Internal Transfer Students

The School of Media and Public Affairs offers a one-of-a-kind location and access to distinguished faculty, high-profile events and amazing internship opportunities in the heart of Washington, D.C. — the perfect combination for students interested in Journalism and Mass Communication or Political Communication.

Applications closed. Check back in summer for Spring 2027 admission deadlines during the Fall 2026 Semester.

Every student's journey looks a little different. Select the option below that best describes your current academic status and we'll show you exactly how to apply.

Current GW student enrolled in CCAS, transferring into SMPA

Once on campus for a year, sophomores in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) are eligible to apply to either the Journalism & Mass Communication or Political Communication major a maximum of two times.

Applications for only one major per semester will be accepted. If the student does not get admitted on the first try, they can reapply a second and final time. Students who were not accepted into SMPA as high school applicants can apply twice more while they are at GW and have equal standing with other applicants.

Please plan ahead as a letter of recommendation is required. A recommender who knows you and your work should email the letter as a PDF attachment to Rocio Santiago-Balsalobre at rociosemail [dot] gwu [dot] edu (rocios[at]gwu[dot]edu).

Questions about the process? Please review the requirements. For further questions, contact Rocio Santiago-Balsalobre at rociosemail [dot] gwu [dot] edu (rocios[at]gwu[dot]edu).

Current GW student from a different school (non-CCAS), applying to transfer into SMPA

Students interested in applying to SMPA who are not already in CCAS must visit the CCAS Advising Office and apply to transfer into CCAS as their primary college. Acceptance into SMPA is contingent upon acceptance into CCAS. Only students in the Elliot School of International Affairs (ESIA) who wish to double major in ESIA and SMPA are exempt from transferring to CCAS.

Not currently at GW - I want to transfer to GW and join SMPA

Students transferring from other universities can apply to SMPA on their application to GW. Graduate transfer students interested in the Media and Strategic Communication MA program should contact us at smpagradgwu [dot] edu.

Any questions can be sent to Senior Student Services Specialist Rocio Santiago-Balsalobre at rociosemail [dot] gwu [dot] edu (rocios[at]gwu[dot]edu).

"I applied for an internal transfer to SMPA after feeling lost in what I wanted to study in my first year at GW. After attending SMPA's registration event, I felt confident in the application process, welcome to the community, and eager to become a political communication major. Shortly after, I was admitted to SMPA and could not be more fortunate to be surrounded by scholastically driven peers and esteemed professors. I am grateful for the time SMPA invests in their students, and would recommend this event to anyone."

Lilly Roberson

Political Communication with minors in History and International Affairs '25

Application Process
Requirements

SMPA typically receives many transfer applications each semester and students are judged against other applicants at the time of their application. Please note that admission is selective. The number of students accepted per semester is limited and varies depending on space available in the program and qualifications of the applicants.

Students can apply to one major at a time. Students cannot double major in both Political Communication and Journalism & Mass Communication. Students can choose to major in Political Communication and minor in Journalism & Mass Communication; however, they cannot minor in Political Communication.

You will need:

Online Application Form
Statement of Purpose
Unofficial Transcripts
One Letter of Recommendation
A minimum GPA of 3.0
All applicants must have completed at least 30 and no more than 75 credits in order to apply.
JMC applicants must have taken or be currently enrolled in SMPA 2110, Introduction to Newswriting and Reporting, and earn a grade of B or better to be accepted into the program.
JMC applicants should include one or two examples of their best journalistic work. Published work is preferred (article, blog post, etc), but class assignments will be accepted if no published work is available.
A completed CCAS Declaration of Major Form (PDF). Please make sure to fill it out completely. No other signatures on the form are required at this time except for the student signature. We recommend using a mobile scanning app or scanners at Gelman Library.
ESIA students who wish to double major in SMPA must fill out an ESIA Declaration of Second Major Form (PDF) and submit it along with their application. The only signature needed at this time is that of the applicant.

Internal Transfer Deadlines

Applications are now closed. Check back in summer for Spring 2027 admission deadlines during Fall 2026 Semester.