Associate in Arts Degree
The Associate in Arts degree is open only to WashU employees and partner program students.
To receive an Associate in Arts degree from WashU Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS), 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; 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 CAPS.
General Education Requirements*
Basic Requirements: 15 units
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CAPS-ECOMP 1110 | Analytical Writing | 3 |
| CAPS ECOMP 2030 | Critical and Researched Writing | 3 |
| One course in cultural diversity | 3 | |
| One course in moral reasoning | 3 | |
| One course in numerical applications | 3 | |
| Total Units | 15 | |
Distribution Requirements: 18 units
Students must complete 6 units in each distribution area noted below. Each distribution area must include coursework 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: 18 units
- Natural Sciences and Mathematics: Mathematics; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences; others with authorization
- Social Sciences (online option available): Anthropology; Economics; Political Science; Psychology; Sociology; Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; others with authorization
- Humanities (online option available): Classics; History; Literature; Philosophy; Religious Studies; Art History and Archaeology; others with authorization
- Professional Studies (online option available): Business; Communications; Journalism; Health Care; Clinical Research Management; Sustainability; others with authorization
Electives: 9 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. WashU 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).
- *
These requirements are effective as of summer 2025. Students admitted to CAPS programs prior to summer 2025 are expected to fulfill the requirements in place at the time of their admission.