Frequently Asked Questions

Forms, Policies, & Procedures

Where can I find and submit forms?

All forms are available on the Undergraduate Milken Student Resources page in the Forms & Form Submission tab on Blackboard. Once completed, upload them as PDFs to this Box Submission Link. Be sure to name your file using the format below:

LastName_FirstName_YearSemesterCode_FormName
Example: Washington_George_202401_RTF
Semester Codes: Spring - 01 | Summer - 02 | Fall - 03

When do I need to use an RTF Classic?

Use an RTF Classic if you are:

Registering for certain approved graduate-level courses
Retaking a course you passed (B- through D-)
Registering for overlapping classes (within 10 minutes, with instructor approval)
Enrolling in approved Independent Study or Undergraduate Research
Switching between Pass/No Pass (P/NP) and Letter Grade (juniors/seniors only)

Please note that an RTF Classic cannot be used to over-enroll in a course with an active waitlist, or to register after Week 4. GWSPH does not use the RTF-EZ.

What is Academic Forgiveness?

Academic Forgiveness allows undergraduate students to replace the grade of up to three GW courses in which they earned a D+ or lower. Both attempts must be completed at GW and taken for a letter grade.

Students may not apply Academic Forgiveness if the course failure was due to an Academic Integrity violation or if the student has taken a higher-level course that required the original course as a prerequisite.

To submit a request:

Complete the Academic Forgiveness Form, located under Forms & Form Submission tab
Complete an RTF Classic, checking the box for Repeat Course for Credit
Submit both forms via the SPH Undergraduate Form Submission Page

Can I take a course as Pass/No Pass (P/NP)?

Yes, but only in certain situations. You may take a course P/NP if:

You are a junior or senior in good academic standing
You receive permission from the instructor and program director
The course is not required for your major, minor, or general education (GPAC)
You have not already used all 4 of your allowed P/NP courses
You are not in your first semester at GW as a transfer student
You must make your P/NP request by the end of Week 8. After that, grading mode cannot be changed.
Courses that are only offered as P/NP (e.g., certain labs or internships) do not count toward the 4-course limit. Up to 3 credits of LSPA courses may count toward your degree.

How do I register for PUBH 3995/EXNS 3995 Undergraduate Research?

Identify a GW faculty mentor
With your mentor, complete the Undergraduate Research Contract which is available on Forms & Form Submission tab in Blackboard
Submit the contract via the SPH Undergraduate Form Submission Page for review by the Program Director and Assistant Dean
If approved, submit an RTF Classic to register

Up to 6 credits of PUBH 3995, EXNS 3995, and PUBH 4199 may count toward guided electives (letter grade only). Up to 3 additional credits may count as general electives.

How do I enroll in PUBH 4199 Independent Study?

Complete the Independent Study Form, located on the Forms & Form Submission tab in Blackboard
Obtain approval from your faculty advisor, Program Director, and the Assistant Dean
Submit an RTF Classic to register

Up to 6 credits may count toward guided electives.

Registration & Enrollment

How do I register for classes?

Student Records → Registration → Register, Drop and/or Add Classes

The registration schedule is listed on the Fall/Spring Schedule. During registration week, your registration day is determined on your total credits earned.

NOTE: Note that "credits earned" DOES NOT include courses in progress. It DOES include transfer credit that has been posted to your academic record. Please use your GWeb unofficial transcript, not DegreeMAP, to determine your total earned credit hours.

Monday: 90+ credits
Tuesday: 70+
Wednesday: 50+
Thursday: 30+
Friday: 0+

Where can I find the current course schedule?

You can view current and previous course schedules via GWeb or the Course Schedule page.

What should I do if the core course I need is full when I go to register?

SPH courses cannot be overenrolled under any circumstances. An RTF cannot be used to over-enroll courses that are at maximum capacity. There are no exceptions.

If the course you need is full, you should take the following measures:

Check the Course Schedule to see if there are other available sections of the course. Students are encouraged to prioritize their core requirements over other courses in their schedule, particularly when it could impact their graduation timeline.
Add yourself to the waitlist. Waitlists open at 9am on the Monday following registration week.
Email sphundergradgwu [dot] edu and your Program Director to let them know you are on the waitlist and await further guidance.

How many credits should I take each semester?

Students are advised to take 14–16 credits per semester to stay on track for timely graduation (roughly 30 credits per academic year).

Enrollment Status:

Full-time: 12 or more credits
Half-time: 6-11 credits
Part-time: 6 credits or fewer

Full-time enrollment is typically required for financial aid, scholarships, housing, and visa compliance. Students who need to enroll half-time or part-time for any reason should contact the relevant offices to determine how their funding or other arrangements might be impacted. Students who wish to take more than 18 credits must receive written approval from their Program Director. Credits over 18 will be charged at the per-credit rate.

