Students sitting in class

INTERNATIONAL YEAR

The International Year program is specially designed to prepare international students with the solid foundation needed to succeed in an undergraduate degree at Western Washington University.

YOUR PATH TO AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE

The International Year is a one- or two-quarter program offering preparation for a wide range of majors that suit all interests.

You will learn in a supportive environment to develop your academic and English language skills, while adjusting to living and learning in the USA. After successfully completing the program with the required grades, you can continue your undergraduate degree with the confidence to engage and succeed.

WHAT WILL I STUDY?

During your program you will study a range of academic courses and English for Academic Purposes courses. The English for Academic Purposes classes will give you the solid English language foundation you need to succeed in your degree. We will support you to gain new skills in academic writing, listening, and reading.

Academic coursework will depend on your background and chosen progression degree. Some courses may include math, English, finance, leadership, dance, or energy studies.

EARN ACADEMIC CREDIT

During your Global Pathway Program, you will work with an advisor to select pre-approved courses for academic credits. You will have the opportunity to earn up to 20 credits that will count towards your bachelor's degree graduation requirements.

CURRICULUM

1-QUARTER PROGRAM

Earn 15 credits (10 English, 5 Academic)

ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES 

English for Academic Purposes courses include:

  • Level 5 Reading
  • Level 5 Academic Writing (5 Credits)
  • Level 5 Academic Communication (5 Credits)

ACADEMIC COURSES

During your pathway program, you will have the opportunity to take academic courses for university credit. Sample classes include:

  • MATH 107 - Mathematical Reasoning and Its Applications (4 Credits)
  • MATH 112 - Functions and Algebraic Methods (5 Credits)
  • MATH 114 - Precalculus I (5 Credits)
  • MATH 124 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (5 Credits)
  • MATH 156 - Algebra with Applications to Business and Economics (4 Credits)
  • MATH 157 - Calculus with Applications to Business and Economics (4 Credits)
  • ANTHROPOLOGY 201 – Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (5 Credits)
  • ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES 202 - Environmental Studies and Sustainability (3 Credits)
  • DANCE 102 - Beginning Contemporary Dance (2 Credits)
  • FINANCE 216 - Personal Investing (4 Credits)
  • LEADERSHIP (LDST) 101 - Introduction to Leadership Studies (5 Credits)
  • PSYCHOLOGY 101 - Introduction to Psychology (5 Credits)

2-QUARTER PROGRAM

Earn up to 20 credits (10 English, 10 Academic)

ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES

English for Academic Purposes courses to be taken throughout your program include:

1st Quarter:

  • Level 4 Reading
  • Level 4 Writing 
  • Level 4 Listening and Speaking

2nd Quarter

  • Level 5 Reading 
  • Level 5 Academic Writing (5 Credits) 
  • Level 5 Academic Communication (5 Credits)

ACADEMIC COURSES

During each quarter of your pathway program, you will have the opportunity to take academic courses for university credit. Sample classes include:

First quarter: earn 4-5 credits

  • MATH 107 - Mathematical Reasoning and Its Applications (4 Credits)
  • MATH 112 - Functions and Algebraic Methods (5 Credits)
  • MATH 114 - Precalculus I (5 Credits)
  • MATH 124 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (5 Credits)
  • MATH 156 - Algebra with Applications to Business and Economics (4 Credits)
  • MATH 157 - Calculus with Applications to Business and Economics (4 Credits)

Second quarter: earn 5 additional credits

  • MATH 107 - Mathematical Reasoning and Its Applications (4 Credits)
  • MATH 112 - Functions and Algebraic Methods (5 Credits)
  • MATH 114 - Precalculus I (5 Credits)
  • MATH 124 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (5 Credits)
  • MATH 156 - Algebra with Applications to Business and Economics (4 Credits)
  • MATH 157 - Calculus with Applications to Business and Economics (4 Credits)
  • ANTHROPOLOGY 201 – Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (5 Credits)
  • ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES 202 - Environmental Studies and Sustainability (3 Credits)
  • DANCE 102 - Beginning Contemporary Dance (2 Credits)FINANCE 216 - Personal Investing (4 Credits)
  • LEADERSHIP (LDST) 101 - Introduction to Leadership Studies (5 Credits)
  • PSYCHOLOGY 101 - Introduction to Psychology (5 Credits)

IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH

If you do not meet the International Year entry requirements, you can study the Intensive English Program before your program to improve your English language level. This accelerated program is delivered by Western and offers various levels of coursework to help you develop your speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, including an academic seminar designed to assist students in their academic content courses. After successfully completing the Intensive English Program, you can progress to the International Year at the International Study Center.

KEY FACTS

The International Year runs for 1 or 2 quarters with entry in January, April, and September.

QUARTER DATES

QuarterStartEnd
Winter 2024January 9March 22
Spring 2024April 2June 14
Summer 2024June 25August 23
Fall 2024September 25December 13

COURSE LENGTH

The length or your program will vary depending on your level of English.

View Entry Requirements

PROGRAM FEES

Learn more about student tuition for your program, University fees, and student accommodation fees.

Find Your Fees

PROGRESSION DEGREES

After successfully completing the International Year, you can continue your degree studies at Western Washington University in one of the following majors.

