Welcome to the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University!

The Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS) at Georgetown University was founded more than one hundred years ago in 1919 to prepare the United States to engage on the global stage after WWI. Our founding principles were outlined by Father Edmund A. Walsh, who spearheaded the creation of SFS, in his dedicatory remarks:

“Having entered upon the stage of world-politics and world-commerce we assume world-wide obligations. Our viewpoint can never be quite the same again.”

With these world-wide obligations in mind, our curriculum prepares students for leadership in all fields international affairs. Over the past 100 years, the school has produced more than 30,000 graduates who have made the world safer, more just and more prosperous.

SFS alumni have been shaping international affairs for the past century and our graduates bring their values-led expertise to careers spanning academia, foreign and domestic policy, security, international development and the private sector. An SFS education will prepare you to enter the workforce in these areas and many others, and our wide pool of Hoya alumni will be invaluable as you navigate your own academic and career paths. 

SFS was ranked as the #1 school to study international affairs at the master’s level in Foreign Policy magazine’s most recent rankings, which are based on a survey of more than 1,500 foreign policy professionals around the world.

Top 5 reasons to choose Georgetown SFS

1. Washington, D.C. - Located in the heart of the U.S. capital, SFS offers you unrivaled access to competitive internships in the public and private sectors, esteemed speakers and world-influencing events — not to mention D.C.’s vibrant food and arts scene, monuments and dozens of museums.
2. World-class faculty - In addition to their leadership in the classroom, SFS faculty are preeminent global thinkers and practitioners working at the cutting edge, exploring some of the most pressing issues of modern international affairs.
3. International opportunities - At SFS, you will have extensive opportunities to study abroad to practice language skills, enhance your cultural competency and immerse yourself in global experiences. If a full semester abroad does not fit your schedule, many of our courses have international travel components as well. (Please note that all university travel is dependent on prevailing public health best practices.)
4. Unparalleled career support - When you enroll at SFS, you will be matched with a first-year dean (for undergraduates) or dedicated advisors (for graduate students) to guide you through the beginning of your Georgetown journey. Additional deans, faculty members, the Cawley Career Education Center and the Graduate Career Center are dedicated to supporting students’ professional development.
5. Values-led education - Inspired by our Jesuit foundation and tradition, SFS is committed to service to others and the education of the whole person. At SFS, you will find a community of thoughtful and driven learners ready to make a difference in the world.

Student Testimonials