How to Apply

To make applying as simple and straightforward as possible, here is everything you need to complete your application to the Executive Master of Policy Leadership (EMPL) program. The Office of Admissions can help during the application process should you have additional questions.

At a glance

Application deadlines

Fall 2027 term

Early action deadline: December 1, 2026
Priority deadline: January 15, 2027- scholarship consideration
Final deadline: March 1, 2027

When to apply

RoundApplication DeadlineSupporting Materials Due*Estimated Decision ReleaseStudent Reply Deadline
Early action deadlineDecember 1December 8Mid-JanuaryApril 15
Priority deadlineJanuary 15January 23Mid-MarchApril 20
Final deadlineMarch 1March 1Early-AprilMay 1
*Supporting materials are all documents included with your application that demonstrate your qualifications for admission such as academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, test scores, etc. 

Prerequisites

You must have at least 10 years of professional work experience to be considered for admission to the program.

Application materials

To be considered for admission to our master’s degree program, you must submit all required materials.

Applications are submitted through our online application portal.

You must upload a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) to your online application. Your resume should describe your work experience, extracurricular or volunteer activities, academic institutions attended, list of published work and any academic honors or awards. There is no page limit, though we recommend a one to two-page resume.

The McCourt School wants to learn more about your interest and experience in public policy leadership.

In a one-page, single-spaced statement, explain why you wish to pursue the EMPL degree at the McCourt School. Your essay should include a description of a prior leadership role and what results you were able (or not able) to achieve, and how that experience has motivated you to pursue a graduate degree in public policy leadership.

Please also share information about a specific leadership project and/or direction you are interested in pursuing. Is there a particular institution, business, organization, or public agency for which you feel your leadership would be beneficial?

As Georgetown is a diverse, global community, we encourage you to upload a brief statement of up to 500 words to help the Admissions Committee understand the contribution your personal background and individual experiences would make to our community. As appropriate, you may wish to address any educational, economic, and social experiences that have helped to shape your educational and professional goals; or how your background (e.g., first generation student, travels outside the U.S.) or activities (e.g., community service and leadership) will contribute to the diversity of perspectives and ideas at Georgetown University.

Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended are required. Review the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Transcript FAQs for more information.

Academic transcript submissions

  • Step 1: Request a copy of your official transcript from your institution(s).
  • Step 2: Upload the transcript to your application.

An acceptable transcript is a copy of an official transcript produced by the institution, including:

  • Scanned copies of paper transcripts issued by the institution.
  • Electronic transcripts issued by the institution (not a download from your institution’s web portal).

We do not accept screenshots, photos or downloads of the “student’s view” from your institution’s website.

Non-U.S. college or university academic transcripts

Applicants who have attended institutions outside of the United States are strongly encouraged to upload their transcripts through the World Education Service (course-by-course ICAP evaluation), The Evaluation Company (course analysis), or other credential evaluation services that are members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. If the evaluation does not include a copy of the evaluated transcripts, you must upload both the transcripts from the institution and the credential evaluation as one document to the application.

  • Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by an English language version provided by the academic institution. If your institution does not provide English language copies, you must provide a certified or notarized translation with a copy of the original transcripts. You may upload an evaluation from a credential evaluation service that must include course and grade information. Both the evaluation and original transcript should be submitted in the application as one document.
  • If you have study abroad and/or transfer coursework listed on your undergraduate transcripts with the grades earned, you do NOT need to list these institutions separately or upload transcripts. If courses are not listed on your primary institution’s transcript or the transfer courses do not show course grades, please list the institution(s) separately and upload the transcript(s).

Admitted students

If you receive an offer of admission, you will be required to submit official transcripts, which are transcripts submitted directly to Georgetown University by the institution you attended, for verification before enrolling. Do not send electronic or paper copies of your official transcripts before receiving an offer of admission. Georgetown reserves the right to request any missing transcripts or an official copy of a transcript at any point during the application and/or admission process. Georgetown also reserves the right to withdraw any offer of admission already made if there is any discrepancy between a transcript uploaded in the application and the final official transcript received.

Three letters of recommendation are required. Typically, applicants submit at least one from an academic source and one from a professional, work-related source. Individual circumstances vary, so use your best judgment when choosing references. Each letter of recommendation should be submitted from your recommender’s professional email address and be on official letterhead.

The online application utilizes a secure online recommendation system which will:

  • Automatically email each recommender with instructions for online submission of the recommendation;
  • Allow applicants to track recommendations received or not received and follow up with recommenders who still need to submit their appraisals;
  • Expedite the processing of the recommendations, which will be included in the online application once submitted.

If your reference cannot access the online recommendation, please contact McCourt School Admissions staff at mccourtadmissions@georgetown.edu for instructions.

All applicants to the McCourt School are required to demonstrate a level of proficiency in the English language sufficient to meet the admission requirement of Georgetown University’s Graduate Studies. Proficiency can be demonstrated by:

  • Receipt of a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or from a university where English is the primary language of instruction for the entire institution.
  • Submission of an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score report with a minimum score of 100 (original TOEFL iBT score scale) or 5 (new TOEFL iBT score scale beginning January 21, 2026).
  • Submission of an official International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Academic Module score report with a minimum overall band score of 7.0 (this is a strict requirement).

The TOEFL Special Home Edition and the IELTS Online version may be accepted for Fall 2026 admissions.

Application fee

Applicants must submit a $90.00 non-refundable fee payable by credit card at the time of application submission. You may be eligible for an application fee waiver.

Application fee waivers

We offer application fee waivers if you are affiliated with one or more of the following organizations, provide an accompanying letter of certification and submit your application fee waiver request by January 15:

  • Teach for America
  • AmeriCorps
  • McNair Scholars
  • Returned Peace Corp Volunteers
  • PPIA Fellows
  • Rangel Fellows
  • Pickering Fellows
  • Truman Scholars
  • Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Alumni
  • Active Duty U.S. Military Service Members and Veterans
  • Bonner Scholars or Bonner Leaders
  • Lead For America Fellows
  • Govern for America Fellows
  • Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) Staff Association members and their dependents
  • Students already enrolled in the first year of the MSc SASI program at HEC Paris who are applying to the dual program with McCourt’s MPP program

We also will consider need-based waiver requests depending on your personal economic situation.

To request a waiver, please submit a statement explaining the reason for the request and an updated resume to mccourtadmissions@georgetown.edu.

If you have other questions about the application, please contact mccourtadmissions@georgetown.edu.

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Take your next step toward driving impactful change in public policy with the Executive Master of Policy Leadership.

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