Georgetown University

Georgetown University is a private Jesuit research university located in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit institution of higher education in the United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across schools such as the College of Arts & Sciences, the Walsh School of Foreign Service, the McDonough School of Business, the Law Center, and the School of Medicine. Georgetown is known for programs in international relations, law, public policy, business, and global health, drawing students interested in public service, government, and international affairs. Its location in the nation’s capital shapes academic and professional opportunities in politics, diplomacy, and research.

Georgetown University was founded in 1789 in what is now Washington, D.C., by John Carroll, the first Catholic bishop in the United States. Established as Georgetown College, it became the nation’s oldest Catholic and Jesuit institution of higher education. In 1815, Georgetown received a federal charter, strengthening its legal status. During the 19th century, the university expanded its curriculum and facilities, and after the Civil War it adopted the colors blue and gray to symbolize national unity. Under President Patrick Francis Healy in the late 1800s, Georgetown University modernized its academic standards and campus buildings. The Graduate School was formally organized in the 1930s, broadening advanced study. Women began enrolling in certain programs in the early 20th century, and Georgetown University became fully coeducational in 1969. Over time, it developed professional schools in foreign service, law, medicine, and business, shaping its present structure.