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Improving workplaces and building stronger individual and group communication
Who We Are
The George Washington University's Department of Organizational Sciences and Communication in the Columbian College has nearly two centuries of history educating students on the interactive relationships between individuals, organizations and the environment. Our undergraduate and graduate programs set students up for successful careers in consulting, management, human resources and much more.
For any individual or organization to succeed — whether they are in the for-profit, not-for-profit, government, military, service or manufacturing sectors — they must be ready to think and act effectively. In three academic focus areas, students learn to master the techniques and philosophies that will help them communicate cultural problems, make difficult decisions, resolve conflicts and rise to top leadership positions.
Join the Graduate Programs Virtual Open House: October 20–30
Registration is now open for GW's 2025 Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) Graduate Programs Open House! The virtual event features program-specific information sessions and opportunities to interact with current graduate students, faculty and our admissions team. Attendees will receive an application fee waiver.
The Organizational Sciences and Communication Department will host three virtual information sessions for prospective graduate students:
- Industrial-Organizational Psychology (PhD): October 24
- Communication Management (MA): October 29
- Organizational Sciences (MA): October 30
“In every course, I found relevance, I found value and I learned a tremendous amount. I think there are few programs where you can say that everything mattered as much as this curriculum did.”
Dane D'Alessandro
MA '11, Organizational Sciences
Organizational Sciences & Communication Management Info Sessions: November 13
Join us online for information sessions discussing the field of organizational sciences and communication and GW's Master of Arts in Organizational Sciences and Master of Arts in Communication Management programs.
Academic Focus Areas
Communication
Employers across all sectors seek candidates who are able to think and write critically, speak persuasively and analyze and solve communication problems on the job. The Communication Program, which dates back to GW’s founding in 1821, offers courses, workshops and fieldwork that investigate how humans constitute meaning in an abstract world, how we decide on a meaningful course of action and how we live with the choices we make.
Organizational Sciences
Successful organizations have a deep understanding of how individuals, groups and organizations can excel within a global environment. The Organizational Sciences Program ties managerial and executive success to the integration of knowledge in three key areas: strategy and change management, leadership and communication, and performance and talent management. Subject material applies to a variety of fields, including business, government and nonprofit work.
Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Industrial-Organizational Psychology is the science of people in organizational and workplace settings. Designing employee selection systems, motivating and leading teams to success, providing training and consultation and creating safe and effective healthy work environments all fall under the expertise of I-O professionals. With more than 60 years of history, as one of the oldest I-O programs in the U.S., GW’s PhD program trains students using the scientist-practitioner model and curriculum guidelines established by APA Division 14: Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology.