About

Summer at GW graphic

Spend your summer with GW for a unique opportunity to:

  • earn academic credit from a top-ranked university
  • learn from superb faculty
  • take advantage of the extraordinary educational and cultural resources at the George Washington University (GW) and in Washington, D.C.

We offer a variety of on-campus courses during the summer, as well as study abroad opportunities, in-depth institute courses, flexible online and evening classes and programs for visiting international and high school students.

Register for Summer Courses

Summer Program Offerings

International Summer at GW students at World War II Memorial in DC

International Summer

We invite visiting international students to participate in an authentic American university experience in the center of the United States’ political, intellectual and cultural activity.

 Make Washington, D.C. your classroom
Pre-College students in a classroom

Pre-College

A one-of-a-kind opportunity for high school students to explore their academic interests at a top research university, our challenging credit and non-credit programs are taught by experts and enriched by the intellectual and cultural resources of Washington, D.C.

 Make the nation’s capital your classroom
Short Term Abroad Photo

Short-Term Abroad

Ranging from 1-6 weeks, these courses combine classroom study with real-world experiences in international environments focused on your field of study.

 Spend your summer abroad
Photo of Summer Institute students

Summer Institutes

These programs feature intensive academic investigation through a course or set of thematically-related courses. Programs vary in length and some combine credits for a discounted tuition rate.

 Sign up for a GW Summer Institute

What our students are saying about summer at GW

  • Headshot of Lisa Stern
  • Headshot of Emily Arroyo, Pre-College student in the Biomedical Engineering program
  • Headshot of Ali Akash, International Summer alumnus from Kuwait
  • Photo of Aurie Hall

"I would recommend this institute to each and every student. Regardless of background, experience or degree sought, this course offers an opportunity for personal and professional growth and reflection. An amazing group of speakers and a superb teaching staff present topics, often avoided or difficult to discuss, but abundantly necessary for a life lived to its fullest."

Lisa Stern, Participant, Grief, Loss, & Life Transitions Summer Institute

"My favorite part about my class was that we had a TA and a teacher who really truly cared about teaching us, and were really knowledgeable about it – and even if they weren’t in a certain area, they would try and help us. It taught me what I want to focus on in a career and I made a lot of good friends from all over the world."

Emily A., Pre-College Alumna, Biomedical Engineering

"Anthropology was really a good class because people in my class and my professor were very open minded. When they talked about something, it was open for discussion – it wasn't like anyone was going to get offended by what you said. It was a very open discussion and a safe place that you could say what you really felt and no one was going to judge you for it.”

Ali Akash, International Summer Alumnus, Kuwait

"When I first signed up for the Abstract Painting class more than 4 years ago, I could never have imagined the impact it would have on my art and my life. The class has created a community of artists who support one another. We push each other to go farther, create more, reach deeper, and our paintings have evolved as a result."

Aurie Hall, Corcoran Arts Continuing Education, Advanced Abstract Painting