Georgetown Graduate Studies

More than just a pathway to medical school: For 51 graduating classes of "Physios," as graduates dub themselves, Georgetown University Biomedical Graduate Education's Special Master's Program in Physiology & Biophysics (SMP) has offered a tight-knit community of mentors and friends that lasts far beyond graduation and spans across classes.

“I think every Physio has a bond with every other Physio," said alum Dr. Daniel B. Casey (G'01, M'06, R'10, F'13). "Like, even if [it’s] 20 years’ difference … they always have a special place in your heart."

The SMP celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025 and counts nearly 6,000 alumni. Designed for aspiring medical doctors strengthening their resumes and skills for medical school, the SMP puts graduate students into first-year medical classes and grades them on the med students' curve to prove they can keep up.

"Doing the SMP and doing well in it, it really gives you the mindset, like, ‘Oh, I can handle this, I can do this,'" said Sloan White (G'25, M'29), who’s now a first-year medical student at Georgetown.

Commemorate 51 years of the SMP with perspectives from alums, faculty and staff: https://bit.ly/4uCVjxs

How do you become a political scientist? Earlier this month, Georgetown University's fifth annual Political Science Predoctoral Summer Institute (PS-PSI) answered this question for 20 political science students from the greater DC area and introduced them to pathways to Ph.D. programs in the subject.

Hosted by Georgetown Government Department on campus and governed by a regional consortium of Ph.D. programs, the PS-PSI offers undergrads and recent graduates a week-long crash course on graduate-level poli sci study and research. Faculty mentors guide participants through exploring areas of study, creating a research pitch and crafting an application to doctoral programs in political science.

This year's mentors included faculty members Diana Kapiszewski and Hans Noel, and Benjamin Fiore-Walker from the American Political Science Association.

Finding student housing in the DC area can seem daunting, especially if you're new to the region. But you're not alone!

Our Graduate Studies Housing Guide has insight and resources tailored to help new Georgetown University grad students at all stages of the housing search. We have insider tips on finding a roommate, learning the neighborhoods around campus, navigating DC, Maryland and Virginia public transit systems and applying for an apartment at 55 H St. NW, Georgetown's on-campus housing option for grad students.

Read the full guide: https://grad.georgetown.edu/2025/07/30/where-to-live-at-georgetown-a-grad-student-housing-guide/

Behind the landmark return of the Artemis II mission this spring — an event watched by 56 million people worldwide — stood a communications strategy crafted by Kristi Johnson (G'25).

A Navy public affairs officer, Johnson coordinated every press conference, arranged every photo and video shoot and led a communications team prepared to respond to every contingency as the Orion capsule splashed down. The skills she learned at Georgetown, through Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies' master's in public relations and corporate communications program, prepared her for the out-of-this-world feat.

"And I think we kind of nailed it," Johnson said.

Learn how it all came together: https://bit.ly/4nN6ySk

This month, 5,012 graduate students received a master's or doctoral degree as part of Georgetown University's Class of 2026.

At Graduate Commencement, speaker and classicist Mary Beard declined to give advice to these scholars and their loved ones, saying that “history is normally on the side of the young.”

Instead, she offered the graduates new perspectives on the value of their university education and encouraged them to advocate for institutions of higher education.

“You have all been lucky enough to be at one of the best [universities] in the world,” Beard said.

Find more of Beard's speech, plus advice from the Class of 2026 and commencement photos from around Georgetown: https://grad.georgetown.edu/2026/05/19/commencement-2026-mary-beard/

📸 : Elman Studio

Tassels? Turned. 🎓
Diplomas? Granted. 📜
Memories? Made for a lifetime. 📸
Class of 2026, we can't wait to see how you change the world. 💙