Our History
The George Washington University was created in 1821 through an Act of the Congress, fulfilling George Washingtonâs vision of an institution in the nationâs capital dedicated to educating and preparing future leaders.
Today, GW is the largest institution of higher education in the District of Columbia. We have more than 20,000 studentsâfrom all 50 states, the District and more than 130 countriesâstudying a rich range of disciplines: from forensic science and creative writing to international affairs and computer engineering, as well as medicine, public health, the law and public policy.
GW comprises three campusesâFoggy Bottom and Mount Vernon in Washington, D.C., and the GW Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn, Va.âas well as several graduate education centers in the metropolitan area and Hampton Roads, Va.
Our Commitment
Our mission is to provide an environment where knowledge is created and acquired and where creative endeavors seek to enrich the experiences of the global society. With nine schools and colleges and nearly 100 research centers and institutes, our students receive hands-on experience as they explore nearly any avenue of personal interest.
The depth and breadth of our academic programs, the exceptional qualifications of our full-time faculty, the unmatched experiences of our adjunct faculty and the strengths of our research initiatives allow our students, our faculty and our staff to look at the world beyond the classroom. They allow us to prepare the next generation of leaders.