| Admission deadlines: | 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/GMAT test- optional |
| 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. |
| 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 6 credits in core field courses, a 4-credit capstone sequence, 0 to 3 credits in research tool courses, 15 credits in a concentration, 3 credits in professional skills courses, and 9 to 12 credits in elective courses. Students may choose to fulfill the tool requirement by demonstrating language proficiency*.
See notes regarding special topics and skills courses, the capstone sequence, and the thesis option**.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| Core field courses (6 credits) | ||
| IAFF 6161 | International Security | |
| IAFF 6162 | Security Policy Analysis | |
| 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. The two 2-credit capstone courses must be taken in consecutive semesters. | ||
| IAFF 6898 | Capstone Workshop | |
| IAFF 6899 | Capstone Course | |
| Tool requirement (0 to 3 credits) | ||
| Students may choose either a language or an appropriate analytical option to fulfill the tool requirement. | ||
| The language option may be completed by fulfilling the language proficiency requirement for ESIA’s non-regional programs**. Additional information about the language proficiency requirements is available from the academic advisor. | ||
| Analytical option—This option may be fulfilled by demonstrating proficiency with a minimum grade of B in a graduate-level methods course. It may be met by taking one of the following. Other courses may be counted toward this requirement with approval of the Program Director: | ||
| GEOG 6304 | Geographical Information Systems I | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (Data Analytics for International Affairs) | |
| IAFF 6501 | Quantitative Analysis for International Affairs Practitioners | |
| IAFF 6198 | Special Topics in International Economic Policy (Advanced Quantitative Analysis) | |
| Concentration (15 credits) | ||
| Five courses in one of the following concentrations: | ||
| U.S. national security | ||
| Required | ||
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (U.S. National Security) | |
| Concentration courses | ||
| HIST 6051 | Re-thinking Cold War History | |
| HIST 6330 | Modern U.S. Foreign Policy | |
| IAFF 6106 | Nuclear Weapons | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (Civil Wars in World Politics) | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (Gender and Security) | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (International Law and the Use of Force) | |
| IAFF 6145 | U.S. Space Policy | |
| IAFF 6148 | Space and National Security | |
| IAFF 6160 | Defense Policy and Program Analysis | |
| IAFF 6163 | Transnational Security | |
| IAFF 6165 | Fundamentals of Intelligence | |
| IAFF 6169 | Homeland Security | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Artificial Intelligence and International Security) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Counter-Terrorism) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Countering Violent Extremism) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Cyber Threats and Policy) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Great Power Competition) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Insurgency and Counter-Insurgency) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Maritime Security and Threats) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Military Power and Effectiveness) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (NATO's Strategic Challenges) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Nuclear Proliferation and Nonproliferation) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Nuclear Strategy) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Piracy and Irregular Threats) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Political Risk Analysis) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Political Violence and Terrorism) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Russia and International Security) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Strategic Planning for the 21st Century) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (The Analysis of Military Operations) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (The Chinese Military) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Understanding U.S. Special Operations) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (U.S. Grand Strategy) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (WMD and Arms Control) | |
| IAFF 6318 | Special Topics in Asian Studies (South Asia and Regional Security) | |
| IAFF 6358 | Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies (Security in the Americas) | |
| IAFF 6521 | U.S. Foreign Policy Summer Program | |
| PSC 6467 | Asian Security | |
| Other courses may count toward concentration requirements with approval of the program director. | ||
| Transnational security | ||
| Required course | ||
| IAFF 6163 | Transnational Security | |
| Concentration courses | ||
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (Gender and Security) | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (Gender, War, and Peace) | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (Post-Conflict Justice and Peace-Building) | |
| IAFF 6138 | Special Topics in International Development Studies (Global Food Security) | |
| IAFF 6138 | Special Topics in International Development Studies (Human Trafficking) | |
| IAFF 6138 | Special Topics in International Development Studies (Violence, Gender, and Humanitarian Assistance) | |
| IAFF 6164 | Environmental Security | |
| IAFF 6169 | Homeland Security | |
| IAFF 6173 | Security and Development | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Artificial Intelligence and International Security) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Counter-terrorism) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Countering Violent Extremism) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Cyber Threats and Policy) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Illicit Finance and Security) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Insurgency and Counter-Insurgency) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (International Organized Crime) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Maritime Security and Threats) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (NATO's Strategic Challenges) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Piracy and Irregular Threats) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Political Risk Analysis) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Political Violence and Terrorism) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Strategic Planning in the 21st Century) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Transnational Organized Crime) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Understanding U.S. Special Operations) | |
