For information about the admission process, including deadlines, 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 St NW Suite 100
Washington, DC 20052

For questions visit undergraduate.admissions.gwu.edu/contact-us.

Elliott School bachelor's degrees engage students with global issues through multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches. Students begin their studies in the first year with foundational courses in political science, economics, history, and anthropology or geography. They supplement these courses with others in the traditional liberal arts categories of writing, oral communication, natural or physical science, mathematics or statistics, and the humanities/creative arts, plus two writing in the disciplines courses. Language study also is emphasized early to enable students to satisfy the third-year language proficiency requirement of the bachelor's degree in a timely manner. 

Elliott School bachelor's degrees require a minimum of 120 credits. The following three sets of requirements must be fulfilled:

1. University General Education Requirements

2. Elliott School Introductory Requirements

3. Major Requirements

1. University General Education Requirements

Coursework for the University General Education Requirement is distributed as follows:

  • One course in critical thinking in the humanities.

  • Two courses in critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, or scientific reasoning in the social sciences.

  • One course that has an approved oral communication component.

  • One course in quantitative reasoning (must be in mathematics or statistics). 
    • Students in the BS in international affairs program are required to take a calculus-based course to fulfill the University General Education requirement in quantitative reasoning. Options include MATH 1220 and MATH 1221; MATH 1231; MATH 1232; or MATH 1252. Students must complete all required prerequisites for their intended analytic core courses. Students are encouraged to consult their advisor with any questions.
  • One course in scientific reasoning, with lab (must be in natural and/or physical laboratory sciences).
  • UW 1020 University Writing (4 credits).
  • After successful completion of UW 1020, 6 credits distributed over at least two writing in the discipline (WID) courses taken in separate semesters. WID courses are designated by a "W" appended to the course number. 

2. Elliott School Introductory Requirements

Introductory requirements (22 credits)
Required
IAFF 1001 is not required for internal or external transfer students.
IAFF 1001First-Year Experience (fall of first year)
IAFF 1005Introduction to International Affairs (required in the first year)
ECON 1011Principles of Economics I
ECON 1012Principles of Economics II
HIST 1011World History from 1500 to Present
PSC 1001Introduction to Comparative Politics
One of the following introductory anthropology or geography courses:
ANTH 1002Sociocultural Anthropology
ANTH 1004Language in Culture and Society
GEOG 1001Introduction to Human Geography
GEOG 1003Society and Environment *
*GEOG 1003 does not meet the prerequisite requirement for all upper-level geography courses.
One additional course from the University General Education "Critical Thinking in the Humanities" course list or from the GPAC "Creative or Critical Thinking in the Arts" course list.

3.  Major Requirements

In addition to the University General Education Requirements and Elliott School Introductory Requirements, Elliott School students must complete the Major Requirements for their individual major:

If you are an Elliott School student who started at GW before Fall 2024, you are following a different version of the curriculum. Please find your degree requirements in the archived Bulletin for your matriculation year.

Students pursuing the BS in International Affairs program as a second major must complete all of the major requirements listed below, including any prerequisites for these courses. These requirements are taken in addition to the requirements for the student's primary major, which typically includes completion of the University General Education requirement and other requirements specific to the primary major. Students are encouraged to talk with their home school's academic advisor for more information about their primary major requirements.

The following requirements must be fulfilled for the bachelor of science in international affairs program:

The general requirements stated under Elliott School of International Affairs, General Requirements.

A minimum of 120 credits, including completion of 9-credit specialization.

BS in international affairs major requirements

The BS in international affairs major requirements enable students to continue building their breadth of understanding in international affairs while simultaneously developing their STEM-related analytical skills. With many course options for several of the requirements, students can also personalize their learning. In addition, students gain a broader understanding of at least two world regions or countries outside of the United States.

A minimum grade of C- must be earned in all international affairs major requirements listed below. 

Courses cannot be double counted within the international affairs major requirements.

The BA in International Affairs and BS in International Affairs programs cannot be combined as double majors, nor as double degrees.

The BS in international affairs major requirements are divided into the following areas. Course options for each are listed below.

