Georgetown University

What you'll study

The programme combines core human-resources theory with applied skills in talent management, employment law, compensation and benefits, and organisational development. Typical modules cover:

• Foundations of Human Resource Management — HR strategy, workforce planning and the HR function's role in organisational performance.
• Talent Acquisition and Staffing — recruitment strategies, selection methods and employer branding.
• Learning, Training and Development — instructional design, leadership development and evaluation of training effectiveness.
• Compensation and Benefits — pay structures, incentive systems and total rewards design.
• Employment Law and Ethical Practice — US employment regulations, compliance, workplace investigations and ethical decision-making.
• Organisational Behaviour and Change Management — culture, engagement, performance management and leading change.
• HR Analytics and Technology — people data, metrics, predictive analytics and HR information systems.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion — inclusive practices, policy design and measuring equity outcomes.
• Capstone/Practicum — applied project or workplace practicum that integrates coursework with real organisational challenges.

Delivery typically mixes seminars, case studies, practitioner guest speakers and project work. Students may choose electives to specialise or pursue a practicum with local employers or international organisations based in Washington, DC.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Relevant professional experience is valued and may strengthen an application, particularly for part-time or executive pathways.

• Academic transcripts demonstrating completion of an undergraduate degree.
• A current CV or resume outlining professional experience.
• A personal statement describing career goals and reasons for pursuing the degree.
• Two professional or academic references.
• For applicants whose first language is not English, evidence of English proficiency from an approved test unless otherwise exempt.

Some applicants may be asked to provide supplementary materials or attend an interview. Standardised test requirements (for example GMAT/GRE) vary by programme option and may be waived for candidates with substantial professional experience.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a range of HR and people-related roles across sectors. Common career destinations include:

• HR generalist and HR business partner roles responsible for end-to-end employee lifecycle management.
• Talent acquisition and recruitment specialists focusing on hiring strategy and employer branding.
• Learning and development managers designing leadership programmes and training initiatives.
• Compensation and benefits analysts who develop pay structures and reward strategies.
• Organisational development consultants and change managers facilitating transformation projects.
• Diversity, equity and inclusion specialists guiding organisational policy and practice.
• HR analytics or people-operations roles that translate workforce data into business insights.

Georgetown alumni commonly work in corporate HR teams, professional services firms, government agencies, international organisations and non-profits. The programme's practical emphasis and capstone help build a portfolio of applied work for prospective employers.

Why study at Georgetown University

Studying at Georgetown provides access to a university with strong connections across Washington, DC — an advantage for placements, internships and guest lecturers from government, NGO and corporate sectors. The programme draws faculty with academic and practitioner backgrounds, offering a curriculum that blends theory with real-world application.

Georgetown's career services and alumni network support students in identifying career pathways, preparing for interviews and connecting with employers. The institution emphasises ethics, public responsibility and a global perspective in its approach to human resources, preparing graduates to lead inclusive and strategic people initiatives in diverse organisational settings.