Western Washington University
Non-profit
Public
Regional
Located in Bellingham, Western Washington University was founded in 1894 as a teacher training school. The institution now oversees comprehensive academic programs, enrolling more than 16,000 students each year. Western facilitates distance education through Canvas, offering individual online classes in synchronous and self-paced formats. Students who want to earn fully online credentials can choose from three options. Western offers a 30-credit TESOL certificate program that prepares candidates for English language teaching positions at home and abroad. For learners who reside on the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas, the university delivers a bachelor's degree in multidisciplinary studies. Here, students design their own major with the guidance of a personal advisor. Western also facilitates a remote bachelor of human services program that helps students critically analyze social justice issues in their communities and abroad. Graduates are well-prepared to work as social services coordinators and nonprofit managers. Applicants need a minimum 2.75 GPA. As part of their application packet, prospective students must submit three response essays.
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Admissions Breakdown
Acceptance Rate Insight
56% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.
Retention Rate Insight
93% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.
Graduation Rate Insight
82% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.
Application Considerations
Test scores:
Required
High school transcript:
Required
High school rank:
Not required or recommended
Letter of recommendation:
Not required or recommended
High school GPA:
Required
Open admission:
No
Completion of college prep program:
Required
Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL):
Required
Transfer Credit Policy
Dual enrollment: Yes
Advance placement (AP) credits: Yes
Credit for qualified life experience*: Implied no
*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.
Learning Environment
48k
Students enrolledOnline student enrollmentStudent to faculty ratio
11%
Online student enrollmentStudent to faculty ratio
20:1
Student to faculty ratio
Degrees Awarded by Program
Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.
#
Programs
BA
MA
Doc
1
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science And Related Fields
2
Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, And Related Sciences
3
Architecture And Related Services
4
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies
5
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, And Group Studies
6
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
7
Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
8
Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs
9
Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services
10
Education
11
Engineering Technologies/Technicians
12
Engineering
13
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians
14
English Language And Literature/Letters
15
Family And Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
16
Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
17
Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
18
History
19
Legal Professions And Studies
20
Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities
21
Library Science
22
Mathematics And Statistics
23
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
24
Natural Resources And Conservation
25
Philosophy And Religious Studies
26
Physical Sciences
27
Psychology
28
Public Administration And Social Service Professions
29
Social Sciences
30
Visual And Performing Arts
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