  • Quantitative research methods (3 credits)
  • Two regional foundations courses, with each course taken in a different region (6 credits)
  • International economics (3 credits)
  • Historical analysis: U.S. foreign policy (3 credits)
  • Upper-level international and comparative politics (3 credits)
  • Upper-level anthropology or geography (3 credits)
  • Third year language proficiency (credits vary)
  • BSIA analytical core (12 credits)
  • Specialization (9 credits)
Quantitative research methods (3 credits)
One course pertaining to quantitative social science research methods, computer programming, or other quantitative competencies, from the following.
APSC 3115Engineering Analysis III
CSCI 1012Introduction to Programming with Python
DATS 1001Data Science for All
DNSC 1001Business Analytics I: Statistics for Descriptive and Predictive Analytics *
DNSC 2001Business Analytics II: Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics **
ECON 2123Introduction to Econometrics
or STAT 2123 Introduction to Econometrics
GEOG 2104Introduction to Cartography and GIS
IAFF 2102Quantitative Methods in International Affairs
ISTM 3119Introduction to Programming
PSC 2101Scope and Methods of Political Science
PUBH 2142Introduction to Biostatistics for Public Health
SOC 2102Techniques of Data Analysis
STAT 1051Introduction to Business and Economic Statistics *
STAT 1053Introduction to Statistics in Social Science *
STAT 1111Business and Economic Statistics I *
STAT 1127Statistics for the Biological Sciences *
STAT 1129Introduction to Computing
STAT 2112Business and Economic Statistics II **
STAT 2118Regression Analysis
STAT 2123Introduction to Econometrics
or ECON 2123 Introduction to Econometrics
STAT 2183WIntermediate Statistical Laboratory: Statistical Computing Packages
STAT 4157Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I
*Credit for only one of the following courses may be applied toward an Elliott School undergraduate degree: DNSC 1001, STAT 1051, STAT 1053, STAT 1111, or STAT 1127.
**Credit for only one of the following courses may be applied toward an Elliott School undergraduate degree: DNSC 2001 or STAT 2112.
International economics (3 credits)
One of the three courses below pertaining to international economic theories and policies. Students with a specialization in International Economics must take ECON 2181 and ECON 2182. ECON 2181 will count towards the major requirements and ECON 2182 will count towards the International Economics specialization. If you are specializing in International Economics, do not take ECON 2180.
ECON 2180Survey of International Economics
ECON 2181International Trade Theory and Policy
ECON 2182International Macroeconomic Theory and Policy
Historical analysis: U.S. foreign policy (3 credits)
One of the following courses pertaining to the history of the U.S. approach to contemporary international affairs:
HIST 2340WU.S. Diplomatic History
HIST 3045International History of the Cold War
HIST 2710The United States in the World
Upper-level international and comparative politics (3 credits)
One of the following upper-level courses pertaining to international political issues or comparative politics, including politics in a particular country or region, taught from a political science perspective:
HONR 2047Self and Society Seminar (Empires and Imperialism from Rome to Washington)
HONR 2047Self and Society Seminar (Humanitarianism. Same as IAFF 3190 and PSC 2454: Humanitarianism)
HONR 2047Self and Society Seminar (Reunification, Reconciliation, Resentment. Same as PSC 2993: Reunification, Reconciliation, Resentment)
HONR 2047Self and Society Seminar (Transitional Justice)
IAFF 2201WWomen in Global Politics
IAFF 2202WCritical Issues in U.S.-Asia Relations
IAFF 2444International Law
or PSC 2444 Public International Law
IAFF 3172Conflict and Conflict Resolution
IAFF 3180WSpecial Topics in Security Policy (Security Policy and Qualitative Analysis)
IAFF 3185Special Topics in European and Eurasian Studies (Nationalism in Eurasia)
IAFF 3186Special Topics in Asian Studies (Comparative Politics in Southeast Asia)
IAFF 3188Special Topics in Middle East Studies (Iran in the Middle East)
IAFF 3190Special Topics in International Affairs (Congress and National Security Enterprise)
IAFF 3190Special Topics in International Affairs (Populist Authoritarianism)
IAFF 3190Special Topics in International Affairs (Humanitarianism)
IAFF 3190Special Topics in International Affairs (Women, Rights, and Gender Equality)
IAFF 3206Global Governance
IAFF 3753International Relations of South Asia
IAFF 3754U.S.-China Relations
IAFF 4191WResearch and Writing Seminar (Security Policy and Qualitative Analysis. Same as IAFF 3180W: Security Policy and Qualitative Analysis)
PSC 2109Global Justice
PSC 2330Comparative Politics of Western Europe
PSC 2331Comparative Politics of Central and Eastern Europe
PSC 2332European Integration
PSC 2334Global Perspectives on Democracy
PSC 2336State–Society Relations in the Developing World
PSC 2337Development Politics
PSC 2338Nationalism
PSC 2339Comparative Political Economy
PSC 2366Russian Politics
PSC 2368Politics in the Two Koreas
PSC 2371Politics and Foreign Policy of China
PSC 2377Comparative Politics of the Middle East
PSC 2381Comparative Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa
PSC 2383Comparative Politics of Latin America
PSC 2439International Political Economy
PSC 2440Theories of International Politics
PSC 2442International Organizations
PSC 2444Public International Law
or IAFF 2444 International Law
PSC 2446U.S. Foreign Policy
PSC 2449International Security Politics
PSC 2454Humanitarianism (Same as HONR 2047 and IAFF 3190: Humanitarianism)
PSC 2455Global Governance
PSC 2475International Relations of East Asia
PSC 2476The Arab-Israeli Conflict
PSC 2478International Relations of the Middle East
PSC 2482African International Politics
PSC 2991Special Topics in Political Thought (Global Justice)
PSC 2993Special Topics in Comparative Politics (all topics under IAFF 2993 are approved for this requirement)
PSC 2994Special Topics in International Relations (Comparative Politics of Central and Eastern Europe)
PSC 3192WProseminar: Political Science (British Politics)
PSC 3192WProseminar: Political Science (Ethics in World Politics)
PSC 3192WProseminar: Political Science (Politics of Water)
PSC 3192WProseminar: Political Science (Political Violence)
Upper-level anthropology or geography (3 credits)
One of the following courses in anthropology or geography relevant to international affairs. Many of these courses have lower-level prerequisites as detailed in course descriptions in this Bulletin.
ANTH 2501The Anthropology of Gender: Cross-Cultural Perspectives
ANTH 2506Religion, Myth, and Magic
or REL 2506 Religion, Myth, and Magic
ANTH 3501Anthropology of Development
or IAFF 3501 International Development Theory, Policy, and Practice
ANTH 3503Psychological Anthropology
ANTH 3504Illness, Healing, and Culture
ANTH 3506Politics, Ethnicity, and Nationalism
ANTH 3507Kinship, Family, and Community
ANTH 3513Anthropology of Human Rights
or IAFF 3513 Human Rights and Ethics
ANTH 3601Language, Culture, and Cognition
ANTH 3991Special Topics (Politics of Infrastructure)
IAFF 3501International Development Theory, Policy, and Practice
or ANTH 3501 Anthropology of Development
IAFF 3513Human Rights and Ethics
or ANTH 3513 Anthropology of Human Rights
GEOG 2120World Regional Geography
GEOG 2127Population Geography
GEOG 2129WBiogeography
GEOG 2133People, Land, and Food
GEOG 2134Energy Resources
GEOG 2136Water Resources
GEOG 2141Cities in the Developing World
GEOG 2147Military Geography
GEOG 2148Economic Geography
GEOG 3143Urban Sustainability
or GEOG 3143W Urban Sustainability
GEOG 3145Cultural Geography
GEOG 3146Political Geography
GEOG 3195Special Topics in Human Geography (Agriculture and Sustainable Food Systems)
GEOG 3195Special Topics in Human Geography (Geography of Development)
GEOG 3195Special Topics in Human Geography (topic: Global Environmental Justice. Same as IAFF 3190: Global Environmental Justice)
GEOG 3195Special Topics in Human Geography (Political Ecology)
GEOG 3275Sustainable Food Systems
GEOG 3810Planning Cities
IAFF 3190Special Topics in International Affairs (Global Environmental Justice. Same as GEOG 3195: Global Environmental Justice)
REL 2506Religion, Myth, and Magic
or ANTH 2506 Religion, Myth, and Magic
SLHS 1084Perspectives in Deaf Culture

