Global, International & Comparative History

Georgetown’s M.A. in Global, International and Comparative History (MAGIC) program offers students the opportunity to develop a historical perspective on our interconnected world and provides multiple avenues for students to engage with the issues and insights that arise from an international historical perspective. The program provides a foundation for professional participation in the world of global affairs as well as strong preparation for doctoral studies. Students both delve deeply into the history of a particular world region and situate that same region within a broader context through the study of transnational, comparative, and thematic trends. The program offers students rigorous training in historical methods, foreign languages, and analytical and writing skills. Graduates have gone on to careers in fields such as government service, NGO work, and global business, as well as top-ranked doctoral programs in History and related disciplines.

The MAGIC program is small and selective. M.A. students work closely with faculty mentors and participate in classes with Ph.D. students. They enjoy access to classes in a variety of disciplines across the university, a rich campus intellectual life, and the vast archival, cultural, and career resources of the wider Washington, DC, area. M.A. students at Georgetown are also invited to participate in the Georgetown Institute for Global History’s research seminars and workshops. These are periodically convened sessions in which scholars from around the country present their current research in the form of pre-circulated papers.

The Department of History is a leader in the growing emphasis on transnational history in the classroom and faculty scholarship, with recognized strengths in the Atlantic World, the Pacific World, international diplomacy and cultural interactions, the global environment, and comparative gender relations. Our students are as international as the fields they study.

• M.A.

Accelerated programs (Georgetown students only)

• A.B./M.A.
• B.S./M.A.
• B.S.F.S./M.A.

For general graduate admissions requirements, visit the Office of Graduate Admission’s Application Information page. Review the program’s website for additional information on program application requirements.

Application Materials required:

• Application Form
• Supplemental Application Form
• Non-refundable Application Fee
• Academic Statement of Purpose
• Optional: Statement on Diversity, Personal Background & Contributions
• Writing Sample (analytical)
• Letters of Recommendation (3)
• Transcripts – Applicants are required to upload to the application system copies of official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. Visit the Office of Graduate Admission’s Application Information page for additional details and FAQs.
• Resume/CV
• TOEFL/IELTS  (if applicable)
  • TOEFL = 80 minimum
  • IELTS = 7.0 minimum

• Fall:
  • January 15 (priority)
  • April 1 (final)

The MAGIC program consists of 10 courses (30 credits). The ten courses are normally taken over the course of three semesters, but may extend over four. In addition to having access to the department’s breadth, students may take up to two courses outside of the history department.

The goal is to allow students to craft (with a faculty advisor) their own programs and placing a nation or a world region in international context as well as explore developments from the 16th century to the present. Participants may choose to emphasize any time period.

All students must demonstrate competence in at least one language other than English by passing the existing department-administered examination before beginning their third full semester in the program. For students with native languages other than English, the native language plus English will normally fulfill the program’s language requirement.

Program Contact: Carolina Madinaveitia (cm372@georgetown.edu)

Begin your application today!