Undergraduate Admissions | The George Washington University

The goal of GW’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions is to create a community of students who pursue academic excellence, thrive in a dynamic environment, and make lasting contributions to GW and the world. To identify these students, the admissions review process is holistic and thoughtful, taking many factors into consideration. GW receives applications from all 50 states and more than 100 countries, allowing the University to enroll a bright, talented, and diverse student body.

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions recruits students for the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (including the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design and School of Media and Public Affairs), Elliott School of International Affairs, School of Business, School of Engineering and Applied Science, and Milken Institute School of Public Health. Other schools/colleges at GW have their own admissions offices and policies.

First-Year Students—Early Decision

The University offers two Early Decision options for students who have chosen GW as their first-choice school. The deadline for submission of all required documents is November 1 for Early Decision I and January 5 for Early Decision II. Both Early Decision options are binding; if admitted, students agree to attend GW, submit a nonrefundable enrollment deposit by the deadline detailed in their acceptance packet, and withdraw all applications submitted to other colleges.

First-Year Students—Regular Decision

The Regular Decision application deadline is January 5. A complete application file, including the Common Application, official secondary school transcript/academic record, counselor recommendation, teacher recommendation, and application fee must be submitted by that date. The secondary school transcript must be submitted to GW directly from the school to be considered official. Incoming first-year students must have their secondary school submit a final transcript that shows all final grades and certification of graduation before enrolling at GW in the fall semester. Failure to submit an official final high school transcript to the Undergraduate Admissions Office could impact a student’s ability to move into on-campus housing.

Portfolio Requirement

Applicants for admission to bachelor of fine arts (BFA) programs in the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design (except for the BFA in interior architecture) are required to submit a portfolio of 10 to 15 completed works of art as part of the application process. Once a student indicates an interest in a BFA program at the Corcoran School on their Common Application, they are directed to a third-party website, SlideRoom, to submit their portfolio. The Undergraduate Admissions Office reviews portfolios only for students who are applying to a BFA program or the Corcoran Scholars program.

Entrance Examinations

As a test-optional institution, GW allows most applicants to decide whether to submit scores on either the College Board Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or on the American College Testing (ACT) to be included in their application.

This test-optional policy does not apply to the following groups of applicants:

Applicants to the accelerated seven-year BA/MD program.
Applicants who are homeschooled.
Applicants from secondary schools that provide only narrative evaluations rather than grades based on some form of grading scale.

Students who choose to submit scores must have them sent by the testing agency directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. All entering students who have scores are asked to submit these scores to GW prior to enrolling for their first year at GW.

International Students

In addition to the Common Application and the supporting credentials listed above, international students must submit the following documents to be considered for admission:

Required Records

International students must have all previously attended educational institutions send copies of official certificates and records listing subjects studied, examinations taken, grades received, and degrees received directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Certified copies of diplomas and certificates from all secondary schools, colleges, and universities attended as well as records of state examinations and certificates also are required. These records become the property of the University and cannot be returned. In addition, documents must be in the language in which the institution keeps its official records. If they are in a language other than English, the copies sent must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Documents must be submitted for the years of 9th through 12th grades or the equivalent in countries other than the United States.

Language Tests

Applicants who indicate on their Common Application that their first language is not English are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the PTE Academic, regardless of citizenship or country of residence. The minimum required scores are 90 on the Internet-based TOEFL and 6.5 on the IELTS; however, strong applicants to GW typically score much higher than the required minimums, and scores of at least 100 on the TOEFL and 7.0 on the IELTS are recommended. The TOEFL/IELTS/PTE Academic requirement may be waived for applicants who score 650 or above on the Critical Reading section of the SAT or a 29 or above on the Reading section of the ACT. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions may, at its discretion, require additional English language proficiency results for students who have taken ESL/ELL courses in their high school.

Students should plan to take the test in question well in advance of the application deadline for scores to be available in time and should request to have the scores sent to the GW Office of Undergraduate Admissions directly from the testing agency. TOEFL scores more than two years old are not considered valid.

