Graduate Studies
Graduate Studies

About Us

Welcome from Graduate Studies Leadership

Read a welcome message from Alexander Sens, interim vice president for Graduate Studies and dean of the Graduate School, to current and prospective graduate students.

Welcome Message

Our Mission

The Joint Office of Graduate Studies provides centralized support for and oversight of graduate programs across Georgetown University, with the goal of enhancing the graduate student experience. JOGS offers shared resources, including support in admissions and enrollment management and student services, to ensure the University community offers the strongest possible array of Ph.D., master’s and certificate programs. Guided by the Joint Committee on Graduate Studies, our office sets and oversees baseline academic policy and manages the university’s relationship with various graduate student groups.

Our Vision

Informed by over two centuries of educational excellence rooted in Jesuit tradition, Georgetown’s Joint Office of Graduate Studies aims to ensure that the University can offer high-quality, impactful graduate education and that it is equipped to respond nimbly to serve the needs of graduate scholars across a variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas. 

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.

FAQ on Graduate Studies Transition

As Georgetown’s graduate education programs continue to grow in scope and enrollment, the university is adapting its graduate studies oversight structure accordingly. 

On July 1, 2025, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) launched a two-year reorganization into two entities: Joint Office of Graduate Studies (JOGS/Graduate Studies) and the Emerging Studies Institute (ESI). The interests of students, faculty and staff are central to this process, and JOGS is committed to continuing its support of these groups.

Please note that details and timelines below may shift.

In order to more effectively support graduate infrastructure and adapt to the changing landscape of graduate education, we are giving individual schools greater purview of their programs’ academic decisions, an arrangement aligned with the Catholic principle of subsidiarity and under the guidance of a central office.

Since the restructuring was proposed by a faculty Task Force in 2022, university administrators, faculty and staff have worked diligently to realize this transition with the goal of providing the best experience possible for Georgetown’s graduate students, educators and support staff. This reorganization is happening with guidance from stakeholders across Georgetown’s graduate education community.

Debuting July 1, 2025, JOGS is the central oversight and support body for Georgetown’s graduate programs across Georgetown University, including those located at the Capitol and Hilltop Campuses. 

It sets academic policy for graduate education; provides some support services, key administrative functions and oversight for programs; manages admissions protocol and academic policy; coordinates program development and management; distributes cross-university awards and fellowships; collects and allocates admissions and enrollment data; and provides student enrichment services for all scholars, regardless of program.

The Emerging Studies Institute, launching in July 2026, will ideate and develop Georgetown’s forward-looking interdisciplinary graduate programs. It will be part of the developing Academic Innovation Network that focuses on elevating Georgetown’s approaches to curriculum and pedagogy.

On July 1, 2025, individual schools began assuming primary academic and financial authority over graduate degree programs that previously fell under GSAS’ scope. The Biomedical Graduate Education (BGE) programs joined the School of Medicine. A handful of GSAS interdisciplinary programs transferred to other schools as follows:

  • M.S. and Ph.D. in Global Infectious Disease (GLID), M.S. in Global Health (GLOH), M.S. in Addiction Policy and Practice (ADPP) joined the School of Health.
  • M.A. in Engaged and Public Humanities (ENPH) joined the College of Arts & Sciences.

JOGS administrators and program leaders are evaluating the movement of additional programs between schools on an individual basis.

JOGS is committed to continuing its robust support of the entire Georgetown graduate community throughout this restructuring process and enhancing its services to these groups, including the Office of Graduate Admissions, the Office of Fellowships & Awards and Student Affairs.

Students have seen minimal change to their graduate school experience but enjoy clearer communication with their program’s home school. They should consult their school for most academic matters.

For activities related to a program, faculty and staff continue to report to the school that houses their program and benefit from clearer communication with their school regarding academics and operation. JOGS is providing additional support and oversight in conformity with the policies articulated in the Graduate Bulletin for the 2025-26 Academic Year.

Commitment to Inclusion

The Joint Office of Graduate Studies 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 Joint Office of Graduate Studies 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 Joint Office of Graduate Studies pledges 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.

Leadership Team

Interim Vice President for Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate School
Alexander Sens, 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

Meet Our Staff

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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