Georgetown University School of Foreign Service: Shaping Global Leaders

The Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS) at Georgetown University has a rich history and a forward-looking vision. Located in Washington, D.C., with additional campuses in Doha, Qatar, and Jakarta, Indonesia, SFS is dedicated to preparing students to become leaders and innovators in a rapidly changing world. The school emphasizes values such as leadership, creativity, ethics, service, and inclusion, aiming to equip graduates with the skills to address significant global issues.

A Foundation in International Relations

At the heart of the SFS curriculum is specialized training in international relations, history, economics, and ethical leadership. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that students develop a comprehensive understanding of the forces shaping our world. The Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service (BSFS) degree is rooted in the liberal arts, providing a broad intellectual foundation for future leaders.

Undergraduate Programs

The undergraduate program, with an enrollment of about 370 students per class, offers an intimate setting within Georgetown University. This allows for close interaction between students, faculty, and advising deans. Each student can build a network of professors with relevant expertise and develop a rapport with advising deans to guide their academic path. The Dean’s Office serves as the point of contact for students, assisting with academic and personal matters. They help students create an academic program that enables them to complete their studies on schedule while pursuing their interests in elective subjects. Once a major is declared, a major-based dean continues to support students through graduation on a wide range of subjects, including study abroad. The dean also directs students to faculty members who share their interests, facilitating mentorship opportunities.

The BSFS Core Curriculum (“the Core”) is an interconnected set of classes required by Georgetown University and the School of Foreign Service. Students pursuing a B.S. For all other students pursuing the B.S. The School of Foreign Service modern language requirement forms part of Georgetown University’s mission to prepare students to be reflective, engaged and informed global citizens. The goal is to prepare students for professional discussions in a modern language other than English that occur in public, private and non-profit sectors of international affairs. Thorough language study builds both linguistic competency and develops cultural literacy-a goal of the SFS curriculum. To satisfy this proficiency requirement, a student must demonstrate the ability to exchange ideas in conversation on contemporary issues involving international affairs in a modern language other than English. All undergraduate students in the School of Foreign Service are expected to enroll in a modern language class each semester, for a letter grade, until they have met the proficiency requirement. Students cannot take a language course pass/fail. There are five ways a student can fulfill the language requirement. Graduating from a secondary school in which the language of instruction was a language other than English. Students must provide relevant documentation to their advising dean during their first semester at Georgetown. For languages offered by Georgetown, passing a proficiency exam offered by the relevant language department A “pass” on the proficiency exam is comparable to achieving, depending on the language, an Intermediate High to Advanced Mid on the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages Proficiency Guidelines (ACTFL) rating, or a B1/low B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference. Directly matriculating in a Georgetown-approved university whose language of instruction is not English and successfully completing one semester of full-time study in the regular coursework of degree seeking students. All students are expected to complete the language proficiency requirement prior to study abroad if they are nominated to an English language site or to another site in a language other than the one the student is pursuing to fulfill the requirement. Exceptions can be requested by completing the Language Proficiency Acknowledgement Waiver.

Specialized Programs and Areas of Study

SFS offers a diverse range of specialized programs designed to equip students with expertise in specific areas of international affairs. These include:

Security Studies: In-depth exploration of the security field, covering intelligence and defense analysis to emerging issues.
Development Work: Real-world international experiences to prepare students to tackle any stage of development work.
Migration Studies: Examination of the forces driving migration and its impact on destination and origin countries, using an interdisciplinary approach.
Arab Studies: Critical engagement with contemporary regional and global issues affecting the Arab world, with intensive Arabic language instruction.
Asian Studies: Regional expertise, strategic insight, and functional skills necessary to respond to the demands of policy, business, and scholarship in a globalizing Asia.
Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies: Grounding in the languages and cultures of the diverse countries of Eastern Europe and Eurasia through an interdisciplinary, social science focus.
European Studies: Preparation for transatlantic dialogue through a firm foundation in comparative politics, cultural studies, economics, history, and international relations.
Latin American Studies: Drawing on the richness of the Americas’ linguistic, cultural, and artistic expression to advance dialogue on pressing issues.
Science, Technology and International Affairs (STIA): Combining science with international affairs, the STIA major prepares students to explore the technological and scientific issues driving today’s global conversations. It equips students with scientific knowledge and the expertise to use this information effectively in international affairs. The science, technology and international affairs major combines technical expertise with an understanding of global challenges, preparing graduates to address pressing international issues at the intersection of science, technology and policy. The science, technology and international affairs major draws upon faculty expertise in diverse fields such as international affairs, public policy, global health, environmental studies and security studies.

