Undergraduate Application Requirements | Apply Online Now

The following policies and deadlines apply to all WashU Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) undergraduate degree and certificate programs. Admissions requirements for each are listed separately.

Application Deadlines

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis and typically take less than a week. Applicants must submit all materials by the following dates:

Fall: July 31
Spring: November 30
Summer: April 30

The online application is available online HERE. Applications are ready for review when all fields on the application form are completed and any additional required materials have been received.

Admission Requirements: Certificates

Admission Requirements: Pre-Nursing Program

Pre-nursing non-degree study allows students to fulfill prerequisites for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) completion program at another college or university. No CAPS credentials will be awarded and no financial aid is available for this program. There are no formal requirements for admission to the Pre-nursing non-degree program for US citizens or permanent residents who are 18 years of age or older. Applicants who are interested in earning an Associate in Arts with a pre-nursing focus should see the requirements for an Associate’s Degree admission below.

Admission Requirements: Associate’s Degree

Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree

Applicants to the bachelor’s degree program must have at least 45 credits of transferrable coursework (these credits can include credits previously completed through CAPS) and a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher on a 4.0 scale. These credits may include courses already completed toward an associate’s degree. 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 a bachelor’s degree program.

Admission Requirements: Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree

Applicants for the Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Program must be admitted to a Bachelor of Science degree program in CAPS; complete of a minimum of 60 units toward the Bachelor of Science degree, including transfer credit, with a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade-point average; complete a minimum of 12 units of undergraduate course work in CAPS, at least 9 of which must be at the advanced level (300- and 400-level courses), with a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade-point average; and complete a Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Program Preliminary Authorization Request. Students who meet the eligibility requirements noted above should meet with their student success navigator (advisor) to complete the Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Preliminary Authorization Request form.

Statement of Admissions Conduct

WashU is committed to the highest ethical and professional standards of conduct as an integral part of its mission, the promotion of learning. To achieve this goal, the university relies on each community member’s ethical behavior, honesty, integrity and good judgment. Each community member should demonstrate respect for the rights of others. Each community member is accountable for his/her actions. Therefore, an offer of admission and a student’s enrollment at the university are contingent upon the accurate and complete representation of information within the application for admission, as well as the successful completion of their current studies. Applicants are obligated to notify the university of any changes in the information provided or responses submitted as part of their application. WashU reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission or revoke a student’s enrollment at any time if the university receives information that, in the university’s sole judgment and discretion, indicates that the information provided in the application is inaccurate or misleading or if new information leads the university to determine that a student is no longer a positive presence for study or participation in our community.

Official Transcripts

Transcripts of all prior college-level work are required to apply to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program. For admission purposes, transcripts may be unofficial (issued to the student). Official transcripts (issued directly from the college or university to CAPS) are required before any transfer credit will be awarded. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the registrar to CAPS. Electronic transcripts should be sent to CAPS@wustl.edu.

Non-United States course work transcript verification
If the transcript you submit for consideration is from a college or university outside the United States, a course-by-course transcript evaluation is also required. Evaluations will be accepted from World Education Services (WES), or other member institution of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). For The Evaluation Company (TEC) evaluations, you must use this form.

Professional Statement

Applicants to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program must write a two-page essay addressing the topics below:

What are your career interests and goals as they relate to the field of study you have chosen? If you are pursuing a career change, what steps have you taken so far?
How has your academic and professional background prepared you to be a student at CAPS?
If applying for contingent admission for a bachelor’s degree (if your GPA is below 2.7) what else should we consider in the evaluation process? What circumstances have changed, or what will you do differently, that will enable you to succeed as a CAPS student?

Resume (optional)

A current resume reflecting your professional experience may be helpful but is not required.

International Students

English Language Proficiency

WashU is responsible for confirming that visitors and students possess the necessary level of English proficiency to succeed in their respective course of study and/or program. View the WashU English Language Proficiency requirements HERE.

US Citizenship or Eligible Noncitizen

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. 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 CAPS staff 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).