University Information

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Abbreviations for Days of the Week
Course Numbering System
GW Mail (Email)
GWorld ID Card
Immunization Requirement
International Students
Law School Cross-Registration
Student Identification Number / SSN

Abbreviations for Days of the Week

M = Monday
T = Tuesday
W = Wednesday
R = Thursday
F = Friday
S = Saturday
U = Sunday

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Course Numbering System

001 to 100:  Designed for freshman and sophomore students. Open to juniors and seniors with approval. Used by graduate students to make up undergraduate deficiencies or as prerequisites to advanced degrees, but not to be taken for graduate credit.

101 to 200:  Designed for junior and senior students. With appropriate approval, specified courses may be taken for graduate credit by completing additional work. See Bulletin for details.

201 to 300:  Primarily for graduate students. Open to qualified seniors with approval of instructor and department chair. In SB, open only to seniors with a G.P.A. of 3.00 or better who also have approval of department chair and Dean.

301 to 400:  GSEHD - Limited to graduate students with Master's degrees.
SEAS - Limited to graduate students with Master's degrees.
CCAS - Limited to graduate students, primarily for doctoral students. 
SB - Limited to doctoral students, except by petition.

401 to 700:  A few courses are numbered in the 400s through 600s to set them apart for various administrative reasons; these courses are generally analogous to courses numbered in the 200s.

701: General Studies courses explore a topic not encompassed in the normal offerings of the department, utilizing insights and methods of disciplines of other departments as well.

721: Interdisciplinary Studies courses are upper-level courses involving faculty from two or more departments, investigating a theme, topic or issue of mutual academic interest.

751: The 751 number is used to list courses sponsored jointly by two or more schools.

770-780: Courses offered by distinguished University Professors, the content of which usually spans several disciplines. 

801:  CCAS Dean’s Seminar courses-designed for incoming CCAS freshmen.

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GW Mail (Email)

Students must create a NetID and password in order to:

• use GW Mail
• sign in to the myGW portal and Blackboard
• create a G1 account (for use of campus computer labs)
• set up an account for ACAD web space.

For more information on creating an email account, please visit the ISS Help Desk.

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GWorld ID Card

Every student is required to carry a GWorld Card, the official ID for The George Washington University.  All new students receive the first card free of charge. Student applicants must be registered for at least one credit before the GWorld Card will be issued.  A current U.S. driver's license, current passport, or other form of U.S. government-issued picture identification must be presented before the GWorld Card will be issued. 

Note: All permanent employees, part or full-time, even if enrolled in classes at the University, will receive a “staff” GWorld Card.

For additional information please contact the GWorld Office.

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Immunization Requirement

It is the law in the District of Columbia that all students under the age of 26 have a record on file with Student Health Service (SHS) documenting immunity to Measles, Mumps and Rubella (two immunizations with the initial dose given after the first birthday or positive titers), Varicella (Chickenpox – by immunization, documented history of disease or positive titer) and a current Tetanus/Diphtheria booster (within 10 years prior to the beginning of the semester). This requirement applies to all students regardless of their program of study or degree status. Students registering for the first time will be able to do so without a complete record on file, but registration for any subsequent semester will be blocked if this requirement has not been completed. Immunization forms are sent out by the different schools/departments. If you need a form, you can download it from the SHS web site.

In addition to the required immunizations, SHS recommends Hepatitis B and Meningitis vaccines. SHS can give all inoculations on a fee for service basis. For further information or questions, please visit the SHS web site.

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International Students 

If you are in F-1 or J-1 immigration status, you must register for and maintain enrollment in a “full course of study” as defined by federal regulations.  GW is required to verify your registration each term and report it to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).  The university is also required to monitor your registration throughout each semester and report any drop below a full course of study to SEVIS.  If you are an undergraduate student, you must register and maintain enrollment for at least 12 credit hours.  If you are a graduate student, you must register and maintain enrollment for at least 9 credit hours. 

If at any time you and your academic advisor believe you should register for less than a full course of study or drop below a full course of study, you should immediately consult with an Advisor in the International Services Office (ISO) to determine if you are eligible to do so.  Under certain conditions, federal regulations permit an ISO Advisor to certify that you are taking a full course of study or to grant written permission for you to engage in less than a full course of study. 

Caution:  Do not register for less than a full course of study or drop below a full course of study at any time until an ISO Advisor has informed you that you have met all federal requirements to do so.  It is a violation of your lawful status in the U.S. if you register for less than a full course of study or drop below a full course of study before meeting all federal requirements, which in some cases includes prior SEVIS notification. 

Federal regulations on the “full course of study” requirement and exceptions to the requirement are complex and cannot be adequately explained by these few paragraphs.  Please read the ISO handout on this subject, available at the ISO.  The ISO is pleased to offer counseling, advising, and assistance on this and many other topics of interest to international students.  We also provide services to help international students successfully complete their academic programs at The George Washington University.

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Law School Cross-Registration

Law School courses normally will be available, for credit, to graduate students subject to their advisor's approval. Undergraduate students are required to secure special permission from their Dean to enroll in Law School courses and must make a strong case to show that they have particular need of and are qualified to undertake such courses.

The following regulations apply:

1. Registration will be accepted on a space available basis after all full-time Law School students have registered.     

2. Non-Law School students MUST have law courses approved by their advisor as being relevant to their program of study. This approval must be submitted to the Law School Dean's office.

3. Law School courses will be graded on a Credit/No Credit (graduate) or Pass/Fail (undergraduate) basis.

4. Registrations not approved will be automatically canceled.

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