Admissions & Tuition

The Master of Arts in Democracy & Governance prepares you for a career in the field through a powerful combination of theory, practice and specialized training. Learn how and when to apply and explore funding options as you start on your path to make an impact. 

We offer full- and part-time study options, as well as an accelerated B.A./M.A. program for current Georgetown undergraduates.

Application deadline

RoundApplication DeadlineExpected Decision Notification
FinalJanuary 15Mid-March

How to apply 

To apply to the Master of Arts in Democracy & Governance program, you must submit the application and all required materials. Our application information will help you through the process.

Tuition 

Students in the Master of Arts Democracy & Governance pay tuition at the established Georgetown Graduate School of Arts & Sciences rate of $2,652 per credit hour for the 2025-2026 academic year. Our program is a 34-credit degree program. 

$2652Cost per credit*
34Total credits

*Tuition rates for each term are published annually, typically in February. 

Tuition fees exclude individual health care or health insurance premiums, books and supplies, student fees, visas and any travel expenses. The Office of Revenue and Receivables provides additional information regarding tuition breakdown and student fees through the university. 

Health insurance is mandatory for all full-time students, though students may be eligible to waive the health insurance fee if they already have health coverage. For more information on waiving the health insurance fee, please contact the Student Health Insurance Office.

Financial aid, scholarships and stipends 

There are many opportunities to fund your graduate education, including financial aid, scholarships, fellowships and stipends. 

Funding opportunities

  • Merit-based scholarships
  • U.S. federal need-based financial aid
  • Assistance for veterans
  • Assistance for international students
  • Public service loan forgiveness
  • Part-time employment
  • External resources outside of Georgetown

We encourage you to review the financing information provided by the Georgetown Office of Student Financial Aid for guidance. You can explore opportunities offered through the Georgetown University Center for Research and Fellowships.

Harold W. Rosenthal Fellowship – This offers qualified students pursuing a career in international relations the opportunity to spend a summer in professional fellowship positions with a member of Congress or in the State Department. In most years, two to four students are awarded the fellowship, each receiving a stipend for their work. Fellows are selected based on their commitment to public service, their education and interest in international relations, as well as their experience and their dedication to the values held and pragmatism demonstrated by Harold Rosenthal. Those include a professional commitment to conflict resolution, governance and multiculturalism. The deadline to apply is mid-January.

Herbert Roback Scholarship  – The National Academy of Public Administration awards the Herbert Roback Scholarship to a graduate student currently enrolled or admitted for enrollment in a full-time master’s degree course in public administration, public and international affairs, and/or political science. Typically, one scholarship in the amount of $7,500 will be awarded each year. The deadline to apply is mid-April.

Fulbright Fellowships – Senator J. William Fulbright created the Fulbright program in 1946 to increase mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and other countries. The Fulbright sends over 1,000 students to over 140 countries worldwide each year to execute carefully designed research proposals. The deadline to apply is mid-September.

Dolores Zohrab Leibmann Fund  – The Leibmann Fund provides fellowships, up to $18,000 per year, for students pursuing graduate studies (including law and medicine) at U.S. institutions. The deadline to apply is early November.

Luce Scholars Program – The Luce Scholars Program provides stipends and internships for eighteen young Americans to live and work in East and Southeast Asia each year. The deadline to apply is mid-October.

Cosmos Scholars Grant Program  – This grant supports graduate students enrolled in Washington, DC, with up to $4,000 for specific research needs such as supplies, travel and unanticipated expenses. The deadline is usually November.

NSEP David L. Boren Fellowships  – Boren Fellowships provide up to $30,000 to U.S. graduate students to add an important international and language component to their graduate education through specialization in area study, language study or increased language proficiency. Boren Fellowships support study and research in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Middle East. The deadline is usually mid-January.

The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship – College graduates can apply for full-time, six-to-nine-month fellowships in Washington, DC. Outstanding individuals will be selected to work with nonprofit, public-interest organizations addressing peace and security issues. Applications are especially encouraged from candidates with a strong interest in these issues who have prior experience with public-interest activism or advocacy. The deadlines are usually early October and January.

The James Madison Foundation Graduate Fellowship  – This was established by Congress in 1986 for the purpose of improving teaching about the U.S. Constitution in secondary schools. James Madison Fellows are expected to complete either a Master of Arts, a Master of Arts in Teaching or a Master of Education with an emphasis on American history, government, political science or other relevant concentrations. Fellows must be dedicated to teaching at the secondary level. Awards may be used for tuition, fees, books and room and board, but will not exceed $12,000 per year for two years. The deadline is usually early March.

The Soros Fellowships for New Americans  – Paul and Daisy Soros, Hungarian immigrants and American philanthropists, established their fellowship program for New Americans in December 1997 with a charitable trust of fifty million dollars. Their reasons for doing so were several. They wished to “give back” to the country that had afforded them and their children such great opportunities and felt a fellowship program was an appropriate vehicle. They also felt that assisting young New Americans at critical points in their education was an unmet need. Finally, they wished to call attention of all Americans to the extensive and diverse contributions of New Americans to the quality of life in this country. The deadline is usually early November.

The Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Fellowship  – The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Programs are a collaborative effort between the United States Department of State and the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. The programs provide academic and professional preparation for outstanding candidates to enter the U.S. Department of State Foreign Service, representing America’s interests abroad. Pickering Fellows are undergraduate and graduate students in academic programs relevant to international affairs, political and economic analysis, administration, management and science policy. Women, members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service and students with financial need are encouraged to apply. The deadline is usually early February.

Connect

We welcome conversations so you can learn more about our program and campus. You can schedule an in-person or virtual visit to connect with current students and faculty. Email us with any questions at democracygovernance@georgetown.edu.

Request more information 

The Master of Arts in Democracy & Governance program focuses on democratic governance, human rights protection and inclusive political participation. Discover how to join us and learn to foster dialogue, strengthen institutions and promote democratic principles.

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Three graduate students walking together outside.