Minors

SFS offers a variety of minors to complement students' degrees, allowing them to engage with the substance of international affairs scholarship from a wide range of lenses.

Joint and Dual Degree Programs

Master’s Degree with McDonough School of Business: The School of Foreign Service and the McDonough School of Business offer a master’s degree designed for working professionals.
Global Executive MBA: Offered in collaboration with the ESADE Business School in Spain and the INCAE Business School in Costa Rica.
MA in International Business and Policy (MA-IBP): A joint executive degree offered in partnership with Georgetown's McDonough School of Business.
Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Dual-Degree Program: Exceptional undergraduate SFS students can apply for the accelerated bachelor’s/master’s dual-degree program, which allows enrollment in one of the graduate programs.

Graduate Programs

The School of Foreign Service offers a range of graduate programs, including:

M.S. in Foreign Service
M.A. in European Studies/Ph.D.
M.A. in Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies/Ph.D.
M.A. in Latin American Studies/Ph.D.
M.A. in Security Studies/Ph.D.

The master’s in foreign service equips students with skills to take on big issues in a rapidly changing world. They practice values of leadership, creativity, ethics, service, and inclusion to become leaders and innovators of the future. With access to internship opportunities across Washington, DC, in government, NGOs, think tanks and the private sector, students finish the program with valuable hands-on experience that prepares them for professional success. The MSFS program provides professional education and career training to prepare students to better understand and actively address challenges and opportunities in international affairs. The 48-credit program is typically completed in two years full-time. The master’s program is committed to helping students build a challenging and rewarding career path after graduation. With the School of Foreign Service’s Community in Diversity efforts, MSFS is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and welcoming students from all backgrounds.

Language Proficiency

The School of Foreign Service modern language requirement forms part of Georgetown University’s mission to prepare students to be reflective, engaged and informed global citizens. The goal is to prepare students for professional discussions in a modern language other than English that occur in public, private and non-profit sectors of international affairs. Thorough language study builds both linguistic competency and develops cultural literacy-a goal of the SFS curriculum. To satisfy this proficiency requirement, a student must demonstrate the ability to exchange ideas in conversation on contemporary issues involving international affairs in a modern language other than English. All undergraduate students in the School of Foreign Service are expected to enroll in a modern language class each semester, for a letter grade, until they have met the proficiency requirement. Students cannot take a language course pass/fail. There are five ways a student can fulfill the language requirement. Graduating from a secondary school in which the language of instruction was a language other than English. Students must provide relevant documentation to their advising dean during their first semester at Georgetown. For languages offered by Georgetown, passing a proficiency exam offered by the relevant language department A “pass” on the proficiency exam is comparable to achieving, depending on the language, an Intermediate High to Advanced Mid on the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages Proficiency Guidelines (ACTFL) rating, or a B1/low B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference. Directly matriculating in a Georgetown-approved university whose language of instruction is not English and successfully completing one semester of full-time study in the regular coursework of degree seeking students. All students are expected to complete the language proficiency requirement prior to study abroad if they are nominated to an English language site or to another site in a language other than the one the student is pursuing to fulfill the requirement. Exceptions can be requested by completing the Language Proficiency Acknowledgement Waiver.

Experiential Learning and Global Engagement

SFS places a strong emphasis on experiential learning, offering students numerous opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world settings.

Read also: Exploring Georgetown University

Internship Opportunities

Students have access to a myriad of internship opportunities in Washington, DC, including multilateral organizations, the federal government, NGOs, and the private sector.

Study Abroad Programs

The School of Foreign Service (SFS) strongly believes that a period of study in another country can contribute an invaluable intercultural dimension and language-learning opportunity for the educational preparation of all who aspire to work in international careers. Students are, therefore, encouraged to develop appropriate plans for international study in conjunction with their educational program at the School. In most cases during a semester or academic year study abroad, students must be fully enrolled in a recognized university and study in the native language with students of the host country. Such direct matriculation puts a premium on post-advanced knowledge of the appropriate language and is most feasible in countries in which French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese (or English) are the languages of instruction. Modified options are available in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Russian-speaking parts of the world. These programs combine a heavy emphasis on language acquisition with a limited selection of coursework in English, often with a regional focus. One of the most important issues to address in terms of study abroad is how the coursework taken abroad will or will not contribute to one’s progress towards the BSFS degree, especially the requirements for the major. This is a subject for careful planning and consultation with the curricular dean responsible for coordination of the major. Participants must be full-time students while overseas. A full course load is considered to be the same as that of a regular full-time degree candidate at the host university, as defined in the course load and grading policy developed for each program by the Office of Global Education. Students must arrive on-site for the designated start date of the program, including orientation. Participants are expected to comply with the laws of the country where they are studying and those of the countries in which they travel. Students are also subject to all academic and disciplinary regulations of the host university. While overseas, students should conduct themselves as guests, keeping in mind that they are subject to all the laws of the country while not necessarily enjoying the same privileges as nationals. Georgetown University students are expected to remain observers of political activities rather than participants. Students are expected to complete their language proficiency requirement before being approved for study abroad in a language other than the proficiency target language (including sites where English is the language of instruction) unless they have submitted the language proficiency acknowledgement waiver form. Study abroad is ordinarily pursued in the junior year; applications to study abroad in the spring of sophomore year or fall of the senior year may be considered.

