The Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies is a nationally recognized leader in advancing the understanding of and engagement in world issues. Through our interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate academic and experiential learning programs, we prepare global citizens to lead with a nuanced contextual knowledge of how the world works.
Situated in the Pacific Northwest, we offer unique access to a global hub of innovation, technology and public service research, internships and jobs. Founded in 1909, the School is named for the late Senator Henry M. Jackson, in recognition of his interest and support for the School and the field of international affairs.
Our alumni work in a range of fields, including: the U.S. Foreign Service; major corporations such as Amazon, Microsoft and Starbucks; international agencies like The World Bank, United Nations, and the biggest foundation in the world, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; think tanks; universities, and diplomatic missions of foreign governments.
The Jackson School hosts 21 centers and programs; five of these are U.S. Department of Education-funded National Resource Centers dedicated to education and public service. Four of the Centers award Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowships to students throughout the UW. For Summer 2022 and Academic Year 2022-2023, the Centers awarded a total of 53 FLAS fellowships to 44 UW undergraduate and graduate students.
The Jackson School offers bachelor, master and doctoral degrees. Undergraduates choose from six majors — International Studies (General), Asian Studies, European Studies, Latin American Studies, Comparative Religion or Jewish Studies — and 17 minors. The curriculum is interdisciplinary and focuses on area studies, international policy issues and skill-based learning. Classes are taught by UW faculty and practitioners from both public and private sectors. Study abroad is strongly encouraged.
A highlight of the International Studies major is Task Force, a capstone seminar which requires students to investigate a current global policy issue, write an analysis and make recommendations to external evaluators with expertise on the issue. Other capstones include Advanced Readings, a seminar which includes reading and writing about major texts, and Seminars in Public Writing, which has a greater emphasis on editing and workshopping writing for a public audience. Select undergraduate and graduate students also join our Global Research Groups, bringing actionable insights to private and public sector organizations for their strategic and operational objectives.
We offer 10 programs that lead to a master’s degree. The International Studies program has the broadest focus and is often pursued concurrently with professional degree programs in business administration, marine affairs, forest resources, public affairs, law, or public health.
The PhD in International Studies trains scholars and practitioners with deep knowledge of areas in the context of contemporary global themes, policy challenges and real-world problems. Our PhD allows for a three-year program of completion.
The Office of Career Services connects students to internships, an alumni-student mentor program and job opportunities throughout the year. Although not all alumni pursue international careers, many have a global aspect in their jobs, in public, private and nongovernmental sectors.
undergraduate majors, minors and/or graduate studies
Sept. 2023 - Aug. 2024
Jackson School faculty represent a broad spectrum of social science disciplines. They are also associated with other departments in the College of Arts and Sciences and other schools and colleges at UW, including the College of the Environment, School of Law, and the Michael G. Foster School of Business. Honors include:
The Jackson School offers leading-edge research in global and area studies. Our internationally prominent faculty represent a range of fields in the social sciences and humanities, including anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, religion, sociology, and gender, women & sexuality studies. Some notable research projects include: the effects of free-trade agreements on human rights; public health and environmental security; nuclear non-proliferation in Asia; civil society in Asia, Latin America and Europe; defense industrialization in China; the relationship between religion and violence; U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East; history of U.S. foreign policy; the Mexican Revolution; political economy of India, post-Soviet politics; and politics of indigenous communities.
Each year the Jackson School and its centers and programs sponsor hundreds of academic and public conferences, lectures and cultural events featuring scholars, NGOs, business and diplomats from around the world. In addition, the School’s International Policy Institute, which was established with a grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York, brings together academics and policymakers in forums in both Seattle and Washington D.C. to tackle pressing global topics such as cybersecurity, religion and the Arctic.
Our 21 centers and programs provide ongoing education opportunities for K-12 educators via workshops, lectures, partnerships with media and international study tours. They offer up-to-date information and recommendations on global education resources and support in planning international curricula and activities.
The Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies
Box 353650
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195
(206) 543-4370
jsis.washington.edu
last update: August 2024
