| Admission deadline: | Fall: January 7th - Fellowship & Application Deadline |
| Spring: October 1st - Fellowship & Application Deadline | |
| Applications for admission will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis after the fellowship deadlines have passed, but students will not be considered for fellowships. | |
| Standardized test scores: | GRE and GMAT scores are not accepted and will not be considered in the review process. Please do not submit scores. |
| Recommendations required: | Two (2) letters are required. Applicants should submit one (1) academic letter from a professor and one (1) professional reference. |
| Prior academic records: | Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended should be uploaded to your online application. Official transcripts are required only of applicants who are offered admission and choose to enroll. |
| If academic records are in a language other than English, English language translations must be provided. The English translations alone should be uploaded into the online application. Official transcripts and certified English translations will be required of applicants who are offered admission and choose to enroll. | |
| Statement of purpose: | All applicants are required to submit an essay of approximately 500 words that answers one of the two questions below: |
| State your purpose in undertaking graduate study at the Elliott School. As part of your statement of purpose, describe your academic and research interests, career objectives, how a degree from the Elliott School will enable you to achieve your goals, and what unique skills, talents and/or perspectives you will bring to your program. Please be specific. | |
| - OR - | |
| Please discuss an issue of international importance you wish to address in your professional career. Please include how the Elliott School and the academic program to which you have applied will prepare you to address this global issue. | |
| Additional requirements: | A resumé or curriculum vitae is required. Resumés/CVs must include dates of employment (if applicable) and date of degree conferral or expected degree conferral. |
| Prerequisites: | Academic coursework in a foreign language, which will prepare students to complete the program’s language requirement*, is required at the time of application. This can be demonstrated by: |
| Study that is equal to four semesters of university level coursework or equivalent. | |
| Completion of formal language training as part of employment (ex. Peace Corps, JET, etc.). | |
| Growing up in a household where the language is spoken. | |
| *Students need to have a strong foundation in a foreign language before enrolling to be successful in completing the language requirement during the program. | |
| --- | |
| Course background in economics (micro- and macroeconomics) is a prerequisite to help prepare students to complete the graduate- level economics course(s) required within the M.A. in Global Communication curriculum. Course(s) must be successfully completed through an accredited institution in: | |
| Introductory Microeconomics | |
| Introductory Macroeconomics | |
| -OR- | |
| Principles of Economics In some cases, a student may be admitted who has not fulfilled the economics requirement*; in which case, the student is required to take course(s) at an accredited college/university prior to enrollment at the Elliott School. | |
| *Spring applicants are required to have fulfilled this prerequisite at the time of application. | |
| International applicants only: | International Applicants may be required to submit official English Language tests scores with their application. Please see the Elliott School's English Language Requirements for guidance on whether you need to take the TOEFL/IELTS/PTE. Please send official TOEFL scores to institution code 5246. |
| The minimum English Language Test Requirements can be found below: | |
| Eligible for Admission & requires EAP Courses: | |
| IELTS- 7.0 overall score, no band score below 6.0 | |
| TOEFL- 100 (internet test) | |
| 600 (paper test) | |
| PTE- 68 | |
| Eligible for Admission & Exempt from EAP Courses**: | |
| IETLS- 7.0 overall score, no band score below 6.5 | |
| TOEFL- 105 (internet test) 650 (paper test) | |
| PTE- 72 | |
| **Spring applicants must receive at least these scores to be considered for admission. | |
| Please review International Applicant Information carefully for details on required documents, earlier deadlines for applicants requiring an I-20 or DS-2019 from GW, and English language requirements. |
Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:
Office of Graduate Admissions
The Elliott School of International Affairs
The George Washington University
1957 E Street, NW, Suite 301
Washington, DC 20052
Contact for questions:
esiagrad@gwu.edu ~ 202-994-7050 (phone) ~ 202.994.9537 (fax)
9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday
The following requirements must be fulfilled: 40 credits, including 15 credits in core field courses, a 4-credit capstone course sequence, 3 credits in skills courses, 9 credits in a specialization, and 9 credits in elective courses. In addition, all students must fulfill a language proficiency requirement (see below)
See notes regarding special topics and skills courses, the capstone, the additional thesis option, LAW courses, and Public Policy and Public Administration (PPPA) courses.*
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| Core field courses (15 credits) | ||
| ECON 6280 | Survey of International Economics | |
| or ECON 6250 | Survey of Economic Development | |
| or IAFF 6216 | Analytic Tools for Global Policy | |
| IAFF 6101 | International Affairs Cornerstone | |
| SMPA 6210 | Media and Foreign Policy | |
or IAFF 6208 (Media and Foreign Policy) | ||
| SMPA 6241 | Research Design | |
| And one course from the following: | ||
| IAFF 6208 | Special Topics in Global Communication (Development and Humanitarian Communication) | |
| IAFF 6208 | Special Topics in Global Communication (Online Info Manipulation and Artificial Intelligence) | |
| HIST 6030 | History and Its Uses in International Affairs | |
| SMPA 6202 | Media Effects, Public Opinion, and Persuasion | |
| SMPA 6204 | Strategic Political Communication | |
| Capstone (4 credits) | ||
| Students complete a two-course capstone sequence that most closely matches the thematic area of their project. The capstone sequence includes a 2-credit capstone workshop taken before the 2-credit capstone seminar. Students must have completed at least 18 credits of coursework prior to starting the capstone sequence. IAFF 6898 and IAFF 6899 must be taken consecutively. | ||
| IAFF 6898 | Capstone Workshop | |
| IAFF 6899 | Capstone Course | |
| Skills courses (3 credits) | ||
| Three skills courses in any combination selected from the following: | ||
| IAFF 6502 | Professional Skills I | |
| IAFF 6503 | Professional Skills II | |
| Students also can choose to take skills courses in the School of Media and Public Affairs (below). SMPA skills courses are only offered in the spring semester and for 1.5 credits. * | ||
| SMPA 6201 | Strategic Communications Skills (Crisis Communication) | |
| SMPA 6201 | Strategic Communications Skills (Developing Digital PR Skills) | |
| SMPA 6201 | Strategic Communications Skills (Social Media) | |
| SMPA 6201 | Strategic Communications Skills (Speechwriting) | |
| SMPA 6201 | Strategic Communications Skills (Web Essentials) | |
| Specialization (9 credits) | ||
| Students must complete a specialization in global issues or a regional focus in consultation with the program director. | ||
| For topics courses, specific topics that are determined by the director to be relevant to the student's program of study can be used to fulfill this requirement. Any topic intended to be used for this requirement must be approved by the program director prior to enrollment. | ||
| Global issues specializations | ||
| A. Communication and information technology in international affairs | ||
| ECON 6255 | Economics of Technological Change | |
| IAFF 6151 | Environmental Policy | |
| IAFF 6153 | Science, Technology, and National Security | |
| IAFF 6158 | Special Topics in International Science and Technology Policy * | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Cybersecurity) | |
| IAFF 6208 | Special Topics in Global Communication (Online Info Manipulation and Artificial Intelligence) | |
| IAFF 6208 | Special Topics in Global Communication (Emotions and Perception in Strategic and Global Communications) | |
| IAFF 6501 | Quantitative Analysis for International Affairs Practitioners | |
| PSPR 6201 | Strategic Public Relations: Principles and Ethical Practice | |
| PSPR 6204 | Media Relations in a Digital World | |
| PSPR 6208 | Integrated Marketing Communications | |
| B. Conflict and conflict resolution | ||
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (Theories of Ethnic Politics) | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (Stabilization and Peacebuilding) | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (Reinventing the United Nations) | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (Religion and International Affairs) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (The Analysis of Military Operations) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Political Violence and Terrorism) | |
| IAFF 6208 | Special Topics in Global Communication (Emotions and Perception in Strategic and Global Communications) | |
| SMPA 6270 | Special Topics in Media and Public Affairs * | |
| C. Global gender policy | ||
| ANTH 6501 | Gender and Sexuality | |
| IAFF 6102 | Global Gender Policy | |
| PHIL 6238 | Feminist Ethics and Policy Implications | |
| SMPA 6210 | Media and Foreign Policy | |
| SOC 6268 | Race, Gender, and Class | |
| WGSS 6225 | Contemporary Feminist Theory | |
| WGSS 6230 | Global Feminisms | |
| WGSS 6240 | Gender and Public Policy | |
| WGSS 6257 | Gender and Sexuality | |
| WGSS 6265 | Gender, Welfare, and Poverty | |
| WGSS 6268 | Race, Gender, and Class | |