Field-Based Learning

SFS students participate in field-based learning in the United States and abroad.

Tutorials and Reading Courses

Tutorials offer students special opportunities to study subjects that are not part of the regular curriculum. Usually, tutorials involve one student and one faculty member, although occasionally a group of two or three students will band together to pursue a subject of common interest. Normally, tutorials are given by full-time faculty members to full-time students in good academic standing. Tutorials represent a teaching overload for professors, so students cannot expect that faculty members will necessarily agree to offer tutorials at their convenience. Tutorials should represent an intellectual commitment and workload similar to that required of a normal three-credit course. Students in the School of Foreign Service interested in setting up a tutorial must meet five conditions: 1) the subject of the tutorial is not available as a regular University course; 2) there is an intellectually compelling reason for studying this subject as part of the undergraduate degree; 3) a faculty member with the appropriate expertise is available and willing to offer the tutorial; 4) the Department Chair and the director of the undergraduate program approve the request; 5) the appropriate paperwork is submitted to the students advising dean in a timely fashion (note: forms to request approval for tutorials are available online). Any tutorial that is approved as a substitute for a Core or major requirement must be taken for a quality grade (A through D). Tutorials that are taken for elective credit may be taken for a quality grade or on a pass/fail basis. Credits for tutorials cost the same as regular course credits. All the academic regulations governing the regular curriculum are applicable to tutorials. Reading courses usually focus on mastering the scholarly literature on a particular subject. For example, a reading course on the origins of the French Revolution might focus on the major historiographical interpretations of the Revolution as well as on critiques of this literature. The backbone of any reading tutorial is a substantial reading list put together with the help of the supervising professor. The tutorial would meet weekly or biweekly and stress discussion of the readings for that period. Research tutorials focus on the collection and analysis of primary materials in the form of a major research paper. In framing a project, guidance should be sought from the professor. The most typical flaw in undergraduate research projects is overestimating the amount of material that one can reasonably digest in a single semester or choosing a subject on which necessary data is unavailable. Research tutorials meet weekly or as the pace of the project demands. Please note: the material addressed in both reading courses and research tutorials should be defined in a way that allows you to finish all work for the tutorial by the end of the semester.

A Hub for Global Leaders and Thinkers

Georgetown's location in Washington, D.C., provides unparalleled access to global leaders, policymakers, and thought leaders.

Guest Speakers and Events

Thought leaders, heads of state, and top executives regularly visit the Hilltop campus to engage with students. Students can attend varied events on campus and connect with motivated peers.

High-Level Exchanges

Being part of such a high-level exchange was both thrilling and insightful.

Notable Alumni

Alumni from the School of Foreign Service make a positive impact in the world, taking on leadership roles throughout international affairs. SFS alumni are leaders in the public and private sectors and continue to embody the dedication to service in their fields.

Public Service: President Bill Clinton (SFS’68); Denis McDonough (MSFS’96), chief of staff to President Barack Obama; and Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) (SFS’09) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) (MSFS’93) are among the many who have dedicated their lives to public service. King Felipe VI of Spain (MSFS’95), as well as former Japanese Foreign Minister Kono Taro (SFS’86), have made their impacts on an international level.
Journalism: Alumni such as Mark Landler (SFS’87), Lulu Garcia-Navarro (SFS’94) and Lawrence Delevingne (SFS’05) constantly seek to reveal the truth.
Private Sector: Brian Newman (SFS’90) as the CFO for CVS Health, Katrina O’Connell (SFS’90), CFO for The Gap, and Justin Smith (SFS’91), CEO of Semafor, are just some examples.

Academic Excellence and Recognition

Georgetown's programs in international relations have consistently ranked among the best in the world. In 2024, Georgetown's master's programs were ranked first by all three groups of respondents: international relations faculty, policymakers, and think tank staffers.

