Program Overview

International Affairs, Master of Arts

The Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) is a two-year degree program based at SAIS Europe in Bologna, Italy. This program provides students with the option to work with faculty advisors to develop and produce an original thesis or base their program entirely on coursework, provided they complete at least one course that entails a major research project.

Overview

Students are taught in English under the American system of graduate education and can select courses based on their academic interests. The close-knit international academic environment of SAIS Europe fosters a sense of community and collaboration, enabling students to learn to communicate across borders and cultures.

International Recognition of Accreditation

The Johns Hopkins University operates programs in multiple approved locations in the United States and a few programs in approved locations outside of the United States, including the Bologna campus of the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). 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.

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 masters degree from both. As of June 2023, SAIS Europe manages partner programs with the following schools:

• Diplomatic Academy of Vienna
• Hopkins-Nanjing Center (HNC)
• Sciences Po, Lille
• McGill University Max Bell School of Public Policy
• SOAS University of London
• Tel Aviv University
• University of Leiden
• University of Bologna

Degree Requirements

• Campus: Bologna, Italy
• Credits: 64
• Duration: Two academic years, full-time
• Course delivery: In-person

To graduate, students must fulfill all degree requirements and earn a cumulative GPA of 2.67 or above. Students who spend both years at SAIS Europe may either complete 14 courses (56 credits) and write a long thesis of approximately 15,000-20,000 words (8 credits), or complete 16 courses (64 credits), one of which must entail a substantial research project (short thesis).

International Economics

All MAIA candidates must successfully complete the following courses:

• International Economics I: Essentials of Economics I
• International Economics II: Essentials of Economics II

The Economics I track covers topics in Microeconomics and International Trade Theory, and the Economics II track covers topics in Macroeconomics and International Finance.

Thesis Option

Students who wish to write a long thesis must apply to do so in the fall of their second year. The application must be approved by a committee, and the thesis proposal must be accepted by the proposed thesis supervisor.

Language Proficiency

• Native English speakers must pass a foreign-language proficiency examination in one of the foreign languages offered at SAIS Europe:
  • Arabic
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Russian
  • Spanish
• Non-native English speakers must pass the English proficiency exam prior to graduation.

Sample Elective Courses

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:

• Conflict Risk and Stability in Cyberspace
• Contemporary Russian Foreign Policy
• Democracy and its Discontents
• Digital Transformation
• Energy and Climate Change
• Europe and the World Economy
• Genocide and Mass Violence
• Geopolitics of Energy and Climate
• Renewable Energy: Markets, Technologies & Projects
• Technology, Innovation and Strategy
• Transnational Advocacy
• The Twin Pillars of the Gulf: Iran, Saudi Arabia & Their Gulf Neighbors