Welcome to The George Washington University, a dynamic institution located in the heart of Washington, D.C.

Founded in 1821 and chartered by the United States Congress, GW is the largest institution of higher education in the nation's capital. Though the University is more than 180 years old, it continues to generate creative energy, breaking down the boundaries between disciplines and the divide between academia and the world at large.

You'll find GW has a great deal to offer. We have nine major schools, offering hundreds of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Many of these plug into (and give you entree to) the extraordinary world of Washington the political, policy, and research centers that move our country and the world.

GW master's degrees in fields as diverse as forensics, public health, and museum education have given thousands of graduates the intellectual wherewithal for professional advancement. Our campus in Loudoun County, Va., focuses on high-tech and business pursuits. And, our Mount Vernon campus offers living and learning programs where GW students who participate in these programs can take classes together during the day, then continue their discussions in the campus residence halls in the evening.

For those interested in a more informal approach to enlightenment, GW features performing arts, athletic events, art galleries, and lectures.

The George Washington University, an independent academic institution chartered by the Congress of the United States in 1821, dedicates itself to furthering human well-being. The University values a dynamic, student-focused community stimulated by cultural and intellectual diversity and built upon a foundation of integrity, creativity, and openness to the exploration of new ideas.

The George Washington University, centered in the national and international crossroads of Washington, D.C., commits itself to excellence in the creation, dissemination, and application of knowledge.

To promote the process of lifelong learning from both global and integrative perspectives, the University provides a stimulating intellectual environment for its diverse students and faculty. By fostering excellence in teaching, the University offers outstanding learning experiences for full-time and part-time students in undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in Washington, D.C., the nation, and abroad. As a center for intellectual inquiry and research, the University emphasizes the linkage between basic and applied scholarship, insisting that the practical be grounded in knowledge and theory. The University acts as a catalyst for creativity in the arts, the sciences, and the professions by encouraging interaction among its students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the communities it serves.

The George Washington University draws upon the rich array of resources from the National Capital Area to enhance its educational endeavors. In return, the University, through its students, faculty, and staff, and alumni, contributes talent and knowledge to improve the quality of life in metropolitan Washington, D.C.