Academic Honors

Every semester academic honors are noted on full-time students’ transcripts based on their grade point average for that semester. “First Honors” is awarded to students who earn a 3.900 GPA or higher; “Second Honors” is awarded to those who earn at least a 3.700 GPA, and students who earn at least a 3.500 achieve the “Dean’s List,” provided that there are no failing grades that semester. Note: “full-time” status for the purpose of computing honors requires that a student be enrolled in at least twelve credits of coursework for which quality points are awarded. Upon graduation, final academic honors are determined by the cumulative GPA. Students who meet the criteria to graduate with honors in the major receive an honors citation on their final transcript.

Fellowships and Scholarships

Students from the School of Foreign Service are very successful competitors for a variety of post-graduate fellowships and scholarships, including the DAAD, Fulbright, Luce, Marshall, Mellon, Rhodes, and Truman. The School of Foreign Service offers undergraduates a wide range of fellowships and programs for research and study.

The Peter F. Krogh Seminar

Named for the Dean Emeritus of the School of Foreign Service, this seminar offers 15 highly qualified students the opportunity to work closely with a senior member of the faculty. The Krogh seminar always addresses a theme of central importance in international affairs. Participation in the Krogh seminar is by application. Students who successfully complete the seminar receive the Peter F.

Campus and Resources

The School of Foreign Service main campus is located in the Georgetown neighborhood in Northwest Washington, D.C. In 2005, it opened another campus, the School of Foreign Service in Qatar (also known as SFS-Q or GU-Q), in Qatar Foundation's Education City in Doha, Qatar. The SFS is housed in the Intercultural Center on Georgetown's main campus. Since 1982, the school has been housed in the Edward B. Bunn. Intercultural Center (ICC) on Georgetown's main campus. In 1989, the Salaam Intercultural Resource Center, which is located on the top floor of the ICC, was opened in a ceremony presided by President Jimmy Carter. The center is a gift by Hany M. President Jimmy Carter opened the Salaam Intercultural Resource Center, which has housed Georgetown's Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS) program since 1989.

Student Organizations

There are a vast array of clubs and student organizations at Georgetown that students from the SFS join.

A Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

With the School of Foreign Service’s Community in Diversity efforts, MSFS is committed to fostering an inclusive environment for you and welcoming students from all backgrounds.

General Academic Regulations

All students are required to know and comply with University academic regulations. SFS students studying at the Doha, Qatar campus must refer to the GU-Qatar specific academic policies. Students must complete a minimum of six semesters of university study, four of which must be full-time and in residence in the School of Foreign Service. A minimum of 60 credits must be completed in residence. Semesters are defined as fall and spring semesters (not summer). Students are required to complete at least half of the coursework for an SFS major in residence. Undergraduate students are expected to be full-time (a minimum of 12 academic credits). Seniors who have met all residency requirements may be part-time in the final semester. Courses that fulfill requirements for core curriculum, major, minor, certificate or fellows programs must be taken for a letter grade. Audited courses do not count toward the undergraduate degree. All students are expected to complete the Foreign Language Proficiency requirement prior to overseas study if they plan to study at an English language site or a site at which the language of instruction is other than the one they are pursuing to fulfill the oral proficiency requirement. Matriculated students may transfer credit from courses taken at other universities during the summer term. No more than 12 academic credits may be transferred from summer classes completed outside of Georgetown. To be guaranteed campus housing, student on leave must apply for readmission and submit all required materials no later than November 1st for consideration for the spring semester; April 1st for the summer sessions; and May 31st for the fall semester. Students who have more than one outstanding incomplete course at the end of add/drop must receive permission from their advising dean to continue in a full course load (12-credits or more) in the subsequent term. Students with more than one outstanding incomplete course may be directed to take a leave of absence or enroll in a partial schedule (11-credits or less). Students must declare their intended major between the end of add/drop in the fall semester of second year and fall registration in the spring semester of second year or be subject to academic sanctions. All seniors are required to complete a Senior Review during their penultimate semester to obtain confirmation of final degree requirements and to apply for their degree. Students are limited on what courses can double count with requirements. At the conclusion of each semester, the Committee on Academic Standards (Standards Committee) convenes to review the academic records of all undergraduates in the School of Foreign Service. The Standards Committee is comprised of the BSFS Associate and Assistant Deans. The Standards Committee has the authority to impose sanctions on students whose academic performance is deemed deficient. Students who fail a course, earn a semester or cumulative GPA below 2.00, or who fail to earn a minimum of twelve credits are automatically placed on probation. While on probation, students are expected to complete at least twelve credit hours and earn a semester GPA of 2.00 (during fall or spring). Probation cannot be cleared via summer courses. Students may be suspended for one or more semesters for unsatisfactory academic performance or for failing to meet the terms of academic probation. The length of the suspensi…

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