Admission deadline: Fall: January 7th - Fellowship & Application Deadline
Spring: October 1st - Fellowship & Application Deadline
Applications for admission will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis after the fellowship deadlines have passed, but students will not be considered for fellowships.
Standardized test scores: GRE and GMAT scores are not accepted and will not be considered in the review process. Please do not submit scores.
Recommendations required: Two (2) letters are required. Applicants should submit one (1) academic letter from a professor and one (1) professional reference.
Prior academic records: Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended should be uploaded to your online application. Official transcripts are required only of applicants who are offered admission and choose to enroll.
If academic records are in a language other than English, English language translations must be provided. The English translations alone should be uploaded into the online application. Official transcripts and certified English translations will be required of applicants who are offered admission and choose to enroll.
Statement of purpose: All applicants are required to submit an essay of approximately 500 words that answers one of the two questions below:
State your purpose in undertaking graduate study at the Elliott School. As part of your statement of purpose, describe your academic and research interests, career objectives, how a degree from the Elliott School will enable you to achieve your goals, and what unique skills, talents and/or perspectives you will bring to your program. Please be specific.
- OR -
Please discuss an issue of international importance you wish to address in your professional career. Please include how the Elliott School and the academic program to which you have applied will prepare you to address this global issue.
Additional requirements: A resumé or curriculum vitae is required. Resumés/CVs must include dates of employment (if applicable) and date of degree conferral or expected degree conferral.
High intermediate coursework in a modern foreign language is required at the time of application.
Prerequisites: Academic coursework in an Asian language, which will prepare students to complete the program’s language requirement*, must be shown at the time of application. This can be demonstrated by:
Study that is equal to four semesters of university-level coursework or equivalent. Completion of formal language training as part of employment (ex. Peace Corps, JET, etc.). Growing up in a household where the language is spoken.
*Students need to have a strong foundation in a foreign language before enrolling to be successful in completing the language requirement during the program.
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 9 credits in core field courses, a 4-credit capstone sequence, 9 credits in a thematic specialization, 6 credits in a professional specialization, a 3-credit research methods course, and 9 credits in elective courses. In addition, all students must fulfill a language proficiency requirement (see below).

See notes regarding special topics and skills courses, the capstone sequence, and the thesis option*. 

