Academic Policies and Procedures

  1. Degree Requirements
  2. Core Curriculum
  3. Academic Regulations
  4. Study Abroad Policies and Processes
  5. Academic Standards
  6. Advising
  7. Degree Conferral and Commencement

1. Degree Requirements

The following are the graduation requirements for all students in the College of Arts & Sciences. Each degree candidate must:

  1. Complete a minimum of 120 credits.
  2. Fulfill all requirements of the University and College core curricula as outlined below.
  3. Fulfill all requirements of at least one major program.
    1. Requirements for each major are specified in the Degree Programs section of this Bulletin, below. Majors leading to the AB degree require a minimum of 30 credits. Majors leading to the BS degree require a minimum of 39 credits.
    2. Students may elect to complete a second major, or one or more minor or certificate programs. In total students may complete up to three programs, with a maximum of two majors (i.e., at maximum, students may complete two majors and one minor/certificate program or one major and two minor/certificate programs). For rules governing double counting, see the Academic Regulations below (3.4.a).
  4. Achieve a final cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better.

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2. Core Curriculum

As explained in the main Core Curriculum section of this Bulletin, the Georgetown core curriculum has two tiers: the first tier is university-wide, shared by each of the five undergraduate schools; the second is school-specific, and designed to embody the shared learning goals of the university core while at the same time furthering the specific mission and tradition of each school.

The University Core

The University Core, shared by all five undergraduate schools, anchors the undergraduate experience in the liberal arts disciplines of the College, in areas that nurture the intellect and the spirit, cultivating inquiry and critical reading, training a deeper sense of self within an expansive worldview. See below for the specific ways in which students in the College of Arts & Sciences fulfill these University Core requirements: 

* The Writing requirement begins with WRIT 1150 Writing and Culture Seminar. The second course in the requirement is an Integrated Writing course embedded in the major.

**The two courses fulfilling the second half of the Pathways to Social Justice (PSJ) requirement may also fulfill other core requirements.

Philosophy 

All students in the College of Arts & Sciences take two courses in philosophy, one in ethics and one in an area of general philosophy. Ethics courses include PHIL 1100 Introduction to Ethics and all PHIL courses numbered 2000-2499. General philosophy courses include PHIL 1500 Introduction to Philosophy and all PHIL courses numbered 2500-2999. The first philosophy course must be an introductory course (PHIL 1000-1999), ordinarily either PHIL 1100 or PHIL 1500. The second philosophy course must be at the 2000-level. Students may not fulfill the requirement with two 1000-level courses. Seniors are not permitted in introductory courses, so seniors who have not taken any philosophy previously must fulfill the requirement with two courses at the 2000-level. Acceptable sequences are:

  1. PHIL 1100 followed by any course numbered PHIL 2500-2999.
  2. PHIL 1500 followed by any course numbered PHIL 2000-2499.
  3. For seniors who have not taken any philosophy previously only: one course from PHIL 2000-2499 and one course from PHIL 2500-2999.
  4. For internal transfers from SFS only: PHIL 1900 followed by any course PHIL 2000-2999.

No course at the 3000-level or above may be used to fulfill the Core requirement in philosophy. All courses at the 3000-level or above have a prerequisite of two core courses in philosophy.

PHIL 1101 Intro to Environmental Ethics is an acceptable substitute for PHIL 1100; students who begin with PHIL 1101 may fulfill the second half of the requirement with any course numbered PHIL 2500-2999.    

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Theology and Religious Studies

Problem of God (THEO 1000) and a second course in Theology and Religious Studies (numbered THEO 1100-3999) fulfill the Theology and Religious Studies requirement. Introduction to Biblical Literature (THEO 1100) may be substituted for Problem of God or taken as the second course. Transfer students are exempt from the Problem of God requirement and may select any two courses in Theology and Religious Studies to fulfill this requirement.

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Writing

Every student in the College of Arts & Sciences will take one writing course, WRIT 1150 Writing and Culture Seminar, that provides students with opportunities to connect their writing with critical reading and thinking, inquiry, and analysis. 

The second half of the Writing Core is an intensive writing experience located within the student’s chosen major, embedded within the requirements as determined by that program. The Integrated Writing requirement will prepare students to use the relevant forms, styles, and conventions of their chosen area(s) of study. Because writing reflects ways of thinking in academic practice, attention to writing in the major will enhance the student’s learning of concepts, materials, and methods in their fields. Each major’s Integrated Writing requirement is established by the department in order to express the unique conventions and practices of the discipline.