What is PUBH 1010 First-Year Experience?

PUBH 1010 is a 1-credit course required for all incoming first-year students. It focuses on supporting the transition to GW and SPH, and developing academic, professional, and personal success skills. The course is not required for internal or external transfer students.

I’m a First-Year student interested in a dual degree program. What should I do to prepare?

Plan ahead! To apply to the SPH dual degree programs, students must:

Complete 60 or more credits
Maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher
Declare a GWSPH major
Prepare your transcripts, a personal statement, and have faculty fill out our student recommendation forms

Avoid taking any of the crossover course equivalents (e.g. PUBH 3133) until you've had the chance to apply in order to maximize the financial benefits of the program. Draft a full 5-year plan and check for overlap between undergraduate and MPH coursework, and meet with one of the dual degree advisors to get feedback on your plan.

Courses Outside of GW

How do I get approval for transfer credits after enrolling at GW (post-matriculation)?

Students may take up to 3 courses (9-12 credits) of post-matriculation transfer credit while enrolled at GW. Before you pursue transfer credit approval, it’s important to understand what requirements can be satisfied with transfer credits.

Not Permitted:

GPAC (General Education) requirements
SPH Major Core courses

Permitted:

Prerequisite requirements (e.g. ECON 1011)
Guided electives (up to 9 credits)
General electives or other program requirements (as approved by the department)

Courses must be taken for a letter grade in order to be eligible for transfer. Credit is awarded for a C- or better (or international equivalent). Grades do not appear on your GW transcript and are not factored into your GPA. Only credits are applied, and will have the designation “TR” to indicate transfer credit.

Next Steps

Find a Course: Obtain a syllabus from the external institution.
Request Department Approval: Complete the Transfer Credit Approval Form and email it with the syllabus to the appropriate GW department (e.g., Biology, Chemistry). If approved, they will assign the GW equivalent course and sign your form.
Submit to GWSPH: Upload the signed form to the SPH Undergraduate Form Submission Page for processing.

Important Reminders

Do not register for the course until you’ve completed this approval process. GW cannot guarantee external refund policies.
Upon completion, it is the responsibility of the student to request that an official transcript be sent directly to GW from the external institution. Do not forget this step! For more information, click here.

Economics Courses

If you are requesting transfer credit for ECON 1011 (or another Economics course), the Department of Economics has a digital ECON Transfer Credit Request. You can also check their website for a list of pre-approved courses to know which courses are most likely to be approved.

What’s the policy for courses taken before I enrolled at GW (pre-matriculation)?

Credits are reviewed individually. Pre-matriculation credits can count toward GPAC requirements and may be eligible to count towards major related courseswork with approval by the program director. GW will not award transfer credit for:

CLEP or institutional exams
Physical education or activity courses
Internships or study skills courses
Math below Calculus

Up to 24 credits from AP, IB, or A-Level exams may be awarded. No partial credit is granted--courses must fully fit within the 24-credit cap.

Can I take courses at other institutions while in classes at GW?

Students cannot be concurrently enrolled at GW and another institution during the fall or spring semesters, except through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Summer courses may be approved depending on the circumstances. To be eligible for Consortium registration, a course must:

Not be offered at GW that semester
Be approved through the Consortium registration process
Fall within credit limits (6 credits/semester; 21 total)

What is the Consortium, and how do I take a course through it?

The Consortium allows GW students to take courses at nearby universities (e.g., Georgetown, American, Howard) with some limitations.

Credit Limits:

Full-time students: up to 6 credits per semester (max 21 credits total)
Part-time students: up to 6 credits per academic year (max 21 credits total)

Restrictions:

Students cannot use Consortium to take courses that are already being offered at GW in the same semester
Consortium courses cannot fulfill SPH core requirements
Online/Distance Education courses are not permitted during the fall and spring semesters
Courses must be taken for a letter grade

Registration:

Complete the Consortium Registration Form and the Equivalent Approval Form
Meet with your advisor for review and signatures
Submit both forms to your Advising Office
To drop/withdraw, submit the Consortium Drop/Withdrawal Form. Deadlines differ by institution--submit early!

Can I study abroad?

While core courses must be taken at GW, many students study abroad and use the opportunity to complete up to 9 credits of Guided Electives. Additional credits can count toward your General Electives, helping you stay on track for the 120-credit graduation requirement.

The Office for Study Abroad offers step-by-step support, from program search and applications to pre-departure and credit transfer. Check out their Study Abroad Youtube Series to get answers to the most frequently asked questions, and to prepare for your first one-on-one meeting! Visit the Advising Appointments & Academic Support tab for more information.