Academic Department Contacts

This page lists department contacts who can assist students with minor declarations, second major declarations, course substitution requests, and transfer credit approvals. 

Transfer Credit Approval Process

Undergraduate students who wish to take courses away from GW must receive prior approval in order to transfer the credits and may do so with the following instructions: 

  1. Complete the Transfer Credit Approval Form.
  2. Submit the form along with a course description and/or syllabus to the appropriate GW academic department, contact information below.
  3. The department will review the course information, indicate a GW course equivalent (if applicable), and sign the form. 
  4. Once signed, the student will return the form to their home school advising center. GWSB students will upload the form to our Form Submission Portal.
Accountancy (GWSB)

Transfer Credit:
Transfer credit for ACCY 2001 and ACCY 2002 is considered only if the course(s) were taken prior to matriculation at GW or if they are completed through an approved GW study abroad experience. These courses should be taken at institutions accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Submit your transfer credit request with the full syllabus of the course (not the course description) to [email protected]

Department Contact:
Contact for exceptions & substitutions related to concentrations & majors only.

Dr. Christopher Jones
[email protected]

Dr. Yanfeng Xue
[email protected]
202-994-6747

Location:
Funger Hall, Suite 601

Africana Studies (CCAS)

Contact:
Jennifer James
[email protected]
202-994-6630

Location:
Phillips Hall
Suite 700

American Studies (CCAS)

Contact:
Dr. Melani McAlister
[email protected]
202-994-8765

Location:
2108 G Street, Room 203B

Special Instructions:
Make an appointment or visit during office hours. Bring course description and syllabus.

Anthropology (CCAS)

Contact:
Dr. Alison Brooks - Director of Undergraduate Studies and Transfer Credit Approver
[email protected]
202-994-6079

Dr. Alexander Dent - Minor Advisor
[email protected]
202-994-5084

Location:
2112 G Street
Room 204

Special Instructions:
Make an appointment, contact via email, or visit during office hours. Bring syllabi with required reading listed.

Arabic (CCAS)

Contact:
Mohssen Esseesy
[email protected]
202-994-6179

Location:
655 Rome Hall

Special Instructions:
If you are seeking credit transfer for courses completed outside of GW (e.g., transfer credit), please contact the Arabic Program Director Prof. Esseesy to take a proctored EQUIVALENCY EXAM. That exam is given during the first two weeks of the semester in which students return to GW. Self-placement into a course without passing an equivalency exam will result in deregistration from the course at any time of the semester. 

Art History (Corcoran - CCAS)

Contact:
[email protected]
202-994-6085

Location:
Smith Hall of Art, Room A-101

Special Instructions:
Full course syllabi are necessary for approval.

Estimated Time
One week

Asian Studies (ESIA)

Contact:
Professor Brazinski
[email protected]
202-994-0987

Location: 
Elliott School of International Affairs, Suite 503

Biological Sciences (CCAS)

Contact:
Dr. Alexander Jeremic
[email protected]

Location:
Science and Engineering Hall 5th Floor 

Special Instructions:
Visit the professors during office hours or make an individual appointment by email. The professors will need to speak with the student as well as see supporting materials such as syllabi, textbook information and course description.

Estimated Time
One day with appointment

Biomedical Engineering (SEAS)

Contact:
Dr. Jason Zara, Associate Chair
[email protected]
202-994-2402

Location:
SEH Suite 5000

Special Instructions:
Make appt with Prof Zara (or faculty advisor) and have course syllabi available for the meeting.

Business Administration (GWSB)

The Business Administration (BADM) department does not exist. Below you will find the appropriate department contact for each BADM course. 

BADM 1001 & 1002, Business Leaders Foundation 1 and 2 - GWSB Undergraduate Programs  

BADM 1003, Business Leaders Foundation for Transfer Students - GWSB Undergraduate Programs 

BADM 1004, Age of Globalization - International Business Department 

BADM 2001(W), Markets & Politics - Strategic Management and Public Policy Department 

BADM 2301, Management Information Systems Technology - Information Systems and Technology Department

BADM 3001, Business Leader Career Strategy - GWSB Undergraduate Programs

BADM 3103, Human Capital in Organizations - Management Department 

BADM 3401, Contemporary Marketing Management - Marketing Department 

BADM 3501, Financial Management and Markets - Finance Department 

BADM 3601, Operations Management - Decision Sciences Department 

BADM 4001, Business Leader Launch - GWSB Undergraduate Programs

BADM 4101(W), Business Ethics and the Legal Environment - Strategic Management and Public Policy Department 

BADM 4801, Strategy Formulation and Implementation - Strategic Management and Public Policy Department 

Chemistry (CCAS)

