WMU Essential Studies

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A career-focused approach to learning

WMU is challenging the belief that students must choose either a liberal education or a practical education. We say you can do both. Think of it as a traditional education, with a twist.

WMU Essential Studies
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-4411 USA
(269) 387-4174

Gain career-ready skills, find your purpose

The WMU Essential Studies program is part of the required undergraduate curriculum with courses designed to target essential skills such as collaboration, teamwork and interpersonal communication. These courses teach you soft skills, which will make you a versatile and agile professional, which is appealing to every employer.

How does it work? Each soft skill is identified through learning outcomes that tie in with our classes, which are divided into three levels: Foundations, Exploration and Discovery, and Connections. You get to choose 12 classes that most interest you and sequence them in the order that makes the most sense for your career path.

Make courses work for you by building on a particular interest or skill, or explore what is available. You ll develop as a stronger thinker by learning about diversity and inclusion, global awareness, critical thinking, sustainability, and real- world scenarios chosen by faculty.

Learn about student requirements  

Explore WMU Essential Studies courses
Meet with your advisor

The Essential Studies program helps you develop in-demand skills

Level 1: Foundations

Typically introductory or freshman- level classes. These build essential skills for later success in their classes, careers and lives after they leave Western.
Discover Level 1 courses

Level 2: Discovery and Exploration

These courses promote student intellectual growth and personal responsibility. Although presented here as a distinct level, these courses may generally be taken at any point in the student s program. When possible, these are recommended to be taken after Level 1 courses.
Discover Level 2 courses

Level 3: Connections

These courses should generally be taken after Level 1 and 2 courses, as they are the culmination of the program. These courses should widen the lens of student perspectives, engaging them in local, national, or global issues as well as further developing the core skills introduced in Levels 1 and 2.
Discover Level 3 courses

See the complete list of WMU Essential Studies courses

Review the entirety of the WMU Essential Studies Program and see how courses can be sequenced from Levels 1 to 3.
See complete list (pdf)

Why Essential Studies?

All students benefit from Essential Studies because its curricula is crafted around your career interests. You get to explore courses outside of traditional offerings and develop the core skills necessary to succeed in any career.

Katelyn: sales and business marketing

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: nursing

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

Other student resources

Choosing your major

At WMU, we encourage you to explore your choices, and we’re here to provide support so you can find success. Get access to rich materials and resources that encourage this discovery and help you find a career path.

Learn more about choosing your major  

WMU Signature

WMU Signature is a program created to encourage all students to complete a culminating integrative learning project. A Signature Experience is a tangible experience students initiate when they apply what they have learned inside and outside of the classroom to real-world problems.

Learn more about Signature