Associate in Arts Degrees

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 that may be required for career advancement. The degree is awarded to learners who successfully complete the equivalent of two years of undergraduate study. This program is offered either fully or mostly online (learners interested in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics concentration may need to take some courses on campus).

The courses completed for the degree count toward all Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies degree programs at WashU Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS).

Learners preparing for a career in nursing are encouraged to enroll in an AA Degree in Pre-Nursing. These students fulfill the same general education requirements as learners in the regular AA degree program, but the program includes some preselected Health and Biology courses.

New in Fall 2026! WashU CAPS is pleased to offer the Direct Admit Nursing Career Pathway in partnership with Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing. For information about this program, please visit our AA Degree in Pre-Nursing page.

Note: Associate in Arts degree programs are open only to WashU employees and partner program students. For general admissions information, visit the Undergraduate WashU Continuing & Professional Studies Bulletin page.

WashU Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) offers the Associate in Arts degree with concentrations in the following areas. Courses are selected from multiple departments within those areas rather than in a single department:

• Natural Sciences and Mathematics: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Planetary Sciences, others with authorization
• Social Sciences: Anthropology; Economics; Political Science; Psychology; Sociology; Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; others with authorization
• Humanities: Classics, History, Literature, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Art History and Archaeology, others with authorization
• Professional Studies: Business*, Communications, Health Care, Clinical Research Management, GIS, Data Studies, others with authorization**

*

Business-related programs at CAPS are not accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) at WashU. 

**

Business and Forensic Psychology certificates could be used to complete the majority of the Professional Studies area (15/18 units).

Admission

All those seeking admission must complete the admissions application online on 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 Undergraduate Application Deadlines & Admissions Requirements page of the CAPS website. 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.

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 (this minimum may be higher for specific programs).
• There are 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 the traditional CAPS AA program. Certain partnership programs may carry different requirements; those details will be included on the relevant program pages.

• AA Degree
• AA Degrees in Pre-Nursing