The Johns Hopkins Direct Matriculation Program (DMP): Master’s in International Relations (MAIR) allows qualified high school students displaying a strong interest in international studies to pursue a combined bachelor’s/master’s degree with the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, DC.
Students must indicate that they are applying for the SAIS DMP on their admissions application under the Hopkins Supplemental Questions section by the application deadline: Early Decision I: November 1, 2023; Early Decision II and Regular Decision: January 2, 2024.
Students admitted to this program as freshman applicants who maintain the required academic standards are guaranteed admission into SAIS. Typically, DMP consecutive degree students complete most of the undergraduate degree requirements at Homewood in years one through three and the MAIR at SAIS in years four and five. Students may decide to spend both years at SAIS in DC at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center or attend one of SAIS’s international campuses for the first year (SAIS Europe in Bologna, Italy or the Hopkins-Nanjing Center in Nanjing, China) followed by two to three semesters at the DC campus.
Note: The DMP Master’s in International Relations (MAIR) is a five-year consecutive degree program. Once DMP students have matriculated at Johns Hopkins, they cannot defer their enrollment or take a leave of absence. Furthermore, the SAIS DMP is only applicable to students planning to undertake the Master’s in International Relations degree; for admission to other SAIS master’s programs, consider Direct Admissions for graduates of Johns Hopkins University.
For more information about the Direct Matriculation Program: Master’s in International Relations contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Note: You will not be considered for this program unless you submit the required materials by the application deadline. If accepted to the program, DMP students will have required courses to complete while at Homewood: Macroeconomics, Microeconomics and Statistical Analysis I or II. Students must also maintain a cumulative 3.5 GPA throughout their undergraduate years to remain eligible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I study abroad as a DMP?
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 will be allowed.
How does financial aid work?
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.
If I’m not admitted to the DMP at the time of admission, can I reapply?
Yes. Students may reapply to the BA/MA program during the regular application cycle fall semester of their sophomore year.
What are the requirements to apply, and remain eligible, for this program?
All undergraduate majors are welcome to apply. If accepted to the program, DMP students will be required to complete Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, and either Statistical Analysis I or II before attending SAIS. Students must also maintain a cumulative 3.5 GPA throughout their undergraduate years to remain eligible.
What if I change my mind about attending SAIS?
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.
As a DMP, can I pursue a different masters program at SAIS instead of the MAIR?
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.
I’m an Early Decision applicant with an interest in the DMP. What do I need to know?
Students who apply Early Decision and are admitted to the program will follow the same Early Decision Agreement policy. Students who apply Early Decision but are not accepted to the program can still be admitted to Hopkins as an undergraduate. In this circumstance only, they decide if they want to matriculate Early Decision to Johns Hopkins. Those who choose to turn down their spot will forgo admission to Johns Hopkins for that application year, and must still reply by the January 15 deadline.
Please note: Early Decision applicants who do not submit the required materials for this program by the application deadline will be bound to the Early Decision Agreement.
Can I be admitted to Johns Hopkins but not the program?
Yes. If you are admitted to Johns Hopkins, but not the DMP, you may reapply to the BA/MA program during the regular application cycle fall semester of sophomore year.
How do I find out if I’ve been admitted to the program?
You will be notified of your acceptance into the program at the same time your admissions decision is released.
Can I take a gap year before attending SAIS?
No. The SAIS DMP is a consecutive, five-year degree program.
What if I don’t turn in my materials on time?
You will not be considered for this program unless you submit the required materials by the application deadline (ED I: November 1, 2023; ED II and RD: January 2, 2024). Please note: Early Decision applicants who do not submit the required materials by the application deadline for this program will be bound to the Early Decision Agreement.