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 BA in Middle East Studies 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:

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

A minimum grade of C- must be earned in all major requirement courses, to include the last course used to prove third-year proficiency in a modern regional language .

If a student wishes to take any course not listed here, prior approval of the program director is required.

Foundation (3 credits)
IAFF 2095The Middle East in International Affairs
It is strongly recommended that students take IAFF 2095 before more advanced coursework in the major.
Language (credits vary)
Students must demonstrate third-year proficiency in a modern language (Arabic, Hebrew or Persian) 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 foreign language examinations is available from the academic advisor.
Arabic
Option one:
ARAB 1001Beginning Arabic I
ARAB 1002Beginning Arabic II
ARAB 2001Intermediate Arabic I
ARAB 2002Intermediate Arabic II
ARAB 3001Advanced Arabic
and one of the following courses:
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
Hebrew
HEBR 1001Beginning Hebrew I
HEBR 1002Beginning Hebrew II
HEBR 2001Intermediate Hebrew I
HEBR 2002Intermediate Hebrew II
HEBR 3001Hebrew Conversation and Writing
and one of the following courses:
HEBR 3301Modern Hebrew Fiction
or HEBR 3301W Modern Hebrew Fiction
HEBR 3302The Israeli Media
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

Regional Foundations (3 credits)

One course from the following in any region except the Middle East. IAFF, ANTH, ECON, GEOG, HIST, and PSC courses pertaining to a region of the world with a focus on the contemporary, post-World War II era. Includes courses focused on single and multiple countries in a region.

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)

Research methods (3 credits)

One course pertaining to qualitative or quantitative social science research methods, computer programming, or other analytical competencies, from the following:

ANTH 3531Methods in Sociocultural Anthropology
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 2101Qualitative Methods in International Affairs
IAFF 2102Quantitative Methods in International Affairs
IAFF 2190Special Topics (Political Risk Analysis)
IAFF 2190Special Topics (Program Design in International Affairs)
IAFF 3180WSpecial Topics in Security Policy (Security Policy and Qualitative Analysis)
IAFF 3190Special Topics in International Affairs (International Conflict and Politics Research Seminar)
IAFF 3502Strategic Management and Qualitative Methods in International Affairs
IAFF 4191WResearch Seminar (International Conflict and Politics Research Seminar)
IAFF 4191WResearch Seminar (Security Policy and Qualitative Analysis)
ISTM 3119Introduction to Programming
PSC 2101Scope and Methods of Political Science
PSYC 2101Research Methods in Psychology
PUBH 2142Introduction to Biostatistics for Public Health
PUBH 3131Epidemiology
PUBH 3199Topics in Public Health (Research Methods Foundations)
PUBH 4201Practical Computing
SMPA 2151Research Methods
SOC 2101Social Research Methods
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 can be counted 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 can be counted toward an Elliott School undergraduate degree: DNSC 2001 or STAT 2112.
Multi-disciplinary Core (24 credits)
The following lists are not exhaustive and new courses may be added at any time. Contact the Director of the Middle East Studies program for approval to count a course not listed toward one of these requirements.
History (6 credits)
Two courses from the following:
HIST 2803The Ancient Near East and Egypt to 322 B.C.
HIST 2804History of Ancient Israel
HIST 2805WMajors’ Introductory Seminar: Middle East (Plague in Islamic History)
HIST 3801Topics in Middle Eastern History
HIST 3810History of the Middle East to 1800
HIST 3811The Emergence of the Modern Middle East
HIST 3820History of Israel
or HIST 3820W The History of Israel
HIST 3825Land and Power in Israel/Palestine
HIST 3830History of Iraq
HIST 3850Modern Iran
Economics (3 credits)
One course from the following:
ECON 2136Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
ECON 2151Economic Development
or ECON 2151W Economic Development
ECON 2180Survey of International Economics
ECON 2181International Trade Theory and Policy
ECON 2182International Macroeconomic Theory and Policy
Middle East Arts and Literature (3 credits)
One course from the following:
ARAB 3301Modern Arabic Literature
ARAB 3501Arabic and Arab Identity
ARAB 3502Arab Film and Culture in English
ARAB 4001Genres in Modern Arabic Literature
ARAB 4002Arabic Narratives Through the Ages
CAH 3113Islamic Art and Architecture
HEBR 3101Modern Hebrew Literary Classics in Translation
HEBR 3102Israeli Society and Culture: Literary Perspectives
HEBR 3103Israeli Cinema (in English)
HEBR 3104WGender and Sexuality in Israel
HEBR 3301Modern Hebrew Fiction
or HEBR 3301W Modern Hebrew Fiction
HEBR 4001Advanced Hebrew Literature I
or HEBR 4001W Advanced Hebrew Literature I
HEBR 4002Advanced Hebrew Literature II
REL 3432Persian Sufi Literature East and West
Political Science (6 credits)
Two courses from the following:
PSC 2377Comparative Politics of the Middle East
PSC 2379Politics and Foreign Policy of Israel
PSC 2476The Arab-Israeli Conflict
or PSC 2476W The Arab-Israeli Conflict
PSC 2478International Relations of the Middle East
Religion (6 credits)
Two courses from the following:
REL 2401Islam
REL 3405Shi'ite Islam
REL 3414Islamic Philosophy and Theology
REL 3425Islamic Political Thought
REL 3431Sufism/Islamic Mysticism
REL 3432Persian Sufi Literature East and West
REL 3475Islamic Religion and Art
REL 3481Women in Islam
REL 3482Gender and Piety in Islam
REL 3990Selected Topics in Religion (topic: Law and Diplomacy in the Ancient Near East and the Mediterranean. Same as REL 3990W: Law and Diplomacy in the Ancient Near East and the Mediterranean)
Related Coursework (6 credits)
Two courses related to the Middle East from any discipline, including International Affairs (IAFF), selected with the approval of the Middle East Studies program director.
Study Abroad
Students are encouraged to study in the Middle East through one of GW's formal partnerships with a regional university or an approved self-designed study abroad program.