Georgetown’s graduate international affairs programs and Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service program were ranked first and fourth in the nation, respectively, for the study of international affairs, according to a list compiled by Foreign Policy magazine released Jan. 26.

The survey last ranked schools in 2012, since it is not released annually and is conducted in coordination with the Teaching, Research and International Policy Project at the College of William and Mary. In that edition, and in the previous 2007 and 2009 lists, the graduate program also received the top ranking, while the BSFS program was fifth in 2012, passing Columbia University to claim fourth spot this year.

Foreign Policy compiled the rankings from a survey of 1,615 international relations scholars. The programs were evaluated based on academic excellence, connections with professors and faculty, location and the strength of the alumni network. While the full list has yet to be released on the magazine’s website, Foreign Policy highlighted the graduate school’s two-year program that includes faculty mentorship as a primary reason for its top ranking, according to a university press release.

The recognition of the graduate programs spans the eight international affairs master’s degrees offered by the university, including the Master of Science in Foreign Service, Master of Arts in Security Studies, Master of Global Human Development and regionally focused Master of Arts programs in German and European Studies, Arab Studies, Latin American Studies, Asian Studies and Russian, European and East European Studies.

SFS Associate Dean and Undergraduate Program Director Mitch Kaneda explained that the rankings recognized the devotion of the university to the examination of international issues.

“They mean a lot to Georgetown programs, faculty, students and alumni because these rankings are a testament to the passion and synergy we have for the study of international affairs,” he wrote in an email.

The three schools ranked above the BSFS program were Harvard University, Princeton University and Stanford University, though the graduate program outranks Harvard and Princeton, which rank third and fourth respectively. Among peer institutions, Georgetown’s graduate program is unique in offering a Master of Science. Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, which ranks second, offers a Master of Arts, while Harvard and Princeton fold their international affairs curriculum into Master of Public Policy programs.

Kaneda added that the fourth place ranking of the BSFS program indicates room for improvement. The SFS is currently considering adding access to minors for undergraduate students in addition to its current offering of certificates. A survey sent out by the SFS Academic Council showed 65 percent of students support the change.

“[The rankings tell] us that we have a responsibility to continue to improve our programs,” Kaneda wrote.

SFS Interim Dean James Reardon-Anderson echoed Kaneda.

“We are both proud and flattered that Georgetown University again ranks high among the schools to study international affairs,” he said in a press release. “This is a great credit to the students, faculty and staff of Georgetown and confirms the wisdom of our commitment to education for the service of humanity.”

SFS Academic Council Senior Representative Annie Kennelly (SFS ’15) said she was not surprised by these results, crediting professors and the access to internships and professors in Washington, D.C., as primary reasons for the high rankings.

“From a student perspective I couldn’t imagine getting a better education in international affairs,” Kennelly said. “For us it’s our professors and our exposure to international affairs that really makes our education. There is an emphasis in all of our classes on service for others and for humanity, as well as an expectation for us to analyze and understand how our policies and actions influence the world.”

Colette Clark (GRD ’15), a student in the Security Studies program, emphasized similar positive aspects, including location and faculty, of the graduate school program.

“A lot of the factors that feed into the undergraduate program are the same for the masters’ program,” Clark said. “It’s important that we have faculty members active in government and think-tanks and that we pull faculty in on part-time and adjunct bases … it gives students access to the city and all the city has to offer.”

SFS Academic Council President Megan Murday (SFS ’15) also emphasized the preparation for job readiness as a strength of the SFS.

“The institution is committed to a strong combination of liberal arts and a multidisciplinary approach balanced with educating students with the skills necessary to go out into the world,” Murday said.

The MSFS program, which features concentrations in global politics and security, global business and finance, regional and comparative studies and international development, particularly reflects the emphasis on job preparation, integrating a required internship into the curriculum and offering evening and weekend clinics to augment practical workplace skills.

Murday added that the rankings reflect the combined work of SFS students, professors and administrators.

“The rankings are a formal recognition of the academic rigor and unparalleled opportunities that characterize the program,” Murday said. “The willingness of the professors and administrators to mentor and support the students is what really sets apart our institution.”

Murday believes the rankings will confirm the quality of the work of the professors and management thus far and also set a precedent for the future.

“I hope that it means that both [graduate and undergraduate] programs will continue to recruit top talent in both students and faculty, and that it will open up more doors professionally and academically and really strengthen the program in years to come,” Murday said.

Kennelly echoed Murday, highlighting the focus on international relations and service throughout the university.

“It is very important for current professors and undergraduate/graduate students as well as prospective students and professors that they have made this distinction,” Kennelly said. “It really signifies that value that scholars here place on an education centered around foreign service.”

Correction: This article previously mis-identified the top ranking for the graduate school as highlighting only the MSFS program. The Foreign Policy ranking recognizes all eight international affairs master’s degree programs. The article has been updated to reflect this information.