Direct Matriculation Program: Master’s in International Relations (MAIR)
Secure your spot at a top graduate school alongside admission to Hopkins.
The Direct Matriculation Program: Master’s in International Relations (MAIR) allows qualified students with a strong interest in international studies to pursue a combined bachelor’s/master’s degree from our Krieger School of Arts & Sciences (our undergraduate school) and the prestigious Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) (our graduate school) with campuses in Washington, DC; Bologna, Italy; and Nanjing, China.
This is a five-year consecutive degree program that allows you to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Once matriculated at Hopkins, admitted DMP students cannot defer their enrollment at SAIS or take a gap year.
Student Spotlight
SAIS Europe: A Year in Bologna and Beyond
Rachel, a participant in the five-year BA/MA program between Johns Hopkins and SAIS, began her SAIS Europe journey with the Summer Academy, a trial run that confirmed Bologna was the right fit.
Gaining admission to a school the caliber of Johns Hopkins SAIS was a moonshot…but they say the only way to truly fail is not to try, so I tried my hardest.
I chose SAIS to learn from my fellow peers—who are activists, scholars, refugees, public servants, and experts—as much as SAIS’ world-renowned faculty.
The dean of my undergrad told me, “If you want to excel in the field of international relations, SAIS is the only choice.” Choosing SAIS has been one of the best decisions I have ever made, not just because of the prestigious education but also because of the community. SAIS’ network has no parallel.
All first-year applicants, regardless of intended major, are welcome to apply to the DMP: Master’s in International Relations (MAIR). You must indicate you are applying to this program on your undergraduate application under the Hopkins Supplemental Questions section. You may only apply for admission to one DMP.
After submitting your admissions application, you will see a separate essay requirement appear in your applicant portal. You must submit an essay in response to the prompt below.
Additional Essay Prompt
Describe your reasons for applying to the Direct Matriculation Program. What experiences have prepared you for participating in this accelerated consecutive degree program that combines undergraduate and graduate study in international affairs?Please answer in 400–500 words.
The deadline to submit your DMP essay as an Early Decision II or Regular Decision applicant is January 16.
Program & Eligibility Requirements
Complete Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, and any Hopkins statistics course before attending SAIS
Maintain a cumulative 3.5 GPA throughout their undergraduate years
Students who are admitted to the Direct Matriculation Program (DMP) are guaranteed admission into a two-year master’s degree from SAIS if they maintain the required academic standards and complete the necessary undergraduate courses. After three years of undergraduate study on the Homewood campus, students may decide to spend the following two years at SAIS in Washington, DC or attend one of their international campuses for the first year followed by two to three semesters at the DC campus.
DIRECT ADMISSION TO MASTER’S PROGRAMS
Hopkins undergrads with a cumulative 3.3 GPA from the Whiting School of Engineering or Krieger School of Arts & Sciences are eligible for direct admission to a participating master’s program at SAIS.
How do I find out if I’ve been admitted to the program?
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You will be notified of your acceptance into the program at the same time as your admissions decision. Please check Application Requirements & Deadlines for decision release dates.
Can I be admitted to Hopkins but not the DMP?
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Yes. You can be admitted to Hopkins but not the DMP. However, you may reapply to the program your sophomore year.
Note: All intended majors are eligible to apply to the DMP as first-year applicants.
Can I study abroad as a DMP?
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Students can study abroad on a case-by-case basis. Students should discuss their plans with the International Studies Program Director before they submit an application to the Global Education Office. Only semester-long programs are allowed.
Can I take a gap year before attending SAIS?
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No. This DMP is a consecutive, five-year degree program.
As a DMP, can I pursue a different master's program at SAIS instead of MAIR?
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No. The SAIS DMP is only for the Master’s in International Relations program. For students wanting to enroll in a different masters at SAIS, they should consider Direct Admissions instead.
DECISION
I was admitted to Hopkins under Early Decision, but I was not admitted into the DMP. What are my options?
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Under these particular circumstances, you can break your Early Decision agreement with Hopkins. If you choose to turn down your spot, you will forgo admission to Hopkins.
What if I change my mind about attending SAIS?
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Students are not bound to SAIS if accepted to the program and can decide if they no longer want to pursue the SAIS degree at the beginning of sophomore year.
FINANCIAL AID
How does financial aid work?
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Students will pay SAIS tuition during their fourth and fifth years of study, although Homewood financial aid applies during their fourth year. Financial assistance for the fifth year is determined by SAIS and is not guaranteed.