GW's application review process is holistic, paying close attention to the strength of the student’s high school curriculum and achievement in the classroom over time. The University reserves the right to make exceptions to the stated English proficiency standards, or to waive submission of required official test results, when considering a student’s candidacy for admission.

If a student’s application suggests that they might benefit from additional English language support, they may be required to take additional English language courses at GW through the University’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Program.

Financial Certification

All international students planning to study on either a student (F) visa or exchange visitor (J) visa must complete and submit a George Washington University financial certificate. The completed and signed financial certificate and a bank letter are required for the issuance of Form I-20 or DS-2019, one of which is needed to apply for the F or J visas.

Transfer Students

GW considers for transfer admission any student who has completed at least one college course since secondary school graduation. Transfer applicants must submit the Common Application and supporting credentials (including official college transcripts, the Transfer College Report for each institution attended, and a faculty recommendation) by April 15 for fall admission and October 1 for spring admission.

Transfer applicants must be in good standing in terms of academic record and conduct at all post-secondary institutions previously attended. Applicants who have attended one or more institutions of higher education must submit official transcripts from each institution even if credit was not sought or earned or if advanced standing is not desired. In addition, applicants must submit an official secondary school transcript if they have earned fewer than 30 credits at the time of application. Prior to enrolling at GW, incoming transfer students must submit final official transcripts with grades for all courses pursued from any college or university previously attended.

All international transcripts must be evaluated by a professional evaluation agency and include an English translation if the transcript is in a language other than English. It is the sole responsibility of the student to obtain and cover the cost of this service. GW’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions accepts evaluations from any company recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) but recommends the World Education Services and Educational Credential Evaluators.

Assignment of Credit for Transfer Students

Note: Separate policies apply to undergraduate programs in the School of Nursing, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and College of Professional Studies.

Provided there is no duplication involved through coursework or examination, domestic transfer credit may be granted for coursework successfully completed at other regionally accredited institutions of higher learning. International transfer credit may be granted for coursework successfully completed at an institution of higher learning recognized by the relevant country’s ministry of education or equivalent body. Transfer credit is not awarded for the Joint Services Transcript (JST) to undergraduate students admitted to these schools. Students admitted to other GW schools (School of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Nursing, and College of Professional Students) should contact the respective school’s admissions office to inquire about JST credit.

Assignment of transfer credit depends on the grade earned, the appropriateness of the coursework, the standing of the institution at which the coursework was completed, and the regulations of the school or college to which the student is transferring. For CCAS, ESIA, GWSB, GWSPH, and SEAS, coursework completed at another institution must have received a grade of C- or above to be accepted for transfer credit.

While there is no limit to the number of credits that can be transferred to the University, GW’s residence requirement limits the number of transfer credits that can be applied toward a degree. Students must complete at least 60 credits of the total credits required for their degree at or through the University. Credits earned through GW Study Abroad, GW satellite campuses, GW distance education, and the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area are treated as in residence.

Transfer credit must satisfy the requirements for the degree sought as stated in this Bulletin. The University reserves the right to determine course equivalency and degree applicability. Transfer credit is not assigned for coursework completed in vocational/technical programs (e.g., internships and practicums) or pre-college level remedial work. Each GW school or college reserves the right to refuse credit for transfer in whole or in part. If a grade earned in a course is eligible to be accepted for transfer credit, the course may satisfy a curriculum requirement and counts toward the number of credits completed. The grades from these courses are not used in calculating a student's GW grade-point average.

See separate policies applicable to undergraduate programs in the School of Nursing, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and College of Professional Studies.

Advanced Standing and Advanced Placement

Assuming there is no duplication of coursework, a maximum of 24 credits may be awarded upon admission to the University for any combination of Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations. An incoming student also may be granted advanced placement in a sequence of courses or waiver of a course requirement based on additional college-level coursework taken in secondary school or before matriculation; however, this does not affect the number of credits needed for the degree.

