Biomedical Engineering
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Program Overview
The School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) grants the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in biomedical engineering through the Department of Biomedical Engineering. The Master of Science program in biomedical engineering at GW is a 30-credit-hour graduate program, which can include a 6-credit master’s thesis. The Ph.D. program requires a minimum of 30 credit hours in a formal program of study at the graduate level beyond master’s study or, for students without a master’s degree, a minimum of 54 credit hours in a formal program of study at the graduate level beyond the baccalaureate is required. These credit hours include both course credits (of at least 18 credits for students with an M.S. degree, and at least 36 credits for students with a B.S. degree) and dissertation research credits (of at least 12 credits).
The programs are strongly interdisciplinary and are designed to prepare students to apply engineering principles to problems in medicine and biology, to understand and model multiple attributes of living systems, and to use this knowledge to develop novel biomedical systems and devices. Graduate students can choose from among a large array of areas of study, mentored by both core Departmental faculty and external faculty from SEAS and elsewhere in GW, who qualify, on the basis of their expertise and teaching abilities, for joint or secondary appointments in the BME Department. The core faculty expertise includes cancer therapy, cardiac electrophysiology, biosensors, microfluidics, ultrasound applications in medicine, and medical imaging and image analysis.
Both degree programs are based on the main campus in Foggy Bottom, and take full advantage of the close proximity of the Department’s home in the new Science and Engineering Hall to the GW School of Medicine, the Milken Institute School of Public Health at GW, and the GW Hospital. These interactions are supplemented by collaborations that take advantage of nearby clinical and research facilities, including Children’s National Health System and Federal agencies such as the FDA and NIH.
Admission Requirements
Admission deadlines: |
Fall - January 15 |
Standardized test scores: |
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all applicants. (Institution code 5246). The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the PTE Academic is required of all applicants except those who hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a college or university in the United States or from an institution located in a country in which English is the official language, provided English was the language of instruction. Minimum scores:
Applicants with lower test scores may qualify for our full-time Applied English Studies program. |
Recommendations required: |
Three (3) recommendations required for Ph.D. applicants and two (2) recommendations required for M.S. applicants. |
Prior academic records: |
Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be uploaded to your online application. Official transcripts are required only of applicants who are offered admission. |
Statement of purpose: |
In an essay of 250 to 500 words, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study at The George Washington University; describe your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans; and discuss your related qualifications, including collegiate, professional, and community activities, and any other substantial accomplishments not already mentioned. |
Additional requirements: |
M.S.: Applicant must possess a B.S. in biomedical engineering with a grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) for the last 60 credits of undergraduate work. Students with a B.S. in another field may be admitted with a set of deficiency courses to be determined by the department. Ph.D.: Applicant must possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree in an appropriate area from an accredited institution. Applicants must also show evidence of a strong academic or relevant professional background pertinent to the field of study and must demonstrate a capacity for original scholarship. Students whose highest degree is a bachelor's must have a grade point average of at least 3.4 (on a scale of 4.0). All applicants must choose an area of focus that most closely matches their interests and note this on the online application. All applicants must submit a resumé or CV. |
International applicants only: |
Please review International Applicant Information carefully for details on required documents, earlier deadlines for applicants requiring an I-20 or DS-2019 from GW. |
For more information on the admission process, please visit the SEAS Frequently Asked Questions page.
Contact for questions:
[email protected] - 202.994.1802 - 202.994.1651 (fax)
9:00 – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday