Bringing Credits to GW 

First-year and transfer applicants can earn college credit before matriculating at GW, which may be applied to degree requirements. Please note that students must complete at least 60 of the total credits required for their degree at or through GW.

Types of Courses 

• AP/IB/A-Levels: Assuming there is no duplication of coursework, a maximum of 24 credits may be awarded on the basis of work completed while enrolled in high school through examinations such as AP/IB/A-Levels. See the Bulletin for GW credit and course equivalencies:
  • AP Tests - In order to receive credit for College Board Advanced Placement (AP) examinations, you must have official score results sent directly to GW's Office of Undergraduate Admissions from the College Board. GW's College Board code is 5246. Official AP scores should be sent as soon as they are available, but no later than the end of a student's first year at GW.
  • IB Examinations - In order to receive credit for International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations, students must have their official score results sent to GW's Office of Undergraduate Admissions as soon as they are available, but no later than the end of a student's first year at GW.
  • A-Levels - In order to receive credit for Advanced-Level (A-Level) examinations, students must have their final (not provisional), official exam results sent directly from the exam board or their secondary school to GW's Office of the Registrar as soon as they are available.

• College Coursework: Students enrolled in college coursework while in high school should apply as a first-time student. There is no limit to the number of pre-matriculation credits a student can bring to GW from a post-secondary institution. 
• Other Institutions: For transfer students, an evaluation of your courses taken at other institutions is completed when you have been admitted to GW and comes with your letter of admission. This evaluation will give you an idea of which credits will transfer to GW. However, a final determination of how this credit will be applied to a degree must be obtained from your academic adviser.

These policies are made in collaboration with the faculty, Office of the Registrar, and the Office of Academic Planning and Assessment and are in effect for incoming students to Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (including Corcoran School of the Arts and Design and School of Media and Public Affairs), Elliott School of International Affairs, School of Business, School of Engineering and Applied Science, and School of Public Health. Students entering into other schools should refer to the University Bulletin. Requests for changes to these policies should be submitted via petition to the Office of the Registrar.

College Courses Taken in High School

Assignment of credit for college courses taken during high school depends on the grade earned, the appropriateness of the coursework, the standing of the institution at which the coursework was completed, and the regulations of the school or college to which the student is transferring. 

For Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (including Corcoran School of the Arts and Design and School of Media and Public Affairs), Elliott School of International Affairs, School of Business, School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the Milken Institute School of Public Health, coursework completed at another institution must have received a grade of “C-“ or above to be accepted for transfer credit.

In order to receive credit, you should have official transcripts sent to the Office of the Registrar as soon as possible. While there is no limit to the number of credits that can be transferred to GW, students must complete at least 60 of the total credits required for their degree at or through GW. School-specific regulations on transfer credit can be found in the University Bulletin or by contacting the appropriate Dean’s office.

Transfer Credit

Assignment of credit for transfer applicants depends on the grade earned, the appropriateness of the coursework, the standing of the institution at which the coursework was completed, and the regulations of the school or college to which the student is transferring. For Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (including Corcoran School of the Arts and Design and School of Media and Public Affairs), Elliott School of International Affairs, School of Business, School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the Milken Institute School of Public Health, coursework completed at another institution must have received a grade of “C-“ or above to be accepted for transfer credit.

A meeting with your adviser upon acceptance is encouraged to help you determine which courses will fulfill degree requirements for your intended major. While there is no limit to the number of credits that can be transferred to GW, students must complete at least 60 of the total credits required for their degree at or through GW. School-specific regulations on transfer credit can be found in the University Bulletin or by contacting the appropriate Dean’s office.