MA Requirements
All MA students must concentrate their studies in two programs, one of which must be International Economics. Students select their second concentration from one of the functional or regional studies programs. A student usually takes six courses to meet a concentration requirement. Academic advisors are available to help plan your course of study. Contact either your academic program or a general academic advisor.
Language Placement
Language Placement and Proficiency Examinations will be administered during the first week of classes for students with prior foreign language experience. Students may prepare for these exams by reviewing their language skills over the summer or enrolling in the Summer Language Institute.
All MA students whose native language is not English must take an English placement examination. Those who do not pass the placement examination in one or more of the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening) will be required to take and pass English language classes at SAIS, either until the language proficiency exams are passed (if English is used as the proficiency language) or until advanced high classes are successfully completed in the relevant skill areas. Neither submitting a TOEFL/IELTS score as part of the application process nor receiving a waiver of the TOEFL/IELTS score exempts non-native speakers of English from taking the placement examination. Students who have completed their last three years of high school at a U.S. or British accredited high school may waive the English placement (not proficiency) exam if they can provide a letter from that high school stating the number of years/ semesters attended at the school, as well as the name of the school's accreditation agency. Students who have limited experience with English as a medium of instruction are encouraged to take English courses in Summer Programs and/or Pre-Term.