Regulations

Undergraduate Programs

Graduate Programs

Undergraduate Programs

At the undergraduate level, the GW School of Business (GWSB) offers a bachelor of science (BS) degree. The BS degree includes foundational knowledge for business in accounting, economics, mathematics, and statistics. Program curricula are designed to provide perspectives on ethical and global issues, the influence of political, social, legal and regulatory, environmental, and technological issues, and the impact of demographic diversity on organizations. Students must select a major in accountancy, business, business analytics, entrepreneurship and innovation, finance, information systems, international business, or marketing. The following concentrations are available only to GWSB students: accountancy; business analytics; business economics and public policy; finance; information systems and technology management; entrepreneurship and innovation; international business; marketing strategy and analytics; real estate; sport, event, and hospitality management; or an individualized concentration (by application only).

Admissions

For more information on the admission process, visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website. Applications can be submitted via the Common Application.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
The George Washington University
800 21st Street NW, Suite 100
Washington DC 20052

Contact for questions:
gwadm@gwu.edu or 202-994-6040

Advising

The GW Undergraduate Advising Team operates under a team advising model, where students can schedule appointments with a professional advisor of their choice. Advisors empower students to take ownership of and responsibility for their educational experience. Students partner with advisors to successfully navigate their academic careers through conversations that range from understanding University and School requirements, exploring degree and major possibilities, overcoming academic challenges, setting goals, and finding appropriate campus resources.

Students should meet with a GWSB advisor at least once a semester. To help ensure academic success, students also are encouraged to build a support system that includes professors, faculty mentors, professional advisors, tutors, and/or counselors. In addition, assistance is available through the Division of Student Affairs, GW Library, Multicultural Student Services Center, International Services Office, Writing Center, and Counseling and Psychological Services.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, students must achieve all University undergraduate degree requirements described under the University Regulations, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. A minimum of 120 credits and satisfactory completion of degree requirements.
  2. A minimum overall grade-point average of 2.0.
  3. A minimum major grade-point average of 2.0.
  4. A minimum concentration grade-point average of 2.0.
  5. A minimum grade of C– is required for all GWSB major and concentration courses.

Academic Standing

Rules governing academic probation and suspension, described under University Regulations, are applicable to GWSB undergraduate students. Students who do not meet these requirements are placed on academic probation and may be suspended from the University. Students on academic probation must meet with a GWSB Academic Success Coach at least three times in their academic probationary semester; failure to do so will result in a hold on the student account.

Undergraduate Policies

Major Regulations

George Washington School of Business (GWSB) Students—A GWSB student must declare one GWSB major and may pursue a second GWSB or non-GWSB major. Students are limited to a maximum of two majors. Each major must have at least 18 credits taken in residence. A major must include 15 unique credits that do not count toward any other requirement, except for a WID requirement. All courses in each major must be completed with a minimum grade of C–. Students who do not earn the minimum grade requirement must repeat the course or complete another course that meets that requirement; if there is no other course option, the student should submit a course substitution request to the appropriate department for consideration.

Students who wish to earn a major in accountancy must declare the BS in accountancy as their first major; i.e., accountancy may not be listed as a second major. 

Non-GWSB Students—Students whose primary major is outside GWSB who wish to declare a second major in business; business analytics; entrepreneurship and innovation; finance; information systems; international business; or marketing can do so with their home school advisor; a signature from a GWSB academic advisor is not required. GWSB second major courses can be counted toward an elective requirement (e.g., professional, technical, unrestricted), WID requirement, or a required minor or second major.  Students should consult with their home school academic advisor if any restrictions apply.

Concentration Regulations

Concentrations are restricted to GWSB students and are not STEM-eligible. Students who entered GWSB in the fall 2020 semester or after may pursue up to three concentrations under the bachelor of science degree in GWSB. Each concentration must have at least 9 credits taken in residence. Concentration courses may not be counted toward any other degree requirement, with the exception of satisfying a WID requirement. All classes in each concentration must be completed with a minimum grade of C–. Students who do not earn the required minimum grade must repeat the course or complete another course that meets that requirement; if there is no alternative course, students should submit a course substitution request to the appropriate department for consideration.

Minor Regulations

GWSB minors are available to all students outside of the School of Business. In general, GWSB minors comprise 18 credits (not including prerequisite courses) and must have at least 12 credits taken in residence.  