Required
Core courses (9 credits)
HIST 6602Asia: History, Memory, and Violence
And two courses selected from the following:
IAFF 6186Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Asian Security)
PSC 6373Political Economy of Industrializing Asia
PSC 6375States and Societies in East Asia
PSC 6467Asian Security
PSC 6475International Politics of East Asia
Capstone sequence (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 consecutively.
IAFF 6898Capstone Workshop
IAFF 6899Capstone Course
Thematic specialization (9 credits)
Three courses in a thematic specialization. Students may design their own field with the approval of the program director, or select one of the specializations listed below.
Professional specialization (6 credits)
Two courses in a professional specialization. Students may design their own field with the approval of the program director, or select one of the specializations listed below.
Research methods course (3 credits)
Research methods courses are listed below after the section for professional specializations. The course selected to fulfill this requirement cannot also count toward the 6 credit requirement for the professional specialization.
Electives (9 credits)
9 credits in elective courses. Students may use elective credits for language courses, background coursework, or 1-credit skills courses.
Skills courses
Skills courses are designed to supplement substantive graduate coursework with practical skills and knowledge that students need to perform effectively in the workplace. A maximum of three one-credit skills courses may be taken as electives.
IAFF 6502Professional Skills I
IAFF 6503Professional Skills II
Additional thesis option
Students who wish to complete a thesis do so in addition to the capstone requirement. Students pursuing a thesis must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and approval from the faculty member who will serve as their thesis director. Thesis students also need to complete at least one research methods course. Thesis credits are counted as elective or specialization credits with program director approval. The two 3-credit thesis courses must be taken consecutively.
IAFF 6998Thesis
IAFF 6999Thesis
Thematic specialization courses (9 credits)
Three courses selected from one of the following areas. Courses taken for the thematic specialization cannot also be counted toward the professional specializations or vice versa.
History of modern Asia
HIST 6001Special Topics (Gender, Power, and Sexuality in East Asia)
HIST 6601Topics: Asian History (Geography and Politics of Afghanistan and South and Central Asia)
HIST 6611Readings Seminar: Twentieth-Century China
HIST 6630Special Topics in Korean History (Modern Korea)
Politics and policy in Asia
HIST 6601Topics: Asian History (Geography and Politics of Afghanistan and South and Central Asia)
IAFF 6186Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (China's Military)
IAFF 6302Taiwan: Internal Development and Foreign Policy
IAFF 6318Special Topics in Asian Studies (Chinese Law & Legal Institutions)
PSC 6368Japanese Politics and Foreign Policy
PSC 6370Politics of China I
PSC 6371Politics of China II
PSC 6374Korean Politics
PSC 6375States and Societies in East Asia
International relations of Asia
HIST 6625Japan’s Empire and Its Legacies
IAFF 6186Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Asian Security) *
IAFF 6186Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (China's Military)
IAFF 6302Taiwan: Internal Development and Foreign Policy
IAFF 6318Special Topics in Asian Studies (International Relations of South Asia)
IAFF 6318Special Topics in Asian Studies (Korea-Japan Relations)
IAFF 6358Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies (Latin America-China Relations)
IAFF 6385Special Topics in African Studies (Rising China in Africa)
PSC 6372Foreign Policy of China
PSC 6467Asian Security *
PSC 6489Topics in International Relations (U.S.-China Relations)
*If not taken as a core course
Asian business and development
IAFF 6318Special Topics in Asian Studies (Chinese Law & Legal Institutions)
Culture, art, and relations of Asia
CAH 6262Seminar in South Asian Art
CAH 6265Seminar in Islamic Art and Architecture
CHIN 3163Taiwanese Literature and Film
or CHIN 6163 Taiwanese Literature and Film
CHIN 6109Introduction to Classical Chinese I
CHIN 6110Introduction to Classical Chinese II
CHIN 6111Chinese Literature in Translation
CHIN 6112Chinese Literature in Translation II
China/Taiwan
CHIN 3163Taiwanese Literature and Film
or CHIN 6163 Taiwanese Literature and Film
CHIN 3173Chinese Drama and Theatre
or CHIN 6173 Traditional Chinese Theatre and Drama
CHIN 6111Chinese Literature in Translation
CHIN 6112Chinese Literature in Translation II
CHIN 6123Structure of Chinese
CHIN 6125History of the Chinese Language
CHIN 6173Traditional Chinese Theatre and Drama
CHIN 6180Twentieth-Century Chinese Literature II
EALL 3881Women, Gender, and Religion in China
or EALL 6881 Women, Gender, and Religion in China
HIST 6611Readings Seminar: Twentieth-Century China
IAFF 6186Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (The Chinese Military)
IAFF 6302Taiwan: Internal Development and Foreign Policy
IAFF 6318Special Topics in Asian Studies (Chinese Business Law)
