School Details
Western Michigan University is a four-year public research university that is located on a suburban campus in Kalamazoo, Michigan. WMU was founded in 1903. WMU works to reflect a globally engaged, dynamic university that combines the resources of a national research university with the personal attention and support that are typically found at a small college. This gives students an advantage in graduate school, the workplace, and life. WMU is a research university that is learner-centered and builds intellectual inquiry and discovery into its academic programs in a manner that fosters knowledge and innovation and turns wisdom into action. WMU provides leadership in teaching, learning, research, and service, and has a commitment to enhancing the future of those living around the world.
Students at Western Michigan University can choose a comprehensive range of degrees and certificates. Western Michigan University integrates distance education coursework and programs, adding greater flexibility and convenience for students. The goal of WMU online degrees is to provide courses of high academic quality in a convenient and flexible format. Students taking courses online continue to have access to student resources offered on campus.
Accreditation & Licensing
Western Michigan University is accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
All Programs
Art & Liberal Arts
Western Michigan University offers a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in University Studies, allowing students who are transferring to Western Michigan University to easily finish their undergraduate studies. This liberal arts degree allows you to use your previously earned credits to accelerate your degree completion, so your past work remains beneficial. With this flexible program students are able to design their own curriculum, working closely with an academic advisor to integrate prior coursework from virtually any major into one new degree in the liberal arts. You can branch out to a maximum of three areas of study, known as “emphasis areas,” to complement previous coursework while also matching courses to your interests and goals.
Students most likely to complete this liberal arts degree are those who:
- Are close to graduation, but no longer find themselves suited to their current major
- Would like to transfer from a community college and obtain a general bachelor's degree
- Need to combine credits earned from multiple colleges or universities
- Need to complete their bachelor’s degree to take the next step in their career
- Wish to continue their education and complete a master’s degree or Ph.D. in the future
Western Michigan University offers a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in University Studies, allowing students transferring here to easily finish their undergraduate studies. This liberal arts degree allows you to use previously earned credits to accelerate your degree completion, so your past work remains beneficial. With this flexible program students can design their own curriculum, working with an advisor to integrate prior coursework from practically any major into a new degree in liberal arts. You can complete a maximum of three areas of study, known as “emphasis areas,” to complement previous coursework while also matching courses to your interests and goals.
Students most likely to complete this degree in liberal arts are those who:
- Are close to graduation, but no longer find themselves suited to their current major
- Would like to transfer from a community college and obtain a general bachelor's degree
- Need to combine credits earned from multiple colleges or universities
- Need to complete their bachelor’s degree to take the next step in their career
- Wish to continue their education and complete a master’s degree or Ph.D. in the future
Education
This online family and consumer science degree can give you an interdisciplinary education that you can use in human services within both the public and private sectors. Coursework may involve:
- Family Resource Management
- Human Sexuality
- Diverse Children, Families & Communities
- Principles of Research in Family Science
Graduates may choose to become Certified Family Life Educators (CFLE).
You will enjoy earning this human services degree online. Receive a quality education while juggling both work and your own family. Study anywhere it is convenient, even earning your degree from your sofa.
Enroll in this online doctorate in education leadership and become a leader in the field of education. This program prepares students for careers as superintendents or other central office administrators within a school district serving K-12 students. Graduates may receive one or more endorsements for various K-12 administrative certificates, such as superintendent or central office.
This is a flexible online education administration degree that is taught by experts in their fields. Study wherever it is convenient without going to campus daily or even weekly.
Further your career as an evaluator, assessment specialist, or researcher with an online education degree. You will gain the knowledge and skills needed to take on leadership and teaching positions in schools, non-school organizations, institutions of higher education, and government.
The curriculum includes cutting-edge coursework and exposure to the latest advances in evaluation, measurement, and research. As you study, you will benefit from a small program. Faculty are interested in you and maximizing your experiences.
Enroll in this STEM teaching degree and advance professional opportunities. Take your science or science education background to the next level. This program prepares students to teach science at the college level or to become a researcher or department chair.
This STEM teaching degree features many options. First, you can choose from three tracks:
- College Science Teaching
- College Science Teaching with Discipline-specific Research Focus
- Science Curriculum and Instruction
Further customize your degree by choosing to complete a generalist program or concentrate on biological sciences, chemistry, geosciences, physical geography, or physics.
This online physical education degree provides a path for you to learn how to teach children in grades K-12 with severe disabilities. This interdisciplinary program ensures graduates are ready to provide Adapted Physical Education and Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports services for children with severe disabilities in Adapted Physical Education and Special Education classes.
This online special education degree leads to endorsement to teach Advanced Physical Education for children with severe disabilities in physical education classes and/or provide Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports to children with severe disabilities in special education classes.
Enroll in this instructional design degree online and advance your professional opportunities. In today’s world, it is hard, if not impossible, to escape technology. The same is true in the classroom, bringing a need for professionals who are able to successfully bring technology into the classroom. Prepare to meet this need and help people learn in corporations, K-12 education, higher education, nonprofits, and other organizations.
Improve your skills and knowledge in the strategic use and application of technology tools. You will:
- Gain knowledge of the latest advancements in technology and educational applications
- Gain exposure to advanced topics in technology management issues related to education
- Develop or enhance knowledge to provide technological leadership in schools
If you choose to further your education, these credits can be applied to a Master of Arts degree.
Enroll in these online ESL degree programs and advance professional opportunities. With communities becoming increasingly diverse, there is a greater need for teachers who are able to teach students whose native language is not English. This program prepares you to meet the unique needs of English language learners in K-12 schools. Not only will you meet their language needs, but you will also learn to meet their content needs as an ESL teacher or district ESL coach or coordinator.
Graduates only need to complete one more course to be eligible for the Michigan Department of Education’s English as a Second Language endorsement.
Prepare for a career working on evaluation teams and with evaluation-related activities in this online education degree. This program includes such courses as:
- Fundamentals of Evaluation, Measurement, and Research
- Evaluation I: Theory, Methods, and Program Evaluation
- Evaluation II: Evaluating Products, Personnel, and Policy
- Survey Research
Since you will complete this education degree online, you will enjoy a great deal of flexibility. Study wherever it is convenient without coming to campus daily, weekly, or even monthly.
Complete this online special education degree and increase your knowledge and skills to work with special needs students. In particular, you will learn to work with PreK-12 learners with unique behavioral needs. Learn to meet the needs of learners with challenging behaviors through systemic, positive, prevention-focused, and data-based decision-making. The curriculum in this comprehensive program is based on current theory and practice.
If you choose to further your education, you may be able to apply these courses toward the Master of Arts in Special Education with a Behavior Specialist concentration.
Enroll in this instructional design degree online and advance professional opportunities. In today’s world, it is hard, if not impossible, to escape technology. The teaching field is no different, bringing a need for instructors who are able to successfully bring technology into educational organizations, nonprofits, higher education, and other organizations. Become a technology leader in the support and training of others in learning organizations.
The curriculum provides practical and applied knowledge while offering program flexibility. Courses can be customized to meet your career goals and interests.
Are you interested in working with data in schools and non-school organizations? This online education degree prepares students for staff positions in evaluation, testing, or research using time collecting, analyzing, and reporting qualitative and quantitative data. The interdisciplinary curriculum teaches theory and methods of evaluation as well as soft skills and key competencies needed to successfully design and lead evaluations.
This is a flexible online education degree. Study wherever it is convenient without coming to campus. However, the HyFlex classroom allows students to participate in class meetings with those attending courses on campus.
Enroll in this master’s in literacy online degree and advance professional opportunities. Reading and literacy are the building blocks upon which almost all other learning is built. Prepare to set students up for success by improving their literacy skills.
This curriculum covers such topics as:
- Reading
- Writing
- Reading research, theory, and practice
- Diversity and inclusion
In the reading courses, you will study comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, and phonological awareness, and in the writing courses, you will study voice, genre, vocabulary, and spelling.
This online literacy degree qualifies you for a Reading Specialist endorsement.
Every student deserves to feel included, taking as many of the same classes as the main student body. Prepare to provide a quality adapted physical education for school children with disabilities in this online physical education degree. Gain the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to teach fundamental motor skills, patterns, and physical and motor fitness to students with disabilities. The goal is to prepare graduates who can provide disabled children with the least restrictive, most appropriate, and most inclusive environments.
This online special education degree leads to eligibility for Michigan’s K-12 P.E. for Students with Disabilities (SP) Endorsement.
This online special education degree prepares you to gain an endorsement, acts as preparation for advanced graduate training, or provides advanced knowledge of special education for personal growth.
Customize your curriculum by choosing one of these concentrations:
- Expedited clinical teacher is for those seeking initial teacher certification with a focus on special education and endorsement in autism spectrum disorder, emotional impairments, or learning disabilities.
- Clinical teacher is for those seeking their first special education endorsement to go along with their elementary or secondary teaching certificate. These students specialize in either autism, learning disabilities, or emotional impairments.
- Master teacher, additional special education endorsement is for current special education teachers who wish to earn an additional endorsement in autism, emotional impairments, or learning disabilities.
- Master teacher, behavioral intervention specialist is for general or special education teachers who wish to pursue advanced preparation in positive behavior intervention supports and coaching behavior management.
Enroll in this master’s in physical education online degree and advance professional opportunities. Combine your love of sports and education by becoming a sports coach with this quality coaching education. This program is built on the National Standards for Sport Coaches, providing the core body of knowledge, skills, and competencies all coaches should possess to excel at all levels of competition.
This online physical education is flexible. Not only can you study wherever it is convenient without coming to campus, but you can also set your own pace. Take as few as two years and up to six years to earn your degree.
Enroll in this master’s in ESL online degree and advance professional opportunities. As communities become more diverse, there is a growing need for educators who are able to help students whose native language is not English. Prepare to meet the unique needs of ESL learners in K-12 schools and in colleges and universities. You will learn to meet the academic and linguistic needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students. Graduates may seek positions in the U.S. and abroad.
This online ESL degree leads to a Michigan ESL endorsement for teachers with an initial teaching certificate.
Build your skills through an online adult education degree and open the door for a career working with other adults like yourself. Graduates teach workforce education and development and learn to develop and implement new programs and curricula at secondary and post-secondary levels. Other graduates go on to study in the Educational Leadership Doctoral program.
If you decide to become a certified middle or high school CTE teacher, you should pursue a post-baccalaureate pathway that certifies teachers in the following areas:
- Business, marketing, management, and technology
- Family and consumer sciences
- Industrial technology
There is an optional leadership development program for those seeking leadership positions at the secondary or post-secondary level.
Healthcare
Enroll in this online physical therapy degree and advance professional opportunities. This program is designed for those who are already certified in the area of blind rehabilitation. It can also be completed concurrently with any master’s program as an add-on specialty in assistive technology.
Prepare for a career working with students who are blind, visually impaired, or have functional visual limitations with this online special education degree. Choose to specialize in one or both available tracks in:
- Technology
- Internship
The online Master of Arts in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy program prepares students to provide instruction to individuals who have blindness or low vision in skills for employment and independent living. The curriculum covers:
- Adaptive communications
- Visual skills training
- Low vision technologies
- Assistive as well as mainstream computer technologies
- Personal management
- Home management
- Leisure time activities
Nursing
Western Michigan University offers a Master of Science in Nursing focusing on Addiction. The program takes a holistic approach to diagnosing and treating patients with addiction issues.
Students in this Master’s in Nursing online learn how to engage as a member and leader of interprofessional teams to manage and coordinate care. Courses explore patient-centered and culturally appropriate evidence-based strategies in the delivery of prevention, intervention, and other services. In addition to online coursework, students participate in a field practicum arranged in their local area.
The MSN / Addiction track offers courses exploring topics such as:
- Causes of substance abuse
- Physical aspects of addictive drugs
- Diversity and ethical issues in addictions
- Addiction in family systems
The Master of Science in Nursing program from Western Michigan University offers an online concentration in Gerontology. This degree track focuses on the healthcare needs of aging and elderly populations.
Students in this geriatric nurse practitioner program online learn how to apply research outcomes within a practice setting. Courses explore ways to intervene at a systemic level through policy development and advocacy to influence healthcare. Online coursework for this program is combined with an in-person practicum experience in the student’s community.
Courses in the MSN / Gerontology program include:
- The study of human aging
- Global issues and cultural perspectives on aging
- Aging health and social services
Prepare for a new role in nursing education with the online Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nurse Educator. This MSN degree track from Western Michigan University prepares nurses to teach in both academic and clinical environments.
