George Washington University - College of Professional Studies

What George Washington University - College of Professional Studies does

The George Washington University College of Professional Studies (CPS) is an academic unit within The George Washington University, a private nonprofit institution founded in 1821 in Washington, D.C. Established around 2001, CPS delivers 20+ professional degree and certificate programs across bachelor's completion, master's, graduate certificate, semester-in-Washington, and non-credit formats in fields including Paralegal Studies (ABA-approved, the only such program in Washington, D.C.), Sustainable Urban Planning (PAB-accredited), Publishing, Cybersecurity Strategy and Information Management, Applied Politics, Homeland Security, Information Technology, Political Management, Legislative Affairs, Public Relations, and Executive Education via the Center for Excellence in Public Leadership. Programs are delivered through hybrid weekday-evening classes at GW Education Centers in Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia, fully online live formats, and the Foggy Bottom campus, targeting working professionals and career changers.

CPS operates a per-credit-hour tuition model with rates varying by program (Sustainable Urban Planning MPS at $2,137/credit for 2026-2027; Publishing MPS at $1,366/credit; Paralegal MPS at $1,439/credit). Programs typically run 18-48 credits, completed part-time in 9-28 months, with ancillary registration fees, a one-time application fee, and matriculation fee layered on top. Revenue is reduced by merit-based tuition remission (e.g., the Dean's Merit Scholarship provides ~25% remission to entering students with 3.0 GPA taking 5+ credits) and supplemented by VA/Military benefits, APA Foundation scholarships, and philanthropic giving via GiveCampus. Underlying technology platforms include the GWeb Information System (registration, billing, transcripts), Blackboard LMS, MyGW SSO, and the proprietary GW RevU program sampler platform for top-of-funnel curriculum previews. Practitioner faculty are predominantly based externally at federal agencies (EPA, NASA, USDA, U.S. Navy, Library of Congress, USCIS, FERC, National Park Service), the World Bank, UN Habitat, and major publishing houses (Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Disney Publishing, Johns Hopkins University Press, Oxford University Press US), enabling direct industry access for students.

CPS enrolls students via direct admissions through program representatives offering 1:1 Calendly appointments, with multi-channel demand generation including a podcast, newsletter, blog, social media, info sessions/webinars, on-campus and virtual events, and free GW RevU program samplers. Customer acquisition is anchored by credentialing advantages (ABA approval, PAB accreditation, Military Friendly Award recognition annually since 2008) and the university's Washington, D.C. location enabling proximity to federal agencies and policy institutions. The college is governed by GW's Board of Trustees (which sets tuition) and led by Dean Liesl Riddle, Ph.D., with Toni Marsh, J.D. as Vice Dean of Academic Affairs.

Name

George Washington University - College of Professional Studies

Legal name

The George Washington University College of Professional Studies

Website

https://cps.gwu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1821

Operating status

Operating

Short description

GW's College of Professional Studies delivers 20+ bachelor's completion, master's, and certificate programs in fields such as paralegal studies, sustainable urban planning, publishing, and cybersecurity to working professionals and career changers, via per-credit tuition and hybrid/online formats anchored by ABA and PAB accreditations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / Professional Studies

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional & Executive Short Courses (Non-Degree, International) (EDAIAIAH)

Keywords

• Professional education programs
• Graduate degree programs
• Paralegal studies education
• Sustainable urban planning
• Publishing education

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Per-credit-hour tuition: Tuition charged per credit hour, varying by program (e.g., Sustainable Urban Planning MPS $2,137/credit; Publishing MPS $1,366/credit; Paralegal MPS $1,439/credit; Publishing Graduate Certificate $1,075/credit). Programs typically run 18-48 credits, completed part-time in 9-28 months. Includes ancillary registration fees ($35/session), one-time application fee ($80), and matriculation fee ($259).
2. Tuition remission scholarships (Dean's Merit, APA Foundation, Veterans): Merit-based tuition remission (e.g., Dean's Merit Scholarship ~25% remission for entering students with 3.0 GPA) applied against gross tuition. Additional scholarships from APA Foundation and VA/Military benefits (Yellow Ribbon, Chapter benefits).
3. Philanthropic giving: College of Professional Studies Annual Fund via GiveCampus for alumni/friend donations supporting the college.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

