To make applying as simple and straightforward as possible, here is everything you need to complete your application to the Master of Arts in Democracy & Governance program.
Our curriculum blends research, theory and practice to address what you’ll face as a practitioner working to achieve sustained democratization and effective governance. We look forward to reviewing your materials to learn how you may be a good fit for our community.
Please note that the accelerated B.A./M.A. program has a different admissions process.
| Round | Application Deadline | Expected Decision Notification |
|---|---|---|
| Final | January 15 | Mid-March |
Applications are submitted through our online application portal.
You must upload a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) to your online application. It should describe your work experience, extracurricular or volunteer activities, academic institutions attended, list of published work and any academic honors or awards. There is no page limit, though we recommend a one- to two-page resume.
Your statement of purpose should be approximately 500 words. Use it to address your intellectual interests, academic and professional objectives and proposed topic of graduate study. A strong statement of purpose will clearly demonstrate your interest and ability to contribute to the field of democratic governance reform in general, and the Georgetown M.A. Program in Democracy and Governance in particular. Avoid simply listing your accomplishments and previous academic or work experiences.
Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended are required. Review the Joint Office of Graduate Studies transcript FAQs for more information.
An acceptable transcript is a copy of an official transcript produced by the institution, including:
We do not accept screenshots, photos or downloads of the “student’s view” from your institution’s website.
Applicants who have attended institutions outside of the United States are strongly encouraged to upload their transcripts in the form of World Education Services Credential Evaluations or to utilize other credential evaluation services that are members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. If the evaluation does not include a copy of the evaluated transcripts, you must upload both the transcripts from the institution and the credential evaluation as one document to the application.
If you receive an offer of admission, you are required to submit official transcripts, which are transcripts submitted directly to Georgetown by the institution you attended, for verification before enrolling. Do not send electronic or paper copies of your official transcripts before receiving an offer of admission. Georgetown reserves the right to request any missing transcripts or an official copy of a transcript at any point during the application and/or admission process. Georgetown also reserves the right to withdraw any offer of admission already made if there is any discrepancy between a transcript uploaded in the application and the final official transcript received.
You must submit two official recommendations from people who can assess your potential for graduate study, including professors or professional supervisors. We encourage you to choose at least one academic source to write a recommendation.
The Joint Office of Graduate Studies utilizes a secure online recommendation system that will:
You must submit an academic writing sample that is 10-20 pages. It should demonstrate your ability to conduct scholarly research and construct a well-formed argument. If you have work experience, you may submit a professional writing sample. You should be the sole author of any writing sample.
All applicants are required to demonstrate a level of proficiency in the English language in order to be eligible for admission. Proficiency can be demonstrated by the receipt of a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or from a university where English is the primary language of instruction. All other applicants must demonstrate proficiency by submitting an official TOEFL or IELTS score. Our program requires a TOEFL score of at least 100 or an IELTS score of at least 7.5.
You must submit a $90 non-refundable application fee, payable online via credit card or e-check. Please do not send a personal check or money order.
While we do require you to submit official GRE test scores, we do recommend that you do so. Official scores must be sent by the testing agency and be received by the application deadline to be considered. Our GRE institutional code is 5244.
As Georgetown is a diverse, global community, we encourage you to upload a brief statement of up to 500 words to help the Admissions Committee understand the contribution your personal background and individual experiences would make to our community. As appropriate, you may wish to address any educational, economic and social experiences that have helped to shape your educational and professional goals, or how your background (e.g., first-generation student, travels outside the U.S.) or activities (e.g., community service and leadership) will contribute to the diversity of perspectives and ideas at Georgetown University.
If you experience any issues uploading the application materials to the online application portal, please contact Georgetown’s Office of Graduate Admissions by emailing gradmail@georgetown.edu or calling +1(202) 687-5568.
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.