College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Tests—Credit may be awarded for Advanced Placement tests with certain score results, typically 4s and 5s. (Refer to the GW Undergraduate Admissions website for the AP credit assignment chart.) Students must have AP score reports sent directly from the College Board to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

International Baccalaureate (IB)—GW typically awards 6 to 8 credits for scores of 6 or 7 on the higher-level examinations. (Refer to the GW Undergraduate Admissions website for the IB credit assignment chart.) Students must have IB score reports sent directly from International Baccalaureate to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Enrollment Deposit

After notification of admission, all new undergraduate students are required to submit a nonrefundable enrollment deposit. This deposit is due May 1 for first-year students. For transfer students and full-time readmitted students, the deposit usually is due two to three weeks after notification of admission.

Readmission

This policy is in effect for students previously enrolled in and wishing to return to Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (including Corcoran School of the Arts and Design and School of Media and Public Affairs), Elliott School of International Affairs, School of Business, School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the Milken Institute School of Public Health. A student wishing to enroll in another GW school or college should refer to that school/college’s readmission policy.

Students who previously were registered at GW who wish to resume studies at the University after discontinuing enrollment for one or more semesters (summer sessions and leaves of absence excluded) must apply for readmission. Deadlines for applications for readmission from students in good academic standing are March 15 for the fall semester and October 31 for the spring semester. Students seeking readmission must have official transcripts sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions from all other institutions of higher education they attended in the interim. Students seeking readmission as degree candidates after previous enrollment in non-degree status at GW must submit the Common Application and all required credentials that were not submitted previously or required for non-degree admission.

Applicants for readmission are subject to the University regulations in effect at the time of readmission. The application fee is waived for students applying for readmission after previous enrollment as a degree candidate.

Advanced Placement Equivalents

Assuming there is no duplication of coursework, a maximum of 24 credits may be awarded based on work completed while enrolled in high school through examinations such as AP/IB/A-Levels.

Credit through Examination

In order to receive credit for College Board Advanced Placement (AP) examinations, students must have official score results forwarded directly to GW Office of Undergraduate Admission from the College Board. GW's College Board code is 5246.

Be aware that credit earned by examination at other colleges or universities or examinations taken after having taken the appropriate college-level course will not transfer credit to GW.

Please refer to the following charts for GW’s course equivalents:

Advanced Placement (AP) Examination
Advanced Placement (AP) Examination	Score	Credits Awarded	GW Course Equivalent
Arts
AP Art History	4 or 5	6	CAH 1031 and CAH 1032
AP Music Theory	4 or 5	3	CMUS 1101
AP Studio Art: 2-D Design	4 or 5	3	CSA 1099*
AP Studio Art: 3-D Design	4 or 5	3	CSA 1099*
AP Studio Art: Drawing	4 or 5	3	CSA 1301
English
AP English Language and Composition	4 or 5	3	UW 1099*
AP English Literature and Composition	4 or 5	3	ENGL 1050
History and Social Science
AP Comparative Government and Politics	4 or 5	3	PSC 1001
AP European History	4 or 5	3	HIST 1120
AP Human Geography	4 or 5	3	GEOG 1001
AP Microeconomics	4 or 5	3	ECON 1011
AP Macroeconomics	4 or 5	3	ECON 1012
AP Psychology	4 or 5	3	PSYC 1001
AP United Stated Government and Politics	4 or 5	3	PSC 1002
AP United States History	4 or 5	6	HIST 1310 and HIST 1311
AP World History	4 or 5	3	HIST 1011
Math and Computer Science
AP Calculus AB (or AB subscore of the BC exam)	4 or 5	3	MATH 1231
AP Calculus BC	4 or 5	6	MATH 1231 and MATH 1232
AP Computer Science A	4 or 5	3	CSCI 1111
AP Computer Science Principles	4 or 5	3	CSCI 1021
AP Statistics	4 or 5	3	STAT 1051
Sciences
AP Biology	4 or 5	8	BISC 1111 and BISC 1112
AP Chemistry	4 or 5	8	CHEM 1111 and CHEM 1112
AP Environmental Science	4 or 5	3	GEOL 1099*
AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based	4 or 5	4	PHYS 1011
AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based	4 or 5	4	PHYS 1012
AP Physics C: Mechanics	4 or 5	4	PHYS 1021
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism	4 or 5	4	PHYS 1022
World Languages and Cultures
AP Chinese Language and Culture	4	4	CHIN 2003
	5	8	CHIN 2003 and CHIN 2004
AP French Language and Culture	5	6	FREN 1004 and FREN 2005
AP German Language and Culture	4	3	GER 1099*
	5	6	GER 2009 and GER 2010
AP Italian Language and Culture	5	6	ITAL 1004 and ITAL 2005
AP Japanese Language and Culture	4	4	JAPN 2003
	5	8	JAPN 2003 and JAPN 2004
AP Latin	4	3	LATN 2001
	5	3	LATN 2002
AP Spanish Language and Culture	5	6	SPAN 1014 and SPAN 2005
AP Spanish Literature and Culture	4 or 5	3	SPAN 2006

