Three master’s programs and a specialized education program at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business (MSB) will move to Georgetown’s Capitol Campus in downtown Washington, D.C., beginning in Fall 2025 as part of efforts to expand the university’s reach in the District and increase educational opportunities for students. 

Incoming students in the 10-month master of science in environment and sustainability management (ESM), Master of Science in global real assets (GRA) and Master of Science in management (MiM) programs will move away from the Rafik B. Hariri building to the newly renovated 111 Massachusetts Ave. NW. The move is a part of a university-wide shift of multiple programs to the Capitol Campus. 

Sarah Flores (GRD ’20), chief of staff of the MSB, said the expansion aims to help students access new learning opportunities that would benefit future careers. 

“The Capitol Campus positions our students at the nexus of business, policy and innovation — providing a dynamic, real-world environment that is especially well-suited for programs focused on sustainability, global real assets and management,” Flores wrote to The Hoya.

The newly renovated building on Massachusetts Avenue houses classrooms, study areas and event spaces. 

Andrea Lizarzaburu (GRD ’25), a current student in the ESM program, said she thinks the move will solve problems the program has faced on the Hilltop, particularly a lack of classroom space. 

“Right now, I understand that it’s really hard for the people managing our program to find classrooms,” Lizarzaburu told The Hoya. “So, in a way, being in the Capitol Campus is going to be a good thing because it is way more modern. I’m assuming space and classroom availability is going to be more available, so I think it’s going to be overall a better outcome for the students.”

A growing number of programs have joined the Capitol Campus in the past few years, including downtown expansions of programs in the McCourt School of Public Policy, the School of Continuing Studies, the College of Arts & Sciences and now the MSB. The College has also developed a new legal minor program for Georgetown students involving time at the Capitol Campus.

Justin Thompson (GRD ’25), a student in the MiM program, said the new location may allow incoming cohorts to get a broader D.C. experience. 

“I know a lot of people in the cohort are in Georgetown, and Georgetown is very secluded from everywhere else in D.C. so you don’t get the full D.C. downtown experience,” Thompson told The Hoya. “So being right in the center of it all, you can really explore and it’s great for networking and meeting people outside of the Georgetown community.”

Lizarzaburu said she thinks the move will be helpful for graduate students looking for job opportunities in the city. 

“I think you’re in a better situation because you’re better connected to the city in general, and as a professional program I think that is probably better,” Lizarzaburu said.

Lizarzaburu added that, despite the Capitol Campus’s benefits, moving certain programs away from the Hilltop could potentially distance students from the business school.

“One of the reasons why I decided to pursue this degree is because it is nested in the business school,” Lizarzaburu said. “That’s my only concern that by moving to the Capitol Campus — we are going to be further away from the business school physically, so there is going to be more motivation for people not to attend the events.”

Thompson said students may also feel further secluded from the Hilltop Campus because they cannot enjoy the “Georgetown experience.” 

“I think the transition to the Capitol Campus may leave some students feeling as if they’re not ‘true Georgetown,’” Thompson said. “Maybe they’ll feel secluded from the Main Campus and the Georgetown brand, so they may feel a little bit left out in that regard.”

Lizarzaburu said that despite her concerns, she thinks the move will be a positive change for the programs by connecting them with the District and opening up opportunities for the incoming cohort. 

“It’s great that Gerogetown is expanding and getting out of that Hilltop, because even though it’s beautiful, it is very secluded,” Lizarzaburu said. “It’s far — not in miles — but it’s far. As some opportunities might be closing, new opportunities might be opening.”