Western 2023-24 International Guide

WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE

EXPERIENCE.

Western welcomes international students from more than 40 countries around the world. Located on the Northwest Coast of the United States in Bellingham, Washington, Western provides an exceptional academic experience at an affordable cost in a beautiful, safe and inviting coastal city. With approximately 15,000 students, the campus community is the perfect size—large enough to offer significant academic options, resources and diversity and small enough to provide support, a welcoming community and direct access to renowned faculty.

“When I first began studying in America, I rarely talked in front of class, but professors and students here are exceedingly supportive and they encouraged me and helped me to be more active in class.”

Hong Kong

ADMISSIONS.WWU.EDU/INTERNATIONAL

PRISCA LEUNG

Top master’sgranting university in the Pacific Northwest for over two decades

– U.S. News & World Report

BELLINGHAM, WA POP. 93,000

With 250+ student clubs and organizations, it’s easy to meet friends and get to know campus and Bellingham

Classes average 26 students — that means you will have the opportunity to work closely with faculty and classmates

On Campus Housing — develop meaningful relationships in our safe and supportive community; you can choose to live in one of 17 residence halls (dorms) — or you can choose to live off campus, in our apartment complex

We’ll help you find internships — most students graduate from Western with internship experience, working with companies and organizations like Microsoft, Boeing, the Washington State Legislature, Merrill Lynch, REI, Swedish Hospital, the Seattle Mariners, the White House, Tesla, NASA, the National Wildlife Federation, the United Nations, K2 Sports, and many more

VANCOUVER, CANADA

55 MI / 89 KM

SEATTLE, WA

90 MI / 145 KM

SALT LAKE CITY, UT

LAS VEGAS, NV

LOS ANGELES, CA

CHICAGO, IL

MA NEW YORK, NY

Outside and National Geographic Adventure magazines have ranked Bellingham among the top communities for outdoor lovers, making it the perfect place to live and study

A short walk takes you from campus into downtown Bellingham, loved for its vibrant arts, live music, great food and coffee, and unique local shops

BOSTON,

EXPAND.

Western is grounded in the liberal arts tradition, which means your experience will be diverse and transformative, teaching you to be a strong scholar, a successful professional, and a changemaker in your community.

