Academic Programs

The Jackson School offers six majors and 17 minors (as well as a Tri-Campus minor in Human Rights) in international studies at the undergraduate level, as well as 10 Master's level programs and a Ph.D. Program.

Click here for the latest course offering for Jackson School Programs
Click here for the latest course offering for Jackson School Programs
W at entrance in winter

Through its commitment to interdisciplinary and comparative teaching of the world’s regions, cultures, and languages, the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington equips students to lead in a globalized world. The Jackson School is a member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA).

Our graduates have found careers at global companies and organizations — as well as at the top levels of U.S. government and U.S. embassies overseas.

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduates in class

The Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies offers six majors and 16 minors in international studies at the undergraduate level. Students who Major in International Studies may concentrate in one of ten regional studies options, one of two thematic programs, or pursue a broader course of study within the general program in International Studies.


Graduate Programs

Graduate Students in Class

The Jackson School offers graduate training leading to the Master of Arts in International Studies and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. In addition to the PhD, nine programs lead to a Master of Arts in International Studies degree: seven world area-studies programs, a comparative religion program, and a comparative and thematic program in international studies that concentrates on the interaction of international, economic, political, and cultural processes with states and societies around the world. The International Studies M.A.I.S. program can be taken as a concurrent degree program with several UW professional schools.

JSIS master’s programs do not necessarily lead into the Ph.D. program, although they provide appropriate preparation for doctoral study (as do many other master’s programs). Many MAIS graduates pursue a Ph.D. with a regional focus through discipline departments such as History, Political Science,Anthropology, Economics, Ethnomusicology, or a language/literature department. The Near and Middle Eastern Studies Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program is administered through the Graduate School.

See grad.washington.edu/students/interdisciplinary/nme for more information.

For more information click on the headings below; if you would like printed fliers on any of these programs, please contact us.


Master of Arts in International Studies (MAIS) Programs

The Jackson School offers nine programs that lead to an M.A.I.S. degree: seven world area-studies programs, a comparative religion program, and a comparative and thematic program in international studies that concentrates on the interaction of international, economic, political, and cultural processes with states and societies around the world.

All programs require study or competency in a foreign language; the focus of other course work is primarily in the social sciences and history. If you are interested chiefly in studying language or literature, your interests might be better served through one of the University’s many language departments (Asian Languages and Literature, French and Italian Studies, Spanish and Portuguese Studies, Scandinavian Studies, Slavic Languages and Literature, Classics, Germanics, and Near Eastern Languages and Civilization).


Executive Master of International Studies (EMIS)

The Executive Master of International Studies (EMIS) program is a 10-month intensive degree option designed for professionals with at least five years of experience. Learn more.

Application contact information: (EMIS only)

Executive Master of International Studies
Box 353650
Seattle, WA 98195
206-221-8577


Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.) Program

The Ph.D. Program integrates the renowned area-based capabilities of the Jackson School with leading-edge scholarship and practice in the field of international studies. This innovative program is aimed at scholars and practitioners who want to develop deep knowledge of areas in the context of specific contemporary global themes, policy challenges, and real-world problems. It combines an intensive research tutorial system with specific coursework to allow doctoral candidates to finish in 3-4 years.


QUAL Program

QUAL is a UW-wide initiative launched in response to pressing demand for qualitative research design and methods training in the social sciences. QUAL’s goal is to promote and systematize training in qualitative research methods and to build a community of qualitative multi-method researchers in and around UW. QUAL offers a concentration that provides graduate students with a foundation in qualitative multi-methods research allowing them to deepen their research in their chosen social science or professional field.


Courses

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