The school was founded in 1909 as the Department of Oriental Subjects, and was renamed in 1983 to honor Henry M. Jackson.

The University of Washington established a Department of Oriental Subjects in 1909 under the chairmanship of Herbert Henry Gowen.

Since 2015 it has, additionally, offered a Master of Arts in applied International Studies geared towards "mid-career professionals".

[12] Notable present and former faculty of the school include Darryl N. Johnson, Jere L. Bacharach, France Winddance Twine, T.J. Pempel, Philip N. Howard, and Charles T. Cross.

Notable graduates of JSIS' programs include Margery Anneberg, Elizabeth J. Perry, Rob McKenna, and Matthew Bannick.