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Humanities: Arts, Literature, and Culture

Every student in the College of Arts & Sciences will take one course in the Humanities: Arts, Literature, and Culture. Courses fulfilling this requirement are identified in the course schedule with the “Core:HALC – Hum, Art, Lit, Cul” attribute in the Schedule of Classes.  

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Quantitative Reasoning and Data Literacy

Every student in the College of Arts & Sciences will take one course focused on Quantitative Reasoning and Data Literacy (QRDL). These courses are tagged with the “Core:Quant Reasng & Data Ltrcy” attribute in the Schedule of Classes.

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Science For All

Every student in the College of Arts & Sciences will take one course to satisfy the Science for All requirement. These courses, identified by the “Science for All” attribute in the Schedule of Classes and varying by semester, aim to illustrate, in the context of a scientific discipline, how scientific understanding is developed, tested, and revised. Science For All courses will help and encourage students to understand better the significant role that science plays in their daily lives, and will include examples of the use of scientific methods in addressing complex social problems and of the ethical issues that science can raise.

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Pathways to Social Justice

All students in the College of Arts & Sciences will take CPSJ 1000* , the required one-credit University Seminar in Race, Power, and Justice at GU. Additionally, all students in the College will take two “overlay” courses tagged with the “Core: Pthways to Social Justice” attribute in the Schedule of Classes. Because the second half of the PSJ requirement is an overlay requirement, these two courses may also fulfill other core requirements.

*Note: This 1-credit course is offered twice each semester, and has a different number in each part of term: CPSJ 1000 in the first half of the fall semester; CPSJ 1001 in the second half of the fall semester; CPSJ 1002 in the first half of the spring semester; and CPSJ 1003 in the second half of the spring semester.

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The College Core

The College Core supplements the University Core with additional requirements in History, Social Science, and Language. These domains of knowledge and modes of inquiry are essential to the formation of graduates of the College. See below for the specific ways in which students fulfill each of these three requirements.

*The Social Science requirement is waived for students pursuing a B.S. degree in certain science majors; see below for specifics.

**The number of courses and credits required to reach intermediate proficiency varies. Students beginning in a new language can fulfill the requirement in as few as 12 or as many as 24 credits.

History

The study of history is one of the best ways to challenge one’s ideas and assumptions about the world. Knowledge of history accomplishes this objective because it consists of the integrated study of all elements of the human experience as they change over time. The core requirement in History allows students to explore changes and continuities over time and to engage with the discipline of history as an evidence-based, interpretive, and analytical approach to research and knowledge.

The requirement consists of two courses, for which there is a menu of choices. One, the survey, covers the history of significant world regions over long time spans. This class offers students access to transnational and cross-cultural developments, raising their awareness of global themes and issues and leading them to examine the interaction of diverse cultures and groups. The vast geographic scope and long time spans covered in these courses also give students insight into the deep roots of contemporary globalization.

The other required course, HIST 1099, exposes students to the many components of the discipline of history through focused study of particular historical events, periods or themes. This course also leads students to consider questions of historical sources, analysis, and writing through focused study of specific developments and contexts.

All required History courses feature regular small-group discussion, through which students familiarize themselves with history as an analytical tool. In addition to engaged participation in discussions of primary and secondary sources, the courses also include substantive writing assignments. Altogether the courses thus help students hone their critical reading and writing skills, develop their ability to examine evidence, and improve their capacity for verbal and written argument.

History Core courses therefore both contribute to raising students into informed, thoughtful, and active modern citizens, and provide them with effective, useful skill sets for any career field.

To review: all students in the College are required to complete two one-semester courses in History:  One broad survey (HIST 1100-1999) with linked discussion section; and one semester of HIST 1099 (note: HIST 1099 has to be fulfilled at Georgetown and cannot be transferred).

Students with advanced credit (e.g., AP or IB credit) in History may be able to fulfill the core requirement differently. See the Advanced Credit section of this Bulletin for full information. 

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Social Science

Social science is the systematic investigation of human society, including its cultural, economic, educational, governmental, and linguistic structures.  Some approaches to social science are quantitative or experimental, while others are observational and interpretive; all examine the ways people think and act as members of social networks, how those networks function as complex systems, and how those systems in turn affect individual lives. Critical study of these familiar structures helps us question preconceptions and biases, guides us in examining the structures and institutions we take for granted, and leads us to greater understanding of the ways the world is organized. 