| D. Global health | ||
| ANTH 6301 | The Anthropology of Development | |
| GEOG 6223 | Seminar: Population and Health | |
| PUBH 6435 | Global Health Program Development and Implementation (2 credits) | |
| PUBH 6442 | Comparative Global Health Systems (2 credits) | |
| PUBH 6503 | Introduction to Public Health Communication and Marketing | |
| Anthropology | ||
| ANTH 6301 | The Anthropology of Development | |
| IAFF 6208 | Special Topics in Global Communication (Emotions and Perception in Strategic and Global Communications) | |
| PPPA 6002 | Research Methods and Applied Statistics | |
| PPPA 6006 | Policy Analysis | |
| PPPA 6016 | Public and Nonprofit Program Evaluation | |
| PSPR 6204 | Media Relations in a Digital World | |
| PSPR 6208 | Integrated Marketing Communications | |
| SOC 6230 | Foundations of Research Methods | |
| SOC 6232 | Qualitative Methods | |
| Environment | ||
| EMSE 6200 | Policy Factors in Environmental and Energy Management | |
| GEOG 6223 | Seminar: Population and Health | |
| IAFF 6151 | Environmental Policy | |
| PPPA 6066 | U.S. Environmental Policy | |
| Humanitarian assistance | ||
| EMSE 6305 | Crisis and Emergency Management | |
| EMSE 6320 | International Disaster Management | |
| IAFF 6208 | Special Topics in Global Communication (Development and Humanitarian Communication) | |
| PUBH 6442 | Comparative Global Health Systems (2 credits) | |
| PUBH 6503 | Introduction to Public Health Communication and Marketing | |
| SMPA 6270 | Special Topics in Media and Public Affairs * | |
| International development management | ||
| IAFF 6208 | Special Topics in Global Communication (Development and Humanitarian Communication) | |
| PPPA 6016 | Public and Nonprofit Program Evaluation | |
| PPPA 6058 | International Development NGO Management | |
| SMPA 6210 | Media and Foreign Policy | |
| SMPA 6270 | Special Topics in Media and Public Affairs (Media and Peacebuilding) | |
| International education | ||
| EDUC 6601 | International and Comparative Education | |
| EDUC 6610 | Programs and Policies in International Education | |
| EDUC 6620 | Strategies and Analysis in International Education | |
| EDUC 6640 | Selected Topics in International Education * | |
| Global health | ||
| PUBH 6442 | Comparative Global Health Systems (2 credits) | |
| PUBH 6503 | Introduction to Public Health Communication and Marketing | |
| Political economy | ||
| ECON 6250 | Survey of Economic Development (if not taken as core course) | |
| ECON 6295 | Special Topics (Applied Financial Analysis) | |
| PSPR 6208 | Integrated Marketing Communications | |
| Women and development | ||
| ANTH 6501 | Gender and Sexuality | |
| GEOG 6223 | Seminar: Population and Health | |
| ECON 6250 | Survey of Economic Development (if not taken as core course) | |
| WGSS 6230 | Global Feminisms | |
| F. International economic affairs | ||
| ECON 6250 | Survey of Economic Development (if not taken as core course) | |
| ECON 6255 | Economics of Technological Change | |
or IAFF 6158 (Economics of Technological Change) | ||
| ECON 6295 | Special Topics (Applied Financial Analysis) | |
| ECON 6295 | Special Topics (Law, Econ, Governance Global Trade) | |
| ECON 6295 | Special Topics (Quantitative Risk Management) | |
| ECON 6295 | Special Topics (International Banking) | |
| IAFF 6138 | Special Topics in International Development Studies (Belt & Road Initiative as China’s Model of International Development) | |
| IAFF 6358 | Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies (Economic & Social Development of Latin America) | |
| IBUS 6301 | International Business Finance | |
| IBUS 6303 | External Development Financing | |
| G. International law and organizations | ||
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (United Nations Reimagined) | |
| LAW 6520 | International Law (3 credit course only) | |
| LAW 6534 | Law of the European Union (3 credit course only) | |
| LAW 6870 | National Security Law (3 credit course only) | |
| PSC 8226 | Politics and Organizations | |
| H. Public diplomacy | ||
| Required: | ||
| SMPA 6275 | Public Diplomacy | |
| Recommended Core Course: | ||
| SMPA 6204 | Strategic Political Communication | |
| Recommended Elective Courses: | ||
| EDUC 6620 | Strategies and Analysis in International Education | |
| EDUC 6640 | Selected Topics in International Education * | |
| IAFF 6138 | Special Topics in International Development Studies * | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies * | |
| IAFF 6208 | Special Topics in Global Communication * | |
| PPPA 6058 | International Development NGO Management | |
| SMPA 6205 | Media, Development, and Globalization | |
| SMPA 6270 | Special Topics in Media and Public Affairs * | |
| I. US foreign policy | ||
| ECON 6295 | Special Topics (International Banking) | |
| HIST 6001 | Special Topics (Partitions: A History) | |
| HIST 6330 | Modern U.S. Foreign Policy | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (Diplomacy and Statecraft) | |
| IAFF 6145 | U.S. Space Policy | |