| IAFF 6318 | Special Topics in Asian Studies (South Asia and Regional Security) | |
| IAFF 6358 | Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies (Security in the Americas) | |
| IAFF 6378 | Special Topics in Middle East Studies | |
| IAFF 6385 | Special Topics in African Studies (Transnational Threats in Africa) | |
| PSC 6467 | Asian Security | |
| Other courses may count toward concentration requirements with approval of the program director. | ||
| Science and technology | ||
| Required course | ||
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Emerging Threats) | |
| Concentration courses | ||
| IAFF 6106 | Nuclear Weapons | |
| IAFF 6107 | The Science of Nuclear Materials | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (Managing the World's Water) | |
| IAFF 6138 | Special Topics in International Development Studies (Global Food Security) | |
| IAFF 6143 | Science and Technology Policy Analysis | |
| IAFF 6145 | U.S. Space Policy | |
| IAFF 6148 | Space and National Security | |
| IAFF 6153 | Science, Technology, and National Security | |
| IAFF 6158 | Special Topics in International Science and Technology Policy (Artificial Intelligence and Policy Challenges) | |
| IAFF 6158 | Special Topics in International Science and Technology Policy (Science Diplomacy) | |
| IAFF 6164 | Environmental Security | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Artificial Intelligence and International Security) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Cyber Security) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Cyber Threats and Policy) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Great Power Competition) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Nuclear Proliferation and Nonproliferation) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Nuclear Strategy) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Strategic Planning in the 21st Century) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (The Analysis of Military Operations) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Understanding U.S. Special Operations) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (WMD and Arms Control) | |
| IAFF 6318 | Special Topics in Asian Studies (South Asia and Regional Security) | |
| IAFF 6385 | Special Topics in African Studies (Peace and Conflict in Africa) | |
| LAW 6877 | Nuclear Nonproliferation Law and Policy (3 credit course only) | |
| MGT 6290 | Special Topics (Hacking for Defense) | |
| PSC 6467 | Asian Security | |
| Other courses may count toward concentration requirements with approval of the program director. | ||
| Conflict resolution | ||
| Required course | ||
| IAFF 6171 | Introduction to Conflict Resolution | |
| Concentration courses | ||
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (Civil Wars in World Politics) | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (Conflict Prevention) | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (Foundations of Humanitarian Action) | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (Gender and Security) | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (Gender, War, and Peace) | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (International Law) | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (International Law and Use of Force) | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (International Peacekeeping) | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (Managing the World's Water) | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (Post-conflict Justice and Peace-building) | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (Stabilization and Peacebuilding) | |
| IAFF 6118 | Special Topics in International Affairs (United Nations Reimagined) | |
| IAFF 6138 | Special Topics in International Development Studies (Human Trafficking) | |
| IAFF 6138 | Special Topics in International Development Studies (Violence, Gender, and Humanitarian Assistance) | |
| IAFF 6164 | Environmental Security | |
| IAFF 6173 | Security and Development | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Countering Violent Extremism) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Insurgency and Counter-Insurgency) | |
| IAFF 6186 | Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Political Risk Analysis) | |
| IAFF 6318 | Special Topics in Asian Studies (South Asia and Regional Security) | |
| IAFF 6358 | Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies (Security in the Americas) | |
| IAFF 6385 | Special Topics in African Studies (Peace and Conflict in Africa) | |
| LAW 6534 | Law of the European Union (3 credit course only) | |
| Other courses may count toward concentration requirements with approval of the program director. | ||
| Professional skills courses (3 credits) | ||
| Three 1-credit professional skills courses taken under IAFF 6502 and/or IAFF 6503. | ||
| Electives (9 to 12 credits) | ||
| At least three substantive 3-credit courses. | ||
| Optional Thesis | ||
| Students who wish to continue to a PhD program or to pursue a research-oriented job may consider writing a thesis in addition to the capstone requirement. The thesis is an independent, in-depth research project that takes a year or more to complete. To pursue the thesis option, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and the approval of the faculty member they wish to have serve as their thesis director. Thesis students also must complete at least one research methods course. Thesis credits are counted as elective or specialization/concentration credits with program director approval. The two required thesis courses (below) must be taken in consecutive semesters. | ||
| IAFF 6998 | Thesis | |
| IAFF 6999 | Thesis | |
** Language proficiency requirement
Students may 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.
- Demonstrating the required language proficiency level in a foreign language professional skills course offered through the Elliott School. The instructor tests the student during the course to determine if the required proficiency level has been achieved.
*Specific subject matter covered in special/selected topics courses varies by semester. Consult the Schedule of Classes for each semester's offerings. Topics courses not listed here may, with permission of the Program Director, be used to fulfill program requirements.
Additional information regarding skills courses, the capstone, and the thesis is available on the Elliott School website.