Admissions for Adult Learners | Washburn University

Advance your career by going back to school

Whether you're looking to advance your career by taking a course or pursuing a certificate or degree, Washburn is here to help you make the most of your opportunities. You can choose from dozens of academic programs, many offering online options, and will have numerous campus resources to help you succeed. If you have taken courses previously at another school, we make the transition to Washburn smooth and seamless.

An adult learner listens during orientation on campus.

Degree programs to boost your career

Whether it’s completing your degree or adding to it, Washburn has a variety of programs to help you take the next step in your career.

Program options include:

Online classes
Hybrid classes
More than a dozen graduate degree options
Certificates for entrepreneurship, legal studies, non-profit management and more

Explore programs

Female student smiles during a Sociology class.

Scholarships and financial aid create an affordable pathway

Washburn offers a robust financial aid program, including scholarships and other financial aid:

Academic merit scholarships: You can receive up to $20,000 based on your GPA only.
Promise and Thrives scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to residents and students of Shawnee County high schools and home schools.
Northeast Kansas Advantage: This scholarship provides a tuition-free pathway for eligible students in 16 counties.
Department scholarships: In addition to University scholarships, academic departments offer renewable awards.
Kansas Adult Learner Grant: This grant is awarded to adult students 25 and older pursuing a bachelor's degree in specific fields.
ScholarshipUniverse: Use our scholarship-matching tool to see which additional scholarships for which you are eligible.

Meet Marcie: A working mom who is expanding her opportunities by going back to school

A mom to six with a full-time job, Marcie Koch’s plate is full to say the least. Despite a demanding schedule, Koch made the time to advance her career through Washburn’s Bachelor of Health Sciences-Medical Imaging (BHS-MI) program.

Koch, who received her bachelor’s degree in May, held an associate’s degree in the healthcare field and wanted to take the next step in her career, expanding her opportunities in leadership and management. The BHS program provided the flexibility and convenience Koch needed to balance her schedule.

The BHS, which is completely online, was a perfect fit for Centralia, Kansas, resident, who has excelled as an Ichabod. She was named Allied Health outstanding graduate for 2020 and received the Sibberson Award, Washburn’s highest academic honor.

Koch, who works at the University of Kansas-St. Francis campus in Topeka, plans to take the next step in her career path by attending graduate school.

How to apply

Complete the FREE application for admission
Send us your official high school transcripts
Send us your official college transcripts (if any college credit has been taken)