Georgetown University is home to five distinct undergraduate schools, each with its own academic mission, history and community. Each undergraduate school at Georgetown offers a unique path, but no matter which one you call home, you’ll find yourself part of a community that values service and academic excellence. Here’s what you should know about each school as you begin your Georgetown journey.
Georgetown’s College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), which many students simply refer to as “the College,” was founded in 1789 as the first Jesuit institution of higher learning in the United States. The college is the largest of Georgetown’s undergraduate schools, with 26 departments, 50 majors and 60 minors. Students in the College pursue degrees in liberal arts or science under Dean David M. Edelstein, who began his tenure in July 2025. With a curriculum rooted in Jesuit values and an interdisciplinary approach, the college remains the academic core of the university.
The School of Foreign Service (SFS) was established in 1919 as a response to global upheaval following World War I and quickly became one of the world’s premier schools for international affairs. The SFS offers nine interdisciplinary majors focusing on international affairs, economics, regional studies and even science. Led by Dean Joel Hellman, the school focuses on raising global leaders and valuing service, diplomacy and engagement.
The McDonough School of Business (MSB) originated in 1957 as the School of Business Administration, and was renamed in 1998 after graduate Robert Emmett McDonough (SFS ’49). The MSB offers seven majors, from accounting to business management to international business studies, and is led by Dean Paul Almeida. Known for combining business with ethical leadership, the MSB prepares students for careers in consulting, finance, entrepreneurship and more.
The School of Nursing (SON) traces its origins back to 1903, but became a standalone school in 2022 after the restructuring of the former School of Nursing and Health Studies. The SON offers a bachelor of science in nursing under Dean Roberta Waite. Through clinical training and hospital partnership, the SON prepares students for practice in today’s health care environment.
The School of Health (SOH) is Georgetown’s youngest undergraduate school, founded in 2022, and is led by Dean Christopher King. Offering degrees in global health, health care management and human science, the SOH trains students to address health from a variety of viewpoints.