The Doctor of Liberal Studies degree (D.L.S.) is the first doctorate in Liberal Studies in the United States and Canada; and the first non-traditional doctorate at Georgetown University.
Encompassing 36 hours of coursework, the Doctor of Liberal Studies degree requires a Master's degree or other advanced graduate degree from an accredited institution, a Comprehensive Examination that includes both oral and written sections, and the successful completion and defense of a Doctoral Thesis. Only students with superior academic records at the Master's degree level or beyond and whose reasons for pursuing the doctorate and proposed research topics demonstrate intellectual seriousness will be considered. Doctoral coursework will include four required Liberal Studies foundational courses, departmental courses, and directed reading/tutorial courses where indicated. Advancement to doctoral candidacy will require the successful completion of Comprehensive Exams. The doctorate will be awarded only upon successful completion of a Doctoral Thesis and its oral defense.