^* If there is no direct GW course equivalent, credits are transferred in using course number 1099 under the appropriate departmental designation.

The University reserves the right to change its Advanced Placement Equivalents policy without advance notice.

A-Level Equivalents

Assuming there is no duplication of coursework, a maximum of 24 credits may be awarded based on work completed while enrolled in high school through examinations such as AP/IB/A-Levels.

Credit through Examination

In order to receive credit for Advanced-Level (A-Level) examinations, students must have their final (not provisional), official exam results sent directly from the exam board or their secondary school to the GW Office of the Registrar as soon as they are available.

Be aware that credit earned by examination at other colleges or universities or examinations taken after having taken the appropriate college-level course does not transfer credit to GW.

Please refer to the following chart for GW’s course equivalents:

A Levels Table
A-Level	Score	Credits Awarded	GW Course Equivalent
Accounting	A*, A, B, C	8	ACCY 1099
Africaans	A*, A, B, C	6	IDIS 1099
Arabic	A*, A, B, C	6	ARAB 1099
Art and Design	A*, A, B, C	6	CSA 1099
Biology	A*, A, B, C	8	BISC 1111 and BISC 1112
Business	A*, A, B, C	6	BADM 1099
Chemistry	A*, A, B, C	8	CHEM 1099
Chinese	A*, A, B, C	6	CHIN 1099
Classical Studies	A*, A, B, C	6	CLAS 1099
Computer Science	A*, A, B, C	8	CSCI 1099
Design and Technology	A*, A, B, C	6	IDIS 1099
Design & Textiles	A*, A, B, C	6	IDIS 1099
Digital Media and Design	A*, A, B, C	6	CGD 1099
Divinity	A*, A, B, C	6	REL 1099
Drama and Theatre	A*, A, B, C	6	CTAD 1099
Economics	A*, A, B, C	6	ECON 1011 and ECON 1012
English – Language	A*, A, B, C	6	UW 1099
English – Literature	A*, A, B, C	6	ENGL 1099
Food Studies	A*, A, B, C	6	IDIS 1099
French	A*, A, B, C	6	FREN 1099
Geography	A*, A, B, C	6	GEOG 1099
German	A*, A, B, C	6	GER 1099
Global Perspectives and Research	A*, A, B, C	6	IDIS 1099
Hindi	A*, A, B, C	6	IDIS 1099
Hinduism	A*, A, B, C	6	REL 1099
History	A*, A, B, C	6	HIST 1099
Information Technology	A*, A, B, C	6	CSCI 1099
Islamic Studies	A*, A, B, C	6	REL 1099
Law	A*, A, B, C	6	IDIS 1099
Marathi	A*, A, B, C	6	IDIS 1099
Marine Science	A*, A, B, C	6	GEOL 1099
Mathematics	A*, A, B, C	8	MATH 1099
Mathematics – Further	A*, A, B, C	8	MATH 1099
Media Studies	A*, A, B, C	6	SMPA 1099
Music	A*, A, B, C	6	CMUS 1099
Physics	A*, A, B, C	8	PHYS 1099
Politics	A*, A, B, C	6	PSC 1099
Portuguese	A*, A, B, C	6	PORT 1099
Psychology	A*, A, B, C	6	PSYC 1099
Religious Studies	A*, A, B, C	6	REL 1099 and PHIL 1099
Sociology	A*, A, B, C	6	SOC 1099
Spanish	A*, A, B, C	6	SPAN 1099
Tamil	A*, A, B, C	6	IDIS 1099
Thinking Skills	A*, A, B, C	6	IDIS 1099
Travel and Tourism	A*, A, B, C	6	TSTD 1099
Urdu	A*, A, B, C	6	IDIS 1099

