WMU Essential Studies

Slideshow image: WMU student poses in front of the US Capitol building in Washington, D.C. — Choose your future

The flexibility packed into WMU Essential Studies means you will choose courses that make sure you are ready to take charge of your future.

Slideshow image: WMU student and instructor working on a mechanical project in a campus lab — WMU Essential Studies

As a member of Liberal Education and America's Promise, WMU is challenging the belief that students must choose either a liberal education or a practical education.

Slideshow image: A WMU student wearing safety glasses works on a project in a campus lab — Foundations. Discovery. Exploration. Connections.

The hallmarks of general education. But WMU offers a twist on the traditional by letting you develop your own path and select the courses that are meaningful to you.

Slideshow image: WMU students converse during an in-class discussion — Making it work

As you progress toward graduation, WMU Essential Studies gives you a chance to expand your understanding of the world through courses that focus on local, national or global perspectives and build on your foundation.

Slideshow image: WMU students in cycling gear pose in the campus bike shop. — Sustainability, Diversity, and Inclusion

Exploring subjects that impact every student and every career is part of WMU Essential Studies. To graduate, all students must take one course in sustainability and one course in diversity and inclusion.

93% of employers agree

that college graduates need "demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems."

Preparing to move from student to professional can be daunting, but Western �鶹��ýӦ�� University has you covered. As a WMU student, you will complete 12 courses from WMU Essential Studies, a program that helps you develop the general education and intellectual skills employers seek most in graduates—demonstrated complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, judgment and decision making.

And, since WMU Essential Studies is all about your choices, the sequence of courses you select will help you succeed in your chosen major, minor, graduate degree and future career.

Check out the Interactive Model.

WES Program Course List Archive

WMU, Kalamazoo Valley forge pathways to success through more than 50 program-level transfer agreements

The ceremony, held at WMU’s newly unveiled student center, celebrated the highest number of transfer agreements ever signed between the two institutions. With these agreements, Kalamazoo Valley students in more than 50 programs can transfer seamlessly to WMU to continue pursuing a bachelor's degree.

Get Ready. Anything is possible.

Explore the Requirements

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