Academic Planning

Academic planning is an essential part of your studies at the Milken Institute School of Public Health. The tools and resources below will help you understand your degree requirements, map out your path to graduation, and make informed course decisions each semester. We're here to help you ROCK!

Understanding Your Program

GW Bulletin

The GW Bulletin is the University’s official contract with students, listing all academic requirements, regulations, and policies in effect for your matriculation year. Always refer to the Bulletin to confirm degree rules and university policies.

Undergraduate Student Handbook

The SPH Undergraduate Student Handbook serves as a repository for policies and procedures that govern The Milken Institute School of Public Health (GWSPH) at The George Washington University (GW) and students’ academic rights and responsibilities. This handbook applies to all undergraduate students in the GWSPH, including all majors and minors. Students are expected to be knowledgeable about these policies and procedures. In addition, the handbook provides information and references about GWSPH and its academic programs.

The Undergraduate Student Handbook is secondary to the University Bulletin, a complete source of university-wide information. The university and GWSPH reserve the right to change courses, programs, and fees, or to make other administrative and policy/procedure changes deemed necessary or desirable, giving advance notice of these changes when possible. This handbook is updated on an annual basis and can be found on the Milken Institute School of Public Health website. 

SPH General Requirements

All degree-seeking SPH undergraduate students must also complete the following non-academic requirements:

• Professional Enhancement
• Academic Integrity Quiz
• CITI Training

For more information on each of these requirements, click here.

Writing & GPAC Requirements

All GW undergraduate must complete complete the Writing in the Disciplines requirements and Tier One of the University's General Education Curriculum (GPAC). GPAC courses are designed to help students build critical thinking, communication, and reasoning skills across disciplines that they will use in their studies, careers, and beyond.

In addition to the Writing in the Disciplines requirements, students must satisfy the following requirements with courses from the GPAC Course List as part of their general education:

• Quantitative Reasoning: 1 course in mathematics or statistics
• Scientific Reasoning: 1 course in natural and/or physical laboratory sciences
• Critical Thinking in the Social Sciences: 2 courses
• Critical Thinking in the Humanities: 1 course
• Oral Communication: 1 approved course with an oral communication component
  • BS Public Health students must select an Oral Communication course from the pre-approved list in their Program Guide (see Appendix B).

Additional Notes

• Courses taken for GPAC may also count toward program prerequisites or major requirements, as long as they are included on the approved GPAC course list.
• Students in the BS Exercise Science and BS Nutrition programs have multiple GPAC requirements built into their core curriculum. Refer to the relevant Program Guide or your DegreeMAP for more information.
• Pre-matriculation transfer credits may fulfill GPAC requirements. However, once you have matriculated to GW, all remaining GPAC courses must be taken in residence at GW.

Program Requirements

Your Program Guide outlines all degree requirements for your major, including prerequisites, core courses, GPA policies, and guided elective options. You are bound to the Program Guide from the academic year in which you formally declare your major. Key points to remember:

• Students must earn a C- or higher in all core and prerequisite courses.
• Prerequisites must be completed before taking the related core course; concurrent enrollment is not permitted under any circumstances.
• All GWSPH major core requirements must be completed at GW.
• You must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA to earn your degree.
• Contact your advisor if you believe previous coursework fulfills a requirement.

Core Requirements

There are four undergraduate majors at the School of Public Health, each with its own unique major-specific core requirements. Students must complete all prerequisite and core requirements with a C- or higher as outlined in their Program Guide.

Exercise Science

Health Data Science

Nutrition

Public Health

Guided Electives

Guided Electives are courses that have been identified as highly relevant to your program. They offer a structured way to tailor your degree toward your specific career goals or academic interests, while ensuring your coursework remains connected to your major’s focus areas.

These pre-approved courses can be found in the University Bulletin and at the end of your Program Guide. Guided Elective courses must be selected from these lists. Additional restrictions may apply. All policies are detailed in the SPH Undergraduate Student Handbook, University Bulletin, and your Program Guide. Always defer to these resources for the most up-to-date information.

 Click below to review approved Guided Electives for your major.

Exercise Science

Health Data Science

Nutrition

Public Health

General Electives

General Electives give you even more flexibility to personalize your academic experience. You may use these credits to explore other disciplines of interest, pursue a minor or second major, or take additional Guided Elective courses that align with your goals. 

General Electives totals may vary depending on your major and any additional areas of study. General Electives may be chosen from the Guided Electives list, or from any other undergraduate course at GW so long as it is open to you and applicable to your degree. University and School restrictions may apply. Refer to the SPH Undergraduate Student Handbook, University Bulletin, and your Program Guide for more information.

Planning Your Studies

Undergraduate Advising

At the SPH Undergraduate Advising Office, we’re here to guide and support you throughout your academic journey. While students are ultimately responsible for their course decisions and tracking their degree requirements using their Program Guide and DegreeMAP, we’re your partners in:

• Creating and updating your Four-Year Plan
• Planning study abroad opportunities
• Exploring majors, minors, and concentrations
• Understanding policies and procedures
• Navigating academic challenges and life transitions
• Staying on track for graduation

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor at least once per semester. 

Undergraduate Advising Information

Four-Year Plans

Every SPH student must create a Four-Year Plan outlining when and how they’ll complete their degree requirements.

Why it matters:

• Helps ensure prerequisites and core courses are completed on time
• Keeps you on track for graduation
• Supports your advisor in helping you plan effectively

Getting started:

• Use the Four-Year Plan Template.
  • Use your respective Program Guide and the GW Bulletin to confirm course sequencing and prerequisites.
• Schedule an appointment with your advisor to review and finalize your plan.
• Update your plan anytime you change your goals, major, or course schedule.

Reminder: It’s the sole responsibility of each student to stay in touch with their advisors and to confirm that they will remain on-track towards graduation in the event that they adjust their approved Four-Year Plan.

DegreeMAP

DegreeMAP is GW’s official tool for tracking academic progress toward your degree. It helps you and your advisor confirm completed, in-progress, and planned coursework.

You can use DegreeMAP to:

• View remaining degree and elective requirements
• Test out “What If” scenarios for potential new majors or minors
• Calculate your projected GPA

Tips for Use:

• Review your DegreeMAP before and after registration each semester.
• Expect your degree progress to show slightly below 100% in your final semester--this is normal while your remaining courses are still in-progress!
• Contact your advisor if you notice any errors or missing requirements.
• If a course isn’t applying to the correct requirement:
  • Email SPHundergradgwu [dot] edu with details about the course.
  • Include any written approval (from an instructor or advisor) for exceptions approved outside of your program guide.

Plan Ahead in GWeb

Use the Plan Ahead feature in GWeb to build and save multiple registration semester plans before your registration time opens. Use Plan Ahead to:

• Create up to five clear, drafted semester plans each semester.
  • Register more efficiently by quickly adding all the courses in your chosen Plan.
  • Get advisor feedback on your schedule options prior to registration to minimize confusion.
• Identify backup course options in case a class fills or becomes waitlisted.
• Verify prerequisites and scheduling conflicts in advance.

Blackboard

Blackboard is GW’s official course management system, where you can access materials, assignments, and announcements.

To access Blackboard:

• Visit blackboard.gwu.edu
• Log in with your GW UserID and password

Courses appear the day after they are added in GWeb.

Need help?

• Blackboard Overview
• GW IT Support

Milken Undergraduate Blackboard Student Resources Page

The Milken Undergraduate Blackboard Student Resources page is your go-to hub for up-to-date information and support throughout your time at GWSPH. Located in the Organizations tab within Blackboard, this page is a living resource that is regularly updated with helpful information, announcements, and more.