Student Research Opportunities

When students conduct original research while working closely with a member of the faculty, they are able to address critical international challenges, develop potential policy solutions and participate at the cutting edge of key policy debates, while also developing their analytical and communication skills. The skills and relationships developed through this experience make students well-positioned for graduate study and exciting career opportunities.

There are numerous ways Elliott School undergraduate students can engage in research beyond the confines of the traditional classroom:

• Independent Study
• Internship Course
• Research Seminar Courses
• Senior Thesis
• Dean's Scholars Program
• Funding Opportunities

 

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Independent Study

Independent Study courses are an opportunity for students in the Elliott School to receive credit for individualized academic projects supervised by a GW faculty advisor. The faculty advisor may be any GW professor who has taught at GW at least two times in the past three years, and they must have knowledge of the issue or topic the student will explore in the independent study. Independent Study coursework must not duplicate courses that are traditionally offered at the University. This research opportunity offers a range of credit options, which are determined by the length of the research paper:

• 1 credit = 10 page minimum
• 2 credits = 20 page minimum
• 3 credits = 30 page minimum

Eligibility

1. Junior or senior standing (60 or more earned credit hours)
2. Cumulative GPA must be 2.5 or higher at time of application

Course Requirements

IAFF 3198: Independent Study and Research — To complete the independent study, students must fulfill the following academic requirements:

How to Register for IAFF 3198: Independent Study and Research

Students must submit the Independent Study Guidelines & Form (PDF) to [email protected] no later than the Friday of the fourth week of classes in the semester.  

Responsibilities for the faculty advisor:

• Sign the student's Independent Study application

• Meet with the student regularly during the semester

• Assign appropriate readings, review/revise the final product periodically

• Submit a grade at the end of the semester*

* The Elliott School will mail a form to the faculty advisor about two weeks prior to the end of the semester to request a grade.

Deadline: Applications for the Independent Study are due no later than the Friday of the fourth week of classes in the semester.

Internship Course

Students are able to apply for an internship course for credit or for zero credits. The internship course for credit has two options: 1) Students can enroll in the Research Paper course and work closely with a faculty advisor to write a final research paper relevant to their internship and contemporary international affairs; or 2) Students can enroll in the Professional Development Seminar that will emphasize professional competencies, leadership, and skills development.  Details about all options can be found in the Guidelines and Application forms linked below.  

International Internships

Governments and organizations outside the US sometimes require prospective undergraduate student interns to complete internship agreements that the George Washington University cannot support. Instead, and in consultation with our Office of General Council, the University has created an internship agreement form that you can submit to those governments or organizations to complete. Please contact Sarah Squire, the director of undergraduate academic advising, if you are pursuing an internship opportunity with a government or organization outside the US that requires you and GW to sign an internship agreement form. 

Research Seminar 

Research Seminar courses provide an opportunity for students to write a substantial research paper on an issue related to the general subject of the seminar. Students will earn 3 credit hours by completing a Research Seminar course (IAFF 4191 or 4191W).

Eligibility

Students must meet all of the following requirements in order to register for a Research Seminar:

1. Junior or senior standing (60 or more earned credit hours)
2. Cumulative GPA must be 3.4 or higher at time of application

Course Requirements

IAFF 4191: Research Seminar — To complete the Research Seminar, students must attend a course that meets weekly. The seminars can be viewed on GWEB or on the GW Schedule of Classes by searching for IAFF 4191 or IAFF 4191W. Research Seminars topics vary and are subject to availability (Some topics are not offered each semester).

How to Register for the IAFF 4191: Research Seminar

Students must submit a Registration Transaction Form (RTF) (PDF) to your academic advisor. Your academic advisor will then verify your eligibility, and sign you into the course.

Earning Elliott School Special Honors

Students who complete a Research Seminar course as a senior with a grade of A- or higher, earn a cumulative GPA of 3.7 upon graduation, and earn 60 credit hours in residence at GW will be awarded Special Honors. Special Honors is noted on a line of the final transcript that indicates graduation with Special Honors from the Elliott School.

*Please note ESIA Special Honors is designated to students participating in the Research Seminar in their final year of study. Juniors who take the Research Seminar can take another Research Seminar during their Senior Year if they wish to qualify for ESIA Special Honors and concurrently satisfy additional requirements within their specific plan of study. Students are encouraged to consult with their Academic Advisor if planning on taking the Research Seminar as a Junior. 