International Baccalaureate Equivalents

Assuming there is no duplication of coursework, a maximum of 24 credits may be awarded based on work completed while enrolled in high school through examinations such as AP/IB/A-Levels.

Credit through Examination

In order to receive credit for International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations, students must have their official score results sent to GW Office of Undergraduate Admissions as soon as they are available. Official International Baccalaureate (IB) results should be sent as soon as they are available.

Be aware that credit earned by examination at other colleges or universities, or examinations taken after having taken the appropriate college-level course does not transfer credit to GW.

Please refer to the following charts for GW’s course equivalents:

International Baccalaureate (IB) Equivalents
International Bacculaureate (IB) Examination	Score	Credits Awarded	GW Course Equivalent
IB examination	Score	Credits awarded	GW course equivalent
Studies in Language and Literature
Arabic A1 (Literature; Language and Literature) - Higher Level	6 or 7	3	ARAB 1099*
Chinese A1 (Literature; Language and Literature) - Higher Level	6 or 7	3	CHIN 2003 and CHIN 2004
English A1- Higher Level	6 or 7	3	ENGL 1340
French A1 (Literature; Literature and Language) - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	FREN 2005 and FREN 2006
	5	6	FREN 1004 and FREN 2005
French A1 (Literature; Language and Literature) - Standard Level	7	6	FREN 1004 and FREN 2005
German A1 (Literature; Language and Literature) - Higher Level	6 or 7	3	GER 1099*
Greek (Literature; Language and Literature) - Higher Level	6 or 7	3	GREK 1099*
Indonesian A1 (Literature; Language and Literature) - Higher Level	6 or 7	3	IDIS 1099*
Italian A1 (Literature; Language and Literature) - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	ITAL 2005 and ITAL 2006
	5	6	ITAL 1004 and ITAL 2005
Italian A1 (Literature; Language and Literature) - Standard Level	7	6	ITAL 1004 and ITAL 2005
Japanese A1 (Literature; Language and Literature) - Higher Level	6 or 7	8	JAPN 2003 and JAPN 2004
Korean A1 (Literature; Language and Literature) - Higher Level	6 or 7	3	KOR 1099*
Latin (Literature; Language and Literature) - Higher Level	6 or 7	3	LATN 1099*
Persian A1 (Literature; Language and Literature) - Higher Level	6 or 7	3	IDIS 1099*
Portuguese A1 (Literature; Language and Literature) - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	PORT 1003 and PORT 1004
Russian A1 (Literature; Language and Literature) - Higher Level	6 or 7	3	SLAV 1099*
Spanish A1 (Literature; Language and Literature) - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	SPAN 2005 and SPAN 2006
	5	6	SPAN 1014 and SPAN 2005
Spanish A1 (Literature; Language and Literature) - Standard Level	7	6	SPAN 1014 and SPAN 2005
Turkish A1 (Literature; Language and Literature) - Higher Level	6 or 7	3	IDIS 1099*
Language Acquisition
Arabic B - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	ARAB 1099*
Chinese B - Higher Level	6 or 7	8	CHIN 1099*
English B		None	None
French B - Higher Level	7	6	FREN 2005 and FREN 2006
	6	6	FREN 1004 and FREN 2005
German B - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	GER 1099*
Italian B - Higher Level	7	6	ITAL 2005 and ITAL 2006
	6	6	ITAL 1004 and ITAL 2005
Japanese B - Higher Level	6 or 7	8	JAPN 1099*
Korean B - Higher Level	6 or 7	8	KOR 1099*
Portuguese B - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	PORT 1099*
Spanish B - Higher Level	7	6	SPAN 2005 and SPAN 2006
	6	6	SPAN 1014 and SPAN 2005
Individuals and Societies
Business Management - Higher Level	6 or 7	3	BADM 1099*
Digital Society - Higher Level	6 or 7	3	IDIS 1099*
Economics - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	ECON 1011 and ECON 1012
Geography - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	GEOG 1001 and GEOG 1099*
Global Politics - Higher Level	6 or 7	3	PSC 1099*
History - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	HIST 1099*
History of Africa and the Middle East - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	HIST 1099*
History of the Americas - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	HIST 1099*
History of Asia and Oceania - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	HIST 1099*
History of Europe - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	HIST 1099*
Information Technology in a Global Society - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	IDIS 1099*
Philosophy - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	PHIL 1099*
Psychology - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	PSYC 1099*
Social and Cultural Anthropology - Higher Level	6 or 7	3	ANTH 1002
Sciences
Biology - Higher Level	6 or 7	8	BISC 1111 and BISC 1112
Chemistry - Higher Level	6 or 7	8	CHEM 1099*
Computer Science - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	CSCI 1099*
Design Technology - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	IDIS 1099*
Physics - Higher Level	6 or 7	8	PHYS 1099*
Sports, Exercise, and Health Science - Higher Level	6 or 7	3	EXNS 1099*
Mathematics
Mathematics - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	MATH 1099*
Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	MATH 1099*
Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation) - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	MATH 1099*
The Arts
Art/Design - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	CSA 1099*
Film - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	FILM 1099*
Music - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	CMUS 1099*
Theatre Arts - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	CTAD 1099*
Visual Arts - Higher Level	6 or 7	6	CSA 1099*