IAFF 6318Special Topics in Asian Studies (Law of the People's Republic of China)
IAFF 6358Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies (Latin America-China Relations)
IAFF 6385Special Topics in African Studies (Rising China in Africa)
PSC 6336The Political Economy of China, India, and Beyond
PSC 6370Politics of China I
PSC 6371Politics of China II
PSC 6372Foreign Policy of China
PSC 6489Topics in International Relations (U.S.-China Relations)
Korea
HIST 6630Special Topics in Korean History *
IAFF 6318Special Topics in Asian Studies (Korea-Japan Relations)
IAFF 6318Special Topics in Asian Studies (topic: Politics of the Past in Korea. Same as IAFF 3186: Politics of the Past in Korea)
KOR 3111Korean Literature in Translation I
KOR 3162Korean Culture through Film
PSC 6374Korean Politics
PSC 6375States and Societies in East Asia
Japan
HIST 3621History of Modern Japan
HIST 6601Topics: Asian History (Japan/China Throughout History)
IAFF 6318Special Topics in Asian Studies (Korea-Japan Relations)
JAPN 3111Japanese Literature in Translation I
JAPN 3112Japanese Literature in Translation II
JAPN 3162Japanese Culture Through Film
PSC 6368Japanese Politics and Foreign Policy
PSC 6375States and Societies in East Asia
Professional specialization courses (6 credits)
Two courses from one of the following professional specialization fields. Courses taken for the professional specialization cannot also be counted toward the thematic specializations or vice versa.
Conflict and conflict resolution
GEOG 6224Seminar: Political Geography
IAFF 6118Special Topics in International Affairs (Conflict Prevention)
IAFF 6118Special Topics in International Affairs (International Peacekeeping)
IAFF 6118Special Topics in International Affairs (Stabilization and Peacebuilding)
IAFF 6171Introduction to Conflict Resolution
IAFF 6186Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Countering Violent Extremism)
IAFF 6186Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Insurgency and Counterinsurgency)
IAFF 6186Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Political Violence and Terrorism)
MGT 6215Conflict Management and Negotiations
Global communication and public diplomacy
EDUC 6620Strategies and Analysis in International Education
EDUC 6640Selected Topics in International Education *
IAFF 6138Special Topics in International Development Studies (Development and Technology)
IAFF 6208Special Topics in Global Communication (Public Diplomacy)
or SMPA 6275 Public Diplomacy
PUBH 6571Social Marketing: Theory and Practice
SMPA 6204Strategic Political Communication
SMPA 6270Special Topics in Media and Public Affairs (Media and War)
or SMPA 6274 Media and War
International development
Required
IAFF 6108International Development Policy
Supporting courses:
A. Anthropology
ANTH 6301The Anthropology of Development
ANTH 6302Issues in Development *
ANTH 6331Research Methods in Development Anthropology
ANTH 6391Anthropology and Contemporary Problems
ANTH 6505Medical Anthropology
ANTH 6508Ethics and Cultural Property
ANTH 6591Topics in Sociocultural Anthropology *
PPPA 6006Policy Analysis
B. Environment
ECON 6237Economics of the Environment and Natural Resources
EMSE 6200Policy Factors in Environmental and Energy Management
EMSE 6290Climate Change: Policy, Impacts, and Response
GEOG 6244Urban Sustainability
IAFF 6138Special Topics in International Development Studies (Agriculture and Sustainable Development)
IAFF 6138Special Topics in International Development Studies (Climate Change and Sustainable Development)
IAFF 6151Environmental Policy
IAFF 6152Energy Policy
PHIL 6281Environmental Philosophy and Policy
PPPA 6066U.S. Environmental Policy
PUBH 6130Sustainable Energy and the Environment
C. Humanitarian assistance
EMSE 6305Crisis and Emergency Management
EMSE 6320International Disaster Management
GEOG 6224Seminar: Political Geography
IAFF 6138Special Topics in International Development Studies (Care of Children in Complex Emergencies)
IAFF 6138Special Topics in International Development Studies (Human Trafficking)
IAFF 6138Special Topics in International Development Studies (M&E for Foreign Assistance Programs)
IAFF 6138Special Topics in International Development Studies (Violence, Gender and Humanitarian Assistance)
PUBH 6442Comparative Global Health Systems
PUBH 6503Introduction to Public Health Communication and Marketing
D. International development management
ECON 6250Survey of Economic Development
EMSE 6820Program and Project Management
IAFF 6108International Development Policy
IAFF 6118Special Topics in International Affairs (Managing the World's Waters)
IAFF 6138Special Topics in International Development Studies (Local Government, Decentralization and Development)
IAFF 6138Special Topics in International Development Studies (Poverty and Bottom-Up Development)
IAFF 6138Special Topics in International Development Studies (Private Sector Development)
IBUS 6402Managing in Developing Countries
PPPA 6049Urban and Regional Policy Analysis
PPPA 6057International Development Administration
PPPA 6058International Development NGO Management
PPPA 6059International Development Management Processes and Tools
PPPA 6062Community Development Policy and Management
PPPA 6081Poverty and Social Policy
SMPA 6250Topics in Media Processes and Institutions *