| IAFF 6153 | Science, Technology, and National Security | |
| IAFF 6163 | Transnational Security Issues | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (United States National Security) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (U.S. Special Operations) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (U.S. Grand Strategy) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Cyber Threats & Policy) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Military Power & Effectiveness) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Insurgency & Counterinsurgency) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Countering Violent Extremism) | |
| IAFF 6302 | Taiwan: Internal Development and Foreign Policy | |
| IAFF 6338 | Special Topics in European and Eurasian Studies (Transatlantic Relations) | |
| IAFF 6378 | Special Topics in Middle East Studies (U.S. Foreign Policy in Middle East) | |
| IAFF 6521 | U.S. Foreign Policy Summer Program | |
| LAW 6870 | National Security Law (3 credit course only) | |
| PSC 6372 | Foreign Policy of China | |
| PSC 8229 | Politics and Public Policy | |
| J. US national security policy and process | ||
| HIST 6001 | Special Topics * | |
| HIST 6330 | Modern U.S. Foreign Policy | |
| IAFF 6145 | U.S. Space Policy | |
| IAFF 6151 | Environmental Policy | |
| IAFF 6153 | Science, Technology, and National Security | |
| IAFF 6160 | Defense Policy | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (U.S. Grand Strategy) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Cyber Threats & Policy) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Insurgency & Counterinsurgency) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (AI & International Security) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Countering Violent Extremism) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Military Power & Effectiveness) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Civil Wars in World Politics) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Emerging Threats) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (National Security Crisis Simulation) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Weapons of Mass Destruction Arms Control) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (U.S. Special Operations) | |
| IAFF 6318 | Special Topics in Asian Studies (Asian Regional Security) | |
| IAFF 6318 | Special Topics in Asian Studies (Transatlantic Security Issues) | |
| IAFF 6338 | Special Topics in European and Eurasian Studies (Far Right in US, Europe, Eurasia) | |
| IAFF 6338 | Special Topics in European and Eurasian Studies (Transatlantic Relations) | |
| IAFF 6163 | Transnational Security Issues | |
| IAFF 6165 | Fundamentals of Intelligence | |
| IAFF 6169 | Homeland Security | |
| IAFF 6171 | Introduction to Conflict Resolution | |
| LAW 6552 | Law of War (2 credits) | |
| LAW 6870 | National Security Law (3 credit course only) | |
| MGT 6215 | Conflict Management and Negotiations | |
| Regional Field Specialization Options | ||
| A. African studies | ||
| ANTH 6301 | The Anthropology of Development | |
| ANTH 6591 | Topics in Sociocultural Anthropology | |
| ECON 6237 | Economics of the Environment and Natural Resources | |
| ECON 6250 | Survey of Economic Development (if not taken as a core course) | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (International Organizations, Peace & Security) | |
| IAFF 6138 | Special Topics in International Development Studies (Climate Change and Sustainable Development) | |
| IAFF 6138 | Special Topics in International Development Studies (Democracy and Governance Development) | |
| IAFF 6138 | Special Topics in International Development Studies (Violence, Gender & Humanitarian Assistance) | |
| IAFF 6171 | Introduction to Conflict Resolution | |
| IAFF 6385 | Special Topics in African Studies (Power, Politics, and Development in Africa) | |
| IAFF 6385 | Special Topics in African Studies (Rising China in Africa) | |
| IAFF 6385 | Special Topics in African Studies (Transnational Threats in Africa) | |
| IAFF 6385 | Special Topics in African Studies (Violent Extremism and Transnational Crime in Africa) | |
| IBUS 6402 | Managing in Developing Countries | |
| PUBH 6480 | Public Health in Humanitarian Settings (2 credits) | |
| B. Asian studies | ||
| HIST 6001 | Special Topics (US-Asian Relations) | |
| HIST 6602 | Asia: History, Memory, and Violence | |
| HIST 6630 | Special Topics in Korean History * | |
| IAFF 6318 | Special Topics in Asian Studies (Asian Security) | |
| IAFF 6318 | Special Topics in Asian Studies (Politics of China I) | |
| IAFF 6318 | Special Topics in Asian Studies (Chinese Foreign Policy) | |
| PSC 6371 | Politics of China II | |
| PSC 6373 | Political Economy of Industrializing Asia | |
| PSC 6475 | International Politics of East Asia | |
| PSPR 6201 | Strategic Public Relations: Principles and Ethical Practice | |
| PSPR 6204 | Media Relations in a Digital World | |
| PSPR 6208 | Integrated Marketing Communications | |
