and are charged that number of points. Students who do not gain entry retain their bid points. Registered students who do not bid are treated as bidding zero points. If two or more students have the same bid at enrollment cutoff, a lottery determines which students will be enrolled in the class. Students who bid more than their available points will not gain entry to the class. A brief add/drop period will take place after bidding to assist students in changing and finalizing their schedules.
Two rounds of bidding are held for courses that are oversubscribed. The first round takes place prior to the first class and involves the foundation economics classes and a limited number of other classes. Bidding for all other classes that are oversubscribed at the end of the online drop/add period takes place after the first week of classes. Students should have substitutes selected for classes that may involve bidding. Students should attempt to attend part or all of the first class of the semester for both their first choice and alternate classes.
For the summer semester, the Summer Programs Office will register students as part of the application process.
How many bid points do M.I.P.P. students receive?
M.I.P.P. students receive 1100 bid points. The entire 1100 points are awarded upon matriculation, and students only need to use bid points if they are trying to gain entry into oversubscribed classes. When entry into a limited enrollment course is determined by bidding, at least one M.I.P.P. student who bids will receive a place in the class.
Some M.I.P.P. affiliations offer a bidding benefit to M.I.P.P. affiliates. The benefit includes priority seating in one course offered by (not cross-listed with) their program of affiliation. This means that affiliates need not bid on this course unless there are more MA concentrators and M.I.P.P. affiliates registered than spaces available. In that rare situation, these students must bid against each other. Students interested in taking advantage of this benefit should contact their program of affiliation.
Can I take courses at other JHU campuses for credit towards my M.I.P.P. degree?
M.I.P.P. students may, with approval of the Manager of Graduate Services, take the equivalent of one course toward their SAIS degree at another division of JHU. In order to receive approval, the course topic and workload must be similar to that of a typical SAIS course.
What are the requirements of the M.I.P.P. Program?
M.I.P.P. students must complete and pass any eight non-language courses to complete the degree requirements. Additionally, M.I.P.P. students who chose to affiliate with a program must meet the requirements for that affiliation. For more information on M.I.P.P. affiliations, click here.
What is considered a full-time course schedule?
M.I.P.P. students taking three or more courses, language included, are considered full_time. The only exception is when a student taking one or two non-language classes is required by the Language Studies Program to take English classes based on receiving a failing score on the English placement exam.
Is a foreign language required for M.I.P.P. students?
No, the M.I.P.P. degree does not require foreign language study. However, some regional affiliations may require/encourage study in a foreign language from a particular region.
Can I participate in SAIS foreign language courses?
Yes, M.I.P.P. students are welcome to take SAIS foreign language courses. However, the courses do not count towards the eight non-language classes required for graduation. Full-time students may take the courses at no additional charge, but for a student currently enrolled as part-time, the full course fee will be charged, which may cause the student to be classified as full-time.
Audits are not allowed for language classes during the fall and spring, and the grades will appear on transcripts. However, they will not be factored into the GPA.
What is an M.I.P.P. affiliation?
M.I.P.P. affiliations provide an opportunity for M.I.P.P. students to associate with a SAIS program by completing a specific series of courses during their M.I.P.P. studies, which assist them in developing a stronger background in a particular program area. Additionally, M.I.P.P. students contribute to their program of affiliation by participating in curricular and co-curricular activities.
Which programs are accepting M.I.P.P. affiliates?
The following programs will accept M.I.P.P. affiliates:
What are the requirements for an M.I.P.P. affiliation?
Affiliations must require affiliates to complete a minimum of three courses offered by their program of affiliation or cross-listed with their program of affiliation. However, programs may set additional requirements like languages, additional courses or specific required courses.
M.I.P.P. affiliates must enroll in at least two eligible courses out of their first four courses. To see a list of specific affiliation requirements, please review the M.I.P.P. Affiliation Chart 2010-2011.
How do I declare an M.I.P.P. affiliation?
M.I.P.P. students who wish to declare an affiliation will do so prior to or during the first week of classes of their first semester.
Only in exceptional situations will an M.I.P.P. student be allowed to add/change an affiliation. Full-time students will not be allowed to change their affiliation after the second week of classes in the first semester, and part-time students will not be allowed to change their affiliation after the second week of classes in the second semester. However, a student may drop the affiliation option at any point.
Can I change my M.I.P.P. affiliation?
Students who want to change their affiliation should contact Stephanie Hedge in the Office of Academic Affairs at 202.663.7798 or stephanie.hedge@jhu.edu. She can assist students in dropping their affiliation at any point. However, selecting a new affiliation is subject to (1) the rule on affiliating with limited enrollment programs and (2) the timeline for declaring an affiliation, which is described in the answer above.