The Associate in Arts (AA) degree provides a framework for understanding the disciplines and skills of a liberal arts degree, a foundation for further study at the bachelor's degree level, and an initial academic credential required for career advancement. The degree is awarded to students who successfully complete the equivalent of two years of undergraduate study.
The courses completed for the degree count toward all Bachelor of Science degree programs at the School of Continuing & Professional Studies. Students preparing for a career in nursing are encouraged to meet with a student success navigator (advisor) to select courses that meet admission requirements for Bachelor of Science nursing degree programs.
Note: The Associate in Arts degree is open only to Washington University employees and partner program students.
The School of Continuing & Professional Studies offers the Associate in Arts degree with concentrations in the following areas:
- Natural Sciences and Mathematics: Mathematics; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences; and others with authorization
- Social Sciences (online option available): Anthropology; Economics; Political Science; Psychology; Sociology; Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; and others with authorization
- Humanities (online option available): Classics; History; Literature; Philosophy; Religious Studies; Art History; and others with authorization
- Professional Studies (online option available): Business; Communications; Journalism; Health Care; Clinical Research Management; Sustainability; and others with authorization
- Pre-Nursing: Students fulfill the same general education requirements as students in the AA degree program but with some preselected courses. Please refer to the AA in Pre-Nursing section of this page for more information.
Fully Online Option
At the School of Continuing & Professional Studies, we understand adult students may need more flexibility to work around busy schedules. Available 100% online or in-person, our Associate in Arts degree was designed to be a flexible option for busy professionals.
Students who decide to complete the Associate in Arts program online will select a concentration in Social Sciences, Humanities, or Professional Studies. Courses are selected from multiple departments within those areas rather than in a single department. Students interested in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics concentration will need to take some courses on campus.
For more information about Associate in Arts degree requirements and policies:
Associate in Arts Degree
To receive an Associate in Arts degree from the School of Continuing & Professional Studies, students must be admitted to degree candidacy; complete a minimum of 60 units of college-level work with a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher in all courses taken; and satisfy specific writing, course distribution and residency requirements. In addition, students must complete a 15-unit concentration with grades of C- or better in all courses. No more than 24 units may be transferred to the degree. The final 36 units of the degree program must be completed at Washington University. The courses completed for the Associate in Arts degree count toward all Bachelor of Science degree programs in the School of Continuing & Professional Studies.
General Education Requirements*
Basic Requirements: 15 units
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Units |
| EComp 111 | Analytical Writing | 3 |
| EComp 203 | Critical and Researched Writing | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| Total Units | 15 |
Distribution Requirements: 18 units
Students must complete 6 units in each distribution area noted below. Each distribution area must include course work from at least two disciplines. (Courses that satisfy the numerical applications, moral reasoning, and cultural diversity Basic Requirements may also count toward the Distribution Requirements.)
- Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
Concentration Requirements: 15 units
- Natural Sciences and Mathematics: Mathematics; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences; and others with authorization
- Social Sciences (online option available): Anthropology; Economics; Political Science; Psychology; Sociology; Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; and others with authorization
- Humanities (online option available): Classics; History; Literature; Philosophy; Religious Studies; Art History; and others with authorization
- Professional Studies (online option available): Business; Communications; Journalism; Health Care; Clinical Research Management; Sustainability; and others with authorization
Electives: 12 units
This program is offered either mostly or fully online. Students entering the U.S. on an F-1 or J-1 Visa must enroll in a program full time. F-1 students are only permitted to enroll in one online course per semester and J-1 students may only enroll in non-credit online courses that do not count toward their degree program. The School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) cannot guarantee face-to-face enrollment options each semester of full time enrollment, therefore cannot issue an I-20 or DS 2019 to F-1 and J-1 students for this program. If you are an F-1 or J-1 student and wish to enroll in a CAPS program while here on a Visa, please contact our recruitment team to discuss your options for face-to-face program enrollment. F-1 and J-1 students should not enroll in online courses or programs without first consulting the university’s Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS).
Additional Information
Visit the School of Continuing & Professional Studies website for additional details about requirements.
Note: The Associate in Arts degree is open only to Washington University employees and partner program students.
The Associate in Arts (AA) in Pre-Nursing provides the opportunity for students to complete the prerequisites required to continue on to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program while earning an associate's degree. The pre-nursing curriculum provides students with an ideal foundation for their professional studies: strong communication skills, practical analytical and problem-solving abilities, an appreciation for complex ethical questions, and an introduction to human sciences. Students who complete this course sequence will be well equipped to continue on to a variety of clinical nursing (BSN) programs. Students should consult the requirements of the BSN program they wish to attend to ensure that any specific requirements are met.
The courses completed for the Associate in Arts degree will count toward all Bachelor of Science degree programs at the School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS), if pre-nursing students opt to continue their studies at CAPS.
Students interested in completing only the prerequisites for nursing schools without earning the AA should apply to our Pre-Nursing Program.
The AA in Pre-Nursing is available fully online.
Note: Students in the AA in Pre-Nursing program fulfill the same general education requirements as students in the AA degree program but with some preselected courses.
Basic Requirements: 15 units
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Units |
| EComp 111 | Analytical Writing | 3 |
| EComp 203 | Critical and Researched Writing | 3 |
| 3 |
| Introduction to Statistics | |
| Applied Statistics |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| Total Units | 15 |
Distribution Requirements: 18 units
Students must complete 6 units in each distribution area noted below. Each distribution area must include course work from at least two disciplines unless otherwise noted. (Courses that satisfy the numerical applications, moral reasoning, and cultural diversity Basic Requirements may also count toward the Distribution Requirements.)
- Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- Social Sciences:
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Units |
| Psych 100 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Psych 230 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| Total Units | 6 |
- Humanities — must include one of the following:
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Units |
| Comm 217 | Oral Communication | 3 |
| or Comm 2111 | Introduction to Public Speaking |
Concentration Requirements: 18 units
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Units |
| Bio 1001 | Concepts in Biology | 3 |
| Bio 204 | Nutrition | 3 |
| Bio 220 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| Bio 240 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| Bio 280 | Microbiology for Health Professions | 4 |
| Total Units | 18 |
Electives: 9 units
- Humanities elective (3 units)
- Social Science elective (3 units)
- General elective (3 units)
This program is offered either mostly or fully online. Students entering the U.S. on an F-1 or J-1 Visa must enroll in a program full time. F-1 students are only permitted to enroll in one online course per semester and J-1 students may only enroll in non-credit online courses that do not count toward their degree program. The School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) cannot guarantee face-to-face enrollment options each semester of full time enrollment, therefore cannot issue an I-20 or DS 2019 to F-1 and J-1 students for this program. If you are an F-1 or J-1 student and wish to enroll in a CAPS program while here on a Visa, please contact our recruitment team to discuss your options for face-to-face program enrollment. F-1 and J-1 students should not enroll in online courses or programs without first consulting the university’s Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS).