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BA in International Studies

In pursuing a BA in International Studies, students develop an understanding of international political, economic and cultural questions in the context of thinking critically about processes of historical development in a comparative context. In choosing their major and elective courses, students are able to take advantage of this variety of disciplinary approaches in developing their own interests in international studies.

Candidates for the Major should consult the International Studies Checklist to assist them in meeting requirements. Students are encouraged to discuss these requirements with the Associate Director. The program of study requires a minimum of 87 credit hours out of the 120 needed to fulfill University requirements for graduation.

Students may also elect to enroll in the Senior Seminar during the fall of their final year at Hopkins. Those who do will write a senior thesis and become eligible for Departmental Honors provided they have also maintained a GPA of 3.7 or better (for political science) in courses required for the Major. Senior Thesis Information Sheet.

Five-Year Accelerated BA/MA with SAIS

For students (with a preference toward declared International Studies Program Majors) with a clear intent to pursue an MA in international studies after graduation from Hopkins, the University offers an accelerated and competitive International Studies BA/MA Program drawing upon its resources at The Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), located in Washington, D.C. Applications consisting of an up-to-date transcript, a brief statement of purpose, and a resume to be turned in January 5th of sophomore year.  Students will be interviewed in D.C. at the SAIS campus. Approximately eight students are accepted into the SAIS program. These students spend their junior year at the Homewood campus. Formal attendance at SAIS, either at the Washington or the Bologna campus, begins in what would have been the senior year. Although the BA is not awarded until the end of the fourth year, it is expected that most undergraduate requirements will be completed in three years so as to facilitate continuation towards the MA at SAIS. Affiliation with the Homewood campus ceases officially after the fourth year of the program. Financial assistance for the fifth year is thus determined by SAIS. More information available here. If you would like to speak with current BA/MA students, we are happy to arrange contact. Please email Prof. Grovogui (sibagro{at}jhu.edu) or Prof. Heisenberg (dheisenberg{at}jhu.edu) for details.

Five-Year Accelerated BA/MA with Sciences Po

Declared International Studies Majors may also apply to participate in a five-year accelerated BA/MA program with Sciences Po (Sciences Politique et Economique), one of Europe's finest schools of political science.

Those accepted into the program join students bound for SAIS in a special junior year seminar in international relations. After the junior year, students spend two years at Sciences Po, earning the BA after their first year and a Masters (Diplome) from Sciences Po after their second year. Students pay tuition to Johns Hopkins in their first year in Paris and to Sciences Po in their second year. Financial aid from Johns Hopkins continues only through the end of a student's fourth year. Instruction at Sciences Po is in French. Interested students should have a clear intent to pursue an MA after graduation from Hopkins. Applicants follow an application and review process similar to the one for the SAIS program; they may apply to the BA/MA with SAIS, the BA/MA with Sciences Po, and the junior year in Bologna and then decide between those to which they are accepted.

Incoming students with an interest in the BA/MA programs are encouraged to obtain further information from the SAIS and Sciences Po websites and to consult with the Associate Director during their freshman and sophomore years.

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