Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies

History

Overlooking the idyllic Potomac River in Washington, D.C., Georgetown University was founded in 1789 by Archbishop John Carroll and his staff of Jesuit teachers. Beginning as a college composed of a mere 12 students, Georgetown has developed into a world-class research institution and global university proudly known for an enlightened student body, prominent faculty, and an academic atmosphere fostering intellectual exploration, personal growth, and community leadership.

The School of Continuing Studies at Georgetown was founded in 1956 as the Georgetown University School for Summer and Continuing Education (SSCE). In the summer of 1974, currently the oldest degree program within the School, Liberal Studies, was launched by Joe Pettit, the dean of the SSCE at the time. SSCE graduated students for the first time in 1975. Throughout the years, SSCE grew into the School of Continuing Studies which now offers more than 600 courses, bachelor and graduate degrees, Advanced Professional Certificates, customized education, special programs, and more.

Academics

Liberal Studies

Since 1974, SCS has provided education in liberal studies through an interdisciplinary program that allows students to take courses in a variety of areas and develop knowledge across a range of curricular fields. Currently, students can earn a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in Liberal Studies. The Doctor of Liberal Studies degree is the first known doctorate of its kind in the world. Bachelor's degree candidates can take courses in American Studies, Catholic Studies, Classical Civilizations, Communications, Ethics and the Professions, Humanities, International Affairs, Leadership, Literature and Society, Religious Studies, Social/Public Policy, The Theory and Practice of American Democracy, or Urban Analysis and Community Development. Master's and doctoral candidates can take courses in similar areas, except that graduate courses are not offered in Leadership, Communications, and Urban Analysis and Community Development. Additionally, graduate students may take courses in Islam and Muslim-Christian Relations, Medieval and Early Modern European Studies, and Visual Culture.

Master of Professional Studies

The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree at Georgetown University is a graduate degree awarded after a course of study that blends academic theory with practical application. It is designed to ensure that graduates enter the workforce prepared for a professional career. Students learn from a team of instructors made up of both academic scholars and high-level industry professionals. Many MPS programs work closely with industry leaders and maintain strong partnerships with companies and organizations, some of which include Bank of America, Intel, Marriott, NFL, Nike, Under Armour and Urban Land Institute. Currently, SCS offers MPS degrees in applied intelligence, emergency and disaster management, global strategic communications, hospitality management, human resources management, integrated marketing communications, journalism, program and portfolio management, project management, public relations and corporate communications, real estate, regulatory affairs, sports industry management, systems engineering management, technology management and urban and regional planning.

Center for Continuing and Professional Education

The Center for Continuing and Professional Education (CCPE) offers hundreds of non-credit courses and dozens of certificate programs designed to help professionals change careers or advance in their current careers. For organizational leaders and senior human resource executives tasked with managing human capital recruitment, development and retention, CCPE also develops corporate and custom education tied to specific business outcomes for a range of private and public sector enterprises. Additionally, CCPE offers a program in Paralegal Studies, the only paralegal program in the District of Columbia approved by the American Bar Association. Most CCPE programs meet on weeknights and Saturdays, or once a month for two or three consecutive days, at the Clarendon location in Arlington, VA, which is located across the street from the Clarendon metro station.

Summer and Special Programs

Over 1,000 high school students come to Georgetown during the summer to participate in a variety of programs designed to help them prepare for college and professional careers. This summer program gives them access to Georgetown professors, experts in a given field, and other achievers from around the world. A college preparatory component helps student master college entrance exams, math, and advanced reading comprehension. Students can also take college courses for credit with regular Georgetown students during the summer.

SCS also offers a partnership with the Semester in Washington program, which integrates academic coursework with a professional internship for current college students. Moreover, SCS offers non-credit course offerings for former Georgetown faculty, alumni, neighbors and friends over the age of 55 at reduced tuition rates.

Administration

Kelly Otter, PhD, serves as the Dean of the School of Continuing Studies and began this role in the summer of 2014. Dr. Otter leads SCS into its next era, building on the accomplishments of the school to design and launch innovative educational programs that advance the professional careers of its students. Dr. Otter previously served at Northeastern University, where she was responsible for developing professional programs at the graduate level for regional, national, and international delivery as associate dean for graduate academic and faculty affairs for the College of Professional Studies. In that role, Dr. Otter led the design and implementation of new graduate degrees in Food & Food Industry Regulations and Homeland Security, as well as pioneering collaborations with companies and educational institutions across the globe. From 2006 to 2012, she served as associate dean of the College of General Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, where she administered traditional and professionally oriented undergraduate programs and graduate certificates. During her tenure at Pitt, she established the online learning platform, PittOnline, and the University’s Office of Veterans’ Services.

Walter Rankin, PhD, served as the acting dean from 2012 through the summer of 2014 and oversaw the move of the School to its new downtown location in Washington, D.C. as well as the launch of four new degree programs in emergency & disaster management; urban & regional planning; hospitality management; and system engineering. As the dean of the School of Continuing Studies, Dr. Rankin oversaw all of Georgetown's professional, summer, and continuing education programs. He is a member of the Dean's Council at Georgetown University and oversees accreditation and compliance for the school. In addition, he serves as executive director for the SCS Center for Media, Culture, & Social Good. Prior to joining Georgetown, Dr. Rankin served as the deputy associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Arts & Sciences at George Mason University, where he was also an affiliate associate professor, teaching courses in the departments of English and Modern & Classical Languages, and co-creator and co-director for the minor in Science & Society.

Robert L. Manuel, PhD, served as associate provost and dean of the School of Continuing Studies (SCS) until 2012, when he became president of the University of Indianapolis. He has gained international recognition during his 20 years in higher education for his development and implementation of novel academic programming, including graduate and online learning strategies at both Georgetown and New York University (NYU). While at Georgetown, he revamped the University's only part-time bachelor's degree program and introduced five new master's degree programs at SCS. He sits on the editorial advisory board for continuing higher education review and is a former University Continuing Education Association commissioner. Before arriving at Georgetown, Dr. Manuel served as assistant dean and clinical associate professor at NYU's School of Continuing and Professional Studies. In this capacity, he was responsible for administering several master's, bachelor's, and associate degree programs as well as managing online certificate programs. At NYU, Dr. Manuel increased the online student retention rate, decreased non-credit course cancellations, and created industry partnerships that resulted in innovative programs for the school.