What the Transatlantic Master’s Program at Georgetown’s CGES Involves

Updated

The Transatlantic Master’s Program is the graduate program offered through Georgetown University’s BMW Center for German and European Studies (CGES). It is designed for students who want a broad foundation in transatlantic relations while retaining room to pursue specialized research interests, and it is based in Washington, DC. The program is commonly referred to as MAES in CGES materials.

What CGES Is and How the Program Fits

CGES describes its mission as conducting research on Europe and training the next generation of transatlantic leaders. The Transatlantic Master’s Program is the center’s degree offering for students who want to join that community. The program’s identity is tied to the center’s wider activities, which include public lectures, academic conferences, and a student-run podcast, The Europe Desk.

Program Structure and Focus

According to CGES, the program combines a deep background in transatlantic relations with the freedom to pursue specialized interests. That balance is the main structural feature prospective students should understand: the program is not narrowly vocational, nor is it a purely disciplinary degree. It is organized around Europe and the transatlantic relationship as a field of study.

The center’s research and event programming—ranging from lunch lectures to academic conferences—sits alongside the degree, so students are exposed to practitioners and scholars working on European and transatlantic issues.

Who It Is For

The program suits students aiming at careers or further study connected to transatlantic relations, European affairs, or international relations more broadly. CGES student profiles illustrate the range:

  • One student described entering a political science PhD program to research EU migration competencies, crediting MAES professors and academic supervisors as instrumental.
  • Another chose MAES for a deep background in transatlantic relations plus freedom to pursue specialized interests, and cited Washington, DC, as a reason for studying international relations there.
  • A third gained new skills by working as a producer on The Europe Desk, the center’s podcast.

These examples point to three common motivations: academic research preparation, flexible specialization, and applied skills gained through center activities.

Location and Access

The program is in Washington, DC. CGES materials present the city as an advantage for studying international relations, and the center’s event calendar gives students access to transatlantic programming on campus.

How to Learn More and Apply

CGES provides three direct entry points for prospective students:

  • Transatlantic Master’s Program / Apply now — the program page and application link from the CGES homepage.
  • How to Apply — application guidance linked in the site navigation.
  • Join Mailing List — for updates from the center.

The site also links to CGES News, CGES Event Programming (upcoming events), and The Europe Desk podcast episodes. Prospective applicants should confirm current admission requirements, deadlines, and program details through the official application pages rather than relying on summaries.