- Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree with a strong background in at least one STEM discipline.
- Recommended coursework: one year each of General Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and College Physics.
- Any deficiencies in these areas may be addressed after admission by motivated students.
- Applicants in their senior year must:
- Complete their undergraduate degree prior to registration
- Provide proof of completion
- In exceptional cases, a limited number of students may be admitted under a probationary status.
More information can be found in the GW Bulletin and Frequently Asked Questions. The application process includes a few additional requirements for International graduate applicants.
Applicants must provide complete and accurate information. Submission of incomplete or false information may result in denial or withdrawal of admission.
Step-by-step instructions are available in the Graduate Application Center—from creating a GW Applicant Portal account to uploading documents and submitting your application. After you have submitted your application, you can log in anytime to check your status. Applying to multiple programs requires multiple accounts and submissions for each.
Please note: If you previously requested information about our graduate programs or registered for or attended an event, you may already have credentials that you can use for the online application process. To retrieve your credentials, simply click on the "Forgot your Username or Password" link.
Admission Requirements
| Application Deadlines: | Fall Domestic: August 1st Fall International: May 1st Spring Domestic: December 1st Spring International: October 1st These deadlines are specific to our program. Applications submitted after these deadlines are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. |
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| Non-refundable application fee | The $80 non-refundable application fee must be paid in U.S. dollars, by credit card (online only), international money order, or check. Your name must be written on the check or money order. Cash, international postal money orders, or Eurochecks are not accepted. Attend any of the Graduate information sessions offered by CCAS to receive an application fee waiver code. CCAS provides a thorough overview of the graduate admissions process. Any further information can be obtained by contacting CCAS at askccas@gwu.edu |
| Prior academic records | Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be uploaded to your online application. Official transcripts are required only of applicants who are offered admission. An overall grade-point average (GPA) in undergraduate education of at least a B is recommended. International applicants should upload only the English-language version of their transcripts. |
| Letters of recommendation | One (1) recommendation is required. We strongly encourage you to have two (2) recommendations submitted online. Letter/s must be written within one year of the date of submission and should speak to your ability to succeed in the Master’s program, from an academic or a professional perspective. The process for requesting and submitting online recommendations is detailed in the application process. We strongly suggest that you contact prospective recommenders at least one month before the application deadline. If a recommender is unable to complete the online recommendation, you may forward them a copy of the paper recommendation form. Paper recommendations should be returned to you in a signed, sealed envelope to be submitted unopened to the admissions office noted at the bottom. |
| Academic statement of purpose | In an essay of ~ 500 words, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study in your chosen field. Include your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans. Also, discuss your related qualifications, including collegiate, professional, and community activities, and any other substantial accomplishments not already mentioned in the application. If you are applying for an assistantship or fellowship, you should also describe any teaching experience you have had. |
| Personal Statement | In ~ 250 words, describe why you have chosen this particular program at GWU. Explain how you can contribute to the academic and non-academic atmosphere of the Department and University. |
| GRE | GRE is not required but recommended. Our application review process is holistic and considers all aspects of an applicant’s submission. Therefore, GRE scores are NOT required. However, you may submit your GRE test scores if you feel they will strengthen your application. |
| English Language Requirements |
All applicants to George Washington University must demonstrate excellent English language skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Graduate applicants who have not earned a post-secondary degree from a U.S. institution are required to provide evidence of English language proficiency by submitting TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing Service) scores to be considered for admission. Scores may not be more than two years old. Details on the English Language proficiency waiver for International Graduate Applicants are available on the CCAS website.
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Send All Application Materials, Transcripts, and Other Credentials to:
Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:
Columbian College of Arts and Sciences - Graduate Admissions Office
The George Washington University
801 22nd Street NW, Phillips Hall 107
Washington DC 20052
Transfer of Credits
With pre-approval, up to nine graduate credits may be transferred into the Master of Science program. A course grade of at least a B is required for such transfers.
Tuition and fees
Tuition and fees at George Washington University are comparable to the national average for U.S. private universities. These costs, set by the GW Board of Trustees, generally increase from year to year and may vary by program and location. Columbian College of Arts and Science has specific details on graduate tuition.
Scholarships and Other Financial Aid
The department offers a competitive merit-based scholarship, for which all applications are reviewed and considered.
For students intending to follow the M.S. thesis option, part-time research assistantships may be available after the first semester. These assistantships are provided based on merit, faculty recommendations, and availability of funds in the laboratories. Some assistantships also provide 2 or 3 credits of tuition remission per semester. Information on other types of graduate student financial aid may be obtained from the GW Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships.
International Students
Please review International Applicant Information carefully for other detailed information like visa requests, funding, housing, and other application tips.