Regional foundations

(6 Credits)

Students in the BS in international affairs program take one course from two of the regions listed below (for a total of two courses) to gain an understanding of two regions or countries of the world outside of the United States. These courses are typically offered as IAFF, ANTH, ECON, GEOG, HIST and PSC; address the contemporary era (post World War II); can be focused on single or multiple countries in a region; and must be taken from two different regions.

Africa
ANTH 3708Anthropology of Africa
GEOG 3164The Geography of Africa
HIST 3530Women in Africa
IAFF 2093Africa: Problems and Prospects
IAFF 2190WSpecial Topics (North Africa and the World) *
IAFF 3189Special Topics in African Studies (Africa Declassified)
IAFF 3189Special Topics in African Studies (Africa and Globalization: Culture and Context)
IAFF 3189Special Topics in African Studies (African Literature and Politics)
IAFF 3189Special Topics in African Studies (Africa in the Global Economy)
IAFF 3189Special Topics in African Studies (Ethnic and Religious Conflict in Africa)
IAFF 3189Special Topics in African Studies (International Affairs in Africa)
IAFF 3189Special Topics in African Studies (Women and Leadership in Africa)
PSC 2381Comparative Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa
PSC 2482African International Politics
*IAFF 2190W (North Africa and the World) is not approved as a regional foundations course for students in the Middle East Studies program due to the degree of overlap between issues in North Africa and the Middle East.
Asia
(Students in the BA in Asian studies program must fulfill the regional foundations requirement using a course focused in a world region other than Asia.)
ANTH 3704Cultures of Southeast Asia
ECON 2169Introduction to the Economy of China
GEOG 3165Geography of South Asia
HIST 3615History of Chinese Communism
HIST 3621History of Modern Japan
HIST 3631History of Modern Korea
HIST 3640History of Southeast Asia
IAFF 2091East Asia-Past and Present
IAFF 3186Special Topics in Asian Studies (Asian Order and Community Building)
IAFF 3186Special Topics in Asian Studies (Central Asia Security)
IAFF 3186Special Topics in Asian Studies (Comparative Politics in Southeast Asia)
IAFF 3186Special Topics in Asian Studies (Economic Development of East Asia)
IAFF 3186Special Topics in Asian Studies (Economic Lessons from East Asia)
IAFF 3186Special Topics in Asian Studies (Indo-Pacific Security Challenges)
IAFF 3186Special Topics in Asian Studies (South Asian Politics Via Literature and Film)
IAFF 3186Special Topics in Asian Studies (Women in Asia)
IAFF 3752WEquitable Development in Southeast Asia
IAFF 3753International Relations of South Asia
IAFF 3756Christianity and Islam in East Asia
PSC 2368Politics in the Two Koreas
PSC 2371Politics and Foreign Policy of China
PSC 2374Politics and Foreign Policy of Japan
PSC 2373Comparative Politics of Southeast Asia
Europe and Eurasia
GEOG 3197Special Topics in Regional Geography (Geography of Russia and Its Neighbors)
HIST 1121The War of Ideas in European and International History, 1750-Present
HIST 2125Twentieth-Century Europe
HIST 3101Topics: Europe (All sections of HIST 3101 are approved for this requirement.)
HIST 3168Divided and United Germany Since 1945
IAFF 2092Russia and Eastern Europe: An Introduction
IAFF 2094Europe in Transition
IAFF 3185Special Topics in European and Eurasian Studies (Nationalism in Eurasia)
IAFF 3185Special Topics in European and Eurasian Studies (The West and Russia)
IAFF 3185Special Topics in European and Eurasian Studies (Ukraine and Georgia between Russia and the West)
IAFF 3185Special Topics in European and Eurasian Studies (Ukrainian Security)
IAFF 3190Special Topics in International Affairs (European Economies and Crisis of Integration)
PSC 2330Comparative Politics of Western Europe
PSC 2331Comparative Politics of Central and Eastern Europe
PSC 2332European Integration
PSC 2366Russian Politics
PSC 2994Special Topics in International Relations (International Politics of Central and Eastern Europe)
PSC 3192WProseminar: Political Science (British Politics)
Latin America
(Students in the BA in Latin American and hemispheric studies program must fulfill the regional foundations requirement using a course focused in a world region other than Latin America.)
ANTH 3702Anthropology of Latin America
ANTH 3791Topics in Regional Anthropology (Anthropology of the Caribbean)
GEOG 3161Geography of Latin America
HIST 3701Topics in Latin American History (Democracy in Latin America)
HIST 3701Topics in Latin American History (Violence, Drugs, and Democracy in Latin America)
HIST 3710History of Latin America I
HIST 3711History of Latin America II
IAFF 2090Latin America: Problems and Promise
IAFF 3177Political Economy of Latin America
IAFF 3187Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies (Cuba in the Global Arena)
IAFF 3187Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies (Democracy in Latin America)
IAFF 3187Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies (Democracy Under Siege in Latin America)
IAFF 3187Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies (Economic and Social Development of Latin America)
IAFF 3187Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies (Feminist Movements in Latin America)
IAFF 3187Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies (Geography of Latin America)
IAFF 3187Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies (Latin America Geopolitics and Geoeconomy)
IAFF 3187Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies (Latin American Migration)
IAFF 3187Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies (Racial and Ethnic Politics of Latin America)
IAFF 3187Special Topics in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies (Security in the Americas)
IAFF 3191WPopulism and Regime Change in Latin America
IAFF 3855Argentina in Global Context
PSC 2383Comparative Politics of Latin America
PSC 2993Special Topics in Comparative Politics (Democratic Experiments in Latin America)
SPAN 3200Bilingualism in the Spanish-Speaking World
Middle East
(Students in the BA in Middle East studies program must fulfill the regional foundations requirement using a course focused in a world region other than the Middle East.)
ANTH 3707Anthropology of the Middle East
GEOG 3154Geography of the Middle East and North Africa
HIST 3801Topics in Middle Eastern History (The Middle East Since WWII)
HIST 3810History of the Middle East to 1800
HIST 3825Land and Power in Israel/Palestine
IAFF 2095The Middle East in International Affairs
IAFF 2190WSpecial Topics (Arab Politics)
IAFF 2190WSpecial Topics (North Africa and the World)
IAFF 2190WSpecial Topics (Politics and Culture in the Middle East)
IAFF 2190WSpecial Topics (Turkey and Its Neighbors)
IAFF 3188Special Topics in Middle East Studies (Iran in the Middle East)
IAFF 3188Special Topics in Middle East Studies (National Security Lab Middle East)
IAFF 3188Special Topics in Middle East Studies (The Middle East Since WWII)
IAFF 3352Israeli and Palestinian Peacebuilding
PSC 2377Comparative Politics of the Middle East
PSC 2476The Arab-Israeli Conflict
or PSC 2476W The Arab-Israeli Conflict
PSC 2478International Relations of the Middle East
PSC 2993Special Topics in Comparative Politics (Political Violence in the Middle East)