All students except those majoring in Biochemistry, Biological Physics (B.S. only), Biology, Biology of Global Health, Chemistry, Environmental Biology, Neurobiology, or Physics (B.S. only), satisfy their social science requirement by taking two courses from one of the following departments: Anthropology, Economics, Government, Linguistics, Psychology, Public Policy, or Sociology. Note that students may not fulfill the requirement with one course each in two different disciplines; the requirement is two courses in the same discipline/department.

In addition to courses offered by the Linguistics department, certain post-advanced language courses with special focus on linguistics (e.g., CHIN 2101 Intro to Chinese Linguistics; FREN 3595 Making Sense of Language; SPAN 3210 Intro to Spanish Linguistics) may count toward the social science requirement when paired with a Linguistics course.

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Language

The study of a language, literature, and culture other than one’s own enables a better understanding of the world. Language learning broadens horizons, expands minds, and enhances professional competence and personal engagement in a globalized world.

To be an effective cross-cultural communicator requires not only language proficiency, but awareness of literary and cultural traditions as well. Understanding language in all its forms, styles, and uses leads to more authentic relationships among diverse peoples. 

All students in the College must study a second language (ancient or modern) through the intermediate level. During New Student Orientation, placement exams are offered in most languages. Students who do not place above the intermediate level of a language must fulfill the requirement by completing language coursework through the intermediate level. Please note that the number of courses required varies depending on the language family* and the intensity of instruction.

*In general, students must complete through the 12th credit of an Indo-European language or the 24th credit of other languages. Given the great diversity of languages, and the distinctness of their structures, challenges, and pedagogies, there are exceptions. As such, for languages routinely offered at Georgetown, the College’s language requirement is satisfied by completing the specific “exit course” listed below:

  • Arabic: ARAB 1112: Intensive Second Level Modern Standard Arab II
  • Chinese: CHIN 1512 or 1513: Intensive Second Level Chinese II or Intensive 2nd Level Chinese: Advanced Beginner
  • French: FREN 1502 or 1511: Intermediate French II or Intensive Intermediate French
  • German: GERM 1502 or 1511: Intermediate German II or Intensive Intermediate German
  • Greek (Ancient): CLSG 1511: Intermediate Greek
  • Greek (Modern): GREE 1511: Second Level Modern Greek I
  • Hebrew: HEBR 2002: Intermediate Modern Hebrew II
  • Italian: ITAL 1511: Italian Language and Culture: Intermediate
  • Japanese: JAPN 1512: Intensive Second Level Japanese II
  • Korean: KREN 1512: Intensive Second Level Korean II
  • Latin: CLSL 1511: Intermediate Latin
  • Persian: PERS 1012: Intensive First Level Persian II
  • Polish: PLSH 1502: Intermediate Polish II
  • Portuguese: PORT 1500: Accelerated Portuguese
  • Russian: RUSS 1012: Intensive First Level Russian II
  • Spanish: SPAN 1522 or 1532: Intermediate Spanish II or Intensive Intermediate Spanish
  • Turkish: TURK 1502: Intermediate Turkish II

Students are strongly urged to complete the language requirement no later than the end of their sophomore year.

Please note that credit can only be earned once for language study at a given level; the College does not grant credit when levels of instruction are repeated. Language placement tests are recommended for any student who has begun language study elsewhere, whether high school, prior college, etc. 

Students with advanced proficiency in a language not offered at Georgetown should contact their advising dean to inquire about the possibility of arranging a placement test in that language. In many cases, students will be referred to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) to certify proficiency in languages not taught on campus.

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Note: In general, students are expected to fulfill core requirements at Georgetown. When appropriate, students may receive prior approval from the Dean’s Office to complete a core course away (e.g., study abroad or summer school). Certain requirements (e.g., HALC, SFA) as well as some specific courses (e.g., HIST 1099) must be completed at Georgetown. Additionally, one half of any two-course core requirement must be completed at Georgetown.

For more information about how advanced credit applies to core curriculum requirements, see the Advanced Credit section of this Bulletin.

