How to Apply

Applications are submitted through our online application portal.

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.

The statement of purpose is an important component of your application. In a maximum of 500 words, it should address your intellectual interests and academic goals. Please carefully explain how the Security Studies Program specifically fits into your future academic and professional plans.

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 will be 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.

You are required to provide three letters of recommendation that assess your qualifications and preparation for graduate study in security studies. You should ask individuals, faculty or work references, who know you well, to write these recommendations. Please keep in mind that a letter of recommendation from someone who knows you well is much more useful and beneficial to your application than a generic letter from a well-recognized individual. Personal letters of recommendation, such as those from colleagues, coaches and family friends, are not accepted. Also, it is helpful to ask your references for their assistance with letters weeks, if not months, in advance.

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.

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) score report with a minimum score of 100 (internet test).
• Submission of an official International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Academic Module score report with a minimum score of 7.5. 

The TOEFL Special Home Edition and the IELTS Online version may be accepted for Fall 2025 admissions.

Submitting Your TOEFL or IELTS Scores 

The TOEFL and IELTS must be received directly from the appropriate testing organization. Photocopied or faxed documents will not fulfill this requirement. 

• Send your official TOEFL score through ETS to institution code 5244. There is not a specific department code. 
• Send your IELTS score electronically to Georgetown University, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

You are required to submit either official GRE scores or a supplemental analytical writing sample. What’s most important is to submit what best reflects your preparedness for graduate school. If you have questions about whether to take the GRE or submit an analytical writing sample, reach out to our admissions team.

We suggest that you consider forgoing the GRE only if you meet all of these criteria:

• You have a strong undergraduate GPA similar to that of our student profile average
• You have strong analytical writing skills
• You feel that you have a strong overall application without taking the GRE

We strongly recommend that you submit GRE scores if:

• You have already taken the GRE, or
• You feel that your undergraduate GPA is not a strong indicator of how you will perform in a graduate school setting.

Official GRE scores

There is no minimum GRE score required to gain admission. You should have scores sent directly to the program from the Educational Testing Service. Our GRE code is 5244. We do not have a specific department code. 

The admissions committee will only review scores that have been taken prior to the application deadlines. Please list unofficial scores in the “test scores” section of your online application while we wait to receive and process your official scores. GRE scores are valid for five years. Scores with a test date beyond those time frames are not accepted. If you take the test multiple times, the committee will review the highest score received.

You must submit the supplemental analytical writing sample if you don’t submit test scores.

Please answer this prompt in 500 words or less: Discuss a security challenge facing the U.S. and explain why the challenge is so pressing.

As Georgetown is a diverse, global community, we encourage you to upload a brief statement of up to 500 words to help the admissions committee understand the contribution your personal background and individual experiences would make to our community. As appropriate, you may wish to address 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 or resident outside the U.S.) or activities (e.g., community service and leadership) will contribute to the diversity of perspectives and ideas at Georgetown University.