Our Mission Anchor

Our Mission

The mission of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences is to advance both disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to graduate education and research in service of society. Backed by centuries of education and formation, we are centered by our Jesuit values that ignite our programs while adapting to the needs of our changing world.

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Our History Anchor

Our History

Graduate studies at Georgetown University began in 1820, a little over three decades after founder John Carroll established what was originally known as Georgetown College in 1789. From that initial launching of a year-long concentration in philosophy and mathematics, to the introduction of our first doctoral program in 1896, and the formal admission of women to graduate study in 1943, we celebrate the members of our community both past and present, women and men for others who contributed to the global community for over 200 years with their research, service and teaching.

Today, we have vibrant master’s, Ph.D., and certificate programs in over 50 disciplinary areas. We also have a growing number of interdisciplinary programs that seek to solve some of the world’s most complex challenges by bringing together experts from multiple disciplines to develop strategic and integrated solutions.

Read more about the history and founding of Georgetown University.

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Commitment to Inclusion

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at Georgetown University is committed to creating a diverse learning community (within and across identities) where students, faculty and staff are supported in navigating this space as their authentic selves.

This dedication to the whole person is driven by the spirit of cura personalis which guides the greater Georgetown University community. Given this, we acknowledge that a commitment to diversity on its own falls short of the standard we have set for ourselves. We strive to operate through the lens of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in pursuit of fostering an environment in which community members expect to engage in respectful conversations, which stretches their current mindsets, worldviews, and comfort zones. Justice, equity, diversity and inclusion are important core values of the Graduate School as we seek to prepare students to be fully engaged, culturally competent, and thoughtful leaders, decision makers and critical thinkers on any path they choose to take.

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences faculty and staff pledge to center the guiding principles of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion as informed by results from the most recent Cultural Climate Survey, student anecdotes and best practices.

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Leadership Team Anchor

Leadership Team

Dean of the Graduate School
Alexander Sens, Ph.D.

Senior Associate Dean for Biomedical Graduate Education
Anna T. Riegel, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Graduate Admissions
Jennifer C. Hunt

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Maria F. Snyder

Director of Graduate Student Affairs
B. Dexter Sharp II, Ph.D.

Director of the Graduate Career Center
Annie Rao

Senior Finance Director
Susan Lim

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Welcome from the Dean Anchor

Welcome from the Dean

Read a welcome message from Dean Alexander Sens to current and prospective graduate students.

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Contact Us

Have a specific question and need to get in touch with us? We’d love to hear from you.

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