3. Academic Regulations

The College of Arts & Sciences holds its students to all of the standards set forth in the Academic Regulations section of this Bulletin, including both the Academic Standards and the Honor System described therein. The former articulates university-wide standards for satisfactory academic performance, while the latter expresses the expectations for academic integrity that govern the intellectual life of our community. Additional regulations specific to the College are as follows: 

  1. Residency, Matriculation, and Registration:
    1. Residency
      • As noted in the main Academic Regulations section of this Bulletin, all students must complete a minimum of four semesters of full-time study (exclusive of summer study; for these purposes a semester is considered to be fall or spring in the regular academic year only) in residence at Georgetown. Study abroad at one of Georgetown’s campuses (GU-Q, Villa le Balze) counts toward the four-semester residency requirement, but all other Georgetown-approved study abroad programs do not. Semesters at the Capitol Campus (including CALL) also count as semesters in residence.
    2. Matriculation
      • As noted in the main Academic Regulations section of this Bulletin, undergraduate degree candidates are expected to be full-time unless an exception is approved by their advising dean, and full-time status is defined as 12+ credits per semester. Exceptions to this policy are considered under the following circumstances:
        • Seniors who have met the residency requirement explained above may petition to be part-time in one semester of the senior year only.
        • Students seeking to enroll less than full-time (LTFT) due to a chronic medical condition must seek the endorsement of the Academic Resource Center and/or Student Health. Requests for LTFT accommodations will be reviewed on a semester-by-semester basis.
      • Students are expected to retain full-time status through the semester, but course withdrawals that result in part-time status (fewer than 12 credits) may be approved in exceptional circumstances. Requests to withdraw to below half-time status (6 credits) will not be approved; students unable to maintain enrollment in a minimum of 6 credits will be advised to request a leave of absence.
      • Any student with more than one incomplete in a given term who is unable to complete the outstanding work by the first day of classes of the next term may not begin new courses without formal review and consent of the Dean’s Office, and may be advised to take a leave of absence.
      • Please note that LTFT accommodations will not be approved in order to facilitate outside work or internship obligations under any circumstances. A student electing to engage in a full-time commitment outside of academic coursework (e.g., employment, internship, or fellowship opportunity) should request a leave of absence.
    3. Registration
      • The main Academic Regulations section of this Bulletin clarifies that the full-time credit range in a given semester is 12-20 credits. The standard credit cap is set by the Office of the University Registrar at 17.5, and students seeking to overload (i.e., 18-20 credits) must submit an overload request form to their advising dean for review and approval. Overloads resulting from e.g. intensive language courses or laboratory requirements are approved regularly. Ordinarily, however, students are limited to a maximum of five courses of three credits or more per semester; requests to take a sixth course of three credits or more will receive additional scrutiny, and when approved will be deferred until all students have had an opportunity to register. First-year students are not permitted to exceed the five-course limit under any circumstances.
  2. Transfer Credit
    1. A minimum of 60 credits must be completed in residence, via Georgetown coursework.
    2. Additionally, students are required to complete at least half of the coursework for a major or minor at Georgetown. Transfer credit in excess of half of a major or minor may be counted as free electives toward the degree. Some departments and programs may set stricter limits on transfer credit within major and minor programs.
    3. Students are eligible to transfer a maximum of four college courses taken prior to matriculation at Georgetown (i.e., while in high school) provided that they meet the following conditions: 1) courses must have been taken after the sophomore year of high school; 2) courses must have been taught at the college campus by a member of the college faculty; 3) courses must have been open to students at that college or university, not designed specifically for and limited to high school students; 4) courses must have been eligible for credit towards a degree at the host institution; and 5) courses must be separable from the high school record without affecting or undoing high school graduation requirements. Pre-matriculation courses will generally transfer as free electives. By exception, these courses may be considered for requirements and prerequisites, but students entering as first-years must complete the following Core requirements at Georgetown: Humanities: Arts, Literature, Culture (HALC), Science for All (SFA), and HIST-1099. Transfer credit for language courses must be confirmed with a placement test or continuation in coursework at Georgetown.