Contact:
Dr. Lakeisha McClary
[email protected]
(202) 994-5537

Transfer Credit Evaluation: Students should fill out the Undergraduate Transfer Credit Evaluation Form found on the Chemistry Department website

Location:
SEH 4000

Estimated Time
One week

Chinese (CCAS)

Contact:
Liana Chen
[email protected]
202-994-9277

Location:
Rome Hall 469

Special Instructions:
https://eall.columbian.gwu.edu/chinese-placement-exams

Civil and Environmental Engineering (SEAS)

Contact:
Dr. Majid Manzari
[email protected]
202-994-4901

Location:
SEH Suite 3000C

Classics (CCAS)

Contact:
Professor Christopher Rollston
[email protected] 
202-994-6701

Location:
Rome Hall, Rooms 652-674

Special Instructions:
Bring full syllabus

Computer Science (SEAS)

Department Contact:
[email protected]

Transfer Credit Contact:
[email protected]

Location:
SEH Suite 4000

Creative Writing (CCAS)

Contact:
Lisa Page
[email protected]
202-994-6637

Location:
Phillips 615

Corcoran (CCAS)

Contact:
Studio Art Contact: 

Dean Kessman
[email protected]


Location:
500 17th Street

Dance (CCAS)

Contact:
Dana Tai Soon Burgess
[email protected]

Location:
814 20th St, NW - 1st Floor

Special Instructions:
Make appointment.

Estimated Time
One week

Decision Sciences (GWSB)

Department Chair:
Dr. Murat Tarimcilar
[email protected]

Location:
Funger Hall, Suite 415

Special Instructions:
This department reviews transfer credit requests for BADM 3601 Operations Management and all DNSC courses.

Economics (CCAS)

Contact:
Department Contact: [email protected] 
202-994-8083

Transfer Credit Contact: [email protected]
202-994-6150

Location:
Monroe Hall, Room 307

Special Instructions:
Drop off course approval form, course descriptions and/or syllabi. Econ courses cannot be transferred at the 2000 level or above unless demonstrated that the courses require principles of economics.

Estimated Time
One week

Electrical & Computer Engineering (SEAS)

Electrical Engineering Program Contact:
Dr. Milos Doroslacki
[email protected]
202-994-6916

Computer Engineering Program Contact:
Dr. Guru Venkataramani
[email protected]
202-994-2980

Location:
SEH 6620

Special Instructions:
First contact can be course instructor.

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering (SEAS)

Contact:
Dr. Thomas Mazzuchi 
[email protected]
202-994-9187

Location:
SEH Suite 2680

English (CCAS)

Contact:
Dr. Ormond Seavey
[email protected]

Location:
Phillips Hall Room 641

Special Instructions: 
Approval for literature courses NOT WRITTEN IN ENGLISH should be approved by the relevant foreign language department, even if the student will be studying them in translation.

Estimated Time: 
One day (if students make appt.)

Environmental Studies (CCAS)

Contact:
Dr. Melissa Keeley - Program Director (Last Name A-K)
[email protected]
202-994-7156

Ginger Allington - Undergraduate Advisor (Last Name L-Z) 
[email protected]
202-994-5650

Dmitry Streletskiy 
[email protected]
202-994-9168

Location:
Samson Hall 215

Exercise and Nutrition Sciences (MIPH)

Contact:
Dr. Beverly Westerman, Program Director
[email protected]
202-994-3862

Location:
950 New Hampshire Ave, Suite 203

Film Studies (CCAS)

Contact:
Dr. Elisabeth Anker
[email protected]

Location:
SMPA, Suite 517

Special Notes: will not accept major or policy exceptions. 

Finance (GWSB)

Transfer Credit Approval Forms:
Students seeking transfer credit approval for finance courses should submit their request directly through this link.

Contact:
Dr. Gergana Jostova
[email protected]

Location:
Funger Hall, Suite 501

The Finance Department oversees the Finance major and concentration, as well as the Real Estate concentration. 

Fine Arts (CCAS)

Contact:
Katherine Akey
[email protected]

Location:
Smith Hall, Room A-101

Food Leadership (minor)

Contact:
Dr. Tara Scully
[email protected]

Location:
Global Food Institute, 1919 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 500
202-994-5758

French (CCAS)

Contact:
The contact for the French department varies by semester. Refer to the French department website for the most up-to-date information.

Location:
Phillips Hall, Suite 513

Geography (CCAS)

Contact:
Dr. Declan Cullen (Students last name A-N)
[email protected] 
202-994-8523

Dr. David Rain (Students last name O-Z)
[email protected]
202-9948523

Location:
Samson Hall

Special Instructions: 
Email professor to make an appointment. Please submit or email the complete syllabus in advance of the meeting.

