How to Apply

Our faculty and staff are committed to supporting you through every stage of your academic journey. This commitment starts with a personalized approach from the admissions team. Below are instructions for how to apply to our programs. Please contact us if you have questions; you can reach us by email at gsehdadm@gwu.edu or by phone at 202-994-9283.

Watch our Webinar: How To Apply >

Steps to Apply

Step One: Review Application Requirements

Each GSEHD program has its own set of application requirements. Application deadlines for graduate programs also vary; we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. Be sure to review your program’s page for specific admission requirements.

Step Two: Create an Application Account

Once you have reviewed the specific requirements and deadlines for the program you would like to apply to, please create an account through the GW application portal.

Your application will only be considered for admission once it is complete and all required supporting documents have been received.

Step Three: Upload Supporting Materials

You can upload your required supporting documents to your online application. This includes your academic transcripts.

We require transcripts from all higher education institutions that you have attended. We accept unofficial transcripts during the admission process. If you are admitted, you will be required to submit official copies of your conferred degrees. If you attended university outside of the US, please read the following section on Transcript FAQs.

If your program requires a writing sample, you can upload this as an additional document in your application.

If your program requires the GRE or MAT, or if you are required to submit an English Proficiency Test (such as TOEFL, IELTS, or DuoLingo), we must receive your scores directly from your testing service (ETS/IETLS/DuoLingo). Please contact your testing service to have your official scores sent to us via the following methods:

GRE scores: Enter GW’s school code, 5246
MAT scores: Enter GW’s school code, 1047
TOEFL scores: Enter GW’s school code, 5246
IELTS scores: Select the George Washington University
DuoLingo scores: Follow these instructions to send your scores to GW from your account.

Do not wait for your test scores before submitting your application. We will match them to your file once they arrive.

Step Four: Send Recommender Invitations

Once you enter your recommender’s contact information, the online application will automatically send an email requesting the recommendations. It will be helpful to have your references in place and their current contact information handy.

You may also send reminder emails to your recommenders after you have submitted your application.

If you would like to change or add recommenders after submitting the application, please contact our office at gsehdadm@gwu.edu.

Step Five: Submit Your Application

You may submit your application when you have completed all required fields. Be sure you click the final Submit Your Application button. You will be notified via email when your admissions decision is ready to be viewed in your application portal.

You may submit your application before test scores and recommendations are received.

Step Six: Check Your Application Status

Log on to your online application at any time to view its current status. Your application will be updated as we receive your official test scores and recommendations. Please allow five business days for our office to process your supporting documents after we receive them.

Your application will only be considered for admission once it is complete. This includes the application form as well as all required supporting documents, as listed on your program’s page.

Application Process

How do I apply?

Apply online through the GW application portal. Please visit the program page for more specific application requirements.

What is the deadline to apply?

We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. Please refer to your individual program’s page for specific information about application deadlines. If you have questions, please contact gsehdadm@gwu.edu

Can I apply to a doctoral program with just a bachelor’s degree?

All of our doctoral level programs require a Master’s degree in order to apply.

Can I apply to multiple GSEHD programs at once?

Students may apply to one program at a time. If you are considering multiple programs, please contact our admission team at gsehdadm@gwu.edu.

How do I know what’s missing from my application?

Log in to your application portal to review your application checklist. Any items marked with a red “X” are still outstanding. Note: Students who were admitted conditionally and need to know which official transcripts are still outstanding will need to email gsehdadm@gwu.edu for this information. This will not be displayed on your application portal.

What file types do you accept?

We accept files saved as .docx or PDF only. We cannot accept pages, Google docs, HTML, or any other types of files.

Transcript FAQs

What transcripts do I need to submit?

To be eligible for admission, applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. If you are applying for a doctoral degree, you must also hold a Master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. We require transcripts from every institution you attended. We accept unofficial transcripts during the admissions process. If you are admitted, you will be required to submit official copies of your conferred degrees. If you studied outside of the US, a course-by-course evaluation from a NACES member is required. For more information, visit our page for International Applicants.

What if I previously studied at the George Washington University?

Students who previously studied at GW also must submit copies of their transcripts to GSEHD. Unofficial copies are acceptable during the admission process. If a degree or certificate was awarded, students will need to request that official transcripts be sent to the GSEHD Admissions Office (gsehdadm@gwu.edu) before the end of their first semester at GSEHD. There is no cost for GW students and alumni to request electronic copies of their official transcripts; visit https://registrar.gwu.edu/transcripts to submit your transcript request.