    4. Once matriculated, a student may transfer no more than 12 credits (typically four courses) of summer school coursework taken elsewhere to the Georgetown degree. Exceptions to the 12-credit limit can be granted when courses are valued at more than 3 credits. Prior approval for all summer coursework taken elsewhere must be obtained from the College Dean’s Office.
    5. Students may not transfer coursework taken in a fall or spring semester at another institution, other than coursework taken in an approved study abroad program.
    6. Credits earned through the Consortium do not count toward the 60 credit residency minimum.
    7. Students on leaves of absence should not expect to transfer credits for courses taken elsewhere during that time. In rare circumstances and with expressed written approval of the Dean’s Office, students may be allowed to transfer a limited number of courses. In no instance will more than four courses be transferred to the Georgetown record, and these credits will count against the “summer school” limit noted above (2.d).
  3. Additional Limits and Minimums
    1. In the spirit of a liberal education, a balance of breadth and depth will distinguish each College degree. This balance is achieved in part through the completion of the University and College core requirements and the requirements of at least one major. Students may elect to add a second major, and/or minors and certificates, but they are also encouraged to use additional space to choose free electives, in keeping with our emphasis on breadth and diversity of study. The following guidelines are intended to reinforce our emphasis on breadth and depth in the liberal arts:
      1. Students are required to take at least 24 courses outside of their primary major department/program.
      2. First-year students may not take two courses in the same subject in a single semester (except when required by the major).
      3. Sophomores should continue to emphasize breadth of study, fulfilling core requirements while exploring potential major and minor interests. Proposed schedules that overemphasize depth in a particular field of study may not be approved by the student’s advising dean.
      4. No more than six courses in business (from MSB or from outside institutions) may be counted towards the degree.
      5. No more than twelve credits of Military Science (MLSC) may be counted toward the degree. Preference is given to courses offered at 3 credits over courses that carry less than 3 credits in applying courses to the degree. This rule holds across the ROTC programs—Army at Georgetown University, Navy at The George Washington University, and Air Force at Howard University. 
    2. Normally the College approves a maximum of four courses for summer school work at Georgetown per academic year.
    3. Other than standard Georgetown summer courses, which are administered by the School of Continuing Studies (SCS), students may not enroll in any SCS degree or program courses.
    4. ENFL courses are excluded from the College degree; students seeking additional writing preparation in English are advised to take WRIT courses.
  4. Other
    1. A single course may satisfy a core requirement and also fulfill a major, minor, or certificate requirement.
      1. A single course may not fulfill two different core requirements, except in the case of the Pathways to Social Justice requirement, designed as an “overlay” requirement.
      2. As a general rule, a single course may not double count in two majors, a major and a minor, or any other combination of major, minor, and certificate programs. A course may double count in two programs if and only if one of the programs requires credits in excess of the standard minimums, as follows: (1) AB majors must require a minimum of 33 credits in order to double count a 3-credit course; (2) BS majors must require a minimum of 42 credits in order to double count a 3-credit course; and (3) a minor or certificate program must require a minimum of 21 credits in order to double count a 3-credit course. In cases where both programs require credits in excess of these minimums, up to two courses (or a single 4-credit course) may be shared between programs, but in all cases students must reach the minimum number of stand-alone credits in each program (30 for an AB major, 39 for a BS major, and 18 for a minor or certificate program). Note that many major programs require corollary coursework in related fields; corollary requirements are not included in the credit count for a major program, and as such may be applied freely to other major or minor programs.
    2. In general, only free electives may be taken pass/fail. Courses fulfilling core or major/minor/certificate requirements must be taken for a letter grade (unless the course is only offered on a pass/fail basis). Students may take courses in core curriculum fields of study as electives, on a pass/fail basis, after they have already fulfilled that core requirement. Similarly, students who wish to take a course in their major or minor field of study on a pass/fail basis may do so only after all requirements for that major or minor have been fulfilled. Those seeking an exception to this rule must consult the relevant director of undergraduate studies or program director. If the pass/fail option is approved by exception, the course will not, under any circumstances, count in the major or minor.
    3. The College does not recognize courses for audit.
    4. Students majoring in two fields that lead to different degrees (e.g., English and Biology) must choose the degree (A.B. or B.S.) they wish to receive.