BSIA analytical core (12 credits)

At least four STEM-related courses at the 2000-level or above. These courses must include scientific or quantitative reasoning or analysis, and must be approved by the student’s Elliott School academic advisor. MATH 1232, CSCI 1112, CSCI 1311, and STAT 1129 may count toward this requirement.

Students can choose from the below list of courses that are currently approved for the BSIA Advanced STEM requirement, or they can meet this requirement using coursework from a STEM-related minor or second major. 

The following minors have been identified as providing knowledge and skills that closely inform the study of international affairs, and the coursework required for these minors is generally compatible with the requirements for the BS STEM requirement (i.e., the coursework for the minor can be counted toward the BS STEM requirement). It is generally recommended for BS STEM coursework to be structured around a coherent theme or analytical approach, and pursuing a minor is a good way to achieve this coherence. Please consult your academic advisor for questions about how coursework in these minors can fit within your program of study.

If you choose to complete this requirement using self-selected courses from the list below, you can check to see if a course has been reviewed but not approved on the BSIA webpage. If you are interested in taking a course for the STEM requirement that is not on this list, please submit a Course Substitution Request to have the course reviewed.

Recommended Minors:
Other Options for Minors:
 
BS analytical core courses (12 credits)
ACCY 2001Introduction to Financial Accounting
ACCY 2002Introductory Managerial Accounting
ACCY 3106Financial Statement Analysis
ANAT 2130Human Embryology
ANAT 2160Human Functional Neuroanatomy
APSC 2057Analytical Mechanics I
APSC 2058Analytical Mechanics II
BADM 3501Financial Management and Markets
BADM 3601Operations Management
BIOC 3261Introductory Medical Biochemistry
BIOC 3262Biochemistry Laboratory
BISC 2207Genetics
BISC 2213Biology of Cancer
BISC 2214Developmental Biology
BISC 2220Developmental Neurobiology
BISC 2320Neural Circuits and Behavior
BISC 2339Parasitology
BISC 2450Organic Evolution
BISC 2452
& BISC 2453		Animal Behavior
and Animal Behavior Laboratory
BISC 2454
& BISC 2456		General Ecology
and General Ecology Laboratory
BISC 3209Molecular Biology
BISC 3261Introductory Medical Biochemistry
BISC 3262Biochemistry Laboratory
BISC 3458
& BISC 3453		Plant Comparative Structure and Function
and Plant Comparative Structure and Function Lab
BISC 3460Conservation Biology
or BISC 3460W Conservation Biology
CE 2220Introduction to the Mechanics of Solids
CHEM 2085Environmental Chemistry
CHEM 2122Introductory Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 2123Introductory Quantitative Analysis Laboratory
or CHEM 2123W Introductory Quantitative Analysis Laboratory
CHEM 2151Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 2152Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 2153Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 2154Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 3140Geochemistry
CHEM 3165Biochemistry I
CHEM 3166Biochemistry II
or CHEM 3166W Biochemistry II
CHEM 3170Introduction to Physical Chemistry
CHEM 3171Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 3172Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 3173Physical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 3262Biochemistry Laboratory
CHEM 3564Lipid Biotechnology
CHEM 4113Chemical Instrumentation
CHEM 4122Instrumental Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 4123Instrumental Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 4134Inorganic Chemistry
Note: The following CSCI courses are restricted to Computer Science majors and minors only. Unless you are pursuing a double major or minor with Computer Science, you may be restricted from enrolling in these courses.
CSCI 1112Algorithms and Data Structures
CSCI 1311Discrete Structures I
CSCI 2113Software Engineering
CSCI 2312Discrete Structures II
CSCI 2441Database Systems and Team Projects
CSCI 2461Computer Architecture I
CSCI 3212Algorithms
CSCI 3313Foundations of Computing
CSCI 3362Probability for Computer Science
CSCI 3410Systems Programming
CSCI 3411Operating Systems
CSCI 3462Computer Architecture II
CSCI 3571Introduction to Bioinformatics
CSCI 4223Principles of Programming Languages
CSCI 4235Development of Open-Source Software
CSCI 4237Software Design for Handheld Devices
CSCI 4243Capstone Design Project I
CSCI 4244Capstone Design Project II
CSCI 4331Cryptography
CSCI 4341Continuous Algorithms
CSCI 4342Computational Linear Algebra and Applications
CSCI 4364Machine Learning
CSCI 4415Real-Time and Embedded Systems
CSCI 4431Computer Networks I
CSCI 4455Computer Game Design and Programming
CSCI 4511Artificial Intelligence Algorithms
CSCI 4521Introduction to Mobile Robotics
CSCI 4525Autonomous Robotics: Manipulation
CSCI 4527Introduction to Computer Vision
CSCI 4531Computer Security
CSCI 4541Network Security
CSCI 4551Concepts and Applications of Computer Graphics
CSCI 4552Design of Computer Animation I
CSCI 4553Design of Computer Animation II
CSCI 4554Computer Graphics I
CSCI 4561Design of User–Interface Programs
CSCI 4572Computational Biology
