Academics

Academics

We prepare the leaders of tomorrow, enhance the culture of entrepreneurship and innovation, and improve the global quality of life through groundbreaking discoveries by fostering robust collaboration between faculty and students. Our graduate students are provided with substantial financial support, allowing them time to focus on academics and participate in intellectual activities outside of the classroom. 

Degrees, Programs & Cohort Experience

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Chemistry

The Chemistry department’s traditional strengths in instrumental physical chemistry (particularly solid-state NMR, NMR imaging, mass spectrometry, and laser spectroscopy) and nuclear & radiochemistry have been supplemented with burgeoning materials chemistry and biological chemistry focused research groups.

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Early Modern Studies

Early Modern Studies boasts a distinguished past and a vigorous present, with over thirty faculty members in English, History, Art History, Philosophy, Romance Languages and Literatures, German, East Asian Languages and Literature, Music, Performing Arts, and Jewish, Islamic, and Near Eastern Studies.

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Classics

The Department of Classics at Washington University in St. Louis offers an MA (two years full-time) and a PhD (six years full-time) in Classics.

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A&S CREATES Cohort Experience

A&S CREATES (Arts & Sciences Cohort Recruitment and Transdisciplinary Experiences) is an innovative academic growth approach that encourages collaboration and transdisciplinary learning for doctoral students. As a new initiative of the Office of Graduate Studies in Arts & Sciences, this program offers incoming PhD students in eligible programs a cross-departmental learning community, increased research collaboration opportunities, and a platform to share their scholarly work with new audiences.

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Academic Forms

Explore this easy-to-find list of commonly used academic forms

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Degree Requirements

PhD Requirements

To earn a PhD at Washington University, a student must complete all courses required by their department/program; maintain satisfactory academic progress; pass certain examinations; fulfill residence and mentored experience requirements; write, defend, and submit a dissertation; and file an Intent to Graduate form via WebSTAC.

For university-wide PhD requirements, visit the Vice Provost for Graduate Education’s PhD Education and Governance page.

Master’s Degree Requirements

  • Complete the minimum units required; this will vary by program area
  • Meet individual program requirements (required courses, courses from specific subject areas, and additional requirements)
  • Fulfill residence requirement
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress
  • Pass an examination which tests competence in the field of study for the "without thesis" option or prepare an acceptable thesis and successfully defend it before a committee of no fewer than 3 faculty members for the "with thesis" option

Any master's degree program can require a master's thesis, make the thesis optional or decline to offer a thesis option.

REVIEW ALL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Mentored Experiences

Arts & Sciences graduate students can pursue Mentored Teaching Experiences (LGS 600) and Mentored Professional Experiences (LGS 603) through their departments. 

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