Launching Your Academic Career

Academic Divisions

We encourage you to connect with your academic division for specific questions regarding your academic experience.

COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES

The largest undergraduate division, the College of Arts & Sciences offers more than 70 majors and minors. Whatever your academic journey may be, you will acquire literacies and skills that will prepare you to engage critically with real-world issues and create innovative solutions to complex problems facing our rapidly changing world.

artsci.wustl.edu

Mckelvey School Of Engineering

McKelvey Engineering students earn a universal degree that prepares them to solve the challenges of a rapidly changing world. We offer classroom instruction, hands-on labs and faculty-led research as well as study abroad and student group experiences in 11 major programs and 20 second majors and minors.

engineering.wustl.edu

Olin Business School

At Olin Business School, students learn to look beyond the bottom line and make thoughtful decisions that benefit business and society. We have a welcoming community that allows for a deeper level of engagement, collaboration and program customization. Students can choose between nine majors and six minors, with additional flexibility for interdisciplinary study between other divisions.

olin.wustl.edu

SAM FOX SCHOOL OF DESIGN & VISUAL ARTS

The Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts is a leader in architecture, art and design education. We are advancing our fields through innovative research and creative practice, excellence in teaching and a deep commitment to addressing the social and environmental challenges of our time. The Sam Fox School encompasses four academic units—the College of Architecture, the Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Design, the College of Art, and the Graduate School of Art— and the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, each of which has its own unique history.

samfoxschool.wustl.edu

Beyond Boundaries

The Beyond Boundaries Program offers students an unparalleled opportunity to cross-pollinate ideas via an interdisciplinary education. The program allows students for one year to be interdisciplinary explorers unaffiliated with any of the four primary undergraduate divisions. Students in the program make an undergraduate division decision at the end of their first year.

beyondboundaries.wustl.edu

Academic Advising

WashU is committed to providing students with the assistance and support needed to achieve their academic goals. As part of that commitment, WashU provides each student with an academic adviser. Your academic division will match you with an adviser who will help you plan a successful course of study, navigate course listings and assist you with choosing classes that correspond with your interests. Advisers meet with students each semester, or more if desired, to discuss academic, personal and career goals. In early June, you will receive your academic adviser’s name and contact information.

Course Registration

You will register for fall courses online via WebSTAC in mid-July at your assigned registration time. Your academic division will provide you with a registration time in June.

AP/IB/Transfer Credits: WashU generally accepts AP scores of a 4 or 5 for course credit. Some departments assign credit based solely upon the AP score, whereas others give credit contingent on the completion of a higher-level course. Some departments do not grant course credit but allow students to place into a higher-level class. Questions regarding International Baccalaureate (IB) and credit for college-level coursework should be referred to your academic division registrar.

Placement and Diagnostic Exams: Students interested in taking courses in one of the following areas may be required to audition or take a placement exam:

• Calculus and math

• Chemistry

• Computer Science

• Dance

• Languages

• Music

• Writing

You should complete the online placement and diagnostic exams prior to speaking to your academic adviser about fall course selection. When you take the exams, be sure to record your final scores and have them available when consulting with your adviser.

To learn more about the placement exams, please visit newstudents.wustl.edu.

Combined Studies

While WashU has several undergraduate academic divisions, students are not limited to a single area of study. Each academic division has different course requirements for its degrees; however, these degree programs have room for you to pursue an additional major or minor, or even a dual degree.

If you desire to pursue a combined studies curriculum, you should:

• Attend or watch the recording of the combined studies Summer Webinar Series on Tuesday, June 27 at 5:30 PM CDT. Register or view the recording on families.wustl.edu/family-webinar-series

• Speak with the school(s) or department(s) that interest you

• Seek guidance from your academic adviser

PRE-PROFESSIONAL ADVISING

Interested in a future in the health professions or a career in law? Visit the PreHealth and PreLaw program websites for more information.

PreHealth: prehealth.wustl.edu

PreLaw artsci.wustl.edu/prelaw

Disability Resources

Disability Resources (DR) is the designated department at WashU for ensuring the equal access and inclusion of disabled students on the Danforth Campus. DR is committed to providing qualified students with disabilities the assistance necessary to enable them to accomplish their educational goals and derive the full benefits of campus life.

Students are encouraged to visit DR’s website to review the process for requesting accommodations, including WashU’s documentation guidelines. Determinations about accommodations and other adjustments are made on an individual, case-by-case basis. DR recommends students complete a New Student Application (on the DR homepage) and submit their documentation prior to the start of the academic term to avoid delays in accessing accommodations once classes begin.

disability.wustl.edu

Academic Integrity

Effective teaching and learning depend on the ability of members of the academic community to trust one another and the integrity of work submitted for academic credit. This mutual trust enables all students to achieve their highest potential. All students, faculty and administrative staff share the responsibility for ensuring the honesty and fairness of WashU’s learning environment. In addition to issues of academic integrity, the Student Conduct Code addresses other behaviors that interfere with the creation of a safe living and learning environment. Student Conduct and Community Standards works closely with the academic integrity deans of each college, as well as other administrators and offices, to educate students about the standards and expectations in our academic community. The Student Conduct Code can be found by visiting the Student Conduct and Community Standards website.

studentconduct.wustl.edu

The Learning Center

The Learning Center, housed within the Center for Teaching and Learning, is WashU’s academic support hub. They offer structured, weekly study groups and drop-in help sessions for large foundational courses, including Calculus, General Chemistry, and Physics, as well as individual coaching for academic skills such as time management, notetaking, studying and managing test anxiety. The Learning Center peer coaches and staff also offer workshops on academic skills.

ctl.wustl.edu/learningcenter

Study Abroad

Understanding other cultures, languages and countries is important, whether you’re an environmental engineer, artist, architect, accountant, prehealth student, or historian. WashU offers many ways to incorporate international study into your undergraduate program, placing students in more than 50 countries each year.

Each undergraduate school has developed high-quality study abroad opportunities that enhance the strengths of its undergraduate programs. We offer a variety of yearlong, semester and summer programs that allow you to earn credit toward your major, minor or general degree requirements while studying abroad.

sa.wustl.edu

Undergraduate Research

Many WashU students participate in independent research or as members of facultyled teams. The key to getting started is finding a subject you are passionate about and making connections with faculty who share that interest. Get to know professors, teaching assistants and upper-division students in your courses or in other departments to explore your interests and find undergraduate research opportunities. The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) supports undergraduate students in all disciplines and academic divisions. undergradresearch.wustl.edu.

Check your WashU email account several times a week for important messages from your academic division. You will receive details about course registration and connecting with your academic adviser. You may also be asked to complete important forms.

JUNE

Take any necessary online placement and diagnostic exams.

Connect with Disability Resources if you require accommodations due to an identified disability or have questions about specific disability-related concerns.

Complete the academic integrity module.

JULY

Register for classes during your assigned registration time.

Confirm your AP, IB, and transfer credits were sent to the university.