School Without Walls

The School Without Walls Exposure Program provides opportunities for qualified students within School Without Walls to take classes at GW and earn university-level academic credits.

If you're interested in taking a class, speak to a School Without Walls Guidance Counselor to start the application process. The application process takes place each semester (fall, spring and summer).

Interested students may only apply to one GW-SWW collaborative program at a time. GW will not accept applications for Exposure Summer Session and GWECP-AA concurrently. If you have any questions, please speak to your School Without Walls Counselor.

For Students

How to Apply

Submit an Application

Submit an application to apply for non-degree status. You will first be prompted to create a username, confirm your email address, then create a password. Once these steps are completed, you will be able to log in and start a new application. On the first page of the application, choose the following in order to apply as a non-degree student (each field must be selected before these fields options will populate):

What type of program are you applying to? Non-Degree
School: Summer & Non-Degree Programs
Field of Study: School Without Walls Exposure Program
Degree: Non-Degree
Concentration: Not Applicable
Term: Semester that you wish to apply for

The application will then guide you through the rest of the parts until your application is complete, including attaching signed and completed copies of the Policy Form (PDF), Registration Request Form (PDF), Recommendation Form (PDF) and Student Consent Form (PDF). Please review your application before submitting to make sure the information you've given us is complete and accurate.

The application will instruct you to provide a name and email address for your recommender. A link will then be sent to your recommender allowing them to upload the recommendation form directly to your application.

Choose & Register for Courses

Create a GW UserID and GW Email Account

Once your acceptance email arrives, use the GW student ID (or GWID) provided to create your GW UserID and GW email account. The UserID is required to access GW systems, and the GW email will be the address to which GW sends all official communications, including course announcements and your student e-bill.

Register for Courses

We will complete your registration using the Registration Request Form submitted with your application, and confirm your course details by email.

Choose a Course

School Without Walls students are eligible to take one introductory-level course per semester (1000 or 2000 level, assuming they satisfy prerequisites). For semester-specific class information, please see the GW Schedule of Classes.

Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon Campus

Classes are taught on both the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses. Due to the time it takes to travel between campuses, we recommend that you choose courses held on the Foggy Bottom Campus.

Dropping a Course

Students who would like to add or drop courses after the first day of classes should first speak to the School Without Walls Guidance Counselor who will contact GW regarding the change. Students are liable for non-refundable tuition charges for courses dropped after the first week of classes, along with any other financial penalties. Enrollees who drop a course after the first week of classes will not be eligible to apply for a new course for a full academic year.

Pay Oustanding Fees and Submit Required Paperwork

Mandatory Health Form

If you have not previously taken courses at GW, submit your Mandatory Health Form to the Student Health Service office prior to the start of classes. Failure to do so will result in a hold on your record that will not allow you to register for courses or obtain your grades.

Policy & Registration Request Forms

You are required to complete and sign both a Policy Form (PDF), a Registration Request Form (PDF) and a Student Consent Form (PDF) as part of the application. We will complete your registration and confirm your course details by email.

Pay Outstanding Fees

The Exposure Program covers tuition only and students are responsible for associated fees and materials.

The Office of Students Accounts manages your bill. Follow the instructions to review and pay your bill if you have outstanding fees.

In addition, we encourage you to set up your parent or guardian as an authorized user for your online bill, so that they can log in to your account, check your balance and make payments. Note: This does not grant access to grades, transcripts or other academic information.

Mandatory Health Form
If you have not previously taken courses at GW, submit your Mandatory Health Form to the Student Health Service office prior to the start of classes. Failure to do so will result in a hold on your record that will not allow you to register for courses or obtain your grades.

Policy & Registration Request Forms
You are required to complete and sign both a Policy Form (PDF), Registration Request Form (PDF) and Student Consent Form (PDF) as part of the application. We will complete your registration and confirm your course details by email.

Pay Outstanding Fees
The Exposure Program covers tuition only and students are responsible for associated fees and materials.

The Office of Students Accounts manages your bill. Follow the instructions to review and pay your bill if you have outstanding fees.

In addition, we encourage you to set up your parent or guardian as an authorized user for your online bill, so that they can log in to your account, check your balance and make payments. Note: This does not grant access to grades, transcripts or other academic information.

For Faculty

If you are interested in taking courses through the Exposure Program, you first require the approval of the SWW principal. Availability is subject to allotted course limits for the current academic year, beginning in the fall semester and ending each year in the summer semester.

Apply for Approval

Obtain the appropriate registration form from the School Without Walls Guidance Counselor and submit to the School Without Walls principal. Once all forms are approved for the semester, please submit an application to apply for non-degree status.

You will first be prompted to create a username, confirm your email address, then create a password. Once these steps are completed, you will be able to log in and start a new application. On the first page of the application, choose the following in order to apply as a non-degree student (each field must be selected before these fields options will populate):

What type of program are you applying to? Non-Degree
School: Summer & Non-Degree Programs
Field of Study: School Without Walls Exposure Program
Degree: Non-Degree
Concentration: Not Applicable
Term: Semester that you wish to apply for

Faculty are not required to submit a transcript or essay as a part of their application. Please upload a completed Faculty Waiver (PDF) in each of these fields.
The application will also instruct you to provide a name and email address for a recommender, which for you will be a SWW guidance counselor. A link will then be sent to the counselor allowing them to upload the faculty recommendation form directly to your application.
Please upload your faculty registration form in the field titled Registration Form.

Register & Pay Your Bill

Registration

GW will register you in the chosen course if you have not registered already. Once your registration is complete you will receive a confirmation email.

Outstanding Fees

The Exposure Program covers tuition only. You are responsible for paying associated course fees and materials costs.

Prepare for Class

Get Your Student ID Card

To use on-campus facilities, including the library, acquire a GW student ID card (GWorld) from the GWorld Office.

Submit a Mandatory Health Form

If you are under the age of 26, D.C. law requires that you submit a Mandatory Health Form to Student Health Services, prior to the first day of class.