CSCI 4576Introduction to Biomedical Computing
CSCI 4577Biomedical Computing
DNSC 2001Business Analytics II: Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics
DNSC 4211Programming for Analytics
DNSC 4219Forecasting Analytics
DNSC 4279Data Mining
ECON 2101Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
ECON 2102Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory
ECON 2103Intermediate Microeconomic Theory: A Mathematical Approach
ECON 2104Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory: A Mathematical Approach
ECON 2121Financial Economics
ECON 2123Introduction to Econometrics
ECON 2151Economic Development
ECON 2167Economics of Crime
ECON 3142Labor Economics
ECON 3162Public Finance: Taxation
ECON 3191Game Theory
ECON 3199Advanced Topics in Economics (Economics Network of Industries)
EHS 2107Theory and Practice of Research in a Clinical Setting
EMSE 4571Introduction to Programming for Analytics
EMSE 4572Exploratory Data Analysis
EMSE 4701Optimization in Operations Research
FINA 3001Intermediate Finance
FINA 3101Investment and Portfolio Management
FINA 3201Exploring Finance with Simulation
FINA 3301Money and Capital Markets
FINA 4001Advanced Financial Management
FINA 4101Applied Financial Securities Analysis
FINA 4201Real Estate Investment
FINA 4301Financial Derivatives
FINA 4900Special Topics (Applied Financial Security Analysis: Fixed Income)
FINA 4900Special Topics (Financial Models with Pyhon)
GEOG 2104Introduction to Cartography and GIS
GEOG 2129Biogeography
GEOG 3105Techniques of Spatial Analysis
GEOG 3106Intermediate Geographic Information Systems
GEOG 3107Introduction to Remote Sensing
GEOG 3128Geomorphology and Natural Hazards
GEOG 3196Special Topics in Techniques (Geographic Information Systems III)
GEOG 4307Digital Image Processing and Analysis
GEOG 4308Programming for Geospatial Applications I
GEOG 4309GIS for Emergency Management
GEOG 4311Open Source Solutions for Geospatial Project Management
GEOG 6293Special Topics (Open Source Geospatial Programming)
GEOG 6305Geospatial Statistics
GEOL 3128
& GEOL 3129		Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
and Sedimentology and Stratigraphy Lab
ISTM 3119Introduction to Programming
ISTM 4205Web Applications Development
ISTM 4212Data Management for Analytics
ISTM 4214Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
ISTM 4216Mobile Application Development
ISTM 4217Internet of Things Management
MAE 2131Thermodynamics
MATH 1232Single-Variable Calculus II
MATH 2184Linear Algebra I
MATH 2185Comprehensive Introduction to Linear Algebra
MATH 2233Multivariable Calculus
MATH 2971Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning
or MATH 2971W Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning
MATH 3120Elementary Number Theory
MATH 3125Linear Algebra II
MATH 3257Introduction to Complex Variables
MATH 3342Ordinary Differential Equations
MATH 3343Partial Differential Equations
MATH 3359Introduction to Mathematical Modeling
MATH 3410Mathematics of Finance
MATH 3411Stochastic Calculus Methods in Finance
MATH 3553Introduction to Numerical Analysis
MATH 3613Introduction to Combinatorics
MATH 3632Introduction to Graph Theory
MATH 3710Introduction to Mathematical Logic
MATH 3720Axiomatic Set Theory
MATH 3730Computability Theory
MATH 3740Computational Complexity
MATH 3806Introduction to Topology
MATH 3848Differential Geometry
MATH 4121Introduction to Abstract Algebra I
MATH 4122Introduction to Abstract Algebra II
MATH 4239Real Analysis I
MATH 4240Real Analysis II
PHYS 2023Modern Physics
PHYS 2151Intermediate Laboratory I: Techniques and Methods
PHYS 2152Intermediate Laboratory II: Instrumentation
PHYS 2183Computational Modern Physics
PHYS 3127Biophysics: Macroscopic Physics in the Life Sciences
PHYS 3128Biophysics: Microscopic Physics in the Life Sciences
PHYS 3161Mechanics
PHYS 3163Physical and Quantum Optics
PHYS 3164Thermal and Statistical Physics
PHYS 3165Electromagnetic Theory I
PHYS 3166Electromagnetic Theory II
PHYS 3167Principles of Quantum Physics
PHYS 3181Computational Physics
PHYS 4170Solid-State Physics
PHYS 4175Nuclear Physics
PSC 2101Scope and Methods of Political Science
PSC 2102Visualizing and Modeling Politics
PSYC 2101Research Methods in Psychology
PSYC 4106WResearch Lab in Sensation and Perception
PSYC 4107WResearch Lab in Cognitive Neuroscience
PSYC 4201WResearch Lab in Clinical/Community Psychology
PSYC 4203WResearch Lab in Developmental Psychology
PUBH 2110Public Health Biology
PUBH 3131Epidemiology (Measuring Health and Disease)
PUBH 3201Introduction to Bioinformatics
PUBH 3202Introduction to Genomics
STAT 2112Business and Economic Statistics II
STAT 2118Regression Analysis
STAT 2123Introduction to Econometrics
STAT 2183Intermediate Statistics Lab/Packages
or STAT 2183W Intermediate Statistical Laboratory: Statistical Computing Packages
STAT 3119Design and Analysis of Experiments
STAT 3187Introduction to Sampling
or STAT 3187W Introduction to Sampling
STAT 4157Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I
STAT 4158Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II
STAT 4181Applied Time Series Analysis
STAT 4188Nonparametric Statistics Inference
STAT 4189Mathematical Probability and Applications I
STAT 4190Mathematical Probability and Applications II
STAT 4197Fundamentals of SAS Programming for Data Management