^* If there is no direct GW course equivalent, credits are transferred in using course number 1099 under the appropriate departmental designation.

The University reserves the right to change its International Baccalaureate Equivalents policy without advance notice.

Assignment of Credits for Transfer Students

The University has different policies for transfer credit depending on the school or college to which the student is transferring.

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Elliott School of International Affairs, GW School of Business, Milken Institute School of Public Health, and School of Engineering and Applied Sciences admit both incoming freshmen and students who have attended a post-secondary institution after completing a high school diploma. These schools share the same transfer policy for undergraduate students (see below).

The School of Nursing (SON), School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS), and College of Professional of Professional Studies (CPS) admit only students who have attended an institution of higher learning after earning a high school diploma. Each of these schools applies its own transfer policy for undergraduate students (see below).

For the Following GW Schools:

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS)
Elliott School of International Affairs (ESIA)
GW School of Business (GWSB)
Milken Institute School of Public Health (GWSPH)
School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS)

Provided there is no duplication involved through coursework or examination, domestic transfer credit may be granted for coursework successfully completed at other regionally accredited institutions of higher learning. International transfer credit may be granted for coursework successfully completed at an institution of higher learning recognized by the relevant country’s ministry of education or equivalent body. Transfer credit is not awarded for the Joint Services Transcript (JST) to undergraduate students admitted to these schools. Students admitted to other GW schools (School of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Nursing, and College of Professional Students) should contact the respective school’s admissions office to inquire about JST credit.

Assignment of transfer credit depends on the grade earned, the appropriateness of the coursework, the standing of the institution at which the coursework was completed, and the regulations of the school or college to which the student is transferring. For CCAS, ESIA, GWSB, GWSPH, and SEAS, coursework completed at another institution must have received a grade of C- or above to be accepted for transfer credit.

While there is no limit to the number of credits that can be transferred to the University, GW’s residence requirement limits the number of transfer credits that can be applied toward a degree. Students must complete at least 60 credits of the total credits required for their degree at or through the University. Credits earned through GW Study Abroad, GW satellite campuses, GW distance education, and the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area are treated as in residence.

Transfer credit must satisfy the requirements for the degree sought as stated in this Bulletin. The University reserves the right to determine course equivalency and degree applicability. Transfer credit is not assigned for coursework completed in vocational/technical programs (e.g., internships and practicums) or pre-college level remedial work. Each GW school or college reserves the right to refuse credit for transfer in whole or in part. If a grade earned in a course is eligible to be accepted for transfer credit, the course may satisfy a curriculum requirement and counts toward the number of credits completed. The grades from these courses are not used in calculating a student's GW grade-point average.

Pre-Matriculation Credit for Incoming Freshmen

Assuming there is no duplication of coursework, a maximum of 24 credits can be awarded based on coursework completed while enrolled in high school through examinations such as Advanced Level (A-Level), Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB). While there is no limit to the number of pre-matriculation credits a high school student can transfer to GW from a post-secondary institution, students must complete at least 60 credits of the total credits required for their degree at or through GW. Coursework taken at another institution must have received a grade of C- or above to be accepted for transfer credit.

School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Undergraduate transfer credit can be awarded for appropriate coursework completed at other regionally accredited institutions provided minimum grade requirements have been met. The minimum acceptable grade is C for coursework to be applied toward an undergraduate degree; grades of C- and below do not transfer. Transfer credit also can be considered from Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations, as well as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP exams). Refer to GW Undergraduate Admissions for information on maximum credits, minimum scores, and GW course equivalents for AP and IB credits. Advanced standing also can be awarded for non-traditional classroom or clinical experience as determined by the individual programs. The University reserves the right to determine course equivalency and degree applicability. Health Sciences degree programs vary in the amount of advanced standing they award. For bachelor's programs, no more than 60 credits are accepted as advanced standing. Degree candidates who are currently enrolled at GW and plan to take courses at other regionally accredited institutions for transfer credit must first obtain program approval. Students in the medical laboratory sciences and molecular diagnostic science programs should refer to the respective program handbook for specific transfer credit policies and procedures.

Transfer credit that is accepted and applied to a student's GW academic record counts toward the number of credits completed only. The grades from these courses are not used in calculating a student's GW grade-point average.

School of Nursing

Transfer credit can be awarded for coursework completed at other accredited institutions provided minimum grade requirements have been met and the coursework is appropriate to the degree. Coursework completed at another institution must have received a grade of C or above to be accepted for transfer credit. Students must complete at least 60 credits of the total credits required for their degree at GW. Nursing courses completed at other academic institutions are not eligible for transfer into the accelerated bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program. The School of Nursing reserves the right to determine course equivalency and degree applicability.

Transfer credit that is accepted and applied to a student's GW academic record counts toward the number of credits completed only. The grades from these courses are not used in calculating a student's GW grade-point average.

College of Professional Studies

Subject to individual program requirements, transfer credit can be awarded for coursework
completed at any regionally accredited institution, provided the coursework was completed with
a grade of C or above and is appropriate to the degree. No more than 60 credits can be accepted
for transfer. The College of Professional Studies (CPS) reserves the right to determine course
equivalency and degree applicability.

Once enrolled, CPS students cannot transfer credit from coursework taken outside the
University, except under extraordinary circumstances and with the advance permission of the
dean. The exception is the bachelor of professional studies in homeland security program,
wherein transfer credit counted toward general education and elective course requirements can
be completed at any regionally accredited institution before or during enrollment in the program
or within five years of completing all other degree requirements.

Transfer credit that is accepted and applied to a student's GW academic record counts toward the number of credits completed only. The grades from these courses are not used in calculating a student's GW grade-point average.