M.A. in International Studies

Concurrent Degrees

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Students may choose to apply to any of the nine MA International Studies programs as a concurrent degree program. If you have questions about the required courses for concurrent students in these programs, please contact the Jackson School at jsisma@uw.edu.

The general International Studies master’s program was specifically designed as a concurrent program to complement a professional degree. One component of the program therefore requires students to take three courses of relevance to both the International Studies program and the professional program which would serve to fulfill degree requirements for both. Concurrent degree programs have been formally established between the International Studies program and six professional programs:

  1. Business Administration (MBA)
  2. Forest Resources (MFR/MS)
  3. Law (JD)
  4. Marine Affairs (MMA)
  5. Public Administration (MPA)
  6. Public Health (MPH)

All other MA programs can also be completed concurrently with any of the degrees listed above or any other professional degree at the UW through an informal arrangement.

PROGRAM DURATION FOR CONCURRENT DEGREES

Completion of the MAIS program concurrently with a professional degree takes approximately one year longer than the estimated time to complete the professional degree. The following schedule illustrates how the MAIS program and a concurrent degree are typically completed. This pattern may vary depending on the professional degree program.

1st year: Required core for professional program.

2nd year: Required courses for Jackson School program and electives for both programs. Start language study for Jackson School language requirement, if necessary.

3rd year +: Electives for both programs, finish language study and any final papers and/or final exams required.

**Internships required by the professional schools are often conducted during the summer.

APPLYING TO CONCURRENT DEGREES

All students interested in completing two degrees at the UW concurrently must apply to both programs separately. If a student is only accepted into one program, they can begin their studies with that department and apply for the second program during the next application cycle. If a student applies and is admitted to one UW program and then later decides to complete a second degree (typically during the first year), they can apply to the second program and start work on both programs concurrently during their second year of study.

TUITION

All students enrolled in two programs at the UW concurrently only pay tuition for the program that is of the higher cost. For example, if a student is completing a concurrent MAIS/JD degree, they will pay the JD tuition rate. Current tuition rates for all programs can be found on the UW Graduate Tuition Dashboard.

PROGRAM COMPLETION

When students who are enrolled in more than one degree program apply to graduate, they are asked to complete a manual degree audit because the MyGradProgram / MyPlan degree audit will not function on concurrent student records. For directions on how to complete the manual degree audit, visit this Graduate School website. If you have any questions, please contact the Jackson School Graduate Program Manager (jsisma@uw.edu).