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4. Study Abroad Policies and Processes

For a complete overview of the study abroad application process, please see the Global Education section of this Bulletin or visit studyabroad.georgetown.edu. Study abroad is ordinarily pursued in the junior year; applications to study abroad in the spring of sophomore year or fall of senior year will be considered, but should be accompanied by a petition to the advising deans explaining the rationale. All students in the College are required to have their study proposal(s) reviewed and approved by both the major department(s) and their advising dean. Departments and programs set their own limits and maximums for transfer credit in major and minor programs; please refer to the program pages here in the Bulletin or department and program websites for full information about transfer credit policies. It is possible to fulfill core requirements abroad, but all courses must be approved by the advising dean (who will consult the core departments as necessary); note also that half of each core requirement must be completed in residence at Georgetown (single-course requirements such as WRIT-1150, HIST-1099, and HALC are not eligible to be transferred from abroad). All other coursework taken abroad will be transferred as elective credit. 

Upon receipt of an official final transcript, credit will be posted for all courses in which the student has earned the minimum passing mark. All transfer credit in major, minor, and certificate programs is subject to departmental review via the Transfer Credit Evaluation process. Grades from study abroad coursework are not computed in the Georgetown grade point average but are recorded on the transcript, except for students studying at a Georgetown Global Living and Learning site or at Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), in which case grades are both recorded on the transcript and computed in the Georgetown grade point average. In most cases, a maximum of five courses and 17 credits per semester are transferred to the Georgetown degree.

Please note that Georgetown Global Living and Learning sites and GU-Q are considered to be “in residence,” but all other study abroad programs are not; thus (internal and external) transfer students should pay particular attention to residency requirements (in terms of both semesters in residence and credit minimums) when considering study abroad options.

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5. Academic Standards

The policies and procedures described below are consistent with and in addition to the University-wide Academic Standards described elsewhere in this Bulletin.

The College of Arts & Sciences is an intensive and immersive intellectual community. Students are embraced by a network of faculty, advising deans, counselors, and peer advisors who are committed to nurturing their education, their development, their intellectual potential. An advisor’s role is to guide and counsel; students’ academic performance and academic records are their own. The Associate Deans, Assistant Deans, and Academic Counselors advise students throughout their undergraduate experience. Together they make up the Council on Studies of Georgetown College. The Council is also charged with upholding the academic standards of the College.

Faculty and students, upon initiation into this intellectual community, agree to high standards of academic performance and integrity, standards that establish the conditions for personal and intellectual formation. Failure to meet these standards may result in temporary or permanent separation from the university.

The Council on Studies convenes at the conclusion of the fall and spring semesters to review the grades of each student in the College. When a student’s performance falls short of the standards of the community, the Council considers that student’s circumstance carefully, decides on the necessary course of action, delivers that decision to the student, and maintains a process by which the student can appeal the decision. The Council may take one of four courses of action: letter of concern, probation, suspension, or dismissal. 

Letter of Concern: When the Council on Studies detects difficulty in a given semester, often represented by grades that are passing but low (D or D+), they may communicate their concern in a letter to the student. The letter is a reminder of both available support and the formal academic standards of the College. The letter does not constitute a change of one’s standing and does not appear on any formal record.

Probation: When a student receives a failing grade, incurs a cumulative grade point average below 2.0, or fails to complete a full-time semester for a second time in their career, the student is placed on academic probation. Probationary status is automatic, resulting from performance in the last semester attended (even if a break has intervened), and lasts through the next semester, after which each student’s performance is reviewed again. Probationary status is conveyed to the student in writing, but it does not appear on the academic transcript.

Suspension: Academic suspension is a temporary measure taken to halt a student’s progress in the degree. Academic suspension is a sobering, serious consequence, but implicit in the sanction is a hope that the student will return, having reflected deeply and learned to manage whatever issues intruded on their academic success. When the Council on Studies determines that a student’s performance warrants suspension (see Undergraduate Bulletin Academic Standards section for academic deficiencies that can result in suspension), the decision is conveyed in writing with the length and conditions of the suspension addressed. 

Dismissal: Academic dismissal is permanent separation from the university. In rare cases, the Council on Studies occasionally discovers that a student’s performance is too deficient, or that improvements have not been made despite prior attempts at intervention and remediation, resulting in the difficult decision of dismissal (see Undergraduate Bulletin Academic Standards section for academic deficiencies that can result in dismissal). In the case of dismissal, students may not expect to return to Georgetown in the future.

Academic Appeals

Students who are either dismissed or suspended may appeal the decision of the Council on Studies before a Board of Academic Appeals. As an extension of the educational process, an Academic Appeal hearing is not a court of law, but an opportunity for a student to appear before an impartial body for an additional hearing. Academic Appeals are primarily appropriate when previously unseen evidence exists to shed light on extenuating circumstances that affected a student’s performance. Academic Appeal hearings represent venues for sharing that evidence, or acknowledging important contexts that were heretofore obscure, in order to argue for a different outcome or solution. Without new evidence to present or contexts to acknowledge, an appeal hearing is unwarranted.

