Part of Washington University’s renewed commitment to the St. Louis region.
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NEW VISION FOR UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
EXPANDING THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN INTEGRATED STUDIES (BSIS) PROGRAM
ACADEMIC PROGRAM UPDATES
GETTING INVOLVED IN THE NEW UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
Vision for University College
University College will meet educational needs and provide career pathways for St. Louis learners who are academically capable but have historically not had access to a Washington University education.
The new effort is to serve working adults in the St. Louis region. It is specifically oriented toward part-time students who are balancing work, family, and educational goals. University College students also include WashU staff and faculty, who may be studying for undergraduate or graduate degrees, in certificate programs, or taking classes for personal enrichment.
University College is working specifically to address the needs of people of color, women, and others who historically have been excluded from higher education.
University College is accepting applications from prospective students. Find more information here, or be in touch with George Winston, director of admissions.
The tuition benefit system will not change, and WashU employees will still be eligible to take classes in the new University College.
Moving forward, new programs will be expected to meet all of the following criteria:
- Serves career advancement or career switching.
- Fits into sector that University College serves with faculty director leadership.
- Has appropriate subject-specific faculty expertise and oversight, blending academic rigor and professional application.
- Is unique in the suite of university programs offered, in name and content; no program is offered in multiple schools within WashU.
- Is financially viable.
- Is an employee preference or need.
- Includes a method for getting continuous regional input on relevance and needed evolution.
Expanding the Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies (BSIS) Program
University College is excited to plan a major expansion for its BSIS program, which will include interdisciplinary research tracks, as well as stackable professional certificates. It will allow students to combine the best of interdisciplinary liberal arts with professionally relevant certificates.
We anticipate that the expanded version of the BSIS will launch in Summer 2023.
Pat Matthews, associate dean and director of foundation and liberal arts studies, will lead the development of the BSIS and its curriculum, including research areas and certificates.
In the next six months, she will convene groups of faculty from across the university to vet, design, and develop the research areas, including the proposed courses, capstones, and partnerships.
Once the new BSIS is up and running, Pat will manage operations and the University College Curriculum Committee will oversee curricular decisions.
No, the application requirements remain the same.
Transitioning Programs
University College is no longer accepting new students into the programs below. Current program students, or those returning from a break in their studies, should contact their advisor to discuss the timeframe for completing these programs or to make plans to change programs.
Useful Links
Academic Advisor
- Elisa Wang | 314-935-6793 | Elisa.wang@wustl.edu
Program Coordinator
- Lisa Kuehne | 314-925-4226 | Lmkuehne@wustl.edu
Useful Links
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
Program Coordinator
- Victoria Thomas | 314-935-7428 | VThomas@wustl.edu
Useful Links
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
Program Coordinator
- Lisa Kuehne | 314-935-4226 | LMKuehne@wustl.edu
Useful Links
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
Useful Links
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
Program Coordinator
- Lisa Kuehne | 314-935-4226 | LMKuehne@wustl.edu
Useful Links
Academic Advisor
- Elisa Wang | 314-935-6793 | Elisa.wang@wustl.edu
Program Coordinator
- Michele Augustin | 314-935-3571 | MAugustin@wustl.edu
Useful Links
Academic Advisors
- Rebecca O’Laughlin 314-935-6742 | ROLAUGHLIN@WUSTL.EDU
Program Coordinator
- Karen Skinner | 314-925-6994 | K.SKINNER@WUSTL.EDU
Useful Links
Academic Advisor
- Rebecca O’Laughlin | 314-935-6742 | ROlaughlin@wustl.edu
Program Coordinator
- Stephanie Kirk | 314-935-5175 | SKirk@wustl.edu
Useful Links
Academic Advisor
- Elisa Wang | 314-935-6793 | Elisa.wang@wustl.edu
Program Coordinator
- Lisa Kuehne | 314-925-4226 | Lmkuehne@wustl.edu
Useful Links
Academic Advisor
- Elizabeth Fogt | 314-935-6778 | Efogt@wustl.edu
Program Coordinator
- Margo Hathaway | 314-935-8974 | Hathaway@wustl.edu
Useful Links
Academic Advisor
- Elisa Wang | 314-935-6793 | Elisa.wang@wustl.edu
Program Coordinator
- Michele Augustin | 314-935-3571 | MAugustin@wustl.edu
Useful Links
Academic Advisor
- Elisa Wang | 314-935-6793 | Elisa.wang@wustl.edu
Program Coordinator
- Michele Augustin | 314-935-3571 | MAugustin@wustl.edu
Getting involved in the new University College
WashU faculty, staff, researchers, partners, and alumni will be encouraged to participate in the mission of University College, within the identified focus areas, certificates and degrees. A portal for course and program idea submissions will open online as each division of the school opens under the leadership of its director.
In the meantime, here is what is likely to be required in a course proposal:
- Where does this fit? Identify which area of the school would house your course.
- Who can teach it? Identify if there is a particular set of subject-specific expertise needed. Whenever possible, include specific individuals who may be consulted or participate in the proposal.
- Why this proposal? If there is a particular preference or need for the proposal, including for career advancement or growth, please include as much information as possible. University College is enthusiastic about understanding the needs in the St. Louis region specifically, although other needs are also valuable.
- What components are essential? When thinking about your proposal, what aspects of this idea are crucial? A project? A collaboration? A learning objective?
All proposals will be rigorously vetted by faculty leadership in academic divisions. Courses for the following semester must be approved at least six to nine months in advance of the semester in which they will be offered.
University College will be interested to hear your ideas. If what you are proposing is larger than a single course, you may be asked to seek approval and involvement from your department and/or school. University College will launch several new programs as divisional directors are brought on board. It is anticipated that conversations about new programs can start in earnest in the 2022 calendar year.
In addition to course and program proposals, members of the Washington University community may be asked to serve on committees or serve in University College through other means. Be in touch with Pat Matthews at Patmatthews@wustl.edu to express your interest.
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