Required courses

Core courses (6 credits) 

• REES 5500: Introduction to Area Studies
• REES 5501: Capstone Seminar

Language courses (6 credits)

Proficiency in a language of the region is typically demonstrated through advanced coursework. You will complete two advanced courses in a language of the region to satisfy this requirement unless you are a native speaker of a regional language or your chosen language is not taught at Georgetown. Languages of the region offered at Georgetown University include Persian, Polish, Russian, Turkish and Ukrainian. If you wish to study a second language of the region in addition to the language you plan to study to proficiency, you may take advantage of the Language Scholarship Program for beginning and intermediate courses in other regional languages offered at Georgetown.

Elective courses 

You take eight elective courses, for a total of 24 credits, selected from at least three of five curricular disciplines: government/politics, history, economics, culture and anthropology-sociology. You can choose courses that align with your academic interests and goals while fulfilling the distribution requirement. CERES faculty and staff will work closely with you to develop your course of study.

Capstone seminar 

The two-year program culminates in a capstone project produced in the final semester. You will deploy your advanced language skills in your original research, which may be started in the summer between the first and second year. The capstone seminar concludes with the presentation of findings to classmates and faculty.

Joint degrees

M.A. in Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies/Ph.D. in Government

The Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies and the Department of Government administer a joint degree program where you may receive an M.A. in Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies and a Ph.D. in Government.

If you want to pursue the joint MAERES/Ph.D. in Government, you will apply to each program separately. For information on the M.A. degree, reach out to ceres@georgetown.edu. For information on admission to the Department of Government, reach out to govtphdadmissions@georgetown.edu. 

M.A. in Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies/Juris Doctor 

Offered in conjunction with Georgetown University’s Law Center, this four-year joint degree program leads to the Juris Doctor and M.A. in Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies.

Be aware that different departments and schools at Georgetown may have different deadlines.

Accelerated degree

Undergraduate students may apply for the joint Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service/Master of Arts degree. If interested, meet with your undergraduate dean and the Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies’ director of academic programs to discuss the program.