Doctor of Liberal Studies

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Georgetown’s Doctor of Liberal Studies positions you at the intersection of multiple disciplines. You will explore philosophical, cultural, political, international, and current social concepts in a global context to develop a broader perspective of the complexities facing the modern world. Distinct from traditional Ph.D. programs, our interdisciplinary approach brings together different perspectives and fields of knowledge while addressing pressing issues.

You will have the opportunity to develop your own research project within the structure of the program, benefiting from Georgetown’s extensive scholarly work to guide you as you craft your doctoral thesis. Throughout your time in the program, you will learn how to synthesize your existing knowledge in new and innovative ways while mastering skills in perception, analysis, communication, and creative thinking.

Built on a foundation of ethics and human values, our program provides you with comprehensive tools needed to achieve your personal and professional aspirations. The program encourages you to frame issues in ways that cut across traditional academic disciplines.

Ideal for working professionals, our program is designed to fit your schedule. We offer courses exclusively on weekday evenings so you can earn your degree at a pace that suits your needs—without interrupting your career. No GMAT or GRE is required.

In the classroom, you will learn and grow alongside peers. The small size of our program ensures that you will have ample opportunities to interact and exchange ideas with your classmates through reading, reflection, writing, and discussion. You will also benefit from a faculty of distinguished experts and scholars, who serve as advisors, mentors, and advocates.

Upon completing the degree, you will be equipped with the analytical tools needed to make connections, dissect complexities, and pursue a life of curiosity and intellectual advancement

Liberal Studies at Georgetown

The liberal studies programs have been a staple of Georgetown’s School of Continuing Studies for over 50 years.

In 1974, the interdisciplinary program welcomed its first class. Undergraduate and graduate degrees were initially housed together until 1983, when degree designations were officially given for the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. In 2005, the Doctor of Liberal Studies was officially launched.

Today, there are nearly 3,000 alumni with a liberal studies degree from Georgetown—over 800 undergraduate, 2,000 master's, and 100 doctoral students. We are incredibly proud to have students from across the world representing different backgrounds, ages, cultures, and faith traditions. Our graduates have gone on to pursue a wide range of careers across sectors, applying their education in fields from public service and business to education, healthcare, technology, and the arts. As we like to say, there are as many paths toa liberal studies degree as there are students, and the paths our students pursue after graduation are just as diverse.

A liberal studies degree from Georgetown is much more than an academic achievement. Grounded in the belief that human life and human action have meaning, our programs challenge students to examine ideas, people, and events from a perspective wider than their own. By engaging the moral, social, political, and economic dimensions of human experience, students are prepared to navigate a complex, rapidly changing world as thoughtful and ethical leaders. They graduate equipped not just to succeed in the world, but to engage it with purpose, integrity, and a commitment to the common good.

*Tuition rates for each term are published annually, typically in February. Total tuition listed here reflects Fall semester of entry.

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