SAIS does not allow for transfer credits. There is, however, an opportunity to receive advanced standing. In addition, SAIS offers a reduced courseload for formal and approved ad-hoc, dual-degree programs. As noted in the The Red Book: Academic Procedures Manual and Information:
ADVANCED STANDING
M.A. students who have completed a graduate degree at another institution may petition for advanced standing at SAIS. If awarded advanced standing, the number of courses required is reduced from 16 to 12 for completed graduate degrees of two years or more. For completed graduate degrees of less than two years, the number of courses required is reduced from 16 to 14. Students with advanced standing must meet all graduation requirements within those 12 or 14 courses.
Consideration for advanced standing is given only for relevant graduate degrees completed, not individual courses. The student should write to the Director of Academic Affairs stating the relationship of the other degree to the student’s concentration at SAIS and supply a copy of the transcript proving completion of the degree. Students who receive advanced standing must still complete the residency requirement of three full-time semesters.
DUAL-DEGREE PROGRAMS
SAIS students wishing to pursue a dual degree in a formal or approved ad-hoc program may do so either by being admitted concurrently to both schools or by being admitted to the second school during their first year at SAIS. Since INSEAD offers both fall and spring admission, SAIS students admitted to INSEAD prior to the end of their third semester may also participate in the dual-degree program.
Students admitted to an approved dual-degree program during their first year at SAIS are responsible for informing the Manager of Graduate Services and must complete the official dual-degree paperwork. The number of courses required for students in approved dual-degree programs is reduced from 16 to 12. All graduation requirements must be completed within these 12 courses. Students admitted to an additional graduate program, other than INSEAD, during their second year will not be considered dual-degree students.
Ad hoc dual-degree arrangements with SAIS must conform to the expectations established by the formal dual-degree programs (for example, the SAIS/Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania M.A.-M.B.A. Program) and should be confirmed in writing. Students should also be able to demonstrate the international relevance and other specific curricular and/or programmatic strengths of the institution being proposed. These considerations should be linked to the student’s career objective.
Students who leave SAIS to pursue the second degree must request a leave of absence from SAIS, even if all SAIS requirements have been completed. Students in all dual-degree programs, formal or ad hoc, must complete the requirements of both institutions before receiving either degree, with the exception of INSEAD. Those students receive the INSEAD degree upon completion of that program.
Students are responsible for filling out the Application to Graduate and contacting the SAIS Registrar’s Office at the beginning of the final semester at the other program to ensure their name is on the SAIS diploma order list and that all SAIS requirements have been completed.
For questions involving dual-degree arrangements, see the Manager of Graduate Services.