  • Accounting, BA +
  • Business Administration +
    • Business and Sustainability, BA +
    • Business and Sustainability - Energy Studies, BA
    • Finance, BA
    • International Business, BA +
    • Management, BA
    • Management Information Systems, BA
    • Marketing, BA
    • Operations Management, BA
  • Economics, BA +
    • Economics/Accounting, BA
    • Economics/Environmental Studies, BA
    • Economics/Mathematics, BA
    • Economics/Political Science, BA
    • Economics/Social Studies, BA
    • Financial Economics, BA
    • Politics/Philosophy/ Economics, BA
  • Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management, BS +

+ minor offered (additional minors in a range of disciplines are also available)

  • Art *
    • Art History, BA +
    • Art Studio, BA, BFA *
  • Dance, BA, BFA +*
  • Design, BA, BFA +
  • Music, BA, BMus +*
    • Music Composition, BMus
    • Music Education, P-12, BMus
    • Music History and Literature, BMus
    • Music Performance, BMusA
  • Theatre, BA +*

+ minor offered (additional minors in a range of disciplines are also available)
* related teaching endorsement offered

  • Anthropology, BA +*
  • Anthropology/Biology, BA
  • Anthropology/Social Studies, BA
  • Archaeology, BA
  • Anthropology/Archaeology, BA
  • Behavioral Neuroscience, BS
  • Biocultural Anthropology, BA
  • Chinese Language and Culture, BA +*
  • Communication Sciences and Disorders, BA +
  • Communication Studies, BA +*
  • Community Health, BS
  • East Asian Studies, BA +
  • English +*
    • Creative Writing, BA +*
    • Literature, BA *
  • French, BA +*
  • German, BA +*
  • History
    • History, BA +*
    • History/Social Studies, BA
  • Humanities +*
    • History of Culture, BA
    • Religion and Culture, BA +
  • Japanese, BA +*
  • Journalism
    • Environmental Studies/Journalism, BA
    • News/Editorial, BA +
    • Public Relations, BA +
    • Visual Journalism, BA
  • Kinesiology
    • Health and Fitness Specialist, BS *
    • Movement Studies, BS
    • Pre-Health Care Professions, BS
    • Pre-Physical Therapy, BS
  • Linguistics, BA +
  • Multidisciplinary Studies, BA
  • Philosophy, BA +
  • Physical Education & Health P-12, BAE
  • Political Science, BA +
    • Political Science/Social Studies, BA *
  • Psychology, BS +*
  • Recreation, BA
  • Sociology, BA, BS +*
    • Sociology/Social Studies, BA +
  • Spanish, BA +*
  • Student/Faculty Designed, BA, BS

+ minor offered (additional minors in a range of disciplines are also available)
* related teaching endorsement offered

  • Biology, BA, BS +*
    • Biology/Anthropology, BS
    • Biology/Mathematics, BS
    • Biology – Secondary Teaching, BS
    • Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, BS
    • Marine Biology, BS
    • Molecular and Cell Biology, BS
  • Chemistry, BA, BS +*
    • Biochemistry, BS
  • Computer Science, BS +
    • Computer and Information Systems Security, BS ∆
  • Engineering & Design
    • Electrical Engineering – Electronics, BS
    • Electrical Engineering – Energy, BS
    • Industrial Design, BS
    • Industrial Technology – Vehicle Design, BS +
    • Manufacturing Engineering, BS +
    • Plastics and Composites Engineering, BS
  • Geology, BA, BS +*
    • Geophysics, BS
  • Mathematics, BA, BS +*
    • Applied Mathematics, BS
    • Mathematics/Computer Science, BS
    • Statistics, BS
  • Physics and Astronomy +*
    • Physics, BS +
  • Science Education, BAE*

+ minor offered (additional minors in a range of disciplines are also available)
* related teaching endorsement offered
∆ requires specialized transfer degree

  • Fairhaven Interdisciplinary Concentration, BA, BAE
  • Law, Diversity and Justice Concentration, BA +

+ minor offered (additional minors in a range of disciplines are also available)

  • Environmental Science, BS +
    • Freshwater Ecology, BS
    • Marine Ecology, BS
    • Terrestrial Ecology, BS
    • Toxicology, BS
  • Environmental Studies, BA +*
    • Environmental Education, BA
    • Environmental Policy, BA +
    • Geography, BA +*
    • Geography/Social Studies, BA
    • Urban Planning and Sustainable Development, BA +
  • Student/Faculty Designed, BA, BS

+ minor offered (additional minors in a range of disciplines are also available)
* related teaching endorsement offered

  • Early Childhood Education, BAE *
  • Elementary Education Professional Program *
  • Exceptionality & Disability, BAE
  • Human Services, BA
  • Language, Literacy and Cultural Studies, BAE
  • Nursing (RN-to-BSN), BSN ∆
  • Secondary Education Professional Program
  • Special Education, BAE *

* related teaching endorsement offered
∆ requires specialized transfer degree

The Pre-Professional Pathways are not offered as majors, but can be incorporated into or taken alongside majors offered at Western.

  • Pre-Chiropractic, PreProf
  • Pre-Dentistry, PreProf
  • Pre-Law, PreProf
  • Pre-Medicine, PreProf
  • Pre-Nursing, PreProf
  • Pre-Nutrition, PreProf
  • Pre-Occupational Therapy, PreProf
  • Pre-Optometry, PreProf
  • Pre-Pharmacy, PreProf
  • Pre-Physical Therapy, PreProf
  • Pre-Physician Assistant, PreProf
  • Pre-Veterinary, PreProf
  • American Cultural Studies, BA +
  • Canadian-American Studies, BA +
  • Energy Policy and Management, BA +
  • International Studies
  • Leadership Studies

+ minor offered (additional minors in a range of disciplines are also available)

Teacher demonstrating model to class

APPLY FOR DIRECT ENTRY

You may be eligible for direct admission to an undergraduate program at Western, if your academic and English language level grades are high enough. You must meet the standard entry requirements for the University.

Contact Us