FAQs

Our application information provides guidance on eligibility for an application fee waiver. We do not waive deposit fees.

The program does not publish admissions GPA or GRE data. Please note that we evaluate each application holistically to ascertain an individual’s readiness to pursue our fast-paced and rigorous conflict resolution program. 

GRE scores are recommended but not required for applicants.

If you have taken the GRE and want to submit your scores, we welcome your submission. If the GRE score can tell us something about your record and your potential to succeed in the program that your other materials do not, then we want to take your scores into account when considering your application. However, if you do not wish to take the test or submit your scores, we consider applications complete without the inclusion of GRE scores.

We are a competitive program. Our admissions statistics are not public and vary with each academic year.

We provide a limited amount of funding to our top candidates at the admissions stage. Scholarships can range from three to nine credits of tuition and are disbursed during the first academic year. All applicants are automatically considered for merit during the application period. Please be advised that second-year scholarships are not offered.

If RA or TA positions are available, you may be notified of an opportunity a few weeks after you are admitted into the program. These are hourly positions that typically consist of 8 -15 hours of work per week. These positions do not provide tuition forgiveness or stipends.

Our application information page provides guidance on official test scores and transcript submissions. For questions about these submission requirements, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at gradmail@georgetown.edu. 

When you apply via the online application system, you will be guided through this process. If you experience technical issues with the application portal during this step, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for assistance.  

Guidance on your Statement of Purpose can be found on our application information page. 

No, this is not a requirement for admission to our program.

No, prior work experience is not an admissions requirement. Competitive applicants demonstrate how their professional experience, volunteer work and/or extracurricular activities – as well as their academic background – are aligned with the academic and professional fields that the program represents.

Guidance on preparing the academic writing sample can be found on our application information page. 

Our application information page provides guidance on submitting your transcript. For additional information, review the Office of Graduate Admissions application submission instructions.

It takes us several weeks after the January 15th deadline to read all of the application materials we receive. We aim to submit all decisions by the end of March.

Yes, if you are accepted, you can apply for a deferral via the graduate deferral process. You may defer for up to two academic years.

Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at gradmail@georgetown.edu or consult the Graduate Admissions FAQs page.

No, we are not budgeted to cover your expenses. We host a virtual event for admitted students who can’t attend the open house in person.

Students in our program have two full-day orientation sessions before classes start. The first orientation session will be held on August 19, 2026, a week before classes start. 

The Department of Government has an orientation session for all of its M.A. students on Monday, August 24, 2026. 

Additionally, there are orientation events hosted by the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. International students, those with teaching assistantships and others may have additional orientations to attend in this time frame.

Incoming students should treat these as mandatory and plan to be on campus for these events.

For the 2026-27 academic year, classes begin on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

The Main Campus academic calendar can be found on the Office of the University Registrar’s website.

Admitted students will register for classes in June. The program will contact students over the summer to provide registration instructions. The schedule of classes is publicly listed on the University Registrar’s website.

Washington, DC, can be a challenging place to find suitable housing, so start your search early. Contact the Off-Campus Housing Office in the Office of Neighborhood Life via email at guochrs@georgetown.edu or visit their website. Georgetown has off-campus graduate student housing available.

No, we have already offered our budgeted aid for the academic year. Students are only eligible for aid during their first year in the program.

If you defer, you will have a spot in the incoming class of the following year, should you choose to accept it.

Our admissions and tuition page addresses how to calculate the cost of tuition.

Our admissions and tuition page addresses how to calculate the cost of tuition and has information on funding opportunities.

For financial aid questions, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid. All students are assigned a financial aid officer to help answer their financial aid questions.