American University Experience: 1-2 Semesters
International students may study for one to two consecutive semesters through the American University Experience at Western Michigan University! American University Experience students study in English and live on campus with other WMU students.
- Benefits of American University Experience: 1-2 Semesters
- Program information
- Learn more about WMU
- Start your application!
Benefits of American University Experience
- Study for one or two consecutive semesters at WMU.
- Study in English.
- Select courses not available at your home university from 150 undergraduate programs or from select graduate programs.
- Study English as a Second Language in WMU’s Center for English Language and Culture for International Students.
- Reasonable tuition.
- Free airport pickup from the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport.
- On-campus housing with WMU students.
- Located in the Midwest.
Program Information
Eligibility requirements
- Undergraduate students—Cumulative GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
- Graduate students—Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
- TOEFL score of 52 iBT (undergraduates) or 80 iBT (graduates) to enroll in at least some WMU academic courses.
- TOEFL score of below 52 iBT (undergraduates) or 80 iBT (graduates) to enroll in WMU's Center for English Language and Culture for International Students (CELCIS) (ESL classes).
- Exceptions can only be made with prior approval from the WMU Haenicke Institute for Global Education.
Review the specifics of English language requirements for study at WMU.
Program Fees Per Semester
Estimated program fees for undergraduate and graduate study are based on full-time status and do not include home-institution rates.
ESL (CELCIS) Only | Dual Enrollment Pathway: (ESL (CELCIS + University coursework)) | University Coursework Only (12-15 credits) | ||
TOEFL iBT: IELTS: Duolingo: | Below 52 Below 5.5 Below 80 | 52 - 60 5.5* 85 | 61 - 70 5.5* 95 | 71 or higher 6.0 or higher 100 or higher |
Tuition and program fees* (Rate may be different for colleges with differential tuition) | $6,075 | $8,599 | $9,450 | $10,301 |
On-campus housing and meals (required) | $5,910 | $5,910 | $5,910 | $5,910 |
Books and incidentals | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 |
Health insurance | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
Estimated program fee for one semester | $14,685 | $17,209 | $18,060 | $18,911 |
*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
ESL (CELCIS) Only | Dual Enrollment Pathway: (ESL (CELCIS + University coursework)) | University Coursework Only (12-15 credits) | ||
TOEFL iBT: IELTS: Duolingo: | Below 52 Below 5.5 Below 80 | 52 - 60 5.5* 85 | 61 - 70 5.5* 95 | 71 or higher 6.0 or higher 100 or higher |
Tuition and program fees* (Rate may be different for colleges with differential tuition) | $6,075 | $7,726 | $8,683 | $10,312 |
On-campus housing and meals (required) | $6,310 | $6,310 | $6,310 | $6,310 |
Books and incidentals | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 |
Health insurance | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
Estimated program fee for one semester | $15,085 | $16,736 | $17,693 | $19,322 |
ESL (CELCIS) Only | Dual Enrollment Pathway (ESL (CELCIS + University coursework)) | University Coursework Only (9 credits) | ||
TOEFL iBT: IELTS: Duolingo: | Below 52 Below 5.5 Below 80 | 52 - 60 5.5* 85 | 61 - 70 5.5* 95 | 80 or higher 6.5 or higher 115 or higher |
Tuition and program fees* (Rate may be different for colleges with differential tuition) | $6,075 | $7,507 | $9,539 | $8,117 |
On-campus housing and meals (required) | $5,910 | $5,910 | $5,910 | $5,910 |
Books and incidentals | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 |
Health insurance | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
Estimated program fee for one semester | $14,685 | $16,117 | $18,149 | $16,727 |
*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.
ESL (CELCIS) Only | Dual Enrollment Pathway (ESL (CELCIS + University coursework)) | University Coursework Only (9 credits) | ||
TOEFL iBT: IELTS: Duolingo: | Below 52 Below 5.5 Below 80 | 52 - 60 5.5* 85 | 61 - 70 5.5* 95 | 80 or higher 6.5 or higher 115 or higher |
Tuition and program fees* (Rate may be different for colleges with differential tuition) | $6,075 | $9,373 | $7,952 | $8,439 |
On-campus housing and meals (required) | $6,310 | $6,310 | $6,310 | $6,310 |
Books and incidentals | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 |
Health insurance | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
Estimated program fee for one semester | $15,085 | $18,383 | $16,962 | $17,449 |
Housing
Undergraduate
Undergraduate American University Experience students are required to live on campus. Students should apply online for campus housing as soon as they have been accepted to Western Michigan University and have received their Bronco NetID and password.
Please visit the WMU Housing and Residence Life site to apply for on-campus housing. Students may wish to read more about the residential neighborhoods before submitting their application.
WMU's residence halls are home to nearly 5,000 students who enjoy the friendships, living-learning focus, and diversity of campus life. Residents can take advantage of hall activities, leadership opportunities, high-speed Internet, staff available 24 hours a day, close proximity to the dining halls, and many other campus conveniences designed to support busy college students.
Graduate
Graduate AUE students are strongly encouraged to live in University-sponsored (on-campus) housing during the program period. Although on-campus residency is not mandatory for graduate exchange students, please be advised that graduate students who opt to reside off campus bear sole responsibility for finding off-campus housing, contracting with private management companies and others, and abiding by conditions and terms. They may also find it difficult to lease an off-campus apartment for one or two semesters since most off-campus apartment leases are for a one-year (12-month) period. Breaking a lease is costly.
Please see above for more information on on-campus housing.
If graduate AUE students wish to live off-campus, they are encouraged to visit the website below for private apartment communities for more information: https://www.apartmentguide.com/apartments/Michigan/Western-Michigan-University/ .
Program Contacts
All routine student-questions should be addressed to Yumi Takahashi-Ede at yumi.takahashi@wmich.edu.
Learn more about WMU
- WMU Fast Facts
- WMU Points of Pride
- WMU Profile
- WMU Academic Calendar
- WMU Pre-Arrival Guide (for international students)
Application PRocess
If you are interested in the American University Experience program, please contact Yumi Takahashi-Ede at @email to get started.