GW College of Professional Studies (CPS) is an academic college within The George Washington University that delivers 20+ professional degree and certificate programs — including master's degrees (MPS), graduate certificates, bachelor's completion programs, executive/non-credit programs, and the Semester in Washington experiential offering — to working professionals and career changers. Programs are delivered in hybrid (weekday evenings at Arlington/Alexandria Education Centers and Foggy Bottom campus), fully online with live synchronous sessions, and on-campus formats, with tuition charged per credit hour ($1,075–$2,137/credit depending on program) plus ancillary fees, scholarships, and VA/Military benefits.

Product overview

The George Washington University College of Professional Studies (CPS) is a single academic unit within GW that offers a portfolio of professional degree and certificate programs rather than a unified software product. Its offering spans three program tiers: bachelor's completion programs (Cybersecurity, Information Technology), master's-level programs (Applied Politics, Cybersecurity Strategy & Information Management, Homeland Security, Publishing, Sustainable Urban Planning, Paralegal Studies, Political Management, Legislative Affairs, Public Relations and Communications, and Executive Education & Leadership via CEPL), and graduate certificates (Paralegal Studies, Publishing, Publishing Management, Sustainable Urban Planning, California Paralegal). Select programs are highlighted through complimentary, self-paced GW RevU program samplers (e.g., GW RevU Publishing Sampler, GW RevU Sustainable Urban Planning Sampler) and enriched by experiential offerings such as the Semester in Washington Program, the Washington Residency (PMGT 6480), and GSPM Global Perspective Residencies. The CPS portfolio is unified by its practitioner-oriented, multidisciplinary approach and connections to Washington, D.C.-based employers, and is delivered through multiple modalities including on-campus (Alexandria, VA and Foggy Bottom), hybrid, and fully online options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sustainable Urban Planning Program: Master's and graduate certificate programs in sustainable urban planning, accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB).
• Paralegal Studies Program
• Publishing Program (MPS in Publishing)

Products and services

• Paralegal Studies Master of Professional Studies (MPS) A 32-credit ABA-approved master's degree in Paralegal Studies, the only ABA-approved paralegal program in Washington, D.C. Covers American Jurisprudence, Legal Research and Writing, Litigation, Contracts, Administrative Law, Government Contracts Law, International Law, Intellectual Property, and includes a non-credit Practicum and a 2-credit Independent Research capstone. Program can be completed in as little as 16 months.
• Paralegal Studies Graduate Certificate An ABA-approved 18-credit graduate certificate in Paralegal Studies for students seeking entry into the legal field, with curriculum covering legal research, writing, and substantive law topics.
• California Paralegal Studies Graduate Certificate A fully online graduate certificate in California Paralegal Studies, designed to meet California-specific paralegal requirements and expand the suite of GW paralegal offerings.
• Publishing Master of Professional Studies (MPS) A 30-credit MPS in Publishing program designed for current and aspiring publishing professionals, with tracks in Business & Marketing, Editorial, or Technology & Design. More than 450 alumni work in diverse publishing sectors across the U.S.
• Publishing Graduate Certificate An 18-credit graduate certificate in Publishing (12 required credits, 6 elective credits) designed for aspiring professionals without significant publishing experience, covering foundational topics across editorial, marketing, copyright, production, and design.
• Graduate Certificate in Publishing Management An 18-credit graduate certificate designed for publishing professionals with 3+ years of experience, focusing on advanced business and management topics including Publishing Management and Strategy, Editorial Contracts/Rights, Global Publishing, and Accounting/Finance for Publishers. Not eligible for F-1/J-1 international visa.
• Sustainable Urban Planning Master of Professional Studies (MPS) A 48-credit PAB-accredited MPS in Sustainable Urban Planning that can be completed in as little as 24-28 months. Features a cross-disciplinary curriculum covering city planning, climate change, geospatial/econometric analysis, housing and design, transportation planning, sustainable energy, and food and cities, with a unique focus on anthropogenic climate change.
• Sustainable Urban Planning Graduate Certificate An 18-credit graduate certificate in Sustainable Urban Planning for students interested in a shorter course of study, covering the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of urban sustainability.
• Cybersecurity Strategy and Information Management (CSIM) Master's Program A graduate program led by Program Director Connie Uthoff, focused on the strategy and management of cybersecurity and information management in organizations.
• Cybersecurity Bachelor's Degree Completion Program A bachelor's degree completion program in Cybersecurity for transfer students, addressing strategy, management, and technical dimensions of cybersecurity.

