To make applying as simple and straightforward as possible, here is everything you need to complete your application to the Master of Arts in Engaged & Public Humanities. The Office of Graduate Admissions can help during the application process should you have additional questions.
Who is Eligible for Admission?
Applicants can be:
- Undergraduates in their senior year with a major in the humanities or with an interest in the humanities field and its intersection with other fields.
- Recent graduates with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) and beyond who have demonstrated the ability to navigate advanced courses in the humanities, or who have a demonstrable interest in the humanities and how humanities might intersect with other fields.
- Early or mid-career professionals with humanities experience who wish to expand career options.
Application Deadlines
| Round | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Priority Deadline* | January 15 |
| International Applicant Deadline** | March 1 |
| Final Deadline | April 1 |
*Please note that the application fee is waived for priority applicants. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration for admission and scholarship aid.
**Applications from non-U.S. residents must be received by this date.
Application Materials
You must submit all required materials to be considered for our program.
Required Materials
- Application Form
- Academic Statement of Purpose
- Academic Transcripts
- Self-Reported GPA
- Resume or CV
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Demonstration of English Language Proficiency (may include TOEFL or IELTS)
- Non-Refundable Application Fee ($90)*
Optional Materials
*Application fee is waived for applicants who apply by the priority deadline.
Application Form
Applications are submitted through our online application portal.
Academic Statement of Purpose
Your statement of purpose should be a maximum of 500 words and include:
- Part I: Tell us about your background and commitment to the humanities, your career goals, and why you have chosen to apply to our program. If you are a current humanities professional, please explain how your experience will contribute to and be advanced by the program. If your background is in STEM, please explain your interest in the humanities. (250 words)
- Part II: Propose a focused plan of study including a description of the electives you would like to take and the types of internships you would like to pursue. (250 words)
Academic Transcripts
Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended are required. Review the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Transcript FAQs for more information.
Academic Transcript Submissions
- Step 1: Request a copy of your official transcript from your institution(s).
- Step 2: Upload the transcript to your application.
An acceptable transcript is a copy of an official transcript produced by the institution, including:
- Scanned copies of paper transcripts issued by the institution.
- Electronic transcripts issued by the institution (not a download from your institution’s web portal).
We do not accept screenshots, photos or downloads of the “student’s view” from your institution’s website.
Non-U.S. College or University Academic Transcripts
Applicants who have attended institutions outside of the United States are strongly encouraged to upload their transcripts in the form of World Education Services Credential Evaluations or to utilize other credential evaluation services that are members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. If the evaluation does not include a copy of the evaluated transcripts, you must upload both the transcripts from the institution and the credential evaluation as one document to the application.
- Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by an English language version provided by the academic institution. If your institution does not provide English language copies, you must provide a certified or notarized translation with a copy of the original transcripts. You may upload an evaluation from a credential evaluation service that must include course and grade information. Both the evaluation and original transcript should be submitted in the application as one document.
- If you have study abroad and/or transfer coursework listed on your undergraduate transcripts with the grades earned, you do NOT need to list these institutions separately or upload transcripts. If courses are not listed on your primary institution’s transcript or the transfer courses do not show course grades, please list the institution(s) separately and upload the transcript(s).
Admitted Students
If you receive an offer of admission, you are required to submit official transcripts, which are transcripts submitted directly to Georgetown University by the institution you attended, for verification before enrolling. Do not send electronic or paper copies of your official transcripts before receiving an offer of admission. Georgetown reserves the right to request any missing transcripts or an official copy of a transcript at any point during the application and/or admission process. Georgetown also reserves the right to withdraw any offer of admission already made if there is any discrepancy between a transcript uploaded in the application and the final official transcript received.
Self-Reported GPA
Successful applicants will normally have received an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with at least a 3.30 GPA. You must self-report the grade point averages (GPA) for undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) coursework in the Self-Reported GPA section of the application.
Please review the Graduate School’s information on what to report and how to calculate your GPA.
Resume or CV
You must upload a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) to your online application. Your resume should describe your work experience, extracurricular or volunteer activities, academic institutions attended, list of published work and any academic honors or awards. There is no page limit, though we recommend a one to two-page resume.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required. Typically, applicants submit at least one from an academic source and one from a professional, work-related source. Individual circumstances vary, so use your best judgment when choosing references. Each letter of recommendation should be submitted from your recommender’s professional email address and be on official letterhead.
The online application utilizes a secure online recommendation system which will:
- Automatically email each recommender with instructions for online submission of the recommendation;
- Allow applicants to track recommendations received or not received and follow up with recommenders who still need to submit their appraisals;
- Expedite the processing of the recommendations, which will be included in the online application once submitted.
If your reference cannot access the online recommendation, please contact GradMail@georgetown.edu for instructions.
Demonstration of English Language Proficiency
All applicants are required to demonstrate a level of proficiency in the English language sufficient to meet the admission requirement of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Proficiency can be demonstrated by:
- Receipt of a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or from a university where English is the primary language of instruction for the entire institution.
- Submission of an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score report.
Submitting Your Scores
All other applicants must achieve at least a minimum score on either the TOEFL or IELTS test. Test scores must be received by the application deadline date. Applicants should allow six to eight weeks from the test date for the reporting of scores to the institution. Applications will not be considered without TOEFL/IELTS scores.
- TOEFL: A minimum score of 80. Georgetown University’s score reporting code is 5244.
- IELTS: A minimum score of 7.0. Electronic score reporting only.
Please contact GradMail@georgetown.edu if you have questions.
Non-Refundable Application Fee
Applicants must submit a $90.00 non-refundable fee payable by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) at the time of application submission. The application fee is waived if you apply by our January 15 priority deadline.
Test Scores
Optional
Results of the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are optional for all applicants. There is no required minimum score on the GRE. Georgetown University’s reporting code is 5244. If submitted, test scores must be received by the application deadline date. Applicants should allow six to eight weeks from the test date for the reporting of scores to the institution. Learn more about how to register to take the GRE.
Diversity, Personal Background and Contributions Statement
Optional
As Georgetown is a diverse, global community, we encourage you to upload a brief statement of approximately 500 words to help the Graduate Admissions Committee understand the contribution your personal background would make to our community. As appropriate, you may wish to address any obstacles or challenges you have overcome; any educational, familial, cultural, economic and social experiences that have helped to shape your educational and professional goals; or how your background (e.g., first-generation student, resident outside the U.S.) or activities (e.g., community service and leadership) will contribute to the Georgetown community.