Applying

Application Deadlines

Fall 2025

  • December 15, 2024 (Ph.D. program, Open)
  • January 15, 2025 (M.A. programs)

Application Requirements

Please be sure to review the Graduate School Admissions Application Procedures page and the Admissions Requirements Checklist.

Program Admission Requirements

Application Materials required:

  • Application Form
  • Non-refundable Application Fee
    • The department grants a limited number of application fee waivers each cycle. The fee waivers for the Fall 2024 application cycle are now closed.
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Unofficial Transcripts (all prior institutions)
  • Official Recommendations (3)
  • TOEFL/IELTS Score (please see below)
  • Writing Sample
  • CV/Resume

Please review the program websites for additional information on program-specific admissions requirements (these are listed under the program descriptions below).

Although it is desirable that applicants have completed 18 undergraduate semester hours in political science, the admissions committee does not apply this credit requirement rigidly. It may accept related courses or recommend that the applicant complete courses beyond the minimum degree requirements. The Department will consider individuals from a wide diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and careers. Its key criterion for admission remains strong scholarly promise.

Statement of Purpose

A statement of purpose should discuss the following: your reasons for wanting to study in the Government Department at Georgetown University; how your research interests fit with those of the various faculty members in the Department of Government; and your long-term academic and/or professional goals. The statement of purpose should be a 500 word (approximately) essay.

Academic Writing Sample

The Department of Government requires that all applicants submit an academic writing sample. There is no minimum or maximum length to the writing sample. The average length of samples received by the Department of Government is 15 – 20 pages. This sample should be scholarly, academic in nature and perhaps of a level that is publishable. It is not mandatory but it is preferable that the writing sample be on a topic you wish to study here at Georgetown. The academic writing sample should be a single-authored work.

Transcripts

Applicants are required to upload to the application system unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. Do not send electronic or paper copies of your transcripts before receiving an offer of admission.

Applicants who receive an offer of admission will be required at that time to submit official transcripts for verification prior to enrolling.

English Proficiency: TOEFL / IELTS

All applicants are required to demonstrate a level of proficiency in the English language sufficient to meet the admission requirement of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. 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 (please note that applicants receiving degrees at universities in U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico, are required to submit the TOEFL or IELTS unless the primary language of instruction at the institution is English).

All other applicants must achieve at least a minimum score on either the TOEFL or IELTS test. Test scores must be received by the application deadline date. Applicants should allow six to eight weeks from the test date for the reporting of scores to the institution. Applications will not be considered without TOEFL/IELTS scores.

  • TOEFL: A minimum score of 550 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based tests) or 80 (iBT test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Georgetown University’s score reporting code is: 5244. TOEFL information.
  • IELTS: A minimum score of 7.0 from the International English Language Testing System. IELTS Information.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination in Education

Georgetown University provides educational opportunities without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of, age, color, disability, family responsibilities, familial status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, personal appearance, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, source of income, veteran’s status or any other factor prohibited by law in its educational programs and activities.

Inquiries regarding Georgetown University’s non-discrimination policy may be addressed to Institutional Diversity, Equity & Affirmative Action, 37th and O Sts., N.W., Suite M36, Darnall Hall, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. 20057