The George Washington University began in 1819 when the Reverend Luther Rice, Obadiah B. Brown, Spencer H. Cone and Enoch Reynolds raised the needed funds to purchase land in Washington DC for a college. The men, all Baptist ministers, not only raised funds, but also petitioned Congress for a charter to create the new school in the nation's capital. President James Monroe signed the legislation creating the college in 1821.
In 1904, the school was renamed The George Washington University by an Act of Congress. To reduce expenses, the campus was sold and the school moved to G Street with buildings rented for the first year. During the second year, the buildings were purchased and remodeled due to the explosive growth of the new campus.
Today, The George Washington University is the largest institute of higher learning in Washington, DC. It is located four blocks from the White House and is close to many major government and non-government agencies. This increases opportunities for students to conduct research, intern and find career opportunities upon graduation. There are more than 11,000 undergraduate and 15,000 graduate students attending The George Washington University.
The George Washington University Accreditation Details
The George Washington University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This voluntary membership indicates to parents, students and employers that the university provides the highest level of education possible and that graduates are well-prepared for positions in their field of study. Specific programs throughout the school are accredited by the following organizations:
ABE, Inc.
ABET, Inc.
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
American Bar Association
American Chemical Society
American Medical Association
American Psychological Association
Association of American Medical Colleges
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Council on Education for Public Health
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Commission on the Accreditation of Physical Therapist Education
Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Program
Council for Rehabilitation Education
Education and Training Board of the Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Foundation for Interior Design Education Research
Liaison Committee on Medical Education
National Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
National Association of Schools of Music
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
The George Washington University Application Requirements
Students who have earned no college credit after high school graduation are considered freshmen. Applicants must complete the Common Application and may submit documentation such as transcripts, recommendations and essays using that method or may email or mail documentation separately.
Students who have completed at least one course since high school graduation transfer students. Students must complete the Common Application in order to apply as a transfer student. Documentation such as transcripts and other application materials may either be sent through the Common Application or may be sent via mail or email. Students must provide transcripts from all college and universities attended.
Graduate students must complete an application through the Graduate Application Center. Each program has specific documentation that must be included with the application. All graduate students must hold a bachelor's degree or higher in order to apply for graduate study at the university.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for full-time undergraduate tuition at The George Washington University is $53,435 per year. Online undergraduate tuition varies depending on the program chosen. Graduate tuition also varies depending on the program chosen as well as whether the student attends full or part-time. Tuition for graduate studies can range from $19,894 to $29,840 per year. The tuition paid when students begin their undergraduate tuition remains the same for up to five years as long as the student attends full-time and remains enrolled for a minimum of 12 semester hours each term.
More than 60 percent of student attending The George Washington University receive financial aid. Aid is available in the form of federal and institutional grants, scholarships, loans and work-study programs. All freshmen, transfer and international applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships as part of their admission process. Students who attend high school in Washington, DC and meet specific criteria may also be eligible for funding equivalent to what they would receive if they attended a public university outside of the nation's capital under the District Scholar program. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify for federal and state financial aid.
Online Degrees Available
Bachelor of Professional Studies in Police and Security Studies
The Bachelor of Professional Studies in Police and Security Studies prepares students for careers in the ever-changing world of law enforcement. Fundamental changes in policing and homeland security have led to more incidents that require police prevention, investigation and control. The College of Professional Studies created the program in partnership with metropolitan area law enforcement experts as well as police specialists around the world. The program is available on line and is taught by law enforcement experts. This allows working professionals to advance in their current law enforcement career or move into a new career in the law enforcement industry. Students must complete courses such as:
Computer Crime Investigation
Crime Scene Investigation
Criminal Analysis
Criminal Intelligence
Domestic Violence
Ethical Dilemmas
Incident Management
Introduction to Forensic Science
Leading Teams
Media, PR & Crisis Communication
Models of Policing
Particular Forms of Crime
Predictive Policing
Strategic Planning
The Criminal Justice System
The Criminal Mind
Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security
As national security grows increasingly important, specialists in homeland security will also increase. The Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security at The George Washington University prepares students for leadership positions in homeland security. Students are provided training in counter-terrorism, intelligence analysis, emerging security threats and relevant legislation. The program is offered online with courses taught by industry experts. These experts bring a hands-on knowledge into the classroom so students gain a thorough understanding of homeland security. Students are qualified for careers in private or public sectors. Graduates have found leadership positions in emergency management, law enforcement, corporate security, transportation security, fire serve and the military.
Today, The George Washington University offers many programs in an online format that allow working adults to achieve their higher education goals while still meeting social, family and work obligations.
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