Mar 19, 2024  
2022-2023 Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

All-University Programs


Western Washington University is organized into eight colleges and a Graduate School. This organization not only accommodates Western’s size and complexity, but also enables flexibility and innovation in Western’s curriculum.

Some programs at Western are available through one department or college; some are interdisciplinary, involving several academic units; and some, the All-University Programs listed below, involve all or most of Western’s departments and colleges.

Institute for Global Engagement

360-650-7544
ige.wwu.edu

The Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) serves Washington State by providing internationally-focused educational experiences that prepare students to be global citizens and by supporting faculty and staff who are engaged inter-culturally.

The International Studies Minor is housed in IGE, with Leah Lippman, a faculty member of the institute, serving as the academic advisor and the International Studies Curriculum Committee advising on the minor’s content and focus. The institute also coordinates Western’s international partnerships with institutions around the world and works with faculty on internationalization initiatives at Western.

The Education Abroad office and International Student and Scholar Services are both located in IGE.

Education Abroad

The Education Abroad office offers students study abroad opportunities around the world, where students can take major and minor classes in English, study a foreign language, or explore new subjects. Classes can be taken for credit, and financial aid and scholarships are available. Students can study abroad for one or more quarters during the academic year and summer. Other opportunities include internships, teaching, field study, and volunteering abroad.

For more information, contact the Education Abroad office, Miller Hall 208, 360-650-3298, EdAbroad@wwu.edu; studyabroad.wwu.edu.

Global Learning Programs

Global Learning Programs are courses designed by WWU faculty within their departments that are discipline-specific or interdisciplinary, and often apply to a student’s major or minor.  Courses may include field studies and service learning. Global Learning Programs are led by WWU faculty throughout the year to different countries around the world.

For more information, contact the Education Abroad office in Miller Hall 208, 360-650-3298, EdAbroad@wwu.edu; studyabroad.wwu.edu. 

International Student & Scholar Services

The ISSS Office serves international students, scholars and faculty at Western by providing preparation and maintenance of immigration records as well as orientation sessions, advising, and co-curricular activities. In coordination with other university units and community resources, ISSS assists with academic, personal, financial, and employment issues for Western’s international population.

For more information, contact International Student & Scholar Services, Miller Hall 212, 360-650-6517; www.wwu.edu/isss.

Center for Community Learning

360-650-7542
www.wwu.edu/csl

Community-based learning offers students the opportunity to learn outside the classroom, explore the richness and diversity of their community, and examine social justice issues while applying classroom theory to the priorities of local, regional and global communities.

The practice of community-based learning can provide the means and proficiencies for seeing, understanding, and acting in the world in more purposeful, integrated, and ethical ways. 

The Center for Community Learning provides resources—including development and program support—to students, faculty, and community partner organizations.

Field Experience Programs

Western Washington University recognizes that work experience outside of the classroom can enhance student learning by providing opportunities to put theory into practice. To this end, the University works closely with a wide variety of businesses and community and governmental agencies which offer internship opportunities, and many academic departments require or make academic credit available for field experience.

Students interested in exploring field experience opportunities should contact the Career Services Center, Old Main 280.

Professional Transfer Programs

Students who plan to complete a baccalaureate program at another institution should seek advice from that institution for curriculum planning, test requirements and information on application procedures.

The institution to which the student is transferring determines admission to the program and makes decisions regarding the transferability of credit.

Programs undergo constant revision. The student, therefore, must bear responsibility for continued contact with the transfer institution.