Senior Thesis 

The Senior Thesis is an opportunity for students to participate in a semester-long independent research project under the guidance of a GW faculty advisor. The faculty advisor may be any GW professor who has taught at GW at least two times in the past three years, and they must have knowledge of the issue or topic the student will explore in the senior thesis. During the semester, students will write a substantial research paper on an issue related to international affairs. Students will earn three credit hours for completing the Senior Thesis course (IAFF 4199). 

Eligibility

Students must meet all of the following requirements prior to applying for registration.

1. Senior standing (90 or more earned credit hours)
2. Cumulative GPA must be 3.4 or higher at the time of application
3. Final Year of study at GW

Course Requirements

IAFF 4199: Senior Thesis — Students must conduct original research and write 30 or more pages about an international affairs topic of their choice. Students are responsible for finding a GW faculty advisor who is willing to meet on a regular basis throughout the semester to supervise the research and writing process.

How to Apply/Register for IAFF 4199 Senior Thesis

Please note that students cannot register for the Senior Thesis via GWeb.

Seniors applying for the thesis option (fall or spring) are required to 

1. Review the IAFF 4199 information slides. 
2. Identify a GW faculty advisor to work with. Students should discuss their project with their prospective faculty advisor and define their research question well ahead of the deadline - preferably in the previous semester.
3. Fill out the Senior Thesis Approval Form and attached RTF. Students must obtain their Faculty Advisor’s signature before submitting this form. 
4. Submit their Approval Form and RTF to [email protected] for review. 

Once received, applications will be reviewed for eligibility.

Dean's Scholars Program

The Elliott School of International Affairs created the Dean’s Scholars Program to provide an intensive research opportunity for undergraduate students who wanted to distinguish themselves both professionally and academically. Designed to be a two-year program, juniors and seniors interested in expanding their knowledge and skills in the field of International Affairs. Selected participants are supported in designing individual research projects and conducting field research in their specific area of interest under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Applications open in the spring semester of students' sophomore year.

Benefits of the Program

• Small group research classes that allows collaborative and in-depth learning across multiple semesters.
• Customized curriculum that guides each student through the research design, data collection and writing processes.
• Close relationship with faculty mentor and the program's Associate Director. 
• Financial support to be used for research travel, materials, and expenses.
• Support and mentoring for fellowship applications. 

General schedule of the program

• Junior Fall Semester – IAFF 2040: Research Methods in International Affairs – Scholars take a 3-credit research methods section specifically tailored to the Dean’s Scholars program where they will design their research project.
• Junior Spring Semester – Scholars take a 1-credit seminar where they will refine their project proposals, prepare data collection materials, and obtain approval through GW’s Institutional Review Board before conducting their research.
• Junior Summer Semester – Scholars conduct their fieldwork and begin data analysis.
• Senior Fall Semester – Scholars take a 3-credit WID course where they will analyze their data and write-up their research papers.
• Senior Spring Semester – Scholars present their research at conferences, submit their revised papers to peer-reviewed journals, and finish any fellowship applications.

Please email the program's Associate Director, Alexander Cromwell, with any questions about the program.

Funding Opportunities 

To encourage students to participate in faculty-led research projects or to pursue their own original research, the Elliott School offers two types of awards. Application forms and deadlines are available on the Funding Opportunities page

1) Awards to Participate in Faculty-Led Research Projects

Elliott School faculty may seek outstanding students to assist them with an original research project. Selected students will receive an undergraduate research award of up to $1,500. The size of the award will depend on the amount of research work the undergraduate is likely to perform. Although an Elliott School faculty member must lead the research project, the student recipients of these awards are not required to be Elliott School students.

2) Undergraduate Research Awards for Student-Initiated Projects

These awards are designed to help with student research expenses (e.g., data collection, the purchase of research materials, and project-related travel). To be eligible to apply, the student must be an Elliott School undergraduate who is enrolled in a Senior Thesis, Research Seminar, or Independent Study course.

Information about these awards and when students can apply are sent via email from the Elliott School and are included in the advising newsletter.  In addition to the above awards, students may find research funding opportunities at their center, institute, or program. 

Please email [email protected] with any questions about funding for research projects in the Elliott School. Application forms and deadlines are available on the Funding Opportunities page

GW Available Research Funding & Application

There is also funding available via a general GW Undergraduate Research Award for students across GW. *Note: The project may begin during the summer and must be concluded during the spring semester of the following year.