What if I studied outside of the US?

A course-by-course evaluation from a NACES member is required for all transcripts from non-US schools. We do not require the transcript from the school itself; we only require the transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation should be official, meaning that it is sent from the NACES member or delivered to GSEHD Admissions in a sealed and signed envelope.

When do I have to turn in my official transcripts?

Official transcripts must be sent to us directly from the institution you attended, and must show your degree conferral date (if applicable).
Official transcripts must be submitted by the end of your first semester enrolled in your GSEHD program. Failure to submit official transcripts will result in a hold placed on your account preventing you from registering for your second semester.
We prefer that your official transcripts are sent to our office electronically to gsehdadm@gwu.edu. If mail is the only option, please have your transcript mailed in a sealed envelope directly from the institution you attended to:
GSEHD Graduate Admissions , 2136 G Street NW  Washington, DC 20052   
Note: Please do not have transcripts sent to any other GW office or campus. If transcripts are sent to another office, we will not be able to retrieve and process them.

Tuition, Fees, and Scholarships

Will I learn whether or not I’ve been offered a merit scholarship when I am admitted?

Offers of admission are made separately from merit scholarship offers. You will be notified via email if you are selected for a merit scholarship. Please note the review process for merit scholarships will not begin until after the January 15th priority deadline.

How much does the program cost?

Please visit the student accounts website for current Graduate School of Education and Human Development tuition rates. If you do not see your program listed within the PDF, it is likely offered at the standard GSEHD tuition rate (the top line on the page). If you have any further questions about tuition rates, please contact gsehdadm@gwu.edu.

Does GSEHD require a deposit?

GSEHD does not require a deposit. To accept your offer of admission and secure your spot in the program, simply log in to your application portal, view your decision letter, click “Reply to Offer,” and click “Yes” to indicate that you will be attending.

Test Score FAQs

How can I submit my test scores to GSEHD?

GRE scores: Enter GW’s school code, 5246
MAT scores: Enter GW’s school code, 1047
TOEFL scores: Enter GW’s school code, 5246
IELTS scores: Select the George Washington University
DuoLingo scores: Follow these instructions to send your scores to GW from your account.

Do not wait for your test scores before submitting your application. We will match them to your file once they arrive.

Can you waive my standardized test (GRE, MAT) scores?

GRE/MAT scores may be waived for:

Applicants for any program with a conferred equivalent degree. (e.g. A Master’s program applicant with a conferred Master’s degree, an Ed.D. applicant with a conferred Ed.D.)
Higher Education Administration Master’s degree applicants with an undergraduate GPA above 3.3.

Please review your program’s page for specific application requirements. For more information, please contact the GSEHD Admissions team at gsehdadm@gwu.edu.

What is the latest date I can take the GRE or MAT?

Test scores must be valid until the intended term of entry. Please review your testing service’s website for information on how long your test scores are valid. Applications for programs requiring test scores will not be considered complete until receipt of official test scores.

I’m an international student with a conferred degree in the United States. May I be exempt from the English Language Requirement?

International students with a conferred degree from an institution within the United States, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada are exempt from submitting English Language scores. More information about English language testing can be found here.

Can you waive my standardized test (GRE, MAT) scores?

GRE/MAT scores may be waived for:

Applicants for any program with a conferred equivalent degree. (e.g. A Master’s program applicant with a conferred Master’s degree, an Ed.D. applicant with a conferred Ed.D.) Higher Education Administration Master’s degree applicants with an undergraduate GPA above 3.3.

International Students

I’m an international student. May I apply for a certificate program?

International students requiring a student visa are not eligible to apply for graduate certificate programs. GW cannot sponsor a 1-20/DS-2019 unless it is for a full-time degree program. If you require a student visa, you must apply for a full time degree program. If you do not require a student visa, you may apply for certificate programs. Please visit program pages for more specific information about part time/full time formats, or contact us at gsehdadm@gwu.edu.

I’m an international student with a conferred degree in the United States. May I be exempt from the English Language Requirement?

International students with a conferred degree from an institution within the United States are exempt from submitting English Language scores. Applicants who do NOT have a conferred degree (have not yet graduated), but are in the process of completing their degree, must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of a 3.3 at the time of application in order to have the requirement waived. More information about English language testing can be found here.

Questions regarding international transcripts

Transcripts from institutions outside the United States must be evaluated by an accredited NACES member. The evaluation (course by course) should be a detailed document including all course titles, credit hours, grades, grade point averages (GPAs), United States degree equivalency, and date of degree conferral.