Dean: Alyssa Ayres
Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs: Benjamin Hopkins
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs: Kimberly Morgan
Associate Dean for Research Initiatives: Nicholas Vonortas
Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies: Nathan Brown
Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies: Christina Fink
Assistant Dean for Student Services, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Lakeisha Harrison
The Elliott School of International Affairs offers undergraduate and graduate programs to prepare individuals to understand and work in an increasingly globalized world. The historical roots of the Elliott School extend back to the establishment of the School of Comparative Jurisprudence and Diplomacy in 1898. In 1966, the School separated from the School of Government, Business, and International Affairs to become an independent unit, the School of Public and International Affairs. In 1987, the name was changed to the School of International Affairs, and in 1988 the School was renamed in honor of Evelyn E. and Lloyd H. Elliott. Lloyd Elliott served as president of George Washington University from 1965 to 1988.
The Elliott School offers the bachelor of arts degree with majors in international affairs, Asian studies, Latin American and hemispheric studies, and Middle East studies; bachelor of science degree with a major in international affairs; the master of arts degree in the fields of international affairs, Asian studies, global communication, international development studies, international economic policy, international science and technology policy, Middle East studies, and security policy studies; master of international policy and practice degree for mid-career professionals; and master of international studies degree for students enrolled in master’s degree programs at international universities with which the Elliott School has a special partnership.
These programs provide advanced academic and professional training in international affairs as preparation for employment in public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Focusing on major historical and contemporary issues in international affairs, the programs are both interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary, combining courses offered through the School with courses offered by other schools and departments of the University.
To earn a bachelor’s degree, students must complete 120 credits, meet the University General Education Requirement, Elliott School introductory and major requirements, and have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0. A maximum combined total of 6 credits in Health and Wellness (HLWL) and Lifestyle, Sport, and Physical Activity (LSPA) coursework can be counted towards the 120 credits required to graduate. These credits can be taken as either a maximum of 6 credits in HLWL coursework, or a maximum of 3 credits in HLWL coursework and 3 credits in LSPA coursework. Such courses are counted toward the degree as electives.
All courses indicated as requirements for the major, including courses taken to fulfill the third-year language proficiency requirement, must be completed with a minimum grade of C–. If a student receives a grade of D+, D, or D– in any of these courses, the credit will count toward the degree, but the student must either repeat the course or, with approval of the academic advisor, substitute another course; in either case, the student must earn a minimum grade of C–. If the student must repeat the course for which they earned a D+, D, or D–, credit for the repetition does not count toward the degree but the student may submit a request for undergraduate academic forgiveness for the exact course repeated. In that instance, the grade in the initial attempt will be deleted from the GPA computation and replaced by RP. The grade in the second attempt will be computed into the GPA. If the Elliott School Office of Undergraduate Academic Advising allows another course to be substituted, the initial course is considered to be an elective. Students are expected to consult the Elliott School Office of Undergraduate Academic Advising in all matters affecting the program of study, such as changes, substitutions, withdrawals, or transfer of credit from other institutions.
Conditions under which the symbol I (Incomplete) may be assigned in a course are described under University Regulations.
A student who has a cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 or above may take up to one elective course per semester and receive a grade of Pass (P) or No Pass ( NP) , which is recorded on the student’s transcript, but is not reflected in the cumulative grade average. Language courses and required courses in the student’s degree program (except those in which the grade of P or NP is normally assigned) may not be taken on a P/NP basis. A student must sign up for this option at the Elliott School Office of Undergraduate Academic Advising via a registration transaction form (RTF) within the first eight weeks of classes in the Fall and Spring terms or within the first four weeks during the summer term sessions . Under no circumstances may a student change from P/NP status to graded status, or vice versa, after the end of the eighth week of the semester. Students in their first semester may not elect to take a course on a P/NP basis. No more than six courses in which the grade of P or NP is assigned will apply toward the degree, including courses in which the grade of P or NP is normally given.
