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About our office

The Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) manages all graduate academic and student affairs for CCAS. This includes recruitment, admissions, fellowships, student services, and graduation clearances for the following:

  • 25 Doctoral Programs, 52 Masters programs, 16 Certificates, and 33 combined degree programs;
  • approximately 2,900 current students;
  • approximately 7,500 applications for admission each calendar year
  • approximately 2,500 fellowship letters per year

The Associate Dean for Graduate Studies leads OGS. OGS has undergone structural changes in Summer 2018. We will now have separate Admissions/Fellowships, Recruitment and Student Services teams so you may have multiple contacts within our office.

OGS has a small recruitment team that promotes CCAS graduate programs by attending domestic and international fairs, organizing information sessions, managing communication plans, and assisting the CCAS Office of Marketing and Communications in creating print material, social media posts, et cetera.

The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS)

The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) is the primary liaison between the academic department and the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS). Although this Handbook is written with the DGS in mind, much of it is relevant to other faculty members who serve graduate programs in official capacities, such as program directors, admission directors, thesis directors, and academic advisors.

The Handbook details OGS processes and policies as of August 2019. Policies are reviewed and updated as the need arises. The Handbook does not provide an exhaustive list of all policies; it is designed to answer common questions. Please also refer to the University Bulletin and CCAS Graduate Student Handbook for more information.

Graduate Studies Committee

The Committee on Graduate Studies, in consultation with the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, shall serve as the principal body to act on, advise, and provide oversight for graduate curricular affairs in the College. More information on the charge of the committee can be found in the CCAS Bylaws.


Office of Graduate Studies
Columbian College of Arts and Sciences

Phillips Hall, Suite 107
801 22nd Street NW
Washington, DC, 20052

Student Services Team:  ccasgradserv@gwu.edu
Admission Team: askccas@gwu.edu
Recruitment Team: gradccas@gwu.edu

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