Program Overview

Our Exploration Courses offer high school students the opportunity to experience WashU from home through engaging online, noncredit learning experiences. Designed for pre-college students from around the world, these courses invite you to explore college-level ideas, build practical skills, and connect with topics that matter to your academic, personal, and future goals.

Whether you are interested in strengthening your preparation for college, exploring new areas of study, or learning from experts in their fields, Exploration Courses provide a flexible and enriching way to learn online. You will engage with thought-provoking content, develop confidence in independent learning, and gain valuable insight that can support your academic growth and future success. If you are looking for the flexibility of an online experience and a meaningful way to expand your learning beyond the classroom, these courses are for you.

Exploration Courses are offered asynchronously. This means you will not have set required times to attend class allowing you to balance these courses with other school and extracurricular commitments. Class sizes are small to ensure you receive personalized feedback.

Eligibility

To be eligible to register for an Exploration Course you should:

• Be a current high school student.
• Be at least 13 years old by the start of course.
• Have a minimum 3.5 weighted cumulative grade-point average on a 4.0 scale.
• Meet any prerequisites listed for a course.

International applicants for whom English is a second language should provide documentation of their ability to complete coursework in English by providing an official TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, Duolingo, or GATEWAY score report. Additional guidelines for international applicants are available here.

Enrollment

Individuals interested in enrolling should submit a registration form, copy of their transcript, and signed parent/guardian liability waiver and release. Registration requests are reviewed on a rolling basis until a course fills or the deadlines indicated below.

Registration Deadlines

• Spring 2027: January 11, 2027 (applications open November 2, 2026)
• Summer 2027: April 22, 2027 (applications open February 8, 2027)

Space is limited in these courses, so we encourage you not to wait until the deadline to submit application materials.

View 2026-2027 Registration and Course Details

Fees and Scholarships

Course fees range from $0-$985. Please check individual course descriptions for associated fees. Need-based scholarship assistance is available. Children of WashU employees and returning students are eligible for a 10% discount. Details on need-based scholarships and discounts are available here.

Once we receive and review registration materials, we will send details on paying the balance due. The balance must be paid in full in order for a student to be enrolled in courses.

Enrollment in an Exploration Course does not imply or guarantee acceptance into a degree program at WashU. For questions about the undergraduate admission process, please contact Undergraduate Admissions.