Doctor of Liberal Studies degree candidates must earn 36 credits of coursework, pass both the written and oral sections of the comprehensive examinations, and successfully complete and defend a doctoral thesis, to earn the Doctor of Liberal Studies degree. Six to nine hours of transfer credit or advanced standing may be awarded as determined by the Liberal Studies Director in consultation with the Director of Doctoral Studies. Such credits must be from graduate-level academic work acquired at Georgetown University or other approved universities. Of the 36 credits, 12 will come from four required foundational courses. Students may select the remaining 24 credits from Liberal Studies courses developed for the Doctor of Liberal Studies degree; other Liberal Studies courses; selected graduate courses from other departments at the University; and Directed Reading/Tutorial courses.

DLS Class Profiles 
Click on the year below to access the profiles of the current students of the Doctor of Liberal Studies.

2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010

Required Courses
Through the required foundational courses in the humanities, specifically philosophy, theology, history, art, literature, and the social sciences, the doctoral program establishes the intellectual and scholarly context needed to carry out serious interdisciplinary study and research. In the fall semester of the first year, all DLS students must enroll in "Introductory Colloquium: Liberal Studies as Perspective and Method" and the following spring, students take "The Rise of the Modern Spirit." In the fall semester of the second year, students take "The Challenge of Postmodernism," and in the spring semester of the second year, they take the last foundational course "Approaches to Art and Literature, and Historiography."
 
Schedule
Since this degree is particularly designed for non-traditional students who have professional and other responsibilities, all the required courses are offered in the evening. Electives from other departments may be offered at other times, in the day or evening.

Advising
Drawn from the faculty in the Liberal Studies Program, the Director of Doctoral Studies serves DLS students from their entry in the Program to the completion of their degree. Specifically, the Director of Doctoral Studies assists DLS students with all course selections; manages students' progress through the degree program; recommends to the Executive Committee two to three faculty members to assist in the preparation and reading of the student's Written Comprehensive Exam; and recommends three faculty members to constitute a Doctoral Thesis Committee for each candidate. In addition, the Director of Doctoral Studies advises the Director of the Liberal Studies Program on course/faculty selection for the doctorate.