New Student Orientation

Your tenure as a graduate student at The George Washington University Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) will soon begin. We want you to know one thing: You Got This! You have earned your place at this prestigious institution, and when you complete your degree, you will enter into a network of more than 91,500 alumni living and working in Washington D.C., all 50 states, and over 150 countries throughout the world.

Our orientation program is a series of "information bulletins" sent via email every week, containing all the information you need to prepare for your first semester at GW. Designed to provide the right information when you need it, our graduate student orientation series also encompasses tips from current students, live information sessions, chats with our student services staff, and reminders on academic policy and university processes.

Orientation Series Information

The orientation series is designed to help you prepare for your arrival in D.C. and GW. We will be releasing timely and detailed information so you can begin the semester comfortably knowing that "You Got This!"  CCAS Dean Paul Wahlbeck's welcome message for all new graduate students through our Graduate Student Orientation Series.

CCAS Graduate Student Services Team

The CCAS Graduate Student Services Team is here to be your dedicated resource. We are here to advise, guide, and provide resources to aid in your academic and career success, as well as help you smoothly navigate university policies and procedures. Watch our welcome video.

Topic 1: Course Registration and Housing 

Role of your Academic Advisor

Every student has two academic advisors to help you navigate your graduate degree. The Student Services Coordinator is a staff member located within the CCAS Office of Graduate Studies and the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) is a faculty member located within your department. See the separation of duties below so you know who to reach out to with questions.

Student Services Coordinator

• Processes restricted registration requests
• Provides guidance on CCAS and GW academic policy
• Audits academic progress
• Processes CCAS and GW forms
• Processes graduation clearances

Director of Graduate Studies (DGS)

• Serves as your Academic Advisor and answers questions on curriculum and program requirements
• Provides guidance on CCAS and GW academic policy
• Creates your plan of study and assists with registration
• Evaluates academic progress
• Consults with student services coordinator on academic issues
• Serves as main contact for program and department specific questions

Course Registration

Course registration is primarily completed through GWeb. Watch the How to Register video for directions on how to use GWeb to register for courses. There may be instances when you must register on a paper form. GW has two different paper registration forms: the RTF-EZ and RTF-Classic. For more detailed information on when you should use a paper registration form and which form you should use, please refer to our Registration website.

There are some academic policies governing registration. The main policies you should be aware of are below:

• All CCAS graduate students must be registered in at least 3 credits each Fall and Spring semester until all required credits have been taken for the degree program or you are on an approved Leave of Absence.
• All CCAS graduate students must be continuously registered each Fall and Spring semester throughout their degree program. Students who are unable to attend during a Fall or Spring semester must apply for a Leave of Absence

Don't forget, in order to register, you must have claimed your GW UserID

DegreeMAP

DegreeMAP is our online advising and degree auditing system. It will display the degree requirements for your program and apply your individual academic history, such as completed courses and transfer credits, to your degree requirements. DegreeMAP is your tool for monitoring and tracking your progress towards degree completion. You may access DegreeMAP through GWeb. We have also prepared a short Using DegreeMAP video to help you navigate DegreeMAP.

Finding Housing in DC

GW offers plenty of resources to assist with finding off-campus housing for graduate students.

• Watch this introductory housing video on our Graduate Student Orientation Series.
• Check out the Off-Campus Student Affairs website for detailed information on how to find housing, local neighborhood information, tenant responsibilities, and safety.
• Visit the Off-Campus housing website for apartment listings as well as roommate searches.
• The UPass program provides full-time students with unlimited use of Metrorail and Metrobus for a discounted, flat fee. More information can be found on the UPass website.
• If you haven't already, connect with other new students through our CCAS Graduate Admitted Students 2025-2026 Facebook page. Many students post helpful tips on finding housing in the D.C. area, or are looking for roommates themselves! Still have questions?
• Check out our Navigating DC: Living and Thriving in the Nation's Capital video! In this informative video, we go over the resources GW offers to assist with finding off-campus housing for graduate students.

Topic 2: Student Accounts and Financial Aid

Student Tuition Bill

Tuition payment is due no later than the first day of the semester, and tuition is charged by credit hour at the tuition rate for your program. Please watch a video walking you through your student bill.

Payment Methods

You have several ways to pay your student account. For details on online and international payments, please visit the Student Accounts website.

Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA)

The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) manages Federal and Private Loans for GW's graduate and professional students. If you plan to borrow a loan to fund your graduate education, please visit the How to Apply page to get started.

Topic 3: Wellness & Campus Resources

Health and Wellness Services

GW offers a multitude of student health and wellness services! Below is a list of common services.

Leaner Health and Wellness Center

Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Disability Support Services (DSS)

Student Health Insurance (GW SHIP)

All eligible students will automatically be enrolled in GW SHIP. If you are already covered by an acceptable health insurance plan, you have the option to waive out of GW SHIP. Just be sure to check the waiver requirements and deadlines! For more information, please check out the recording of our SHIP webinar. 

