Admission and Application Requirements

Prerequisites

Prospective students must hold a bachelor’s degree prior to enrolling in the program. Generally, students should have a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the latter half of their undergraduate studies. A minimum GPA of 3.0 does not guarantee admission. Particular interests and work experience will also be considered.

How to Apply

1. Complete the Online Application and upload required supporting materials*
2. Submit the application along with the $75 application fee

Required Supporting Materials

• A 1-2 page Statement of Purpose. The Statement of Purpose explains the applicant’s reasons for seeking admission and addresses the applicant’s analytical abilities and interest in security studies.
• Resume. 
• Recommendations. Under “Recommendations,” include the contact information for two recommenders. Professors or supervisors should verify academic and professional accomplishments. They will be automatically emailed access information to the system. They can then complete and upload their recommendation form.
• A 5-page, double-spaced essay on the following question: “America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to freedom and independence of all.” — John Quincy AdamsThis quote reflects the trends in American national security for much of the nation’s history. Are the implications that can be drawn from the statement consistent with the demands of American national security in the 21st century? Discuss this problem in reference to some recent policy issues or political events, citing at least three references.
• Official Transcripts.

We accept electronic transcripts emailed directly to aapadmissions@jhu.edu from the granting institution. If your institution doesn’t provide electronic transcripts, you can request your official transcripts to be mailed directly to:

Johns Hopkins University
Advanced Academic Programs
Transcript Processing Center
851 Trafalgar Court
Suite 420 West
Maitland, FL 327512

• If you have international coursework, send in the course-by-course credential evaluation. Study abroad may be exempt.
• If English is your second language, you may be required to take the TOEFL or IELTS examination.

*The Admissions Committee reserves the right to request additional information from applicants, if needed, to assess their candidacy for admission.

All application materials submitted to Advanced Academic Programs become the property of Johns Hopkins University and will not be returned to applicants under any circumstances.

Advanced Standing

Applicants with graduate-level coursework from accredited universities may be exempted from taking up to two courses towards degree completion. Advanced standing may be granted if the applicant has completed courses with subject matter relevant to the MA in Global Security Studies totaling either three or six graduate credits and with satisfactory grades. To be considered for Advanced Standing, please indicate that this desire on the application form.

Provisional Student

If you do not meet all the requirements for admissions, you may still be admitted to a program as a provisional student. Admission in these cases is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Students admitted as Provisional Students will usually be required to take 470.302.51 Introduction to Graduate Work in the first semester. This course does not count toward the degree and provisional students must earn a B or better in that course and the first two regular courses for the program before they are allowed to continue as a degree candidate. Other students may find it beneficial to take this course and are encouraged to do so.