Quantifiable outcome

• ~100% graduate employment rate for Paralegal Studies
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Planning Accreditation Board (PAB)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccreditation partner that grants PAB accreditation to GW's Sustainable Urban Planning MPS. PAB recognizes professional planning programs in North America on the basis of performance, integrity, and quality. Successful completion of the program may reduce time required to become certified through AICP.
• American Bar Association (ABA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerApproving body for GW's Paralegal Studies program; ABA approval granted for excellence of curriculum, faculty, and administration (August 2021). GW is the only ABA-approved paralegal program in Washington, D.C., joining 260 programs nationally.
• GW RevU (program sampler platform)coreTechnology or IntegrationInternal GW platform (revu.gwu.edu/explore/) offering complimentary, self-paced program samplers across Publishing, Sustainable Urban Planning, and other CPS disciplines. Used as a top-of-funnel lead generation and curriculum-preview asset.
• World Bank (alumni/employer partner)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAlumni network and faculty partner for the Sustainable Urban Planning program; listed among SUP faculty/alumni organizations. SUP faculty are based externally in governmental, nongovernmental, and private sector agencies, with the network connecting students to World Bank practitioners.
• UN HabitatminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a member of GW SUP's faculty/alumni network. Students engage with UN Habitat practitioners via faculty affiliations and alumni mentors.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFederal employer/practitioner partner in GW SUP's alumni and faculty network, supporting career connections for urban planning students.
• ICF InternationalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry employer and network partner referenced in SUP alumni outcomes and faculty affiliations; consulting firm where SUP graduates work and which supports career pipelines.
• Penguin Random HousecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPublishing industry employer/network partner; GW Publishing MPS alumni and faculty network connects students to Penguin Random House practitioners, including Kimberly Ayers Shariff (EVP, Director of Strategy for DE&I) on the advisory board.
• HarperCollinsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublishing industry employer listed among GW Publishing MPS employer network and program alumni connections.
• Disney PublishingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublishing industry employer listed among GW Publishing MPS employer/affiliation network.
• American Psychological AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublishing industry affiliation listed in GW Publishing MPS network and Advisory Board connections.
• Stanford University PressminorGTM or Marketing PartnerScholarly publishing partner/affiliation listed in GW Publishing MPS employer network.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple senior EPA leaders serve as GW Sustainable Urban Planning faculty/adjuncts (Matthew Dalbey, John Thomas, Ann Carroll), and SUP alumni serve in US EPA Sustainable Communities Program. Faculty teach PSUS 6210, 6211, 6212, 6223, 6230 and 6235.
• NASA HeadquartersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASA Program Manager Michelle Hawkins (Ph.D., Howard University) serves as GW SUP faculty, teaching courses related to climate and earth observations.
• U.S. National Park ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEliza Voigt, Chief of Partnerships for the National Park Service at National Mall and Memorial Parks, serves as GW SUP faculty teaching PSUS 6228 (Parks and Public Facilities Planning).
• American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association; Toni Marsh (Program Director) elected President (2019) and serves on the Board. AAfPE awarded a national scholarship to GW Paralegal Studies student Anne Nelson (June 2020).
• NALA – The Paralegal AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJackie Van Dyke (GW Paralegal faculty) is an active member of NALA, serving on its Continuing Education Council and Paralegal Educators/School Relations Committee; Van Dyke presented at NALA Conference @ Home 2021.
• Library Publishing CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJohn W. Warren served as Board Member and member of Research Committee (2017-2018); Library Publishing Curriculum Editorial Board member (2020-present). Also part of the open textbook project on Impact for the Library Publishing Curriculum, funded by an Institute of Museum and Library Services grant.
• Johns Hopkins University PresscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPublishing industry affiliation; Gregory M. Britton (Editorial Director) serves as adjunct faculty in GW MPS in Publishing. Barbara Kline Pope (Director) serves on the Publishing program Advisory Board.
• Library of CongresscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry affiliation; Becky Brassington Clark (Director of Publishing) serves on the Publishing program Advisory Board. Listed among Government & NGOs where publishing alumni work.
