Registration

What are the requirements for course registration? How do we register for courses?

All 1^st and 2^nd year PhD students are required to take courses and must register through GU Experience. To be registered for full-time study, students must enroll in at least 3 three-credit courses per semester; these can include directed readings, courses in other departments, and courses taken through the Consortium with other DC-area universities. The list of available Georgetown courses can be viewed here.

Typically, you will need to enroll in 4 three-credit courses a semester to complete the departmental course requirements. Students with transfer/advanced standing credit may enroll in fewer courses per semester.

What is the registration process for students taking fewer than 3 courses?

If you are taking fewer than nine credits (three courses) any semester during the first two years in the program, you should register for Govt 9999-03, “Thesis Research.” This will allow you to retain full-time enrollment status, and continue to receive all benefits (including maintaining your student visa status, if applicable).

How can you register to do a tutorial with a faculty member?

Students who wish to register for a reading or research tutorial must work with a tutorial instructor (who will typically be a tenure-line faculty member in the Government Department, but may be other faculty at Georgetown) to draw up a syllabus for the course, including a title, schedule of meetings and reading assignments, and identification of what form of written work will be completed. Either the student or instructor must then contact the DGS to approve the tutorial, and complete the registration form. This form must be completed and submitted by the DGS no later than the final day of the Add/Drop period.