Estimated Time: 
At least 5 business days

Geology (CCAS)

Contact:
Dr. Catherine Forster, Chair - Program in Geological Sciences
[email protected]
202-994-1008

Location:
2029 G Street
Bell Hall, Room 101

German (CCAS)

Contact:
Dr. Margaret Gonglewski
[email protected]
202-994-5727

Dr. Mary Beth Stein
[email protected]
202-994-6896

Location:
Phillips Hall, Suite 513

Graphic Design (Corcoran)

Contact: 
Professor Johan Severtson
[email protected]
202-425-2575

Professor Sara Jamshidi
[email protected]

Location:
Flagg Building 

History (CCAS)

Department Contact:
Dr. Steven Brady 
[email protected]
202-994-8174

Location:
Transfer Approval mailbox in Phillips 335

Special Instructions:
Students should drop off the form along with a course syllabus to the location above. More details can be found on the History Department website.

Estimated Time:
One week

Human Services & Social Justice (CCAS)

Contact:
Professor Michelle Kelso
[email protected]
202-994-6936

Location:
Phillips Hall, Suite 409

Info Systems & Technology Management (GWSB)

Department Chair:
Dr. Subhasish Dasgupta
[email protected]

Location:
Funger Hall, Suite 515

Interior Architecture & Design (CCAS)

Contact:
Professor Nadia Volchansky
[email protected]
202-242-6705

Location:
Mount Vernon Academic Building 216

Special Instructions:
Please email or call to schedule an appointment prior to visiting in person. 

International Affairs (ESIA)

International Affairs Contact:
Reach out to the appriorate Elliott School Advisor
[email protected]
202-994-6240

Location:
Elliott School of International Affairs, Suite 302

International Business (GWSB)

Course Substitution Requests and Transfer Credit Contact (Domestic and International Credit Review):
Dr. Laura D'Antonio
[email protected] 

Department Chair:
Dr. Reid Click
[email protected]

Location:
Funger Hall, Suite 401

Italian (CCAS)

Contact:
Antonella Longoni
[email protected]
202-994-8390

Location:
Phillips Hall, Room 513

Japanese (CCAS)

Contact:
Shoko Hamano 
[email protected]
202-994-7107

Leo Hanami (Fall 2019 Only)
[email protected]
202-994-0050

Location:
Rome Hall, Room 457

Special Instructions:
Refer to the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures website for all transfer credit details.

Judaic Studies (CCAS)

Contact:
Daniel Schwartz
[email protected]
202-994-2397

Location:
Phillips Hall, Room 317

Korean (CCAS)

Contact:
Moik Pak
[email protected]
202-994-1804

Location:
Rome Hall, Room 466

Special Instructions:
Refer to the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures website for all transfer credit details.

Latin American & Hemispheric Studies (ESIA)

Contact: 
Dr. Diego Abente-Brun
[email protected]
 

Location:
Phillips Hall, Suite 313

Management (GWSB)

Contact:
Dr. Ayman El Tarabishy
[email protected]

Location:
Funger Hall, Suite 315

Special Instruct ions:
This department manages BADM 3103 Human Capital in Organizations, Entrepreneurship courses, and Leadership courses. Please indicate the GW course that you are interested in receiving credit for when you submit the form.

Marketing (GWSB)

Contact:
Dr. Ravi Achrol
[email protected]

Location:
Funger Hall, Suite 30

Mathematics (CCAS)

Department Contact:
[email protected]
202-994-6235

Students may only email [email protected] for information on a Math minor or second major - not for general advising or transfer credit approval. 

Transfer Credit Contact:
[email protected]
 

Location:
Phillips Hall, 7th Floor

Special Instructions:
Students should drop off the form along with a course description and/or syllabus to the location above. More details can be found on the Math Department website.

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (SEAS)

Contact:
Zephra Coles
[email protected]
202-994-9800

Location:
SEH Suite 3000

Middle East Studies (ESIA)

Contact:
Dr. Marc Lynch
[email protected]

Location:
Elliott School of International Affairs, Suite 512

Music (CCAS)

Contact:
Dr. Robert Baker
[email protected]
202-994-9043

Location:
Phillips Hall, Room B-144A

Special Instructions:
Make an appointment.

Estimated Time:
2-3 days

Organizational Sciences & Communication (CCAS)

Contact:
Organizational Sciences:
Dr. David Costanza
[email protected]

Communication Department Contact:
Dr. Olivia Bullock
[email protected]
600 21st Street

Special Instructions:
Please bring a full syllabus.

Peace Studies (CCAS)

Contact: 
Dr. Derek Malone-France
[email protected]
202-242-5359

Location:
2106 G St, NW, Room 206

Philosophy (CCAS)

Department Contact:
Any Philosophy faculty member may declare a minor or second major in Philosophy. 