Students are encouraged to study abroad. Those wishing to study abroad should meet with their Elliott School academic advisor and an advisor within the University’s Office for Study Abroad to discuss their study abroad options and plans. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss the courses they plan to take while studying abroad with their Elliott School academic advisor to ensure credit will apply towards the student's degree requirements. Students must apply to a study abroad program from the University’s list of approved study abroad programs.
Internships offer students the opportunity to make practical use of the knowledge they acquire in the classroom. Elliott School undergraduate students who have completed at least 24 credits in residence, are in good academic standing, and have no more than one incomplete on their transcript are eligible to arrange internships for credit or zero credit, for a maximum total of 6 credits toward the degree. This may include 6 credits in IAFF 3195 , or 3 credits in IAFF 3195 and 3 credits in IAFF 3196 . Academic work in the field of the internship is required. A zero-credit internship, which requires no additional academic work outside of the internship itself, is also available. Internships are available in the private, nonprofit, and public sectors. Students can discuss these options with their Elliott School academic advisor, and then must register for internships (even if for zero credit) through the Elliott School Office of Academic Programs (esiaacad@gwu.edu) but are responsible for locating their own internships.
Students who complete the requirements of two majors in the Elliott School (such as international affairs and Asian studies) may graduate with a double major. Students should consult the Elliott School Office of Undergraduate Academic Advising to officially declare both majors on the appropriate form and discuss restrictions on double counting between the two majors.
Students in the Elliott School may declare a second major offered by Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Milken Institute School of Public Health, or School of Business (except accountancy). Permission for the second major must be obtained from the appropriate administrative office of the other school. Students are encouraged to consult the academic advisor of the second major to discuss requirements, course sequencing, and to ensure all prerequisites will be met for that major.
Students in Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Milken Institute School of Public Health, and the School of Business may declare a second major or minor in the Elliott School. Students wishing to pursue these options must request approval through the Elliott School Office of Undergraduate Academic Advising. For the second major, all major requirements must be satisfied, in addition to any required prerequisite courses. Students must complete all degree requirements for their major in their home school in order to graduate with a second major from the other school.
In all cases, double majors do not result in two degrees. See Double Majors and Double Degrees in the University Regulations.
Students who complete a senior thesis, a research seminar during their senior year, or the Dean's Scholars Seminar in the Dean's Scholars Program with a minimum grade of A–, earn a cumulative GPA of 3.7, and complete 60 credits in residence at GW are awarded Elliott School Special Honors.
Information on grades and computing the grade-point average can be found under University Regulations. Courses taken to satisfy degree requirements cannot be taken on a Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) basis except for approved Law School courses. Graduate students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
A graduate student whose GPA falls below 3.0, or who receives a grade of F in a course after having completed 9 credits, is placed on academic probation. While on academic probation a student:
A student’s program may be restricted by the program director and/or academic dean if deemed necessary.
A student who fails to meet the conditions outlined above is subject to suspension. During the period of suspension, the student will not be permitted to enroll in any courses. A student who has remained on suspension from the University for a period of at least one semester may request reinstatement. The request for reinstatement must provide a clear explanation of the factors that prevented the student’s success and outline a plan for successful completion of the program.
A student is subject to dismissal under the following circumstances:
The program director will determine whether the student is dismissed in consultation with the academic dean. This decision is final and cannot be appealed.
A graduate student who has not been continuously enrolled or on an approved leave of absence must file an application for readmission the semester before planning to return to school.
Programs leading to the master of arts degree require a minimum of 40 credits of graduate coursework, which includes a capstone project. By the end of the first semester in residence, candidates for the degree are required to submit to the Office of Graduate Student Services for final approval a plan of study that includes concentrations, supporting coursework, and any other required information as endorsed by the program director. Degrees are awarded after the student has completed the required coursework, an acceptable capstone project, and satisfied the foreign language proficiency requirement (if relevant).
