A&S Summer Session 2025 Course Planning

WashU students must have completed at least one full semester prior to taking A&S summer courses with the exception of students participating in the First-Year Summer Academic Program (FSAP).

FSAP is an intensive five-week program that runs during its own special session (June 16 - July 18) and offers courses exclusively for incoming, first-year students selected by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for additional academic preparation based on several factors (e.g. first-generation status, rural high school, low socioeconomic status, low preparation for intended program based on high school coursework, etc.). FSAP gives these students the opportunity to ensure their readiness for college, as well as to improve their critical reading, writing, and study skills.

FSAP courses are intended to be responsive to students' needs in the cohort, which will not be determined until early next spring. Past courses have included introductory courses in Biology; Chemistry; Classics; English; Mathematics; Psychology; Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; and more.

FSAP leaders will reach out to departments in early 2025 to secure commitments for Summer 2025 FSAP courses.

Summer provides an opportunity for current WashU students to stay on track (or get ahead) with their degree requirements; to focus intimately on rigorous coursework without the pressure from other academic or social demands; and/or to explore a new disciplinary area.

We welcome students from other colleges and universities to take classes at WashU during the summer. Visiting students who enroll during A&S Summer Session must be at least 18 years of age by the start of the course and meet one of the following eligibility criteria:

• Be a matriculated undergraduate student at another US college or university.
• Be a matriculated international undergraduate student attending a US college or university.

Visiting students must be in good academic standing and will be required to complete an enrollment request form prior to receiving authorization to register for classes.

Since 1984, we have welcomed rising high school seniors to enroll in course work through our Arts & Sciences Pre-College Programs. These academically motivated students come from across the country and around the world to experience WashU over the summer. Students apply and are admitted to their respective program and receive academic support from our Pre-College Office. In addition to noncredit Exploration Courses, pre-college students can choose from a selection of introductory credit-bearing courses offered from 9:00-10:45am, 11:00am-12:45pm, or 1:00-2:45pm during Summer Session II.

All members of the WashU community, including students, faculty, and staff, are expected to be positive role models in their interactions with minors by behaving in a caring, honest, respectful, and responsible manner. WashU has adopted the Youth Protection Policy which outlines expectations for the safety and well-being of minors on campus. Summer Session instructors with pre-college students enrolled in their courses will be expected to abide by this policy and its corresponding procedures, which will include a background check and training program.

• Session I: May 19 – June 6
• Session II: June 9 – July 11
• Session III: June 9 – August 1
• Session IV: July 14 – August 14
• Session V: variable, between May 19 and August 14

Additional SU25 registration and refund deadlines can be found here.

*Note that FSAP is a special session that runs from June 16 - July 18, and courses in this session are only available to students participating in the FSAP program.

Arts & Sciences ("L") Course Tuition

• Undergraduate: $1220/unit ($3660/3-unit course)
• Graduate: $1470/unit ($4410/3-unit course)*
• Experiential Learning Opportunities: variable, TBD

*Courses that are part of the DLA, MLA, AMCS MA, and Biology MA programs may have a different tuition rate.

Below are standard class session days, times, and durations to keep in mind as you plan your offerings:

Session I (3 weeks)

• 3-unit courses typically meet M-F daily for 3 hours from 9am-noon or 1-4pm

Sessions II and IV (5 weeks each)

• 3-unit courses typically meet M-F daily for 1.75 hours beginning at 9am, 11am, 1pm, and/or 3pm
• 4-unit courses typically meet M-Th daily for 2.5 hours 

Session III (8 weeks)

• 3-unit courses typically meet M-Th daily for 1.5 hours beginning at 9am, 11am, 1pm, and/or 3pm 

Session V (varies)

• Please contact your department/program summer course contact for assistance with scheduling

Those requesting to offer a course during non-standard days/times should follow the same procedure as is expected during the fall/spring semesters. Please visit the Office of the University Registrar site to submit the appropriate petition.

Instructors should post final grades for Summer Session courses in EGrades approximately one week after the corresponding session ends. All Summer 2025 final grades must be posted by noon on August 18.

With the exception of courses selected for the A&S Summer Online Pilot and specific courses for the DLA, MLA, AMCS MA, and Biology MA programs, SU25 courses will be held in person, maintaining the same modality as courses offered during the FL24 and SP25 semesters.

We understand that canceling courses negatively impacts students and instructors, so the decision to do so is not made lightly. Our office regularly monitors course enrollments leading up to the start of each session. Note: the minimum enrollment for A&S Summer Session 2025 is set at four students. Cancellation decisions based on low-enrollment are finalized at least 15 days prior to the session start date.

Some have asked about the difference between L and U courses in the summer. Summer L classes are typically courses that we already offer through Arts & Sciences or could offer during fall or spring and which satisfy all the same degree requirements they would during the academic year. Summer U course offerings are administered by the School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) and are typically designed for audiences other than full-time college students.

Please direct any questions about Summer U/CAPS courses to Amanda Mueller (amanda.mueller@wustl.edu).

If you plan to offer a course that has never been listed (neither during the academic year nor summer), we encourage you to contact us at summersession@wustl.edu to discuss your idea. As a reminder, all new courses will need to be approved through the standard A&S new course approval process.

Exploration Courses provide high school students the opportunity to experience WashU from home. Students explore a topic or subject through a series of interactive activities, lectures, and discussions with pre-college peers from around the world. These noncredit, online courses offer students the opportunity to immerse themselves in an innovative and collaborative learning experience. We are currently accepting course proposals for the 2025 summer semester through December 1, 2024. Additional details about Exploration Courses and how to submit a course proposal are available here.