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The George Washington University - Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

The George Washington University - Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

The George Washington University - Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

Introduction

Who We Are

At GW’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, research thrives, critical thinking is endemic, collaboration is constant, and real-world training goes hand-in-hand with learning. Because of the college’s enviable location in the heart of the nation’s capital, active engagement begins in the classroom and continues within the halls of government, the galleries of museums, the laboratories of NIH, NASA, and DOE, the embassies of international diplomats, and the backrooms of the Smithsonian and other venerable institutions.

The college is the intellectual and creative backbone of the university, a place where the arts, the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences come together to form a nexus of ideas and opportunity. As a leader among the nation’s liberal arts institutions because of an innovative curriculum that emphasizes perspectives, analyses, and communication, undergraduate students are equipped with the competencies needed to be effective and responsible citizens of the 21st Century. At the professional and doctoral level, graduate students partner with a faculty of scholars that include Fulbright recipients, award-winning choreographers, published researchers, and critically acclaimed authors to advance a spectrum of research on topics ranging from controlling greenhouse gas emissions to delving into autism’s causes, prevalence, and treatment.

Welcome to Columbian College Graduate Studies

Graduate programs in GW's Columbian College of Arts and Science are a magnet for top scholars and a catalyst for learning and discovery in a wide spectrum of arts, humanities, and social and hard science fields. Our degrees and certificates integrate the highest caliber of education, from our world-renowned programs in subjects like History, Political Science and Public Policy, to our pioneering work in Art Therapy, Forensic Sciences, and LGBT Health Policy and Practice. An advanced degree from one of GW's 82 Arts & Sciences Programs is unlike any other graduate school experience.

Not only are we step from the most influential institutions in Washington, D.C., but our faculty and alumni networks include an extraordinary variety of internationally-recognized leaders. At Columbian College, you will be given the tools to thrive both intellectually and professionally.

Statistics

Competitive. Connected. Comprehensive.

  • 2,800 graduate students
  • 49 Master's Degrees
  • 24 doctoral degrees
  • 15 Graduate Certificates
  • 534 Full-time Faculty
  • 80,000+ Columbian College Alumni (Living in all 50 states and 120+ countries)

    Admissions

    Columbian College’s doctoral, master’s and graduate certificate programs offer a transformative experience, connecting students with some of the most influential leaders and institutions while partnering with public and private organizations in the nation’s capital and around the globe.

    Our graduate students are prepared for academic and professional advancement through an education steeped in rigorous scholarship and practical application.

    Scholarships and Funding

    We know that attending graduate school can be a big decision, especially when it comes to financing your education. Columbian College offers a variety of funding opportunities, including program-level scholarships and merit-based awards. Several offices at GW are also dedicated to providing assistance with financial aid, fellowships and grants.

    Tuition and fees at GW are comparable to the national average for private universities. These costs, set by the GW Board of Trustees, generally increase from year to year and may vary by program and location.

    Global Leaders Fellowship

    GW values diversity and the foundation it provides for a rich educational experience both inside and beyond the classroom. In our increasingly global society, multicultural fluency and experience are essential to meeting the demands of the 21st century. When people of different religions, cultures and histories study and learn together, we gain a broader perspective of the world around us.

    Students may receive a tuition award of up to $10,000 per academic year. Please click the link below to learn more.

    Types of Funding

    Tuition

    Tuition awards are awards that only cover tuition and are applied directly to your student bill. Tuition awards vary in size from approximately 1 credit of tuition to full tuition for PhD students. Tuition awards are not considered taxable income

    Stipend

    A stipend is a living allowance, paid to students to support their study. Stipends do not require any work other than the student’s own academic work. Stipends are taxable income and are reported to the IRS. However, stipends are not earned income, so GW does not withhold income tax from stipend payments. Stipend payments are issued on a monthly basis at the beginning of the month.

    Salary (Assistantship)

    Salary is a monthly payment that is made for services rendered such as a graduate assistantship or graduate research assistantship. They vary in size and are based on hours worked. This is taxable, earned income to the student, subject to federal, state, and FICA tax withholding, as with any paid employment. New international students whose native language is not English must have a TOEFL score of 100 (IELTS of 7.0) in order to be eligible to be a GA.

    Alumni Statistics

    Rankings

    USA Today College Rankings

    • 7th best college of political sciences in the United States

    2018 Academic Ranking of World Universities

    • Top 76-100 schools of social sciences in the world

    US News & World Report

    • History, 59th best in the United States
    • Economics, 63rd best in the United States
    • English, 67th best in the United States

    Locations

    • Washington

      22nd Street Northwest, 801, 20052, Washington

      Questions