The George Washington University’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1821, is the The liberal arts are integral to a GW education.
At the Columbian College (CCAS), we integrate research and teaching in every act and see inquiry and dialogue as two sides of a single purpose. We encourage robust faculty–student collaboration through our Dean's Seminars, small freshman writing courses, capstone courses in research, and a variety of mentoring opportunities. In addition, an unparalleled learning environment for our students is ava
ilable through our Global Scholars program and unique access to the rich resources of the Folger Shakespeare Library, Smithsonian, National Archives, Library of Congress, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, and National Institutes of Health. The 21st century requires a responsible citizenry possessed of essential competencies, ethical commitment, and initiative. At CCAS, our liberal arts education is a combination of innovation and imagination, encouraging learning and action that are grounded in fairness, reason, and reflection. We guide our students to think, to ask the questions and not just answer them; to use their knowledge to examine, through analysis and synthesis of ideas, the big issues ― such as the economy, energy, and the environment ― that cut across disciplines and require a nimble and thoughtful mind. CCAS has 5,100 undergraduates in its programs ― nearly half of the University's undergraduate population ― and the majority of undergraduate courses at GW are taught by Columbian College faculty. Because of our scope, we play a significant role in the education of undergraduates in business, engineering, international affairs, and public health. Given the boundless possibilities of our interdisciplinary approach, the intellectual depth of our faculty, our rigorous scholarly pursuits, and our unique opportunities for partnership and engagement with the nation’s capital and beyond, the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences provides a broad exposure to learning and analytical thinking. We provide the breadth and depth of a strong liberal arts education.
06/24/2026
Francys Subiaul, associate professor in the Departments of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and Anthropology, explores the science of social learning to understand how animals acquire knowledge and what makes humans so adept at it.
New research led by Cognitive Neuroscience Professor Gabriela Rosenblau and a team of scholars is shedding light on how autistic and non autistic people learn about each other’s preferences.
During GW Commencement on the National Mall, GW Today caught up with a few CCAS students from the Class of 2026 and asked about their time at the university.
CCAS celebrated the Class of 2026 across four days of festivities, including the doctoral hooding ceremony and our master’s and undergraduate celebrations.
Faculty speaker Robert Baker delivered an inspiring message to graduates, encouraging them to honor their achievements and continue nurturing the creative, artful, beautiful human being within.
05/16/2026
Wrapping up an incredible weekend of CCAS celebrations with our 3:30 p.m. Undergraduate Ceremony 🎓
We’ll see everyone tomorrow for GW Commencement on the National Mall.
05/16/2026
A special congratulations to the graduates from our 12 p.m. CCAS Undergraduate Celebration!
We’re proud to celebrate all you’ve achieved and excited to see the impact you’ll make moving forward.
05/16/2026
Our undergraduate ceremony keynote speaker Reena Ninan, BA '01, inspired graduates with a message on resilience and perspective, noting that “sometimes the greatest moments of your life arrive disguised as devastating change.”
05/16/2026
It’s a full day of celebrating our CCAS undergraduates! 🎓
Tune in live for the first Undergraduate Celebration at 12 p.m. and the second at 3:30 p.m. on our website.