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Prepare to Thrive in a Global Market

MA in Global Risk

  • U.S. News #10 Global University
  • 230,000+ Global Alumni Community
  • Top-Ranked University for International Relations Graduate Programs
  • No GRE/GMAT

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The MA in Global Risk (online) program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) prepares students to understand risk models and decision-making frameworks, and then take their insights a step further. By combining both the qualitative and quantitative tools of risk management with critical thinking, regional knowledge and research skills needed for more comprehensive risk analysis and mitigation, Johns Hopkins MA in Global Risk graduates are uniquely positioned to succeed in today's global environment.

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If you want to make the world a better place, you have to learn how to anticipate the consequences of specific actions or reactions, how to build scenarios out of seemingly unconnected events, and how to recognize which pathways for development are more likely than others. The Master's in Global Risk will help you take advantage of the many important insights available from economics, history, and political science, in order to make sense of the world around you and to plan more effectively for the future.


Erik Jones

Erik Jones
Professor of European Studies and International Political Economy; and Director of the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute, Johns Hopkins SAIS

Leading up to 2008, many of the models commonly used to forecast risk failed to predict the greatest global crisis since The Great Depression. While many factors played a role in the 2008 financial crash, the intangible and less quantifiable elements, such as how incentive structures could alter or encourage risk-taking behavior, contributed significantly to the market crashes that followed. Whether risk comes from human behavior, natural causes or a sudden competitive innovation, fully understanding it has become far more complex.

This program features two in-person residencies at the Johns Hopkins SAIS campus in Washington DC. These experiences give students the opportunity to build or expand their professional networks before they graduate, studying alongside students from their cohort as well as connecting with our expert faculty and risk management practitioners. Before completing the program, students will participate in a final residency, also in Washington DC. Immediately following the residency, students will participate in the Johns Hopkins SAIS commencement ceremony with the school's entire graduating class. For any questions or concerns regarding the in-person residencies, connect with an admissions counselor via chat or submit the request information form.

Outlook

Global Risk Management Career

While risk management has been a formal discipline for decades, the complexity and ways that organizations must deal with it have evolved considerably. From factors like interconnected, global supply chains to weather-related and other natural disasters, the risks that organizations face are varied and dynamic. However, many organizations have a long way to go before they're prepared to handle the scale of modern risk.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects much higher than average growth for many positions in which risk management is a core duty, including financial managers (16% growth through 2028), operations research analysts (26%) and management analysts (14%). Furthermore, the field, including risk management services and software, is expected to benefit from a 14.6% CAGR through 2026, reaching a global market value of $18.5 billion2.

Our risk management master's students come from a variety of disciplines — including finance, consulting, information security, crisis management, artificial intelligence and business development. The skills gained and the network built at Johns Hopkins SAIS will help you to elevate your career.


1 Allied Market Research, "Global Risk Management Market Outlook: 2026"
2 Allied Market Research, "Global Risk Management Market Outlook: 2026"
$18.5 billion
Total projected value of the risk management market in 20261

Many organizations have yet to capitalize on new tools and approaches that could help them systematically identify and assess risks as they develop protection and mitigation strategies. The most effective organizations will approach these challenges holistically, involving leaders throughout the organization to provide their unique viewpoint and expertise and then applying sector-specific data & predictive analytics to support the decisions they make. This is an opportunity for more risk managers to lead an evolution toward truly addressing risk at the enterprise level.


Greg Case
President and CEO at Aon

Overview

MA in Global Risk Program

Like a traditional risk management master’s degree, the MA in Global Risk (online) provides a comprehensive education in the tools and frameworks of risk management. However, the Johns Hopkins SAIS degree in global risk goes a step further by also exploring the limitations of common risk models and understanding the greater context — including political, financial and operational factors across different regions of the world.

The MA in Global Risk program has one fall start each year. It is a cohort based program where students can complete coursework in 21 months. Key areas of study include:

  • Global economics and international trade
  • Approaches and frameworks for understanding risk
  • Adapting risk management strategies in dynamic environments
  • Primary risk management challenges and opportunities in different areas of the world

For a full course list, download the MA in Global Risk program brochure.

Learn from the best

Our Faculty

Faculty

Our faculty are scholars, practitioners and leaders who have worked as senior advisors in government organizations, consultants for multinational companies and are widely published. They are experts in policy advising, international finance, project management, and through this degree, you will gain insights from expert faculty both online and in-person during the residency components of the program.

The School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University fosters a culture focused on collaboration, supporting each other,and challenging each other to continuously improve. All students, both online and on-campus, have opportunities to participate and build on that culture as members of the community.

Global Risk

Curriculum

Curriculum

The global risk management curriculum is structured to build your expertise in risk modeling and your ability to look at risk holistically. The coursework blends practical analysis with knowledge of the latest risk management theories, while challenging you to critically analyze methodologies behind research and policy. This program is an excellent fit for working professionals who want to develop their skills in areas like:

  • Understanding the major sources of risk that characterize the history of international affairs
  • Examining the methodological problems associated with the analysis of risk and uncertainty
  • Analyzing the different theoretical approaches to managing risk in economic decision making
  • Gaining in-depth insight into the major sources of risk that develop in the realm of elections, political parties, policies and social movements at the national and sub-national levels
  • Developing specific expertise in a particular market, international organization, and regions of the world.

To see full list of courses, download our program brochure.

About

Johns Hopkins SAIS

For 75 years, students have come to the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) to build their professional networks, learn from renowned faculty, train with policy practitioners and gain hands-on work experience.

Today, guided by the vision of its founders, the school’s cadre of expert faculty prepares students for exciting careers across sectors and around the world. With a global alumni network of more than 20,000 graduates, you can be sure to find our alumni taking action in dynamic roles. From private-sector executives to entrepreneurs, leaders of nongovernmental organizations to ambassadors, and international media correspondents to energy consultants, alumni of the school are known for being innovative thinkers and problem-solvers with the economic and policy expertise to address today’s most pressing challenges.

School Rankings

Rankings and Accreditation

U.S. News & World Report recognizes Johns Hopkins for its commitment to student success, excellent student social mobility, faculty as well as its reputation among leaders at other universities.

U.S. News ranks Johns Hopkins as a top-10 national university as well as top-10 in most innovative schools in the country. Some other key rankings include:

#10
Best Global Universities, U.S. News & World Report
#9
Best Value Schools, U.S. News & World Report
#3
Best Graduate Programs for International Relations, Foreign Policy Magazine
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