WashU Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) is the division for modern learners at Washington University in St. Louis. The division offers a wide range of courses in a variety of interdisciplinary and professional areas of study. Part-time and full-time study options in undergraduate degree programs, master's degree programs, certificate programs, and professional development are available. CAPS is also home to the WashU Prison Education Project (PEP), which offers credit-bearing college courses and degrees to incarcerated students at two regional Missouri prisons; the English Language Program (ELP), which helps WashU students who speak English as an additional language achieve academic and professional success; and the EMPOWER program for English language development in workforce certification. For more information regarding any of these programs, visit the WashU CAPS website.

Since 1931, CAPS has been a cornerstone of career advancement and professional development in the St. Louis region. Their mission is to empower modern learners — those balancing education with work and personal responsibilities — with flexible, high-quality educational pathways to career success.

CAPS offers a variety of degree and certificate programs tailored to meet the demands of the regional job market. A dynamic curriculum, developed in collaboration with industry leaders, ensures learners gain the skills and knowledge employers are seeking. Whether learners are looking to upskill, reskill, or achieve a new qualification, CAPS provides the practical, career-focused education they need to thrive.

Flexible learning options, including online courses, hybrid programs, and in-person classes, allow students to pursue their educational goals on their terms. CAPS is committed to supporting students' success with a range of resources and personalized coaching. With the support of dedicated instructors, recruiters, student success navigators, and career specialists, students have the resources and guidance needed to succeed. 

Undergraduate Study

CAPS awards Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees to all and, to WashU employees and select partner program members, Associate in Arts degrees, in a range of interdisciplinary areas of study. Students may also select individual courses from many different academic departments and programs housed in CAPS. In addition, undergraduate certificate programs for professional and personal development are available. Please visit the WashU CAPS website or call 314-935-6700 for more detailed information, requirements, and policies concerning specific undergraduate degree and certificate programs.

Admission

The admissions policies and procedures at CAPS reflect the unique experiences and needs of modern learners who are academically capable but who have historically not had access to a WashU education. Students seeking admission to an undergraduate degree or certificate program should connect with CAPS to discuss their goals prior to submitting an application for admission. Formal admission is required of all learners who wish to take for-credit courses at CAPS.

All those seeking admission must complete the admissions application online at the CAPS website and submit a non-refundable $50 application fee. To be considered for admission, all application materials must be received by the posted deadline. For a full list of application requirements, please visit the CAPS Undergraduate Application Deadlines & Admissions Requirements page. If an applicant does not meet the criteria for admission, they should connect with a CAPS representative to discuss their options for entry. Submitted applications for admission are good for up to one full year from the original term of application (for a total of three terms, including the original term of application). Applicants wishing to be considered for admission for a term that is after the one-year mark must submit a new application and the non-refundable $50 application fee. Updated application materials may be requested at any point after the original semester of application. Applicants should connect with a CAPS representative for more information about deadlines and procedures.

Bachelor’s Degrees

Admission to a bachelor's degree program requires at least 45 transferrable credits (with a letter grade of C or higher) or 45 letter-graded credits completed in CAPS, as well as a cumulative GPA of 2.7 in that prior college work. CAPS Student Success Navigators will review each applicant's academic record; if the cumulative GPA across all transcripts is 2.7 or above, the applicant will be considered for admission. If the cumulative GPA is 2.7 or above with work older than 10 years excluded, the applicant will be considered for admission. 

The 45 credits may include courses already completed toward an associate's degree (AA). Students in a CAPS AA program have the opportunity for streamlined admission to a CAPS bachelor's degree program. During their final semester of study for the AA, these students may request to continue into a bachelor's degree program and will be eligible to do so with a cumulative CAPS GPA of 2.0 or higher. This admission will be contingent on the successful completion of the AA.

Applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement but have significant professional experience and a thoughtful plan for career change or advancement may be offered contingent admission to the bachelor's degree program.

An applicant who is offered contingent admission to an undergraduate CAPS program has an opportunity to earn regular admission by taking 6 credits of recommended CAPS coursework during the semester of admission. The courses taken must be completed with a combined GPA of 2.7 or higher and no grade below C. One of the contingent courses must be English Composition at the correct placement level, either CAPS-ECOMP 1110 Analytical Writing or CAPS-ECOMP 2020 Critical and Researched Writing; all students must complete a writing assessment and will be recommended for one of these two courses. Students should coordinate with their Student Success Navigator to select their second course in one of the following areas: science, numerical applications, moral reasoning, or cultural diversity. Completed courses taken to satisfy contingent admission requirements will apply to the student's degree program. Students who are admitted under contingency status are eligible to apply for federal financial aid and CAPS scholarships. The Admissions and Progression Committee will review academic progress after each fall and spring semester to determine whether a student has earned regular admission, is permitted to continue studying under contingency, or is not permitted to continue.

Associate's Degrees*

The minimum requirements to be considered for admission to an associate of arts degree are as follows:

  • The applicant must be a WashU employee or part of an approved partner program. Please contact a CAPS representative for more information about qualifying partner programs.
  • The applicant must have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 in all prior coursework (the minimum may be higher for specific programs).
  • There are also minimum requirements regarding transferable academic credits for associate's degrees that vary by program. Applicants should connect with a CAPS representative for more information about those requirements.
*

The AA admissions requirements listed above apply to traditional CAPS AA programs. Certain partnership programs may carry different requirements; those details will be included on the relevant program pages.

Undergraduate Certificates

There is no minimum GPA or credit unit requirement for admission to an undergraduate certificate program. However, applicants must have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and all other application requirements apply.

Undergraduate Non-Degree-Seeking Learners

There is no minimum GPA or credit unit requirement for admission to the undergraduate non-degree-seeking program. However, applicants must have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and all other application requirements apply. Students enrolling as non-degree-seeking are limited to taking CAPS courses only. WashU employees who are taking prerequisite courses for professional school should connect with a Student Success Navigator to request an exception. Not all exception requests will be approved.

Reinstatement 

Undergraduate students who decide not to enroll continuously (from one term to the next) as full-time or part-time students will have a hold placed on their record or be discontinued from their program of study. 

  • One semester of non-enrollment will result in a hold being placed on the student's record. Students must connect with a Student Success Navigator to discuss re-enrollment options and request removal of the hold.
  • Six continuous terms of non-enrollment (including summer) will result in the student being discontinued from their program of study. Students must connect with a Student Success Navigator and apply for reinstatement to return to their program of study.   

For further reinstatement information, students should contact caps@wustl.edu. Students seeking reinstatement may be required to submit additional documentation to support their application for reinstatement.

Beginning with the Fall 2026 term, CAPS will move to the Office of the University Registrar's (OUR) "Request for Reinstatement" process. For information about that process, its deadlines, and requirements, please visit the OUR's Time Away page.

Additional Information

For more detailed information about admission requirements for the Associate in Arts degree, the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies degrees, and undergraduate certificate programs, including application, please visit the WashU CAPS website, call 314-935-6700, or visit the CAPS Office of Admissions and Student Services, located on Washington University's West Campus at 11 N. Jackson Avenue, Suite 1000, St. Louis, MO 63105-2153 (appointment required).

Contact Info