Academics

To earn the Master of Arts in Security Studies students must:

  • Complete thirty-six graduate credits (traditionally 12 classes of three credits each) in courses approved in advance by the SSP;
  • Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0;
  • Fulfill core course, concentration, and distributional requirements; and 
  • Pass the comprehensive examination.

Two joint degree programs are offered in addition to the Master of Arts in Security Studies: 

  • M.A./Ph.D. program with the Department of Government

  • M.A./J.D. program with the Georgetown University Law Center

Both joint degrees are structured so that students can complete the course requirements for both programs in an accelerated fashion, saving students up to one year of course work compared to students who pursue the two degrees sequentially.  Joint degree students may also take advantage of opportunities provided by both programs such as access to financial aid, teaching fellowships, and alumni networks.

While joint degree applicants normally submit both applications in advance of initiating their studies at Georgetown, SSP candidates who become interested in these options during the first year of study are eligible to apply at the end of their first semester.

M.A./Ph.D.

Students accepted to the M.A./Ph.D. program must also attain proficiency in relevant languages and research methodologies and successfully complete and defend a dissertation to be awarded the Ph.D.

Students can only be admitted to the joint program in the Fall semester and must submit two separate and complete applications: one to the SSP and one to the Department of Government.  Admissions processes and decisions for the SSP and the Department of Government are made independent of one another.  Admission to the joint degree program is conditional upon acceptance to both programs.  Admitted students are required to attend on a full-time basis.  Specific degree requirements vary among departments.  Please see the student handbook and collaborating department's website for additional information.

M.A./J.D.

Students in the M.A./J.D. program spend their year on the Main Campus completing the bulk of the requirements for the M.A. portion of their graduate study.  The next three years are spent primarily at the Georgetown University Law Center.  Students are required to take at least six hours of coursework on International Law, and are encouraged to draw heavily from course offerings on the use of force, humanitarian law, conflict resolution, and other relevant topics.

To apply for the joint M.A./J.D. program, students must apply independently to both the SSP and the Law Center and meet the admissions requirements for both.  Admissions processes and decisions for the SSP and the Law Center are made independently of one another.