| GEOG 6265 | Geography of Russia and Its Neighbors | |
| HIST 6101 | Topics: Europe (Game of Crowns: European Royal Houses) | |
| HIST 6171 | Eastern European History II | |
| IAFF 6338 | Special Topics in European and Eurasian Studies (The European Union) | |
| IAFF 6338 | Special Topics in European and Eurasian Studies (Far Right in US, Europe, Eurasia) | |
| IAFF 6338 | Special Topics in European and Eurasian Studies (Ukrainian Security) | |
| IAFF 6338 | Special Topics in European and Eurasian Studies (Central Asian Politics) | |
| IAFF 6338 | Special Topics in European and Eurasian Studies (US-Russia Relations) | |
| IAFF 6338 | Special Topics in European and Eurasian Studies (Transatlantic Relations) | |
| IAFF 6338 | Special Topics in European and Eurasian Studies (Russian Politics & Society) | |
| PSC 6364 | Comparative Governments and Politics of Central And Eastern Europe | |
| PSPR 6201 | Strategic Public Relations: Principles and Ethical Practice | |
| PSPR 6204 | Media Relations in a Digital World | |
| D. Latin American and hemispheric studies | ||
| IAFF 6358 | Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies (Latin America- U.S. Relations) | |
| IAFF 6358 | Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies (Governments & Politics of Latin America) | |
| IAFF 6358 | Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies (Political Economy of Latin America) | |
| IAFF 6358 | Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies (Democracy Under Seige in Latin America) | |
| PSC 6383 | Comparative Politics of Latin America | |
| PSC 6484 | International Relations of Latin America | |
| E. Middle East studies | ||
| IAFF 6378 | Special Topics in Middle East Studies * | |
| PSC 6478 | International Relations of the Middle East | |
| Electives | ||
| 9 credits in elective courses relating to international affairs or communication approved by the program director. Graduate students can apply a maximum of 6 credits of language courses as electives with program director approval. | ||
| Additional thesis option | ||
| Students who wish to complete a thesis do so in addition to the capstone requirement. Thesis students must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and approval from the faculty member who will serve as their thesis director. Thesis students also need to complete at least one research methods course. Thesis credit is counted as elective or specialization credit with program director approval. IAFF 6998 and IAFF 6999 must be taken consecutively. | ||
| IAFF 6998 | Thesis | |
| IAFF 6999 | Thesis | |
*Specific subject matter covered in special and selected topics courses varies by semester. Consult the Schedule of Classes for each semester's offerings. Topics courses not listed here can be used to fulfill program requirements with the approval of the program director.
Additional information regarding skills courses, the capstone, and the thesis is available on the Elliott School website.
Law School courses—With permission of their advisor and the LAW School dean of students can include courses in the Law School in their major field. Students should consult the Elliott School's Graduate Student Services office before enrolling in LAW courses.
Public Policy and Public Administration (PPPA courses)—Students can enroll in PPPA courses with approval of the Department of Public Policy and Public Administration. Courses not listed here can be approved by the program director. Students should consult their academic advisor regarding appropriate next steps for enrolling in PPPA courses.
Language proficiency requirement
Students are required to demonstrate proficiency in a modern language other than English. Students can fulfill this requirement in one of the following ways:
- Having earned a minimum grade of B in a sixth-semester university-level advanced language course completed no more than three years prior to matriculation in the Elliott School's master's degree program.
- Having earned a minimum grade of B in a sixth-semester university-level advanced language course at GW, or in an approved course taken at another institution of higher learning, including Elliott School exchange partner institutions, while enrolled in the Elliott School master's program.
- Passing the Elliott School-administered language proficiency reading and speaking examination at the currently-required level of proficiency. The Elliott School administers language proficiency examinations once in the fall and once in the spring semesters. Students should plan to take the language proficiency examination as soon as possible following their matriculation in the program. Students have three opportunities to pass the examination. Failure to pass the examination for a third time results in dismissal from the program.
- Achieving the required proficiency level in a reading and speaking examination administered by an Elliott School-approved language assessment institution, at the student's expense, while enrolled in the Elliott School's Master's Degree Program.