WMU Essential Studies

Making Essential Studies Work For You

Do you have a particular interest that isn't a topic in your major? Or are you seeking to improve your skills and understanding of one of the areas as you pursue your professional goals? Then, this is the list for you.

Watch the short video and/or take a look at the examples below of how Western Michigan University students can make essential studies work. The possibilities are endless. What works for you?

Examples

Katelyn is a sales and business marketing major and is planning to apply for an internship at an art museum in the summer. She wanted to develop her creative and critical thinking skills as a complement to her studies and chose the following WMU Essential Studies courses:

  • Oral/Digital Communications: EDLD 2000
  • Inquiry and Engagement: CLAS 1500
  • Personal Wellness: COM 1700
  • World Language and Culture: ART 2220
  • Artistic Theory and Practice: MUS 1520
  • Scientific Literacy with Lab: GEOS 1900

Trevor is a nursing major who hopes to someday be a nurse manager at a level I trauma hospital. He wants to develop his creative and critical thinking skills to strengthen his managerial skills. To do this, he chose the following WMU Essential Studies courses:

  • Quantitative Literacy: PHIL 2250 Deductive Logic
  • Inquiry and Engagement: SOC 2000 Principles of Sociology; HSV 2250 Human Development
  • Personal Wellness: COM 1700 Interpersonal Communication I
  • Artistic Theory and Practice: ED 2300 The Nature of Creativity
  • Societies and Cultures: ANTH 3440 Indigenous North America

Janell is a digital media and journalism major who wants to work in the news industry with a focus on international issues. She would like to emphasize communication in a global context, and is looking for courses that will teach her about inquiry, communication, and global awareness. She will choose the following WMU Essential Studies courses:

  • Oral/Digital Communications: COM 1000
  • Inquiry and Engagement: PSCI 2400
  • Societies and Culture: BUS 2220
  • World Language and Culture: GIST 2000
  • Artistic Theory and Practice: ENGL 2660
  • Global Perspectives: GWS 3200

Carlos is a youth and community development major. He hopes to work in an agency focused on youth dropout prevention. He plans to seek an internship in an alternative high school or juvenile home and wanted to develop skills in the area of behavior management to understand how to help youth shape positive behaviors.

  • Oral/Digital Communications: COM 1000 Communication and Community Engagement
  • Critical Thinking in the Arts and Humanities: SWRK 1000 Inro-Social Service
  • Artistic Theory and Practice: HISP 3390 Contemporary Latin America
  • Societies and Cultures: ADA 3410 Diversity and Substance AbuseDI
  • Local and National Perspectives: FCS 4120 Family PolicyDI
  • Personal Wellness: CECP 3700 Career Planning and DevelopmentDI

Lindsay is an exercise science major. She plans to apply to graduate schools to become a physical therapist. She wanted to use WES to help her prepare for graduate school admissions.

  • Oral/Digital Communications: FCS 2250 Computer Applications
  • Critical Thinking in the Arts and Humanities: SOC 2000 Principles of Sociology
  • Scientific Literature with Lab: BIOS 1120 Principles of Biology
  • Science and Technology: PHIL 3340 Biomedical Ethics
  • Societies and Cultures: PH 2310 Public Health Needs and Issues
  • Personal Wellness: HPHE 1110 Healthy Living

Susan is a computer science major who has a passion for art and history, especially from Asia. Here is how she chose to fulfill her WMU Essential Studies elective courses: 

  • Oral/Digital Communications: COM 1040 Public Speaking
  • Inquiry and Engagement: ANTH 1200 Peoples of the World
  • World Language and Culture: ART 2230 Intro to Asian Art History
  • Artistic Theory and Practice: CHIN 2800 Chinese Calligraphy
  • Societies and Cultures: JPNS 2750 Japanese Language and Culture
  • Global Perspectives: GEOG 3900 China, Japan, and Korea
  • Local and National Perspectives: CS 4910 Software System Development II: Implementation, Test

Colton is an aviation flight science major who ultimately hopes to fly internationally for a major airline someday and chose the following WMU Essential Studies elective courses as a way to increase his global knowledge and understanding: 

  • Oral/Digital Communications:  COM 2040 Workplace and Professional Communication
  • Inquiry and Engagement:  PHIL 2200 Critical Thinking
  • World Language and Culture:  GIST 2000 Global & International Studies
  • Artistic Theory and Practice: ART 2210 History of Art
  • Societies and Cultures:  GEOG 1020 World Geography Though Maps/Media
  • Global Perspectives:  GEOG 3900 China, Japan, and Korea
  • Local and National Perspectives:  PSCI 3040 Intro to Public Policy

Frank is an undecided student but knows that he would like to attend law school like his grandfather. Frank already knows that he can choose any major to prepare for law school. Because he is trying to explore his numerous interests,  he would like to take some general education classes during his first semesters that will develop skills needed for law school success. Frank has also been interested in the environmental studies ever since second grade. He often wonders if he could merge his interests towards a career practicing law. Below are options for courses Frank could take during his first semester to focus on skills needed in law school or address interests that he has.

  • Writing: ENGL 1050 Foundations in Writing
  • Inquiry and Engagement: PHIL 1100 Inquiry, Argument and Debate
  • Scientific Literacy with Lab: BIOL 1050 Environmental  Biology and BIOL 1100 Lab
  • Personal Wellness: HPHE 1701 Health and Wellness Practices