Graduation Requirements

To earn an undergraduate degree from the Columbian College, a student must have achieved the following:

• 120 academic credits, as detailed below.
• a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0.
• completion of a Columbian College major. 
• completion of the general education requirements:

For students admitted prior to Fall 2011: General Curriculum Requirements (GCRs) 

For students admitted Fall 2011 and later: General Education Requirements: Perspective, Analysis, Communication (G-PAC)

In each category, students need to be aware of certain exceptions and regulations that may affect graduation. Be sure to discuss all of your plans with your academic advisor.

120 Academic Credits

All university classes carry from 0 to 4 credits. Most classes carry 3 credits.

Lifestyle, Sports and Physical Activity (courses identified as LSPA such as swimming, aerobics, yoga, etc.) appear on the transcript, but are deducted at graduation. They are not included in the 120 counted toward graduation. Students are encouraged to take these courses, which can promote health and relieve stress, but should remember to subtract the credits from their academic total.

Professional credits are credits taken in another school at GW, such as the Elliott School, the School of Business, the School of Engineering, and the School of Public Health. CCAS students may include only 18 professional credits toward the 120 needed for graduation.

Transfer credits are credits from schools other than GW. Credits are awarded for classes with grades of C- or better from accredited colleges and universities. To receive transfer credit, students must complete a Petition to Transfer Credit, available in Phillips 107, and have a transcript sent to the Admissions Office.  Once they have matriculated, students may transfer a maximum of 9 hours from other institutions, not counting courses taken through Study Abroad.

AP and IB credits can be used toward elective hours and/or major/minor requirement. For accepted scores and the correct distribution of AP and IB credits, visit our Bringing Credit to GW page.

Residency refers to the fact that students must complete some of their 120 academic credits at certain times and in a certain order. The 45 of the final 60 credits must be completed in residence, that is, while a student is enrolled in the Columbian College and in GW classes. Of the final 15 credits, 9 must be completed in residence.