We hear from many students that they are debating between applying for the Master of Arts in International Studies (MAIS) or the HNC Certificate + Johns Hopkins SAIS MA. Both will prepare you for the next steps in your career, but there are significant differences in the study experience. Below, we have outlined the strengths of both options and we hope that this helps guide you in determining which program is the best fit for you.
Master of Arts in International Studies
The MAIS program is a great option for students who want to bring their Chinese language skills to an advanced professional level, develop strong research skills, and go into depth in one particular research area. Students spend two years at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, and this program is the only master’s degree accredited in both China and the United States.
Coursework and thesis component
Students declare a concentration from one of the Hopkins-Nanjing Center’s areas of study (Chinese studies; international politics, comparative and international law; energy, resources and the environment; and international economics). At the end of the program, students research, write, and defend a 15,000 minimum character thesis in Chinese that relates to their concentration area. Former students have written their theses on a variety of topics –from Chinese soft power in Africa to women’s rights in China. While writing a master’s thesis in Chinese may sound daunting, there is a lot of support at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center to guide you through that process. Part of the coursework includes classes designed to prepare you for the thesis process. Additionally, one of the unique benefits of the program is that you get the opportunity to work one-on-one with a Chinese faculty thesis advisor, who will help guide your research. For more information about the MAIS thesis writing process, please click here to hear from a current student.
Chinese proficiency
The MAIS program requires a higher level of Chinese proficiency than the Certificate program. The recommended score on the Chinese proficiency test is 1300 for the MAIS program, compared to 1200 for the Certificate program. In addition to completing the thesis component, you are also required to take at least 9 courses taught in Chinese over the course of the two-year program.
Employment Outcomes
Completing the MAIS program and the thesis component provides you with concrete proof of your advanced Chinese ability and research skills. Not only can you write and articulate complex issues in international relations and China studies, you can demonstrate to prospective employers that you can also do it in Chinese. One common misconception about the MAIS program is that it only prepares you for a career in China. MAIS alumni aren’t limited to staying in China, and there are a number of alumni who have gone on to work for the US Department of State or other government agencies. In our employment outcomes, there is a lot of overlap between all programs for the different sectors represented. The bottom line is that completing one program over another isn’t going to limit your career path.
HNC Certificate + Johns Hopkins SAIS MA
The Certificate + MA provides students with the opportunity to complete the one-year Certificate program in Nanjing and then complete the Johns Hopkins SAIS MA in two to three semesters in Washington, DC (students interested in continuing their studies at the Johns Hopkins SAIS campus in Bologna should contact nanjing@jhu.edu before applying). This allows students to gain professional Chinese language skills while gaining a strong background in international economics and quantitative reasoning.
Certificate coursework and Chinese proficiency
Students begin their studies in the one-year Certificate program. The Certificate offers flexible course selection that allows students to improve their Chinese and deepen their knowledge of international relations and Sino-global relations. Students must complete at least six courses taught in Chinese. Most students take three courses taught in Chinese and one course taught in English each semester. All applicants are required to take the Chinese proficiency test as part of their application, with a minimum recommended score of 1200.
MA Coursework and capstone component
After completing the Certificate program in Nanjing, students begin the Johns Hopkins SAIS MA program and pursue one concentration out of the 19 concentration areas, which are divided into either an international policy area (for example, American foreign policy; conflict management; energy, resources and environment, etc.) or a regional area (China studies, Latin American studies, etc.) available at Johns Hopkins SAIS. Please click here to view a complete list of concentrations. As part of their concentration, students complete what is called a capstone at the end of the MA program. Capstones vary by concentration and can take the form of an oral exam, a written exam, a practicum, or a research project.
Once students begin the Johns Hopkins SAIS MA program, the coursework is taught in English. You can continue your language studies by taking language courses in Chinese or a new language, but you will have met the Johns Hopkins SAIS foreign language proficiency requirement by completing the Certificate program.
International economics foundation
In addition to the concentration in a policy area or regional area, students also complete a concentration in international economics. This requires all students to complete four core economics courses and a quantitative reasoning course to ensure that all students graduate with a strong economics foundation. Applicants must fulfill prerequisite courses in introduction to microeconomics and macroeconomics prior to matriculating to the DC campus. This means that you can fulfill these requirements while you are at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, or over the summer, by enrolling in an online course offered by Johns Hopkins SAIS, or by taking these courses in Nanjing or from any other accredited institution. While many applicants have some prior economics background, there are also students who come to Johns Hopkins SAIS to gain an economics background as they recognize that it is essential to understanding issues of international relations.
Employment Outcomes
With the combination of a background in Chinese language and economics, the Certificate + MA prepares students to enter the global workforce. Additionally, most students are able to gain professional experience by interning while they are in Washington, DC. As mentioned above, there is a lot of overlap between all programs for the different sectors represented in our employment outcomes. However, many alumni of the Certificate + MA end up working for the government, think tanks, or the private sector after spending time in Washington and gaining a background in international economics.