Topic 4: Settling In: DC Tips & Campus Safety

Navigating the City (Just a Few Tips!)

• Go Metro! - The Metrorail (subway) and Metrobus systems are excellent ways to get around without dealing with D.C. traffic or parking. The UPass program provides full-time students with unlimited use of Metrorail and Metrobus for a discounted, flat fee.
• Grab Your Shoes! - D.C. is a very pedestrian-friendly, so wear comfortable shoes! Many major attractions are clustered together, especially near our campus. Check out our amazing Explore D.C. Interactive Map.
• If You Really Want To Drive - Limited parking is available on campus. You will need to apply for a parking permit.
• Cross-Campus Shuttle - GW has a free shuttle service for students taking classes at our Mt. Vernon campus.  Affectionately known as The Vern Express, shuttles are available 24/7.

GW Safety Connection: Your Safety is Our Priority!

We take the safety of our GW community seriously and we want to make sure you're always informed and feel secure.
To ensure you are fully informed the moment an emergency or important safety update occurs, GW utilizes a number of different tools. We strongly encourage you to sign up or check your settings for these tools if you haven't done so already.

• Campus Advisories - This website is used for communicating emergency preparedness and incident-related information to the GW community.  Bookmark this site for update on the university operating status, adverse weather conditions , and issues concerning campus safety.
• GW Alert - This system sends emergency alters visa email and text. Please ensure you keep your contact information up-to-date so you receive these important alerts.
• GW Guardian - This is a smartphone app that supports GW Alert systems. It enables you to receive more targeted advisories even when off campus. You can also connect quickly to GW Police and EMeRG, access a security directory, and other features.
• EMeRG - This is GW's emergency medical response group. They respond to medical emergencies around campus and also offers CPR classes!

New Student Checklist Webinar

If you missed our New Student Checklist Webinar, no worries! It was recorded. You can watch it on our Youtube channel. 

Frequently Asked Questions

The CCAS Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) understands that you have questions about beginning your studies and that you require information to make informed decisions about your personal and academic plans. We hope this FAQ will help. For more information, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page. 

Academic and Campus Life

How do we get access to Handshake?

Access will be granted by Career Services. You must be registered in at least one class to gain access.

How many years do Master's students have to complete their degree?

All students, regardless of their program, have a time limit to complete degree requirements.  All Master's programs have 4 years.  More information on time limits can be access on our Time to Degree website. 

How do I know who my academic advisor is?

A list of academic advisors or DGS's can be viewed on our contact us website.

Is DegreeMAP something that will pop up later, when school starts?

All students have access to DegreeMAP once you have created a NetID. Please visit the CCAS Orientation website to view a video for steps on how to access your DegreeMAP.

Do the libraries provide access to online journal and journal databases, like JStor, Sage Pubs, etc.?

Yes, GW libraries provide online journal databases.

How do I get a GWorld Card?

For more information. Please visit the GWorld Office.

Housing and Healthcare

Can I jump on a GW healthcare plan or something similar?

All eligible students are automatically enrolled in the GW health plan. To opt out or for more information, visit the Colonial Health website.

What are some suggestions you have if we are struggling to find affordable housing?

The Office of Off Campus Student Affairs is a great resource for finding housing.

Transportation and Parking

Can GW students access a metro/bus pass at a reduced price?

The George Washington University has joined the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's (WMATA) U-Pass program, providing full-time students with unlimited use of Metrorail and Metrobus for a discounted, flat fee. More information is available on the GW Business Services website. 

Is there student parking available at the Corcoran?

No parking is available at the Corcoran building, however, parking is available nearby.  More information can be found on the GW Parking website.

Are there shuttles to the Mt. Vernon campus?

Yes. More information can be found on The Mount Vernon Express website.

Tuition

When will student tuition bills be released and when are they due?

Student accounts will release Spring bills in late November. Payment is due before the start of the semester.

Fall bills will be released in late July. Charges Due the first day of classes.

Does GW have a monthly payment plan?

Yes.  Student accounts offers a monthly payment plan.  More information can be found on the Student Accounts website.

How are consortium classes billed?

All consortium classes are billed by the home school and will be charged per the home school rates.  Therefore as a GW student you will be billed by GW at the GW credit hour rate.

Is there an enrollment deposit?

Yes. You must submit a non-refundable $250 enrollment deposit. The deposit will be credited to your student account and applied toward your tuition for the first semester. PhD, Combined Degree, and Classical Acting MFA students are not required to submit a deposit. See instructions for paying your tuition deposit.

If I drop out after the first day of the semester will I still have to pay for those classes?

Courses dropped prior to the first day of the semester will result in a 100% refund. Courses dropped on or after the first day are subject to the refund schedule. The schedule details the way in which the tuition and fees will be prorated should a student drop courses or withdraw completely. Drop penalties are non-refundable.