The Western Michigan University Pathway Program enables international students to take English as a second language courses while also taking academic courses that count toward an academic degree program. The Pathway Program is a dual-enrollment program that includes an International Student Success seminar that provides assistance in cultural adjustment, an extended orientation to the University and general academic support.
Undergraduate Pathways at Western Michigan University
At Western Michigan University, all undergraduate students with TOEFL scores between 52 and 70 will be encouraged to apply for the Pathway Program.
Benefits of the Pathway Program
The WMU Pathway Program provides many benefits to international students, including:
- Ability to take academic courses while satisfying English proficiency requirements.
- Earn an undergraduate degree in less time.
- International Student Success seminar that provides assistance in cultural adjustment, an extended orientation to the University and general academic support.
- Admission to an undergraduate program with a lower proficiency score.
*** Select “enroll in English as a Second Language program and start my degree in the same term” under “I want to” ***
Pathway Program Structure - Undergraduate
The WMU Pathway Program is composed of two consecutive semesters: Pathway I and Pathway II. International students may enter Pathway II with the appropriate English proficiency scores.
NOTE: Transfer students who want to be considered for a pathway program can have no more than 12 academic credits at the time of beginning the pathway program. Exceptions may be made with departmental approval only.
| Pathway I | Pathway II |
(TOEFL Score) | (52-60) |
|
| ESL (CELCIS) components | ESL 0310: Pre-Advanced Speaking & Listening | ESL 0533: Oral Communication |
| ESL 0320: Pre-Advanced Grammar & Communication | ESL 0511: Written Communication | |
| ESL 0330 or 0340: Pre-Advanced Reading & Writing 1 or Pre-Advanced Reading & Writing 2 | ||
| ESL Seminar (1 clock hour) | ||
| Academic Coursework at WMU | At least 3 credit hours of academic course work | At least 6 credit hours of academic course work |
| Note: ESL Seminar is required in a Pathway student's first semester only. Students whose scores permit them to begin in Semester 2 will take the ESL seminar in Semester 2 in addition to the other required ESL courses. | ||
*Students with an IELTS of 5.5 and a writing subscore of less than 5.0 will be placed in Pathway 1. Students with an IELTS of 5.5 and a writing subscore of 5.0 and above will be placed in Pathway 2.
*** Select “enroll in English as a Second Language program and start my degree in the same term” under “I want to” ***
Academic Course Options
Students in the pathway program take courses prescribed by their academic program. Pathway students do not register for their own courses: Pathway students work with their Academic Advising Directors to register for classes.
*** Select “enroll in English as a Second Language program and start my degree in the same term” under “I want to” ***
Graduate Pathways at Western Michigan University
At Western Michigan University, graduate students with TOEFL scores between 52 and 80 will be encouraged to apply for the Pathway Program for select programs.
Benefits of the Pathway Program
The WMU Pathway Program provides many benefits to international students, including:
- Ability to take academic courses while satisfying English proficiency requirements.
- Earn a graduate degree in less time.
- International Student Success seminar that provides assistance in cultural adjustment, an extended orientation to the University and general academic support.
- Admission to a graduate program with a lower proficiency score.
*** Select “enroll in English as a Second Language program and start my degree in the same term” under “I want to” ***
Graduate Pathway Options
Pathway Programs are available for the following graduate degrees:
- Applied Economics (M.A.)
- Data Science (M.S.)
- Statistics (M.S.)
The Haenicke Institute for Global Education is currently working with academic departments to expand the number of Pathway eligible graduate programs.
*** Select “enroll in English as a Second Language program and start my degree in the same term” under “I want to” ***
Pathway Program Structure - Graduate
The WMU Pathway Program is composed of two consecutive semesters: Pathway I and Pathway II. International students may enter Pathway II with the appropriate English proficiency scores.
NOTE: Transfer students who want to be considered for a pathway program can have no more than 12 academic credits at the time of beginning the pathway program. Exceptions may be made with departmental approval only.
| Pathway I | Pathway II |
| (TOEFL Score) (IELTS) (Pearson) (Duolingo) | (52-60) (5.5) (42) (85) | (61-80) (6.0) (50) (95) |
| ESL (CELCIS) components | ESL 0310 or 0320: Pre-Advanced Speaking & Listening / Pre-Advanced Grammar & Communication | ESL 0533: Oral Communication |
| ESL 0330: Pre-Advanced Reading & Writing 1 | ESL 0511: Written Communication | |
| ESL 0340: Pre-Advanced Reading & Writing 2 | ||
| ESL Seminar (1 clock hour) | ||
| Academic Coursework at WMU | At least 3 credit hours of academic course work | At least 3 credit hours of academic course work |
| Note: ESL Seminar is required in a Pathway student's first semester only. Students whose scores permit them to begin in Semester 2 will take the ESL seminar in Semester 2 in addition to the other required ESL courses. | ||
*** Select “enroll in English as a Second Language program and start my degree in the same term” under “I want to” ***