E. International education
EDUC 6100Experimental Courses *
EDUC 6601International and Comparative Education
EDUC 6602Regional Studies in International Education
EDUC 6610Programs and Policies in International Education
EDUC 6620Strategies and Analysis in International Education
EDUC 6640Selected Topics in International Education *
EDUC 6650Education and National Development
F. Global health
ANTH 6505Medical Anthropology
PUBH 6442Comparative Global Health Systems
PUBH 6503Introduction to Public Health Communication and Marketing
G. Women and development
ANTH 6501Gender and Sexuality
IAFF 6102Global Gender Policy
IAFF 6118Special Topics in International Affairs (Gender, War, and Peace)
IAFF 6138Special Topics in International Development Studies (Gender and Development)
IAFF 6138Special Topics in International Development Studies (Gender and Economic Development)
IAFF 6138Special Topics in International Development Studies (Violence, Gender and Humanitarian Assistance)
MGT 6290Special Topics (Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership)
WGSS 6230Global Feminisms
WGSS 6270Seminar: Selected Topics (Global Islamic Feminisms)
International economics, political economy, and business
ECON 6250Survey of Economic Development
ECON 6269Economy of China
ECON 6283Survey of International Trade Theory and Policy
ECON 6284Survey of International Macroeconomics and Finance Theory and Policy
ECON 6293Topics in International Finance *
ECON 6295Special Topics *
FINA 6274Corporate Financial Management and Modeling
FINA 6275Investment Analysis and Global Portfolio Management
FINA 6277Comparative Financial Market Regulation and Development
IAFF 6118Special Topics in International Affairs (Strategy, Global Markets, and Politics)
IBUS 6201International Marketing
IBUS 6202Regional Strategy for Multinationals
IBUS 6301International Business Finance
IBUS 6310International Financial Reporting Standards
IBUS 6401International Business Strategy
MBAD 6242Microeconomics for the World Economy
PPPA 6003Economics for Public Decision Making
PSC 6336The Political Economy of China, India, and Beyond
PSC 6439International Political Economy
International health policy and programs
Required
Two from the following:
PUBH 6002Biostatistical Applications for Public Health
PUBH 6003Principles and Practices of Epidemiology
PUBH 6007Social and Behavioral Approaches to Public Health
Supporting courses:
A. Advanced public health courses (non-global issues)
PUBH 6121Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology
PUBH 6122Protecting Public Health and the Environment: Policies, Politics, and Programs
PUBH 6126Assessment and Control of Environmental Hazards
PUBH 6130Sustainable Energy and the Environment
PUBH 6250Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS
PUBH 6252Epidemiologic Methods II: Advanced Epidemiologic Methods
PUBH 6253Issues in HIV Care and Treatment
PUBH 6255Organizational Responses to the Local, National, and Global HIV/AIDS Epidemics
PUBH 6262Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
PUBH 6263Advanced GIS
PUBH 6571Social Marketing: Theory and Practice
PUBH 6572Marketing Research for Public Health
PUBH 6573Media Advocacy for Public Health
PUBH 6853Use of SAS for Data Management and Analysis
B. Research methods and theory in global health
PUBH 6410Global Health Study Design
PUBH 6411Global Health Qualitative Research Methods
PUBH 6412Global Health Quantitative Research Methods
PUBH 6416Ethical and Cultural Issues in Global Health Research and Programs
PUBH 6435Global Health Program Development and Implementation
PUBH 6436Global Health Program Management and Leadership
C. Global health
PUBH 6128Global Environmental and Occupational Health
PUBH 6132Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Low-Income Countries
PUBH 6400Global Health Frameworks
PUBH 6441Global Health Organizations and Regulations
PUBH 6442Comparative Global Health Systems
PUBH 6480Public Health in Humanitarian Settings
PUBH 6481Global Mental Health
PUBH 6563Global Child Health
International security policy
IAFF 6106Nuclear Weapons
IAFF 6118Special Topics in International Affairs (Conflict Prevention)
IAFF 6118Special Topics in International Affairs (International Peacekeeping)
IAFF 6118Special Topics in International Affairs (Nuclear Security Policy)
IAFF 6118Special Topics in International Affairs (Stabilization and Peacebuilding)
IAFF 6148Space and National Security
IAFF 6160Defense Policy
IAFF 6163Transnational Security Issues
IAFF 6164Environmental Security
IAFF 6165Fundamentals of Intelligence
IAFF 6173Security and Development
IAFF 6186Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Cyber Threats, Policy, and Strategy)
IAFF 6186Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Illicit Finance and Security)
IAFF 6186Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Insurgency and Counterinsurgency)
IAFF 6186Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (International Organized Crime)
IAFF 6186Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Nuclear Strategy)
IAFF 6186Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Political Risk Analysis)
IAFF 6186Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Strategic Planning for the 21st Century)
IAFF 6186Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (The Chinese Military)