All courses in the GWSB minor must be completed with a minimum grade of C–. Students who do not earn the minimum required grade must repeat the course or complete another course that meets that requirement; if there is no other course option, the student should submit a course substitution request to the appropriate department for consideration.

Students may declare the minor directly with their home school advisor; a signature from a GWSB academic advisor is not required. Students should reference this Bulletin and consult a GWSB academic advisor for assistance and additional information.

Non-GWSB Field of Study Regulations

GWSB students may pursue a second major and/or minor(s) outside of the School of Business and are subject to the rules and regulations of the program’s home department, e.g., curricular, minimum grade, and residency requirements. The student is responsible for working with the academic department on their non-GWSB minor or second major requirements.

Pass/No Pass Option

Students may take one course with the P (Pass) or NP (No Pass) grading option, if all the following statements are true:

  1. Student has junior or senior standing with a cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 or better
  2. Student has approval from both the instructor and the GWSB academic advisor prior to the end of the eighth week for full-term fall and spring courses, prior to the end of the fourth week for half term fall and spring courses, or prior to the end of the fourth week for summer courses  
  3. Course is applying only as an elective requirement and does not share with any other degree requirements

Under no circumstances may a student change from P/NP status to graded status in a course, or vice versa, after the eighth week for full-term courses or after the fourth week for half term and summer courses. Transfer students may not choose this option until their second semester at GW.

Incompletes

Conditions under which the symbol I (Incomplete) may be assigned are described under University Regulations in this Bulletin. Students are encouraged to complete an Incomplete Contract form with their instructor, which can be found in the GWSB Office of Undergraduate Programs.

Independent Study

Students may be permitted to complete an independent study with the personal direction of a regular, full-time member of the GWSB faculty. An independent study packet outlining the student’s specific study plan, approved by the faculty member and their department chair, must be submitted to the GWSB Office of Undergraduate Programs prior to beginning any independent study.

Courses Outside of the School of Business

No more than 3 credits of Health and Wellness (HLWL) courses may count toward the 120 credits required for the bachelor of science degree. Lifestyle, Sport, and Physical Activity (LSPA) courses do not count toward any degree requirement, including the 120 credits required for graduation, although they do count toward a student's enrollment status in a given semester.

Transfer Credit

Courses taken elsewhere for transfer credit must be approved by the relevant department. Students should reference the academic department contacts website for the appropriate points of contact as well as the process for transfer credit evaluation.

Transfer credit for ACCY 2001 and ACCY 2002 is considered only if the course(s) were taken prior to matriculation at GW or if they are completed through an approved GW study abroad experience. These courses should be taken at institutions accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Graduate Programs

At the graduate level, GWSB offers programs leading to the following degrees: master of accountancy (MAccy) in the fields of accountancy and accounting analytics, master of business administration (MBA), master of human resource management (MHRM); master of science (MS) in the fields of applied finance; business analytics; information systems technology; interdisciplinary business studies; international business; management; marketing; project management; sport management; and tourism, hospitality, and event management; and master of science in finance (MSF), and doctor of philosophy (PhD).

GWSB Regulations

GWSB provides an online Graduate Student Handbook that contains additional updated information on policies, regulations, and other matters of concern to enrolled and admitted students. It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of the information contained in both this Bulletin and the Handbook. Students should also consult departmental/program handbooks and guidelines.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Admission to master’s programs is highly competitive. Previous academic history, performance on the applicable entrance examination, letters of recommendation, demonstrated motivation and aptitude to undertake graduate-level work, and professional experience are all taken into consideration.

Applicants should consult with the Office of Graduate Admissions for information on how to apply and the documentation needed to complete their application.

English Language Requirements for International Students

Applicants who are not citizens of countries where English is the official language or who do not hold a degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher learning are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English–Academic (PTE). Exemptions from this policy may be possible.

Programs require a minimum score of 550 paper-based or 80 Internet-based on the TOEFL, or an overall band score of 6.0 on the IELTS with no individual band score below 5.0. In some instances, an interview is required of applicants.

Applicants for graduate teaching assistantships must have a minimum score of 600 paper-based or 100 Internet-based on the TOEFL, an overall band score of 7.0 on the IELTS with no individual band score below 6.0, or a score of 68 on the PTE.

Students with the following English language test scores are exempt from taking English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses: TOEFL, 600 paper-based or 100 Internet-based; IELTS, overall band score of 7.0 with no individual band score below 6.0; or a score of 68 on the PTE. Students with test scores below these minimums must register for an EAP course during their first semester. Students assigned EAP courses should anticipate additional tuition expenses as well as a possible extended period of time required to complete their degree program. EAP courses do not count toward degree requirements.

