<p>Background:
I live and work in Washington, DC and have the opportunity to go to graduate school starting in fall 2011 as a full-time student thanks to an academic program through my employer. I work in the international affairs/national security sector and am looking at graduate programs that are job related. I have what I consider to be strong credentials: 3.92 undergraduate GPA/summa cum laude from a top tier institution, 14 years of professional experience in my field, great recommendations, and strong writing skills for application essays, etc.</p>
<p>My requirements:
I was looking at programs that could be completed within 12 months (or slightly longer), were located in the DC Metro area, and that DID NOT REQUIRE THE GRE.</p>
<p>The top two programs in my mind are both through Johns Hopkins University:
School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and the Krieger School/Advanced Academic Programs. </p>
<p>The specific programs are as follows:
SAIS - Master of International Public Policy (MIPP), concentration in Strategic Studies
JHU AAP - Master of Arts in Government, concentration in Security Studies</p>
<p>My concern is with the Krieger School/ Advanced Academic Programs. I have heard this described as a school of continuing education or an extension school. I wonder if the diploma is the same as a “normal” Krieger School diploma. What I like about the program is that it is an MA program and there is a “thesis” requirement. Does anyone have any experience with this program? Is it related to JHU in name only? Does the MA diploma or transcripts refer to the program as a continuing education program? Should I not be concerned about it?</p>
<p>Incidentally, other programs I have looked at include:
the George Washington University, Elliott School’s Master of International Policy and Practice, concentration in International Security Studies
Virginia Tech/Alexandria Campus Master of Public and International Affairs, concentration in Global Security).</p>