Students with sufficient academic backgrounds may waive a core course with the approval of the program director and academic dean. A course waiver does not reduce the number of credits required for the degree. Under special circumstances, upper-level undergraduate courses taken while enrolled as a graduate student at the Elliott School may be counted toward the master’s degree; registration for graduate credit must be approved at the beginning of the course by the program director, the instructor, and the Office of Graduate Student Services. The student who takes an undergraduate course for graduate credit is expected, by arrangement with the instructor, to do work at the graduate level in addition to the regular work of the course. Normally, no more than 9 credits of approved undergraduate coursework may be taken for credit toward a graduate degree.
All master’s degree candidates must complete degree requirements within five years of matriculation in the program. Students who are temporarily unable to continue their studies may request a leave of absence not to exceed one year. Extensions beyond the five-year period may be granted in exceptional circumstances, but the student is required to register for continuous enrollment or leave of absence status each semester.
Students are encouraged, and in some cases required, to take the professional skills-based courses ( IAFF 6502 and IAFF 6503 ). The Elliott School allows a maximum of 4 credits to be taken in these courses, but program-specific limits may vary.
No more than 9 graduate credits may be transferred from accredited institutions or from non-degree status. Transfer credits may be accepted only under limited conditions, including length of time since the courses in question were completed, grades earned, and relevance to the student’s program. The sole exception to the transfer credit policy is made for MA students who attend one of the Elliott School’s International Exchange Partner schools. Such students may transfer a maximum of 10 graduate credits, provided no prior transfer credit has been accepted. No student may transfer more than a total of 10 credits from all sources combined. Credit from foreign language courses is not eligible for transfer. Credit from a previously earned degree may not be counted toward the master’s degree.
Every student must successfully complete a capstone near the conclusion of the master’s program. For the capstone, the student must have completed 18 credits prior to the start of the capstone course work. If there is a lapse of time between the completion of other coursework and the capstone, the student must be continuously enrolled during this period. The student will have one opportunity to retake a capstone if they fail the course. If the student fails a second time, their degree will not be conferred. Details concerning the capstone course vary across programs; students should consult their program guidelines for details.
For most programs, exceptional students may write a thesis, in addition to the capstone, if they qualify by having a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 for a minimum of 18 credits of coursework in their program. Students also must develop a formal thesis proposal approved by their prospective thesis advisor, who must be a member of the full-time faculty, and the program director.
The thesis subject should be selected as early as possible to permit effective integration with the student’s coursework. A student is not permitted to register for thesis courses ( IAFF 6998 and IAFF 6999 ) until the thesis subject has been formally submitted to the Office of Graduate Student Services. The subject must be approved by the thesis advisor, a second member of the faculty who serves as a reader, and the student’s program director. The thesis in its final form must have the approval of the thesis director and one other reader. Thesis proposals must be submitted electronically by May 1 of the year preceding the anticipated submission of the thesis in a fall-spring sequence. For a spring-fall sequence, thesis proposals must be submitted electronically by November 1 of the year preceding the anticipated submission of the thesis. All theses must meet the formatting and other requirements set forth in the GW's Electronic Theses and Dissertations Submission website.
Payment of tuition for thesis research entitles the candidate, during the period of registration, to the advice and direction of the thesis director and the other reader. In case a thesis is unfinished, the student must maintain continuous enrollment and is allowed one calendar year to complete it. If the preparation of the thesis extends beyond the additional calendar year, the student must register for the entire 6 credits of the thesis again and pay tuition for a repeated course.
In most degree programs, a candidate for the master of arts must demonstrate reading and speaking proficiency in a modern foreign language. All students in regional programs (including those who are not native speakers of English) must demonstrate proficiency in a language appropriate to the study of the specific region. Students should consult their program guidelines for specific requirements, including academic credit and options for demonstrating language proficiency.