Specialization

(9 credits)

Students in the BS in international affairs program must complete either a functional or regional specialization, which are listed below. To fulfill the specialization requirement, students complete at least three courses (9 credits) related to their chosen functional or regional theme.

  • Specialization consist of at least three courses (9 credits) relating to the functional or regional themes below.
  • Specializations must be declared no later than the end of the second semester of the student's sophomore year by completing the appropriate form on the Elliott School Academic Advising website.
  • All BS in international affairs specializations must total at least 9 credits. Students may choose to complete an additional 6 credits and earn a full 15-credit concentration.
  • Students in the BS in international affairs program cannot pursue more than three specializations.
  • Students in the BS in international affairs program can choose to pursue a concentration instead of a specialization; however, they cannot pursue a combination of both a specialization and a concentration. Students should discuss this option with their academic advisor.

To explore specializations options, see course lists below and additional information on the Elliott School website.

Functional specializations

Regional specializations

Electives 

In consultation with an academic advisor, students complement their required coursework with elective courses to fulfill remaining credit hour requirements.

Language requirement

Students must demonstrate third-year proficiency in a modern language by examination or coursework. If taking coursework, students can satisfy the language requirement by taking a course that is equivalent to third-year proficiency, or by taking a course beyond the third year which has a listed prerequisite of the second semester of the third year. Please note that the language placement exam determines the level at which students begin their language study. Additional information regarding the Elliott School language examinations is available from the Elliott School academic advising office and the ESIA Undergraduate Language Proficiency webpage. This requirement is satisfied automatically for students who were required to take the TOEFL or IELTS examination as part of GW's admissions process.

