About The George Washington University
“I would never have been able to become an administrator without this program. At GW, I learned to think, read, and research globally.”
Pam Pailes, Graduate
Master of Arts in Education and Human Development
The George Washington University (GW) is a private, coeducational, non-sectarian university located in Washington, DC. Founded in 1821 as The Columbian College on land provided by former President George Washington, the university has since developed into a leading educational and research institution. Our location in the heart of Washington places us at the core of U.S. government, policy and law. We sit where the worlds of science, technology, media , and the arts converge. Our students and faculty have the unparalleled opportunity to study and work alongside leaders and practitioners in every discipline, to take part in the interchanges that shape our community and the world.
GW is the largest institution of higher education in the District of Columbia. We have students from all 50 states, the District and more than 130 countries studying a rich range of disciplines. The depth and breadth of our academic programs, the exceptional qualifications of our full-time faculty, the unmatched experiences of our adjunct faculty and the strengths of our research initiatives allow our students, our faculty and our staff to look at the world beyond the classroom. They allow us to prepare the next generation of leaders.
In addition to 4,500 staff members, The George Washington University enrolls an even balance of undergraduate and graduate students; roughly 10,000 of the former and 14,000 of the latter.
The 2012 Edition of U.S. News & World Report ranks the Graduate School of Education and Human Development within the top 35 Best Education Schools.