IAFF 6186Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (U.S. Grand Strategy)
IAFF 6338Special Topics in European and Eurasian Studies (Nationalism in Russia and Eurasia)
IAFF 6338Special Topics in European and Eurasian Studies (Ukraine and Georgia between Russia and the West)
IAFF 6338Special Topics in European and Eurasian Studies (US-Russia Relations in the 21st Century)
PSC 6467Asian Security *
PSC 8452Theories of International Security
*If not taken as a core course
Research methods (professional specialization)
The course taken to fulfill the program requirement for a 3-credit research methods course cannot also be counted toward the research methods professional specialization. Students who choose to specialize in research methods must take a total of three methods courses, one to satisfy the methods requirement and two for the specialization.
ANTH 6531Methods in Sociocultural Anthropology
EDUC 6112Foundations of Assessment, Testing, and Measurement in Education
EDUC 6114Introduction to Quantitative Research
EDUC 8122Qualitative Research Methods
EDUC 8130Survey Research Methods
EDUC 8131Case Study Research Methods
GEOG 6304Geographical Information Systems I
IAFF 6118Special Topics in International Affairs (Applied Qualitative Methods)
IAFF 6118Special Topics in International Affairs (Data Analytics for International Affairs)
PPPA 6002Research Methods and Applied Statistics
PPPA 6013Regression Methods for Policy Research
PPPA 6014Microeconomics for Public Policy II
PSC 8101Introduction to Empirical Political Analysis
PUBH 6260Applied Epidemiologic Data Analysis
PUBH 6410Global Health Study Design
PUBH 6411Global Health Qualitative Research Methods
PUBH 6412Global Health Quantitative Research Methods
PUBH 6853Use of SAS for Data Management and Analysis
SOC 6230Foundations of Research Methods
SOC 6231Quantitative Methods
SOC 6232Qualitative Methods
Science, technology, and international affairs
ANTH 6806Technology
ECON 6255Economics of Technological Change
EMSE 6030Technological Forecasting and Management
IAFF 6107The Science of Nuclear Materials
IAFF 6143Science and Technology Policy Analysis
IAFF 6145U.S. Space Policy
IAFF 6146Space Law
IAFF 6148Space and National Security
IAFF 6151Environmental Policy
IAFF 6152Energy Policy
IAFF 6153Science, Technology, and National Security
IAFF 6158Special Topics in International Science and Technology Policy (Issues in U.S. Space Policy)
IAFF 6186Special Topics in Security Policy Studies (Cybersecurity)
Research methods requirement (3 credits)
One course from the following. The course taken to fulfill this requirement cannot also be counted toward the research methods professional specialization or vice versa.
ANTH 6531Methods in Sociocultural Anthropology
EDUC 6114Introduction to Quantitative Research
EDUC 8122Qualitative Research Methods
EDUC 8130Survey Research Methods
EDUC 8131Case Study Research Methods
GEOG 6201Geographic Thought
GEOG 6292Qualitative Methods in Geography
GEOG 6304Geographical Information Systems I
GEOG 6305Geospatial Statistics
IAFF 6118Special Topics in International Affairs (Applied Qualitative Methods)
IAFF 6118Special Topics in International Affairs (Data Analytics for International Affairs)
IAFF 6216Analytic Tools for Global Policy
IAFF 6501Quantitative Analysis for International Affairs Practitioners
PPPA 6002Research Methods and Applied Statistics
PPPA 6013Regression Methods for Policy Research
PPPA 6014Microeconomics for Public Policy II
PSC 8101Introduction to Empirical Political Analysis
PUBH 6002Biostatistical Applications for Public Health
PUBH 6247Epidemiologic Methods I: Design of Health Studies
PUBH 6260Applied Epidemiologic Data Analysis
PUBH 6410Global Health Study Design
PUBH 6411Global Health Qualitative Research Methods
PUBH 6412Global Health Quantitative Research Methods
PUBH 6853Use of SAS for Data Management and Analysis
SOC 6230Foundations of Research Methods
SOC 6231Quantitative Methods
SOC 6232Qualitative Methods

*Only specific topics that are determined by the program director to be relevant to the student's program of study may be used to fulfill this requirement. Any topic intended to be used for this requirement must be approved by the program director prior to enrollment. 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. 

Language proficiency requirement

Students in the Asian studies program are required to demonstrate proficiency in a modern Asian language.

Students may demonstrate proficiency in Mandarin Chinese, Korean, or Japanese though one of the following methods:

1) Passing the oral and written proficiency exam administered by the Elliott School 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.

2) Earning a grade of B or higher in one of the following courses in the East Asian Languages and Literatures Department:

CHIN 3106

CHIN 4107

CHIN 4108

JAPN 3106

JAPN 4107

JAPN 4108

KOR 3106

KOR 4107

KOR 4108

Failure to pass the examination for a third time, or to receive a sufficient grade in one of the approved courses, results in dismissal from the program.

Students seeking to fulfill the language requirement using a language other than Mandarin Chinese, Korean, or Japanese should consult with their academic advisor or the Program Director.