Graduates of this online Nurse Educator program are able to incorporate findings from nursing biopsychosocial fields, genetics, public health, quality improvement, and organizational sciences to help improve nursing practices across a variety of settings. Students learn leadership skills that emphasize ethical and critical decision-making and effective working relationships. In addition to online coursework, students have the opportunity to apply their skills and knowledge in a teaching practicum experience.
Students in the MSN / Nurse Educator program can expect to study topics such as:
- Curriculum and teaching of theory in health disciplines
- Clinical teaching and evaluation
- Scholarship of teaching in a clinical discipline
Psychology & Human Services
Enroll in this online early childhood education degree and advance professional opportunities. This program prepares students for the tasks that are a part of being an educator for young children or an advocate for children and families. You will study ways to improve family relationships. The curriculum covers the psychological and social development of children from young ages to near adolescence and ensures you are ready to work with families in a variety of settings.
Choose from two available tracks:
- Child Programming and Administration
- Child Life Foundations
With either track, students will enjoy studying this human services degree online. Receive a quality education while studying anywhere is convenient. Your sofa can be your classroom.
The Specialty Program in Alcohol and Drug Abuse (SPADA) at Western Michigan is a graduate certificate program that can be completed entirely online. It will enhance your professional experience and grow your expertise in this contemporary subject, enabling you to expand your current counseling or education role. You’ll study the biological, social, and psychological aspects of substance abuse, as you work through this program and advance your career, with coursework such as:
- Human Drug Use & Abuse
- Family & Addiction
- Recovery Oriented Systems of Care
Religion & Philosophy
Students who choose to study comparative religion at Western Michigan University learn about the different methods used by scholars to explain religion. Students also learn to develop new methods for increasing knowledge of religious thoughts and practices. Through the immersive coursework, students develop an understanding of the nature and role of religion in societies, both past and present, Western and global..
Career opportunities available for graduates include jobs in:
- Journalism
- Counseling
- Teaching
Graduates can work in museums, international businesses, nonprofit organizations, colleges, universities, government, foreign service organizations, and more. Classes are taught by expert faculty. Graduates will be prepared to relate to others, build bridges in communities, and use their knowledge to help people.
In today’s diverse and interconnected world, the intersection of spirituality, culture, and health plays a pivotal role in shaping individual well-being and community resilience. The online Graduate Certificate in Spirituality, Culture & Health offers a transformative pathway for individuals seeking to explore the dynamic relationship between these fundamental aspects of human experience. The curriculum consists of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and experiential learning opportunities.
Courses include, but are not limited to:
- Professional Field Experience
- Cultures from Africa, the Middle East, and the West
- Cultures from the East
Career opportunities for graduates include jobs in mental health counseling, pastoral care, healthcare, chaplaincy, and more. Are you ready to embark on a journey of personal and professional growth? Enroll in the Online Graduate Certificate in Spirituality, Culture & Health program today and join a community of learners committed to exploring the deeper dimensions of human experience and promoting holistic well-being for all.
The online Master of Arts in comparative religion at Western Michigan University is designed to provide students with a strong foundational knowledge of the classical works in the field of comparative religion and the discipline of the religion studies. The online MA allows students to complete the program virtually through a combination of asynchronous online classes and virtual participation in synchronous classes. All students (domestic and international) submit information into one system.
Career opportunities for graduates include jobs in:
- Academia
- Nonprofits
- Government
The faculty at Western Michigan University are involved in many research projects and have published books and other articles. They are committed to the success of each individual student. Graduates are more than ready to embark on new careers with the online master’s degree in Comparative Religion.
The online Master of Arts in Spirituality, Culture & Health offers an opportunity for students to undergo holistic understanding, transformative healing, and compassionate care training. This is a multidisciplinary program that integrates insights from psychology, anthropology, theology, and health sciences to provide a comprehensive understanding of the human experience. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to provide a rich tapestry of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and experiential learning opportunities.
Classes include, but are not limited to:
- Death, Dying, and Beyond
- Religion and Health
- Independent Research
Classes are taught by experienced faculty who are committed to the success of every student. There are many online academic resources available to students. By equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and heart for compassionate care, this online program empowers them to be agents of healing, reconciliation, and social change in a complex and interconnected world.