Outreach and Continuing Education
Dr. Robert Squires
Vice Provost, Outreach and Continuing Education
Old Main 470
oce@wwu.edu
360-650-3308
Introduction
Outreach and Continuing Education (OCE) supports and delivers Western programs to students and community members within and beyond the borders of Bellingham campus.
OCE connects diverse learners to the Western Experience by collaborating with colleges, departments and the community, linking university resources with educational needs and opportunities both on and off campus—including international education opportunities—in support of the State’s education attainment goals and Western’s strategic goals.
OCE at Western had its beginnings in 1912 when the first home study courses were created for teachers. Fast forward to the 21st century where OCE has supported the expansion and diversification of Western’s offerings in Bellingham and throughout the Puget Sound region, emphasizing community college partnerships to deliver flexible degree pathways and educational opportunities for all ages.
OCE supports undergraduate, graduate, certificate/endorsement, and online programs. Individual online learning courses are offered via Term-Based online and Self-Paced independent learning online for degree completion and professional development purposes through WesternOnline. OCE also facilitates Western’s Summer Session and the WWU in the High School program.
OCE reaches out to the public and private sectors with non-credit enrichment courses for lifelong learners, and professional development for those seeking career advancement opportunities.
Mission
Outreach and Continuing Education connects learners of all ages to the Western Experience. Outreach and Continuing Education collaborates with colleges, departments, and the community, linking university resources with educational needs and opportunities both on and off campus.
Vision Statement
Outreach and Continuing Education will share the Western Experience with students of all ages through learning opportunities across time and place by expanding partnerships – campus and beyond – to build a stronger Washington.
Statement of Quality
Outreach and Continuing Education is committed to the same high standards of quality for which Western is well known. Programs and courses are designed and/or revised with the assistance of university faculty, aided by industry and community experts and are reviewed and approved by Western Washington University colleges, departments, and academic committees.
Degree and Certificate Programs
Phone: 360-650-3308
Academic degree and certificate programs, supported by OCE, are offered in Bellingham, online, and at locations around the Salish Sea Region. For program information, visit Programs by Location.
Degree and Certificate Programs: pce.wwu.edu/#anchor_cert
Online: online.wwu.edu/degrees-certificates
Western Online
online.wwu.edu
WesternOnline@wwu.edu
Phone: 360-650-3308
Departments across campus, in conjunction with OCE, offer alternatives for completing university course work, including General University Requirements (GURs), upper-division writing proficiency requirements, electives, and courses required for Western majors and minors. Many of the courses offered through WesternOnline are open to anyone - both Western students and the public may enroll. Degree seeking students should verify requirements for degree/major with the academic department.
Online Term-Based
WesternOnline@wwu.edu
Phone: 360-650-3308
Online Term-Based courses begin and end with Western’s quarterly schedule. Students may access the course 24 hours, seven days a week and work at the pace designated by the instructor. Current course offerings, registration information, and tuition details for Term-Based online courses can be found on the WesternOnline website at: online.wwu.edu/courses.
Self-Paced (formerly Independent Learning or Correspondence)
iLearn@wwu.edu
Phone: 360-650-3650
Self-Paced courses enable students to start anytime while following a course guide developed for the Self-Paced student. Students will have six months from the month of registration to complete their course. Registration information and current offerings can be found on the WesternOnline website at: online.wwu.edu/self-paced-courses.
Online Degree and Certificate Programs
See online.wwu.edu/degrees-certificates for a listing of all online degree and certificate programs available at Western.
WWU in the High School
highschool.wwu.edu
highschool@wwu.edu
Western Washington University in the High School (WWUHS) programs provide college-level academic courses to academically prepared students in Washington State high schools. The WWUHS courses are taught at the high school by high school instructors with oversight by Western’s faculty and staff.
Summer Session
summer.wwu.edu
Summer.Session@wwu.edu
Phone: 360-650-3308
Summer Session is a self-support quarter that offers over 500 academic credit and professional development courses. In addition to the traditional 6- and 9-week courses, offerings include short term, online, field courses, and faculty-led global learning programs.
Special Courses
pce.wwu.edu/specialcourses
PCE@wwu.edu
Phone: 360-650-3308
Western offers special courses for students that are looking for additional options during the academic year. Academic Year Self-Sustaining courses and programs are offered for credit in a variety of topics ranging from one-credit PE activity offerings (Yoga, Self-Defense, Sailing, etc.), ART courses for non-majors and more… Courses are available in the classroom and online.
Professional and Continuing Education
pce.wwu.edu
PCE@wwu.edu
Phone: 360-650-3308
Professional and personal enrichment opportunities are available for individuals interested in broadening their skills, exploring new careers, or seeking personal enrichment. Offerings include:
- Certificate Programs offer in-depth study in professional and specialized areas resulting in a certificate of completion when the program is successfully completed.
- Credit Option/Clock Hour partnerships with professional organizations provide Western credit or clock hours to partnership offerings. Course work must meet University academic standards.
Testing Center
testingcenter.wwu.edu
TestingCenter@wwu.edu
Phone: 360-650-3080
Western’s Testing Center is a National College Testing Association (NCTA) Certified Test Center and adheres to the standards and guidelines of NCTA and the Consortium of College Testing Centers (CCTC). The mission of the Testing Center is to provide high quality and secure testing services for students, graduates, professionals and those from the local and regional community. Other functions of the testing center include:
Administers and proctors make-up exams and exams for independent study courses.
- Provides distance learning exams for both Western students and students attending other universities.
- Provides information on national testing programs.
- Maintains records of entrance test scores.
Academy for Lifelong Learning
lifelonglearning.wwu.edu
AcadLL@wwu.edu
Phone: 360-650-4970
Academy for Lifelong Learning (A.L.L.) offers a diverse spectrum of academic and cultural courses and excursions to adults, regardless of age or educational background. Offerings are noncredit and are taught by Western faculty, faculty emeritus, and experts in various fields and professions.
Community Relations
Community Relations serves as the liaison between the community and the university by fostering positive relationships with local governments, surrounding neighborhoods, civic and community-based organizations, and the local business community.
Visit Community Relations
Chris.Roselli@wwu.edu
Phone: 360-650-2153
Compass 2 Campus
Compass 2 Campus (C2C) increases access to higher education for students in Whatcom and Skagit counties who have been historically excluded from higher education by providing low- income and Black, Indigenous, and students of color with trained college student mentors.
Visit Compass2Campus
Compass2Campus@wwu.edu
Phone: 360-650-4481
