Bachelor of Science in History

UNDERGRADUATE 

Meditating on the history of the American South, novelist William Faulkner famously proclaimed, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” Learning about the relationship of past to present is what history is all about. The past is indeed not past: it shapes, in complex and powerful ways, the world we live in now. Yet the past can be radically different from the present. Studying history allows us to grasp the immense variety of human experience across time, place and culture; to develop insight into the ways that people understand themselves in relation to the societies in which they live; and to engage critically with contemporary issues.

Students who major in history at Washington University are encouraged to cultivate a broad understanding of global themes while also having the flexibility to focus on areas of special interest. Our instructors emphasize the development of analytic skills that are useful not only in history courses, but also in a range of occupations and professions including law, business, communications, education, and public policy. These skills include organizing and interpreting data, developing logical and convincing arguments, doing research and sifting the significant from the insignificant, reading with comprehension, and writing with precision and clarity. Whether students pursue a major, a minor, or simply sample our courses, studying history will help them to develop the knowledge and critical skills that are essential for life in an increasingly complex and contentious world.

Admission Requirements
6 Units Of Transferable College-level Course Work
  • At least six units of transferable college-level course work; or 
  • at least six units of course work taken at CAPS and proof of high school completion, General Educational Development (GED) or High School Equivalency (HSE).
2.7 Minimum GPA

Note: CAPS is designed for students with adult responsibilities who may require part-time and flexible course schedules. Current high school students and recent graduates seeking a traditional WashU college experience should apply through the undergraduate admissions office: admissions.wustl.edu.

Application Requirements

Below is a list of requirements for an application to the undergraduate degree in History. Applications will be reviewed once all requirements are received.

Application Deadlines

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis and typically take four to six weeks. An application is incomplete and will not be reviewed until all of the application requirements have been received or processed. Applicants are encouraged to submit all materials by the following dates:

  • Summer 2023: April 30, 2023
  • Fall 2023: July 31, 2023
  • Spring 2024: Dec. 31, 2023
Completed Application Form

The online application is available on our Apply page. Applications are ready for review when all fields on the application form are completed and the required documents have been received.

Transcripts

Official (issued directly from the college or WashU) or unofficial (student-issued) copies of transcripts from the three most recent years of college-level work. If you have fewer than six units of transferable credit or CAPS course work, then proof of high school completion, General Educational Development (GED) or High School Equivalency (HSE) must be submitted. Official transcripts must be sent directly from the registrar to the WashU School of Continuing & Professional Studies. Electronic transcripts should be forwarded to washucaps@wustl.edu. For transcript questions, please contact our Admissions Coordinator, Patricia Agnew, at paagnew@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), Spantran or another member institution of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). For Spantran evaluations, you must use this form

Personal Essay

Tell us about yourself in a brief essay (about 250 words). Why are you applying to WashU School of Continuing & Professional Studies? What are your goals, both academic and professional? Is there additional information we should know about you when considering your application?

TOEFL/IELTS Scores (if applicable)

All international students are required to submit TOEFL iBT or IELTS scores at the time of application. The TOEFL iBT and IELTS may be waived for applicants who, immediately prior to their application for admission, have done both of the following:

  • Lived for three years or longer in the United States or another country where English is the primary language of daily life (e.g. Canada or United Kingdom).
  • Completed three or more years of study at a college or university which is located in that country and where the language of instruction is English.

This policy applies to all international students, even those who have earned a degree from a United States college or university.

If an applicant moves away from an English-speaking country after living and studying there for three years or more, TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores are then required for admission. 

Changes to the English Language Proficiency Requirements (2022–23)
Effective March 23, 2022, if an applicant is unable to take the TOEFL iBT or the IELTS, they may document their efforts to take the tests, contact the CAPS Admissions, and request the Duolingo, TOEFL ITP Plus for China, or TOEFL iBT Home Edition as exceptions. 

International student application deadlines & fees

Additional TOEFL and IELTS information for international students adversely affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found on the CAPS International Student Information webpage.

US Citizenship or Eligible Noncitizen

International students interested in undergraduate programs must hold a visa that permits part-time study (including F-2 and J-2 visas).  Students holding  F-1 visas are not eligible for these programs.  Students holding a B-2 visa may be eligible if the coursework is recreational or avocational in nature.

Enrolling in WashU School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS)

We are here for you every step. Getting started at CAPS is easy.

1. Meet with an Advisor
2. Start Your Application
  • Applying is easy, and our advisors are here to help you find the path that fits your needs. Apply Today!
3. Plan Ahead

Take a course today. Apply later.

At CAPS, students can take courses without applying to a degree program. If you are interested in taking a class to get to know CAPS, to fulfill credits, for professional development, or to follow a passion, the non-degree option is for you. Learn more.

Course Work

All CAPS undergraduate students must satisfy the same general-education requirements. Requirements specific to the BS in History include:

INTRODUCTORY COURSES: 6 UNITS

One introductory course chosen from:

  • Western Civilization I (U16 101)
  • Western Civilization II (U16 102)
  • Introduction to U.S. History (U16 163)
  • Introduction to World History (U16 164)
  • America to Civil War (U16 209)
  • America from the Civil War (U16 210)

One additional introductory course, 100- or 200-level History course.

ADVANCED LEVEL COURSES: 18 UNITS

300- or 400-level courses, to include:

  • At least one course designated “premodern” and one course designated “modern.”
  • At least one course from three of the following geographical areas: Africa, East Asia, South Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, the United States, or Transregional History.*

*A transregional course includes more than one of the designated geographic areas. If a student chooses to count a transregional course toward the geographical requirement, at least one of the two other geographical areas must cover a region that is not included in the transregional course. For example, a student who has completed courses in U.S. and Latin American history could not count towards this requirement a transregional course that examines the comparative history of the U.S. and Latin America.

A CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE (RESEARCH SEMINAR): 3 UNITS

Research Seminars are upper-level, limited-enrollment courses that emphasize engagement with primary sources. Course assignments will feature texts and images from a variety of published and manuscript materials, and students will research and write a substantial paper over the course of the semester from independently selected and analyzed primary sources. All research seminars fulfilling the capstone experience will be so designated in the course description.  

The WashU School of Continuing & Professional Studies provided the opportunity for me to flourish, to be the student that I have always been. I don’t know that this would have been possible at any other college.”

PETER TAYLOR
BS in History, MA in American Culture Studies

Student Advising

Our CAPS advisors go the extra mile to help you navigate your path and needs. We will provide you with the tools to make each moment spent on your education as valuable as possible. Students will receive:

  • individual appointments with an experienced advisor;
  • career planning services to prepare you for opportunities after graduation;
  • a partner throughout your journey to ensure success.

HOURS
Student advising is available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.

Still have questions?

Academic Advisors: 
Lily M. Dollan
314-935-3499 
Lily.m@wustl.edu

Rebecca O’Laughlin 
314-935-6742
Rolaughlin@wustl.edu

Elisa Wang
314-935-6793
Elisa.wang@wustl.edu