Apply for our M.A. Programs

APPLICATION FALL 2026:

These 4 M.A. programs will open admissions for the 2026-2027 academic year:

• East Asia Studies (China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan tracks)
  • NOTE: Our China, Japan, and Korea M.A. programs will be discontinued at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year and will be updated into a new degree program: M.A., East Asia Studies
• International Studies
• Russian, East European, Central Asian Studies
• Southeast Asian Studies

The application deadline for all Jackson School M.A. programs is January 31, 2026.

Please review the application requirements below for information on the application process.

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Application Requirements

• Request Official Test Score Reports be sent electronically to the Jackson School:
  • GRE (Some Jackson School M.A. programs do not require GRE scores. Please contact the respective M.A. program you are applying for to get information about GRE requirements)
  • For most international applicants: TOEFL English Language proficiency test scores
    (See Graduate School English Language Proficiency Requirements).
  • For applicants applying concurrently to the School of Business, GMAT is acceptable
• Designate Providers of Recommendations (3)
• Upload only Unofficial Transcripts online. Do not send hard copies of official transcripts.
• In addition, upload:
  • Statement of Purpose: detailing research questions and interests regarding research themes and regions; and also identifying where possible how relevant JSIS faculty members and institutional resources would fit into a course of study (2-3 pages)
  • Personal History Statement: detailing any racial, ethnic, educational, cultural, and economic backgrounds and disadvantages that you have / have experienced, and ways those experiences have affected the development of your special interests, career plans, and future goals (1-2 pages)
  • Writing Sample
  • Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (OPTIONAL)

• Complete and Submit Online Application

The application fee is $90. If you apply for more than one program, you have to submit a different application per program, and you have to pay as many application fees as the number of programs you are applying for.

International applicants aren’t eligible for application fee waivers. As this webpage states, “Applicants expecting to be or currently on an F or J-1 visa [i.e. international applicants] are not eligible due to federal eligibility requirements tied to these visas”

Also see answers to Frequently Asked Questions for M.A. applicants or e-mail jsisma@uw.edu for more information.