Master of Arts in Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies (MAREES)

The Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies (CERES) at Georgetown University offers one of the nation's preeminent Master's degree programs and hosts a rich outreach program of events on the area from central Europe to the Pacific and the Baltic to the Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas. Founded in 1959 to prepare scholars who understood the Soviet Union and could analyze its secretive system, the Center has evolved in the wake of the Soviet Union’s demise and today incorporates a variety of scholarly disciplines for the study of this culturally rich region.

With an active program of community outreach, CERES provides a broad and deep understanding of Eurasian, Russian and East European affairs to audiences at Georgetown and throughout the Washington community. In addition, CERES oversees Turkish studies at Georgetown University and hosts several programs with the Institute of Turkish Studies.

CERES is part of the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS), founded in 1919 to educate students and prepare them for leadership roles in international affairs. SFS remains committed to intercultural understanding and service in the global arena, ideals held by SFS’ founder and first dean, Edmund A. Walsh, S.J. Today, SFS offers eight interdisciplinary Master’s programs designed to teach students to think about, analyze and act in the twenty-first century with imagination, good judgment and compassion.

Learning Goals

The CERES MA provides a solid grounding in the languages and cultures of the region and interdisciplinary depth in the social sciences. Students in the program will achieve:

• knowledge of the region from broad disciplinary perspectives and using a variety of methodologies;
• the ability to integrate a theoretical with practical knowledge of regional affairs;
• a thematically focused-curriculum that develops expertise;
• proficiency in at least one regional language;
• original research utilizing the student's language of proficiency;
• effective oral presentation and critical writing skills.

Language requirements

Students are tested in reading and oral proficiency in a language of the region upon entry to the program and placed in the appropriate level of language classes. Completion of two courses at the advanced level is required for graduation, except for native speakers of a language of the region.

Georgetown offers Persian, Polish, Russian, Turkish and Ukrainian language courses that fulfill the advanced language study requirement (six credits). Other language study opportunities are available through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area and through summer intensive language study programs in the US or abroad.

Public Presentation of Research

The Capstone Seminar requires that the student make a public presentation of the research project to CERES students and faculty. Students writing a thesis will present their research during their last semester of study.

Joint Degrees

MAERES (REES MA)/Government PhD

CERES and the Department of Government administer a joint degree program in which students may receive an MA in Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies and a Ph.D. in Government. Students experience substantial time and cost savings by applying certain coursework and the comprehensive examination to the requirements of both programs and may take advantage of the opportunities provided by both programs, including access to financial aid and student teaching.

MAERES/Law Center JD

A new joint-degree program, offered in conjunction with Georgetown's Law Center, will begin in the academic year 2003-04. This four-year joint degree program in international studies will lead to the Juris Doctor (JD) and MA in Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies. Students experience substantial time and cost savings by applying certain coursework to the requirements of both programs and may take advantage of opportunities provided by both programs, including access to financial aid.

Accelerated BSFS/MA or BA/MA

Students currently enrolled as undergraduates in SFS or the College may apply to pursue the joint undergraduate-MA degree. Prospective applicants should meet with their undergraduate Dean and the Associate Director of CERES to discuss the program.

The Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University is the oldest school of international affairs in the United States, it's founding in 1919 predating the establishment of the U.S. Foreign Service by six years. It is also a premier school of international affairs, home in 2010 to programs ranked by Foreign Policy magazine as first in the world at the graduate level and fifth at the undergraduate level. At Georgetown’s Washington, D.C., and Qatar campuses, SFS fosters essential research, connects distinguished practitioners to the global dialogue and provides the highest-quality education, pursued in a spirit of inquiry, with a concern for values.

A Century of Service to the World from Georgetown SFS on Vimeo.

Why SFS

Commitment to Service At SFS, service is not just a particular career path. It’s an approach to solving problems that are just as relevant in the private sector as it is in the public sector. Members of the SFS community utilize Georgetown’s Jesuit values no matter what they go on to do after they leave the Hilltop. The Intersection of Scholars and Practitioners At SFS, students learn from recognized experts who are actively engaged in finding solutions to complex global problems. You can study with former Secretaries of State, with people who led huge multinational corporations or with renowned scholars in international affairs. Students can attend events with speakers who come from the top of their fields, across all sectors of foreign affairs. Both students and faculty bring their expertise into the classroom and onto campus, facilitating a learning environment that pushes students to constantly challenge big ideas with experience and practice from all over the world. The depth of Understanding of Countries, Regions, and Cultures At SFS there are more than 20 different centers and programs that cover all regions of the world and key cross-cutting global issues. Convening Power in Washington, D.C. SFS has located just minutes away from the State Department, the White House, the Pentagon, and countless nonprofit organizations. This gives SFS the extraordinary opportunity for us to engage (and sometimes even influence) the debates that lead to real action.