Maria Luise Wagner has taught in the Department of History and in the School of Foreign Service since 1987. From 1995-2001 she designed and helped implement various poverty alleviation strategies at World Bank, including Cultural Assets for Poverty Alleviation and Illegal Drugs and Development. After her return to Georgetown University she worked with students, faculty, administrators to create the university's first Certificate in International Development in 2006 which she directed until 2011.
She received the Faculty of the Year Award and the Professor of the Year Award in the Edmund A.Walsh School of Foreign Service in 2011.