M.A. in Government (American)

Combining theoretical insight with practical application, the Georgetown Master of Arts Program in American Government offers its students a rich, stimulating environment in which to understand the nature of American politics, to see it in action and to participate in the political and/or governmental system. This accelerated, 12-month program draws on its setting in the nation’s capital and the strengths of Georgetown University’s Department of Government.

The program benefits from the strength of the faculty of the American Government subfield. Through courses on institutions of government (Congress, the presidency, the bureaucracy and the judiciary), electoral politics, political behavior, public opinion, media studies, political parties, public policy, psychology and politics and quantitative methods, students gain the substantive knowledge and theoretical frameworks needed to understand and to become involved in the operations of American government and politics.

The program’s required practicum experience provides students with a hands-on, real-world professional experience within the nation’s capital.

An accelerated program, the MA in American Government at Georgetown is designed to engage highly motivated and talented students who wish to move on to careers in the public sector, government consulting, electoral politics, lobbying or further academic study.

Practicum

The internship or practicum portion of the M.A. in American Government Program offers students the unique opportunity to experience Washington at work. Students are required to work during the spring semester for 20 hours per week, and during the summer (late May through mid-July) for 30 hours per week.

The Practicum Coordinator works with each student individually and provides guidance and assistance in finding and securing a meaningful placement in an organization that is relevant to the study of American Government.

Relevant practica could be within the executive branch, on Capitol Hill, in non-profit organizations or interest groups, in media organizations, in political consulting firms, etc. Placement is driven by the student's interests and the availability of a position in the desired organization. See Recent Placements and Past Placements for examples of where our students have worked.

Students may be paid for their internship, but compensation should not be the driving force behind pursuing a particular placement. The experience and the enrichment offered by most internships, as well as the contacts students make during their work in Washington often provides tangible benefits (e.g., securing permanent employment).