Transfer Within the School

Currently enrolled students wishing to transfer from one graduate degree program to another within the School must complete a new application for admission through the appropriate degree program office. Applicants for transfer are subject to requirements in effect at the time of transfer. In addition, students must submit all required credentials by posted application deadlines for the program of application. Students must be in good academic standing (3.0 grade-point average) for transfer consideration.

Readmission

A student who withdraws must make a formal application for readmission to the student’s degree program and resubmit all supporting credentials including transcripts from previous schools attended, including George Washington University, and entrance examination scores. If readmitted, the student is subject to the rules and regulations in force at the time of return. If the student has attended one or more regionally accredited colleges or universities during their absence from the University, complete official transcripts must accompany the application for readmission.

A student who is absent without authorization from the University for one semester or more may request reinstatement by completing and submitting the Request for Reinstatement form to their program manager. To be eligible for approval, students must have been in satisfactory academic progress at the time of the unauthorized absence and must have enough personal leave available to cover any missed semesters.  If a student's request for reinstatement is denied, they must make a formal application for readmission as indicated above.

The application fee is waived for students applying for readmission who was previously registered as a graduate degree candidate at GWSB. Other fees associated with admission and starting a program may apply. 

General Requirements

All students must complete the prescribed minimum number of credits of graduate coursework. All work for a master’s degree must be completed within five years. MBA students may register for a maximum of 18 credits each semester. Students in the Global MBA program must seek permission from the Office of Graduate Programs to register for coursework during the summers.

No credit is granted for work done in absentia or without formal instruction, except for supervised field experience, independent study, and the thesis, which may be completed in absentia with the permission of the department, designated faculty advisor, or committee concerned.

Transfer Credit
Master's Degree Programs

A maximum of 6 credits of graduate coursework may be approved for transfer to a School of Business master's degree program from enrollment at GW in non-degree status or from another degree-granting school of this University or another regionally accredited college or university under the following conditions:

  • the coursework must be approved as part of the student’s program of studies;
  • it must not have been counted toward the completion of requirements for another degree;
  • it must be at the graduate level;
  • it must have been completed within the three years prior to acceptance into the program; and
  • the student must have received a minimum grade of B.

A transcript and description of the coursework must be on file before the petition can be considered. Should transfer credit be granted, the credit for a course will apply toward the credit requirements but not the grade. It should be noted that students enrolled in a GWSB 4+1 program are not eligible for additional credit transfers beyond those approved for sharing.
 

Graduate Certificate Programs

A maximum of 3 credits of graduate coursework may be approved for transfer to a School of Business graduate certificate program from enrollment at GW in non-degree status or from another degree-granting school of this University under the following conditions:

  • the coursework must be approved as part of the student’s program of studies;
  • it must be at the graduate level;
  • it must have been completed within the three years prior to acceptance into the program; and
  • the student must have received a minimum grade of B.

A transcript and description of the coursework must be on file before the petition can be considered. Should transfer credit be granted, the credit for a course will apply toward the credit requirements but not the grade. 

Course Waiver

Students who have completed the undergraduate equivalent of a core course with a minimum grade of B at GW are eligible for a waiver of that course. The undergraduate equivalent must have been completed within five years prior to program matriculation to be considered. If waived, the required core course must be substituted with a graduate-level course focusing on the same subject area and approved by the program director.

In addition, students who have completed the equivalent of a master of accountancy preparatory course with a minimum grade of B– as part of the bachelor’s degree may request a waiver of that course. The undergraduate course must be completed at GW or another AACSB-accredited college or university prior to admission to the Master of Accountancy program. 

Students who believe they are eligible for a waiver based on previous graduate-level coursework or a professional credential should contact their program manager for specific waiver criteria and deadlines for requesting waivers. All courses presented for waiver consideration must have been completed within the five years prior to the first semester of enrollment in the graduate program.

Independent Study Plan

A graduate student of demonstrated capacity, with a special interest in the subject matter of a course, may be permitted to undertake study under the personal direction of an instructor, in accordance with the rules of the appropriate department or degree program. A petition outlining the student’s specific study plan must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Programs and approval given prior to beginning any independent study. The student may petition to complete a maximum of two independent studies in two separate semesters.

Students from Other Schools Within the University

Degree candidates from other schools of the University cannot register for more than a total of 12 credits in GWSB courses.

