GW Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

GW’s Columbian College is a magnet for top scholars and a catalyst for learning and discovery. Our 24 doctoral and 49 master’s programs offer a transformative experience, connecting students with some of the most influential leaders and institutions while partnering with public and private organizations in the nation’s capital and around the globe.

Why Choose Columbian College?

Location

GW’s main campus, Foggy Bottom, is centrally located in Washington, D.C. Here, the city is your campus and adds to your experience as a Washingtonian. As a student, you'll visit national landmarks, find unbeatable internships and taste the world-class food scene!

Research

Discovery and innovation are part of the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences (CCAS) tradition, from our century-long research partnership with the Smithsonian Institution to our state-of-the-art Science and Engineering Hall. Faculty and students are uncovering ancient mysteries and solving 21st-century challenges.

Alumni Network

Our more than 80,000 alumni live in all 50 states and 120+ countries. They give back with their time, talent, and support, offering current students opportunities to network and meet career goals. Our alumni demonstrate the many roads you can take to succeed with a liberal arts degree.

Application Requirements

The minimum requirements for all Columbian College graduate programs include the application form, transcript, resume, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and application fee. Some programs may require additional materials, including GREs.

Check the GW Bulletin for detailed application requirements regarding your program of interest. You can also view our Application Process page for a step-by-step outline of what to expect and our Application FAQ page and International Applicants page for more application information and details.

Want to Learn More?

Attend an Information Session

We host several program-specific and general graduate school virtual information sessions throughout the year. Program-specific sessions allow you to hear directly from faculty about the program of your interest. Our general information sessions cover various topics you might find valuable while navigating the application process.

Schedule an Appointment

Meet virtually with a member of our team.

• Prospective Students: Chat about our program offerings
• Current Applicants: Chat about the admissions process

Chat with a Current Student

Want to know more about what it's like to be a CCAS student at GW? Our Graduate Ambassadors are here to give you a personal perspective of the GW student experience.