Elrawy earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Wisconsin State University in the USA in 1967, a master's degree in Political Science from Western Illinois University in the USA in 1969, and a PH.D. from Southern Illinois University in the USA in 1975.
His academic employment career began, in 1973, in Wisconsin University, EAU Claire, USA as Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Teaching Public Administration and State and Local Government (American Government).