Academic Standing

A graduate student who is not on academic probation or suspension for poor scholarship is considered to be in good standing. The University’s general scholarship requirements, including information on grades and computing the grade-point average, appear under University Regulations in this Bulletin. A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 must be maintained and is required for awarding of a graduate degree. All graduate courses and undergraduate courses taken for graduate credit after matriculation as a degree candidate (except those audited or taken for the grade of CR) will be used in the calculation of the grade-point average.

Academic Probation

Students whose GPA falls below 3.0 at any point after completing 9 credits are placed on academic probation.

While on academic probation, a student:

  1. Must achieve at least a 3.0 (term) GPA in each subsequent semester.
  2. Must be continuously enrolled or on an approved Leave of Absence or Continuous Enrollment.
  3. Must not receive a grade of F (Failure) in any course.
  4. Must not receive the designation Incomplete (I) in any course.

A student who fails to meet the above four conditions will be suspended from their program.

A student may request reinstatement from a suspension by completing and submitting the Request for Reinstatement form to their academic advisor. The request should offer a clear explanation of changed circumstances and how the student plans to raise their cumulative GPA to 3.0. The request must be submitted within one semester of the suspension. Thus, a student suspended in the fall semester must request reinstatement no later than the last day of the spring semester immediately following their suspension and a student suspended in the spring semester or during a summer session must request reinstatement no later than the last day of the fall semester immediately following their suspension.

In order to achieve the 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA, the student will be allowed to take up to 6 credits of graduate-level coursework beyond the program requirement.

A student who is below a 3.0 cumulative GPA and does not have enough credits remaining in their program to achieve the minimum GPA—including the additional 6 credits referenced above—will be dismissed. There is no appeal possible following a dismissal.

Grades of F

A master’s degree candidate who receives a grade of F in a core or required course must repeat the course and earn a passing grade on the next attempt; a failed elective must either be repeated or replaced with another graduate-level course. If a master's degree candidate receives a grade of F in a core course on their second attempt, they will be dismissed from their degree program. Students should refer to the requirements of their degree program for additional minimum grade requirements. Once a grade of F is earned in a core, required, or elective course, it remains a part of the student’s permanent record and is calculated into the grade-point average.

Incompletes

Conditions under which the symbol I (Incomplete) may be assigned and changed are described under University Regulations. The symbol I must be changed by a date agreed on by the instructor and the student but usually no later than the last day of the examination period within one calendar year for the fall or spring semester or summer session in which the symbol I was assigned. An Incomplete that is not changed within this period automatically becomes an F. In cases of well-documented extenuating circumstances, an instructor and a student may jointly petition the director of the student’s degree program for additional time in which to complete the work of the course. Such petitions should be submitted within the same period. The symbol of I cannot be changed by re-registering for the course here or by taking its equivalent elsewhere. Upon submission of the assigned grade, the I is removed from the transcript.

Thesis

Students contemplating doctoral study are strongly encouraged to include the thesis as an elective in their master’s program. The thesis subject should be selected as early as possible to permit effective integration with the coursework. The subject must be approved by the professor in charge of the student’s field. The thesis in its final form must have the approval of the professor in charge. All theses must be submitted electronically and meet the formatting and other requirements set forth online at GW's Electronic Theses and Dissertations Submission website.

Payment of tuition for the thesis entitles the candidate, during the semesters in which registered for thesis seminar and/or thesis research, to the advice and direction of the member of the faculty under whom the thesis is to be written. In case a thesis is unfinished, additional time is granted. The student must, however, be enrolled continuously in the program. If the preparation of the thesis extends more than three semesters beyond the date of registration for thesis research, the student must register for the total required thesis credits again and pay additional tuition.

Departments

Undergraduate programs

Bachelor's programs

Concentrations

Available only to GWSB students.

Minors

Available only to non-GWSB students.

Combined program

Master's programs

Master of Business Administration program

MBA offered in the following formats:

STEM MBA offered in the following formats and concentration:

Combined programs

Doctoral programs

Graduate certificate programs

Explanation of Course Numbers

  • Courses in the 1000s are primarily introductory undergraduate courses
  • Those in the 2000s to 4000s are upper-level undergraduate courses that also may be taken for graduate credit with permission and additional work assigned
  • Those in the 6000s and 8000s are for master’s, doctoral, and professional-level students
  • The 6000s are open to advanced undergraduate students with approval of the instructor and the dean or advising office