 
Arabic
Option one:
ARAB 1001Beginning Arabic I
ARAB 1002Beginning Arabic II
ARAB 2001Intermediate Arabic I
ARAB 2002Intermediate Arabic II
ARAB 3001Advanced Arabic
and one course from the following:
ARAB 3105Special Topics (Arabic and Social Media)
ARAB 3105Special Topics (Islamic Political Thought)
ARAB 3301Modern Arabic Literature
ARAB 3302Media Arabic
ARAB 3311Business Arabic
Or
Option two:
ARAB 1201Intensive Elementary Arabic I
ARAB 1202Intensive Elementary Arabic II
ARAB 2201Intensive Intermediate Arabic
ARAB 3201Intensive Advanced Arabic: Mass Media
Chinese
One of the following options for beginning Chinese:
Option one:
CHIN 1001
& CHIN 1002		Beginning Chinese I
and Beginning Chinese II
Option two:
CHIN 1011Intensive Beginning Chinese
And the following courses:
CHIN 2003Intermediate Chinese I
CHIN 2004Intermediate Chinese II
CHIN 3105Intermediate Chinese III
CHIN 3106Intermediate Chinese IV
French
FREN 1001Basic French I
FREN 1002Basic French II
FREN 1003Intermediate French I
FREN 1004Intermediate French II
FREN 2005Language, Culture, and Society I
FREN 2006Language, Culture, and Society II
German
Option one:
GER 1001First-Year German I
GER 1002First-Year German II
GER 1003Second-Year German I
GER 1004Second-Year German II
and one of the following sequences:
GER 2009
& GER 2010		Intermediate German I
and Intermediate German II
GER 2101
& GER 2102		Readings in Contemporary German I
and Readings in Contemporary German II
Or
Option two:
GER 1005Intensive Beginning German I
GER 1006Intensive Beginning German II
and one of the following sequences:
GER 2009
& GER 2010		Intermediate German I
and Intermediate German II
GER 2101
& GER 2102		Readings in Contemporary German I
and Readings in Contemporary German II
Hebrew
HEBR 1001Beginning Hebrew I
HEBR 1002Beginning Hebrew II
HEBR 2001Intermediate Hebrew I
HEBR 2002Intermediate Hebrew II
HEBR 3001Hebrew Conversation and Writing
and one course from the following:
HEBR 3301Modern Hebrew Fiction
HEBR 3302The Israeli Media
Italian
ITAL 1001Basic Italian I
ITAL 1002Basic Italian II
ITAL 1003Intermediate Italian I
ITAL 1004Intermediate Italian II
ITAL 2005Language, Culture, and Society I
ITAL 2006Language, Culture, and Society II
Japanese
One of the following options for beginning Japanese:
Option one:
JAPN 1001
& JAPN 1002		Beginning Japanese I
and Beginning Japanese II
Option two:
JAPN 1005Intensive Beginning Japanese
And the following courses:
JAPN 2003Intermediate Japanese I
JAPN 2004Intermediate Japanese II
JAPN 3105Intermediate Japanese III
JAPN 3106Intermediate Japanese IV
Korean
KOR 1001Beginning Korean I
KOR 1002Beginning Korean II
KOR 2003Intermediate Korean I
KOR 2004Intermediate Korean II
KOR 3105Intermediate Korean III
KOR 3106Intermediate Korean IV
Persian
PERS 1001Beginning Persian I
PERS 1002Beginning Persian II
PERS 2001Intermediate Persian I
PERS 2002Intermediate Persian II
PERS 3001Advanced Persian
PERS 3002Media Persian
or PERS 3002W Media Persian
Russian
Option one:
SLAV 1001First-Year Russian I
SLAV 1002First-Year Russian II
SLAV 1003Second-Year Russian I
SLAV 1004Second-Year Russian II
and one of the following sequences:
SLAV 2005
& SLAV 2006		Intermediate Russian I
and Intermediate Russian II
SLAV 1013
& SLAV 1014		Russian for Heritage Speakers I
and Russian for Heritage Speakers II
SLAV 2015
& SLAV 2016		Readings in the Russian Press I
and Readings in the Russian Press II
Or
Option two:
SLAV 1012Intensive Basic Russian I
SLAV 1034Intensive Basic Russian II
and one of the following sequences:
SLAV 2005
& SLAV 2006		Intermediate Russian I
and Intermediate Russian II
SLAV 1013
& SLAV 1014		Russian for Heritage Speakers I
and Russian for Heritage Speakers II
SLAV 2015
& SLAV 2016		Readings in the Russian Press I
and Readings in the Russian Press II
Spanish
Option one:
SPAN 1001Elementary Spanish I
SPAN 1002Elementary Spanish II
SPAN 1013Intermediate Spanish I: the Spanish-Speaking World
SPAN 1014Intermediate Spanish II: the Spanish-speaking world
SPAN 2005Advanced Spanish I
SPAN 2006Advanced Spanish II
or
Option two:
SPAN 1012Intensive Elementary Spanish: the Spanish-speaking world
SPAN 1034Intensive Intermediate Spanish
SPAN 2056Intensive Advanced Spanish through Sustainability Literacy

Areas of Focus

All students in the BA in international affairs program must complete either a functional or regional concentration (15 credits), which are listed below under areas of focus.

Students in the BS in international affairs program must complete either a specialization (9 credits) or a full concentration (15 credits) in one of these area of focus with approval of the academic advisor or program director. Students should consult the major requirements page for their respective major for additional information about the specialization or concentration policies.

Students must declare an area of focus no later than the end of the second semester of their sophomore year by completing the declaration form. Except for WID courses, courses may not be double counted between any international affairs requirements. A minimum grade of C- must be earned in all focus area courses.

Functional areas of focus

Regional areas of focus