BA/MA Program in Democracy and Governance

The Department of Government offers an accelerated BA/MA program in Democracy and Governance. This program allows the best of Georgetown undergraduates to further their intellectual and professional development while working with Georgetown faculty. Those students with a clear commitment to the study of politics and with a potential interest in the intersection of democracy and governance should consider applying to the program.

The MA in Democracy and Governance is a 34-credit hour program that normally takes 2 years to complete. The joint BA/MA program consists of five components:

1. The student must complete ALL normal requirements for the Bachelor’s degree (120 credits).

2. The student must complete ALL normal requirements for an MA in Democracy and Governance (34 credits).

3. A BA/MA student would be allowed to double-count two courses (6 credit hours) towards both degrees. These courses would be selected from any courses that fulfill degree requirements in both programs and would be taken in the fourth year of undergraduate work and after being admitted into the program.

4. A BA/MA student would be able to take up to two graduate level classes while in their senior year that can count toward the MA, only if they are above the required 120 credits for the BA.

5. Once enrolled in the program the student would formally be both a student in the College and the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Students would receive their BA after completing all undergraduate degree requirements and would receive their MA after completing all of their MA requirements.

Students interested in the program should apply in their junior year by the Graduate School’s normal deadline for the MA in Democracy and Governance.

Students will need to submit the following:

1. Application and Fee

2. GRE scores

3. Undergraduate transcript from Georgetown

4. Statement of Purpose

5. Academic Writing Sample

6. Three Letters of Recommendation

Students would be advised by the appropriate undergraduate and graduate advisors in the College and Department of Government.

The student would pay tuition at the undergraduate rate while enrolled in the undergraduate classes and pay at a graduate rate for the graduate classes; the tuition for the two double-counted classes would be divided equally between the undergraduate and graduate rates. The Graduate School would determine financial aid for the student’s final year in the program; for the previous years, the College would determine financial aid.

For more information, please contact Professor Elton Skendaj at es1581@georgetown.edu.

Visit the MA in Democracy and Governance Program’s website.