The Board of Academic Appeals shall consist of two members of the faculty and one of the advising deans in the College; this dean will not participate in the original decision during grade review. No member of the faculty may serve on a Board who:
• has taught and at any time failed the student who is appealing.
• has at any time acted as faculty advisor to the student.

Upon notice of suspension or dismissal, the student will be informed of the process for appeal and the deadline to request an appeal hearing in writing. The student’s request must be a substantive statement indicating the grounds for possible reconsideration and must be submitted within the specified time limit. The student will be notified of the date, time, and location of the hearing before the Board of Academic Appeals. Students are strongly encouraged to appear in person at the hearing; however, if circumstances prevent attendance, the student may participate by telephone or provide a written argument or summary for the Board to review.

When presenting an appeal to the Board, the student may appear alone or may bring a member of the University community to provide silent support. This person may not be a member of the student’s family. The Board aims to create conditions that will permit a student to speak freely and honestly, on their own behalf. The Board will have access to the student’s academic record and his or her written request for an appeal. 

The student may submit evidence of extenuating circumstances and may be present for all stages of the hearing except for the final deliberation by the Board. The Board may uphold the Council’s decision or it may mitigate that sanction, e.g., instead of dismissal, a suspension; instead of suspension, a voluntary leave of absence or strict probation. It cannot assign a harsher decision or completely abrogate the original sanction.

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6. Advising

CAS Advising Mission Statement

The mission of the Georgetown College of Arts & Sciences undergraduate academic advising office is to provide personalized, compassionate, and comprehensive support to each student. We strive to recognize the uniqueness of each student’s lived experience, which includes intersecting social identities and nuanced personal histories. Guided by the principle of cura personalis, we are committed to nurturing the intellectual, spiritual, and personal growth of our students. Whenever possible, we accompany students as they connect their academic study with the complexity of their lives. Through collaborative advising, we empower students to explore their intellectual interests, set and achieve meaningful goals, and develop the skills and values necessary for lifelong learning, service, and purpose. Our dedication to justice, service, and the holistic development of each individual reflects our commitment to preparing graduates who are ready to make a positive contribution to the common good.

Academic Advising Program

Students in the College are supported by advising that embraces the freedom of the liberal arts, Georgetown’s Jesuit and Catholic tradition, and each student’s distinctive interests, needs, and strengths. Cura personalis, care for individuals as individuals who are distinct, complex, full, and forming, is the central inspiration for College advising. Students enter the College with intellectual interests and goals, and with a vast array of curricular choices and possibilities. Advisors form relationships with students to introduce them to this array, and to listen to, learn from, interrupt, inform, and accompany them through their decisions and development. 

Advising in the College is shared by the advising deans and the faculty. Students with majors declared have both an advisor in the Dean’s office and a faculty advisor in their major discipline. As most students remain undeclared until sophomore year, the advising deans help students navigate the Core Curriculum, adjust to the rigors of Georgetown’s intellectual environment, and explore broadly, mixing existing interests with new and emerging interests. Students are invited to design an open-ended Academic Road Map (ARM) with their dean to discuss majors, minors, and study abroad, and to be in touch with questions, updates, and concerns throughout the year.

With the transition to their third year, all students will have declared their majors and acquired faculty advisors, and are supported by advising deans within their discipline. Exploration continues as a point of emphasis in advising, while depth and focus in one’s major and in one’s progress toward graduation become more central. The advising deans help students through changes of academic program, study abroad and transfer credit, honors and thesis programs, capstone projects, degree completion and commencement, and post-graduation plans.

Faculty advisors, working in tandem with the advising deans, are essential mentors and partners in students’ chosen areas of study. They advise their students on proper sequencing of courses required for their majors, discuss students’ proposed course selections during registration periods, facilitate research opportunities, and offer professional and, where appropriate, career insights for students as they advance. Faculty advising is a hallmark of Georgetown’s intellectual community, where teaching and learning are at once personal and communal.

Most students enter the College “undeclared”, and begin a process of exploration and discernment with the help of the assigned advising deans. In general, majors are declared during the sophomore year, and at the point of the declaration the faculty advisor is chosen. By contrast, students majoring in a language, science, mathematics, or computer science program may begin their Georgetown career with those majors declared and faculty advisors assigned. Transfer students enter with majors and faculty advisors assigned as well, across all disciplines. 