Transfer Credit Contact:
Professor Christopher Venner
[email protected]
202-994-5002

Location:
Rome Hall, Room 556

Special Instructions:
Visit Professor Venner’s office hours as listed on the Department of Philosophy website.

Estimated Time:
One day if supporting material is brought to office hours.

Physics (CCAS)

Department Contact:
[email protected]

Transfer Credit Approval Forms: Students seeking transfer credit approval for physics courses should submit their request directly through the Physics Department's Google Form

Location:
Staughton Hall

Special Instructions:
Contact Physics advising department ([email protected]). Based on request and academic track, students will be referred to the appropriate advisor.

Estimated Time:
Several days

Political Science (CCAS)

Contact:
Dr. Kelly Bauer 
[email protected]
202-994-6290

Location:
Monroe Hall, Room 401

Special Instructions:
Students should visit office hours posted on the Political Science Department website. Students do not need to call or email to schedule an appointment. 

Estimated Time:
3 days

Portuguese (CCAS)

Contact:
Richard Robin
[email protected]

Location:
Phillips Hall, Suite 509

Special Instructions:
If you are seeking specific foreign-language equivalency credit, e.g. PORT 1004 - Second Year Portuguese. You can get general elective (non-foreign-language credit) as PORT 1099 with a proficiency test. More details are available on the Department of Romance, German & Slavic Languages & Literatures website.

Public Health (SPH)

Contact:
[email protected]
202-994-0822

Location:
950 New Hampshire Ave, Suite 200

Special Instructions:
Prefer email over physical forms.

Psychological and Brain Sciences (CCAS)

Contact:
Dr. Jody Ganiban
[email protected]
202-994-6320

Location:
2013 H St. NW; 6th Floor

Religion (CCAS)

Contact:
Robert Eisen 
[email protected]
202-994-6327

Location:
2106 G Street

Russian (CCAS)

Contact:
Dr. Richard Robin
[email protected]
202-994-7081

Literature, Film, and Culture:
Dr. Peter Rollberg
[email protected]
202-994-7081

Location:
Phillips Hall, Suite 513

Special Instructions:
No Russian language course credits transfer automatically without post-program testing as follows, assuming adequate scores on grammar tests: ACTFL Intermediate High in speaking - full credit ACTFL Intermediate Mid or lower - partial or no credit, depending on the rating. We accept all ACTFL rating performed by ACTFL-certified testers. (ACTR and CIEE provide these ratings for semester/year programs, but not summer). Otherwise, we have to test the student.

SMPA (CCAS)

Contact:
Professor Lee Huebner
[email protected] 
202-994-5806

Location:
805 21st Street

Sociology (CCAS)

Contact:
Daina Eglitis
[email protected]

Location:
Phillips Hall, Room 409

Law and Society Contact:
Dr. Fran Buntman
[email protected] 

Spanish (CCAS)

Contact: 
Dr. Manuel Cuellar
[email protected]

Click here to book an appointment with Dr. Cuellar. 

Location:
Phillips Hall, Room 513

Speech & Hearing Science (CCAS)

Contact:
Dr. Craig Linebaugh
[email protected]
202-994-0724

Location:
Hall of Government, Room 226

Special Instructions:
SPHR major classes need to be taken from programs that are accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (our accrediting body).

Estimated Time:
2 days

Statistics (CCAS)

Contact:
Dr. Hosam M. Mahmoud - Transfer credit approval
[email protected]

Dr. Joshua Landon - Declare major or minor
[email protected]

Location:
Rome Hall, 7th Floor

Special Instructions:
Obtain a DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TOPICS COVERED in the proposed substituted course (it will facilitate the process if you can also obtain a syllabus from the instructor). Drop off forms and description with department.

Estimated Time:
5-10 business days

Strategic Management & Public Policy (GWSB)

Contact:
Dr. Jorge Walter
[email protected]

Location:
Funger Hall, Suite 615

Sustainability (minor)

Contact:
[email protected] - Minor Declarations

Location:
Lisner 336

Special Instructions:
Email professor to make an appointment. Please bring a full course syllabus (no course descriptions).

Theatre (CCAS)

Contact:
Dr. Matt Wilson
[email protected]
202-994-1097

Estimated Time:
One week

Tourism & Hospitality Studies (GWSB)

Contact:
Dr. Stuart Levy
[email protected]

Dr. Lisa Delpy Neirotti
[email protected]

Location:
Funger Hall, Suite 301

Women’s Studies (CCAS)

Contact:
Professor Kelly Pemberton
[email protected]

Location:
609 22nd St, NW Room 101

Last Updated: 09/23/2024