What Is the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University?

The Elliott School of International Affairs is the international affairs school within the George Washington University (GW), located in Washington, D.C. It enrolls nearly 3,000 students each year and offers 5 bachelor's degree programs, 10 master's degree programs, and graduate certificates. If you are looking for a policy- or diplomacy-focused program inside a larger university rather than a standalone institution, the Elliott School is the relevant GW unit to explore.

How the Elliott School fits into GW

GW is a full university with multiple schools and colleges. The Elliott School is one of them, and it is specifically organized around international affairs rather than being a general liberal arts or professional school.

That distinction matters when you search for programs. A query about "George Washington University" will surface the whole institution; a query about the Elliott School narrows to international affairs degrees, faculty, and events. The school describes its mission as preparing students "for meaningful careers in international affairs."

Degree options at a glance

The school's own summary of its offerings:

The site groups these under a single "Explore Our Programs" section, so prospective students can compare undergraduate, graduate, and certificate paths from one entry point. If you already know you want a credential shorter than a full master's, the graduate certificates are the category to check first.

What the Washington, D.C. location actually provides

The school states that its position "in the heart of Washington, D.C." enriches teaching and research by giving students and faculty "unparalleled opportunities to engage with the international leaders who walk through our doors on a regular basis."

Concretely, that translates into two things the school tracks publicly:

• 330+ events hosted at the Elliott School — a volume that suggests regular access to visiting practitioners and officials.
• 95 visiting scholars per year — a rotating group of outside academics and professionals on campus.

For a prospective student weighing location, this is the main structural argument: the city itself functions as part of the program's network, not just its backdrop.

International exchange and global reach

The school lists 15 international exchange program partners. It also highlights outcomes such as five GW students and alumni receiving Fulbright grants for 2026–27, with one additional person named as an alternate — a signal of the school's emphasis on international academic exchange.

When the Elliott School is the right fit — and when it isn't

Consider the Elliott School if:

• You want a degree specifically in international affairs, and you want it inside a large D.C. university.
• You value proximity to international institutions and a heavy schedule of on-campus events with practitioners.
• You are comparing undergraduate, master's, and certificate options within one school.

Look elsewhere at GW or beyond if:

• Your interest is in a different field — the Elliott School is not the whole university, and other GW schools cover other disciplines.
• You need a program structure or format the school does not list; the published inventory is 5 bachelor's, 10 master's, and graduate certificates.

The most reliable next step is to open the school's "Explore Our Programs" section directly and match the specific degree list against your goals, rather than assuming any international-affairs-adjacent program sits inside the Elliott School.