A

Accounting

Accounting BA

Economics Concentration

BS

Finance Concentration BS

Financial Economics Concentration BS

Management Information

Systems Concentration

BS

Operations Concentration

BS

American Cultural Studies BA

Anthropology Anthropology BA*

Anthropology/Biology BA

Anthropology/Social Studies BA

Archaeology Concentration BA

Biocultural Concentration

BA

Applied Mathematics BS

Art History BA

Art Studio BA, BFA*

B

Behavioral Neuroscience BS

Biochemistry BS

Biology

Biology BA*

Biology/Anthropology BA, BS

Biology/Mathematics BS

Ecology, Evolution & Organismal Biology

Emphasis BS

General Emphasis BS

Marine Emphasis BS

Molecular & Cellular Biology Emphasis BS

Business Administration

Finance Concentration BA

General Concentration BA

International Business Concentration BA Management Concentration BA

Management Information

Systems Concentration BA

Marketing Concentration BA Operations Management Concentration BA

Business & Sustainability BA Energy Studies Concentration BA

C

Canadian-American Studies

BA Chemistry BA, BS*

Chinese Language & Culture BA*

College of the Environment

Student/Faculty

Designed Major BA, BS Communication Sciences & Disorders BA

Communication Studies BA Computer Science BS* Cybersecurity BS

D

Dance BA, BFA

Data Science BS

Design BFA E

Early Childhood Education BAE

Early Childhood Special Education BAE

Earth Science (Elementary or Secondary) BAE

East Asian Studies BA

Economics Economics BA

Economics/Accounting BA

Economics/Environmental Studies BA

Economics/Mathematics BA

Economics/Political Science BA

Economics/Social Studies BA

Education for Inclusive Environments BAE

Elementary Education

Professional Program

Energy Policy & Management BA

Energy Science & Technology BS

Engineering

Electrical and Computer Engineering BS

Manufacturing Engineering BS

Polymer Materials Engineering BS

English

Creative Writing Emphasis BA*

ELL/Bilingual Education Emphasis BA

Literature Emphasis BA*

Environmental Science

Environmental Science BS

Freshwater & Terrestrial

Ecology Emphasis BS

Marine Science Emphasis BS

Toxicology Emphasis BS

Environmental Policy BA

Environmental Studies

*

Education & Eco-Social

Justice Emphasis BA

Environmental Studies/ Journalism BA

Geography Information Science Emphasis BA Geography Emphasis BA*

Justice & Community

Resilience Emphasis BA

Policy, Politics, and Governance Emphasis BA

Exceptionality & Disability BAE

F

Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies

Interdisciplinary Concentration BA

Interdisciplinary Concentration – Law, Diversity & Justice

Emphasis BA

Financial Economics BA

French BA*

French/German BA

French/Spanish BA G

General Science (Elementary, Middle or Secondary) BAE

Geography (Elementary) BAE

Geography/Social Studies

BA

Geology BA, BS

Geophysics BS

German BA*

German/Spanish BA H

History BA*

History/Social Studies BA

Human Services BA

Humanities: History of Culture BA

Humanities & Social Sciences

Student/Faculty

Designed Major BA, BS I

Industrial Design BS

International Business

German BA J

Japanese BA*

Journalism

News/Editorial BA

Public Relations BA

Visual Journalism BA

K

Kinesiology

Exercise Science

Specialization BS

Pre-Healthcare

Professions

Specialization BS

Sport Psychology

Specialization BS L

Language, Literacy & Cultural Studies BAE

Latin American Studies BA Linguistics BA

M Manufacturing & Supply

Chain Management BS

Marine & Coastal Science BS

Mathematics BA, BS*

Mathematics/Computer

Science BS

Multidisciplinary Studies BA

Music

Music BA, BMus

Composition

Concentration BMus

History & Literature

Concentration BMus

Performance

Concentration BMus

Music Education P-12

BMus P Philosophy BA

Physical Education & Health P-12 BAE

Physics BS*

Political Science BA

Political Science/Social Studies BA Politics/Philosophy/ Economics BA Psychology BS*

Public Health BS R

Recreation Management & Leadership BA

Religion & Culture BA S Science Education BAE

Secondary Education Professional Program

Sociology BA, BS*

Sociology/Social Studies BA

Spanish BA*

Special Education BAE

Statistics BS T Theatre BA* U

ADDITIONAL ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES

PREPROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS

Urban Planning & Sustainable Development BA

Urban Sustainability BA

Women, Gender & Sexuality

Studies BA

BA = Bachelor of Arts

BS = Bachelor of Science

BAE = Bachelor of Arts, Education

BFA = Bachelor of Fine Arts

BMus = Bachelor of Music

* Related Bachelor of Arts, Education (BAE) degree or teaching endorsement available

This list of academic programs is subject to change without advanced notice.

In addition to bachelor’s degrees, you can enrich your experience through the Honors Program, Distinguished Scholars programs, certificates, and 90+ minors including:

Arabic & Islamic Studies

Arts Enterprise & Cultural Innovation

Business Analytics

Entrepreneurship & Disability

Film Studies

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Environmental Studies

Exceptionality and Disability

Film Studies

Holocaust and Genocide Studies

Honors

Human Rights

International Studies

Latinx Studies

Leadership Studies

Queer Studies

Raza Latina Studies

Salish Sea Studies

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Mathematics)

Sustainable Design

User Experience (UX) Design

Women’s Literature

While these are not majors, pre-professional pathways can be incorporated into or taken alongside the 175+ majors offered at Western.

Pre-Chiropractic

Pre-Dentistry

Pre-Law

Pre-Medicine

Pre-Nutrition

Pre-Occupational Therapy

Pre-Optometry

Pre-Pharmacy

Pre-Physical Therapy

Pre-Physician Assistant

Pre-Veterinary

BUILD YOUR OWN MAJOR

Through Western’s Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies, students can design their own majors, called interdisciplinary concentrations. Fairhaven faculty work closely with students through intensive advising and classes of 15-20 students. Curriculum focuses on social and environmental justice and environmental justice and diversity.

TUITION & SCHOLARSHIPS.

2023-2024 ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE

NonResident Tuition

$26,562

Costs represent annual expenses for full-time students (10-18 credits)

* Fees include health service, non-academic building, recreation center, technology, renewable energy, and transportation

** Not fixed costs; varies depending on student, living arrangements and meal plan

Many international students choose Western because they find it to be the best combination of low cost and high quality.

International Student Scholarships: Every international applicant who completes their admission application will be automatically considered for available merit-based scholarships, including the International Achievement Award, an annual award of $4,000 to $10,000.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities: Students may be eligible to receive additional scholarships once enrolled, including those offered by International Student and Scholar Services.

Western has a long tradition of making college affordable, and is considered one of the top 100 best values in the United States among public colleges for combining educational excellence with economic value.

– Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

Admission Requirements

• Application for admission and scholarships

• Official academic transcripts from all colleges, universities and/ or secondary schools attended

• Evidence of English language proficiency

Direct Admission English Language Proficiency Requirements

• TOEFL (iBT): a score of 79 or higher

• IELTS: a score of 6.5 or higher

• Duolingo English Test: a score of 105 or higher

• SAT (evidence-based reading and writing only): a score of 550 or higher

• “B” (3.0) or higher in two college-level English composition courses at a U.S. college/university

Direct Admission with Foundation Program English Language Proficiency Requirements

• TOEFL (iBT): a score between of 75-78

• IELTS: a score between 6.0-6.25

• Duolingo English Test: a score of 100 Guaranteed Admission

Western has many community college partners throughout the state of Washington. Visit admissions.wwu.edu/international/transfercredits to determine if your college has a guaranteed admission agreement with Western.

LEARN MORE AND APPLY: admissions.wwu.edu/international/apply

*Students should contact International Student and Scholar Services to receive advisement prior to applying for summer quarter.