washington received the bachelor of arts degree from tougaloo college; the master of science degree from indiana university; the education specialist from peabody college; a certificate in alcoholic studies from yale university; the doctorate from the university of southern mississippi; and attended harvard university's institute for educational management in 1988. he also received the following honorary degrees: doctor of laws from tougaloo college, doctor of laws from indiana university, and doctor of science from purdue university. washington has also toured and studied the educational systems of taiwan and seven african countries, sponsored by the republic of china, and africa.