Combined MS and Graduate Certificate Options

Many of our students choose to combine a graduate certificate with their applied economics MS degree so that they may specialize in affiliated fields, such as data science. We refer to this process as Dual Enrollment. As an example, by combining a data science certificate with their applied economics master’s degree, our students develop the latest tools in data science, machine learning and data warehousing, while also honing their applied economics research skills.

Other students may be interested in developing analytical skills in environmental resource policy.  Those students may reach this goal by adding a graduate certificate in environmental resource policy to their master’s degree.

Dual enrollment in the graduate certificate has another benefit. Graduate certificates require 12 credits, and the master’s degree requires 30 credits to complete. But, since we allow six credits of the graduate certificate courses to double count as elective credits for the applied economics master’s degree, students who pursue dual enrollment in a graduate certificate with their master’s degree reduce those total credit requirements to just 36 from 42 credits. As a result of this double-counting, students reduce the financial cost of their master’s degree by 20 percent  -- in effect, students earn two degrees --- their MS and their graduate certificate ---- for the price of just one and one half degrees. That’s a large financial savings for our students!

Students studying full-time may complete both the graduate certificate and the MS degree in four semesters

All program requirements for the MS and the graduate certificate must be fulfilled. Visit the GW Bulletin for details.

Graduate Certificate Options

The MS program offers students the choice of four graduate certificates through the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences and five graduate certificates through the School of Business.

Application Process for a Combined Master's Degree and Graduate Certificate

Students who wish to study for a graduate certificate while also studying for their Applied Economics master’s degree apply for Dual Enrollment in both programs. Students submit their request for dual enrollment only after having enrolled in the MS in Applied Economics program.

You should meet with your master’s program director and with the graduate certificate advisor to discuss this option. Students need approval from both program directors prior to taking any courses that double count for their graduate certificate and master’s degree. 
 

CCAS Certificate Programs

After choosing which graduate certificate to pursue, students then decide which courses will count for both the MS and the graduate certificate. Students should meet with the advisors from both programs to determine which courses to select. After doing so, they obtain the signature of both program directors and then submit the signed Dual Enrollment Application Form (PDF) to the CCAS office. The directors of both MS program and of the graduate certificate program must approve the dual program before the student can enroll in a course for double credit.

Dual enrollment participants do not need to meet the separate application requirements for the graduate certificate.

Business School Certificate Programs

Students who are pursuing a certificate through the GW School of Business (GWSB) undergo a slightly different application process from the CCAS certificate options. Students should review the information about graduate certificates in business on the GW Business School website for details on the application process. 

As with the CCAS graduate certificate, students choose dual enrollment in a business school certificate only after starting their MS program.  Students who are pursuing dual enrolment must also obtain approval from both the MS program and the Business School before enrolling in certificate courses.