All students, declared and undeclared, are encouraged to continue their exploration, consult with their advisors, and respond to changes in their interests and plans.

Preparation for Graduate and Professional Schools

A number of the graduates of the College each year go on to graduate and professional schools. The College attempts, through its curricula, programs, and advising system, to give its students strong preparation for graduate work.

Students who are considering graduate study are encouraged to visit the College Dean’s Office at any time during the academic year to discuss their interests. Undergraduates should also consult with faculty advisors who can offer viable guidance regarding preparation for graduate studies.

Another university resource available to assist students with graduate school plans is the Career Education Center. Students interested in pursuing competitive fellowships should research opportunities with the Office of Fellowships, Awards, and Resources (GOFAR).

Pre-Legal

Georgetown has a long tradition of preparing students to enter the legal profession. While there is no “pre-law” curriculum, students preparing for law school should concentrate on courses which require analytic thinking and clear written expression.

Most students who plan to go to law school major in one of the humanities or social sciences. However, there is no specific major required for admission to law school. The flexibility of the College curriculum gives students in any major ample opportunity to elect a diverse array of courses which may provide an appropriate background for law. Students interested in pursuing law school should plan to meet with the pre-law advisor in the Career Education Center.

Students who have achieved high honors should consider applying to the Georgetown University Law Center through the Early Assurance Program. This program allows exceptionally well-qualified students to submit an application to the Law Center during the junior year. The LSAT is not required for application and admission, though students admitted through the Early Assurance Program will be required to submit LSAT scores prior to matriculation. Students not admitted under the Early Assurance Program may apply again through regular admission during the senior year. Interested students should contact the Law Center Office of Admissions for applications and details at the beginning of their junior year.

Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental

Georgetown offers a number of programs that prepare students to enter medical, dental or other health professions schools. Some schools may have specific additional coursework, but in general, the student must take the following pre-requisite science and math courses (a full year of each):

  • Mathematics (one semester of Statistics and one semester of Calculus)
  • General Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Principles of Physics
  • Foundations in Biology I and a second biology course with lab (e.g., Foundations in Biology II, Genetics, Mammalian Physiology)
  • One semester of Biochemistry

Students may choose to major in any B.S. or A.B. program as they complete their pre-medical/pre-dental requirements.

The B.S. programs with majors in Biochemistry, Biological Physics, Biology, Biology of Global Health, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Biology, Mathematics, Neurobiology, and Physics include all or some of the above courses. The remaining courses on the list are taken as electives to round out the pre-medical/pre-dental requirements. The B.S. programs are strong science programs, and are particularly appropriate for students who are interested in taking more than the minimum of science and math courses required for medical school admission.

Students may also choose to major in an A.B. program in one of the humanities, social sciences, languages, or linguistics and at the same time fulfill the minimum science requirements for medical or dental school. Further science courses may be taken as electives at the option of the student in consultation with his or her advisor. The proximity of the College to the Georgetown University Medical Center allows the student to be exposed to the challenges of the medical professions.

The Georgetown Pre-Health Recommendation Committee includes advising deans and several faculty from the College, as well as one faculty member each from the SOH and Medical School and one advising dean from the SOH. Students preparing to enter medical or dental school request the committee recommendation at the end of the spring semester in their junior or senior year or as an alumnus.

The College has an Early Assurance Program agreement with Georgetown School of Medicine whereby a select number of pre-medical students, at the end of their sophomore year, may be assured of admission to the Medical School upon satisfactory completion of their junior and senior years. The program is designed to encourage exceptional students to undertake ambitious programs with a degree of security about eventual admission to medical school. Georgetown University Medical School will exempt these students from the MCAT requirement.

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7. Degree Conferral and Commencement

Degrees are conferred three times a year: in May, August, and December. Seniors are prompted by the Dean’s Office to file an application for the degree by the Dean’s Office; failure to do so in a timely fashion may delay the conferral of the degree.

Commencement Exercises take place once a year, in May. Students graduating in August may participate in the May Commencement exercises preceding or following the conferral of the degree. Students graduating in December may participate in the following May Commencement exercises. Note that for purposes of determining graduation honors, both August and December graduates are included with the following class of May graduates.

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