• Oxford University Press USminorGTM or Marketing PartnerScholarly publishing partner; Niko Pfund (President, Oxford University Press US) serves on the Publishing program Advisory Board.
• Georgetown University PresscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPublishing industry affiliation; Al Bertrand (Director) and Virginia Veiga Bryant (Marketing and Sales Director) serve as adjunct faculty in the GW MPS in Publishing program.
• Millennium Challenge CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMesbah Motamed (economist at MCC) serves as GW SUP faculty teaching PSUS 6203 (Research Methods: Geospatial and Econometric Analysis) and PSUS 6214 (Food and Cities).
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCiarra Toomey (Attorney-Advisor at USDA/OGC) serves as GW Paralegal Studies faculty. Multiple alumni placements noted.
• U.S. Navy / Program Executive Office for Enterprise Information Systems (PEO EIS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJohn McHugh (Program Attorney for NGEN-R, PEO EIS, SPAWAR, U.S. Navy) serves as GW Paralegal Studies faculty.
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvan Franke (Special Counsel, USCIS) serves as GW Paralegal Studies Professorial Lecturer.
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrandon Flick (Administrative Law Judge at FERC) serves as GW Paralegal Studies Professional Lecturer; also lectures for the DC Bar paralegal CLE program.
• American Geophysical UnionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRandy Townsend (Director, Publications Operations, AGU; Editor-in-Chief, GW Journal of Ethics in Publishing) is Adjunct Professor in GW MPS in Publishing.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies: Georgetown's School of Continuing Studies offers professional master's and certificate programs in similar disciplines (including applied intelligence, cybersecurity, and communications) within the same Washington, D.C. market. Directly comparable in mission, audience (working professionals), and D.C. practitioner-faculty model.
• Columbia University School of Professional Studies: Columbia SPS delivers master's degrees and certificates in fields like publishing, sustainability management, and applied analytics, targeting career advancers. Directly comparable portfolio of professional master's programs with similar tuition scale and practitioner faculty.
• University of Denver University College: University College at DU provides professional master's degrees and graduate certificates across multiple disciplines for working adults. Comparable in mission, portfolio breadth, and online/hybrid delivery to working professionals.
• American University School of Professional & Extended Studies: American University's SPES offers professional studies programs in the same Washington, D.C. market, including graduate certificates and master's degrees for working professionals. Direct local competitor with overlapping audiences (federal employees, career changers).
• University of Chicago Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies: Graham School offers professional master's and certificate programs in analytics, hospitality, and liberal studies aimed at working professionals. Comparable in mission and university-college structure, with similar premium pricing and practitioner orientation.
• New York University School of Professional Studies: NYU SPS offers a multidisciplinary portfolio of master's and certificate programs (publishing, hospitality, construction management, real estate) for working professionals. Comparable in program breadth, audience, and the part-time/evening delivery model CPS uses.
• Northeastern University College of Professional Studies: Northeastern CPS offers applied and professional master's programs with a co-op/integrated experiential learning focus. Comparable in audience (working professionals), delivery model, and multidisciplinary portfolio emphasis.
• Northwestern University School of Professional Studies: Northwestern SPS offers part-time master's, graduate certificate, and bachelor's completion programs designed for working professionals across disciplines (sports administration, data science, public policy). Closely mirrors GW CPS in structure, audience, and the practitioner-oriented professional studies model.

Broad incumbents

• Boston University Metropolitan College: BU MET offers part-time professional master's and certificate programs with strong online and evening delivery across multiple disciplines. Comparable in structure and audience, but operates within a larger research university portfolio with broader program reach.
• USC Bovard College / School of Professional Studies: USC's professional studies college offers online master's programs in fields like social work, public administration, and communication management. Comparable audience and delivery, but operates at significantly larger scale within a broader university portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cpsgwu
• Facebookfacebook.com/CPSGW
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-george-washington-university---college-of-professional-studies

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about George Washington University - College of Professional Studies