About the University

George Washington was determined to have a great national university in the nation’s capital. His hope was that students from all parts of the country would gain a first-hand knowledge of the practice as well as the theory of republican government while being instructed in the arts and sciences. He bequeathed 50 shares of The Potomac Company “towards the endowment of a University to be established within the limits of the District of Columbia, under the auspices of the General Government, if that government should incline to extend a fostering hand towards it.”

Despite Washington’s intentions, The Potomac Company folded and Congress never extended a “fostering hand,” so the University did not take shape until a group of Baptist clergymen led by Reverend Luther Rice took up the cause. They raised funds for the purchase of a site and petitioned Congress for a charter. Congress insisted on giving the institution a nonsectarian charter stating “That persons of every religious denomination shall be capable of being elected Trustees; nor shall any person, either as President, Professor, Tutor, or pupil, be refused admittance into said College, or denied any of the privileges, immunities, or advantages thereof, for or on account of his sentiments in matters of religion.”

Columbian College, as it was originally named, took up residence on College Hill, a 46-acre tract between the present 14th and 15th Streets extending from Florida Avenue to Columbia Road. The name of the institution was changed in 1873 to Columbian University and in 1904 to The George Washington University.

In 1912, the University purchased 2023 G Street NW and rented 2024 Street, NW, establishing what would become its Foggy Bottom campus. Today, more than 100 buildings are situated on 43 acres in the heart of Washington, DC, bordered by the White House, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, State Department, and World Bank, as well as numerous federal agencies and national galleries and museums.

GW’s Virginia Science and Technology Campus, initiated for graduate studies, research projects, and professional development programs, is located along the high-tech corridor on Route 7, just to the west of Route 28, in Loudoun County. In 1998, GW established The George Washington University at Mount Vernon College; the Mount Vernon Campus is on Foxhall Road in Northwest Washington.

Mission Statement

Accreditation  

The George Washington University is accredited by its institutional accrediting agency, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences

In Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, the bachelor and master of fine arts degree programs in interior architecture are accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. The Department of Chemistry is on the approved list of the American Chemical Society. The doctor of philosophy program in clinical psychology in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and the doctor of professional psychology degree program in clinical psychology in the Department of Professional Psychology are accredited by the American Psychological Association. The master of arts degree program in speech–language pathology is accredited by the Education and Training Board of the Boards of Examiners in Speech–Language Pathology and Audiology. The master in public administration and the master of public policy degree programs are on the approved list of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. The master of forensic science degree programs in forensic chemistry and forensic molecular biology degree programs are accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission. The art therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The Corcoran School of the Arts and Design is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

School of Medicine and Health Sciences

The School of Medicine and Health Sciences has had continuous approval by its accrediting body, which is currently the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, sponsored jointly by the American Medical Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges. The bachelor of science in health sciences in the field of medical laboratory sciences, all post-baccalaureate certificates in medical laboratory sciences, and the master of science in health sciences in laboratory medicine are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science. The master's degree program in physician assistant is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. The doctor of physical therapy program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Physical Therapist Education of the American Physical Therapy Association.

The medical education (MD) program in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, sponsored jointly by the American Medical Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges. The bachelor of science in health sciences in the field of medical laboratory sciences, all post-baccalaureate certificates in medical laboratory sciences, and the master of science in health sciences in laboratory medicine and clinical microbiology are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science. The master of science in health sciences degree program in the field of physician assistant is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. The doctor of physical therapy program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Physical Therapist Education of the American Physical Therapy Association. The entry-level occupational therapy doctorate program has candidacy status with the Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education.

The master of science in health science in the field of healthcare quality is certified in the area of quality and safety by the Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education.

Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) contact information: online at www.lcme.org or email lcme@aamc.org.

Law School

The Law School is a charter member of the Association of American Law Schools and is approved by the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association.

School of Engineering and Applied Science

In the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the bachelor of science degree programs in civil, mechanical, biomedical, systems, electrical, and computer engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc. The bachelor of science in computer science degree program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc.

Graduate School of Education and Human Development

The Graduate School of Education and Human Development is a charter member of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and is accredited under the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation as a National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education legacy program and the District of Columbia State Education Agency, Office of the State Superintendent of Education, for its eligible undergraduate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degree programs. The master’s programs in school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, and rehabilitation counseling and the doctoral program in counseling are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

School of Business

The School of Business is a member of The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). AACSB International accredits the school's undergraduate and graduate business administration and accountancy degree programs. The programs in accountancy satisfy the educational requirements for the certified public accountant and the certified management accountant professional examinations.

Elliott School of International Affairs

The Elliott School of International Affairs is a member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs.

Milken Institute School of Public Health

The Milken Institute School of Public Health and all of its programs are fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. In 2024, the Milken Institute School of Public Health was awarded a seven-year accreditation, through December 31, 2031. In addition to the school accreditation, the programs in health administration are fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education. In 2021, the health administration programs were awarded a six-year accreditation through 2027. The Milken Institute School of Public Health is a member of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health and the Association of University Programs of Health Administration.

College of Professional Studies

The master of professional studies in sustainable urban planning degree program in the College of Professional Studies is accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board.

School of Nursing

In the School of Nursing, the bachelor of science in nursing, master of science in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, and post-master's advanced practice registered nurse certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The bachelor of science in nursing program is approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing and the master of science in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, and post-master's advanced practice registered nurse certificate programs are approved by the District of Columbia Board of Nursing.

Board of Trustees

The University is privately endowed and is governed by a Board of Trustees of which the President of the University is an ex officio member.

Grace E. Speights, Chair
Mark H. Chichester, Vice Chair 
Avram Tucker, Secretary

Christine Piorkowski Barth
Aaron Bates, Head of Private Wealth Platform and Partnerships, Bernstein
Charles R. Bendit, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Taconic Partners
Adam Conner, Vice President of Technology Policy, Center for American Progress
Jeffrey Flaks, President and CEO, Hartford HealthCare
Ellen M. Granberg, President of The George Washington University (ex-officio)
Donna Hill Staton, Co-founder and Partner, Decision Point Strategy Group, LLC; Co-founder and Partner, Staton & Nolan, LLC, dba Decision Point Law
Regina James, Chief of the Division of Diversity and Health Equity and Deputy Medical Director, American Psychiatric Association
Richard A. Jones, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Ethics Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Todd Klein, Partner, Revolution Growth
Ali H. Kolaghassi, President, Kolaghassi Capital
Pamela Lawrence, Health Career Management Leader
Luis Otero, Risk and Financial Advisory Management Consult, MBA Candidate, Darden School of Business
Jennifer Park Stout, Vice President of Global Public Policy, Snap Inc.
Judy Rogers
Michelle Rubin, President, Regional Properties, Inc. 
Camila Tapias, Global Disaster Resilience Specialist, SPIN Global, Global Board Member, ARISE (UN Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies)

Updated on July 8, 2024

Officers of Administration

The University

Ellen Granberg, President
Christopher Alan Bracey, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Bruno Fernandes, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer
Charles Barber, Vice President and General Counsel
Aristide J. Collins Jr., Vice President, Chief of Staff, and Secretary of the University

Deans of the Schools

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences—Paul Wahlbeck
School of Business—Anuj Mehrotra
Graduate School of Education and Human Development—Michael Feuer
School of Engineering and Applied Science—John Lach
Elliott School of International Affairs—Alyssa Ayres
Law School—Dayna Bowen Matthew
School of Medicine and Health Sciences—Barbara Lee Bass
School of Nursing—Susan Kelly-Weeder (beginning July 17, 2023)
College of Professional Studies—Liesl Riddle

Degrees Offered by the George Washington University

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.), Master of Forensic Sciences (M.F.S.), Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.), Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.), Master of Psychology (M.Psy.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

School of Business

Graduate School of Education and Human Development

Education Specialist (Ed.S.), Master of Arts in Education and Human Development (M.A.Ed.&H.D.), Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.), Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.), Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Engineering (M.Eng.), Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Elliott School of International Affairs

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of International Policy and Practice (M.I.P.P.), and Master of International Studies (M.I.S.)

Law School

Juris Doctor (J.D.), Master of Laws (LL.M.), Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.), and Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.)

School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (B.S.H.S.), Master of Science in Health Sciences (M.S.H.S.), Doctor of Health Sciences (D.HSc.), Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)

School of Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.), Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.), Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College of Professional Studies

Bachelor of Professional Studies (B.P.S.), and Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.)

Milken Institute School of Public Health

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Master of Health Administration (M.H.A.), Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Master of Science (M.S.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.)