The American University Experience is a short-term option for international students to enroll at Western Michigan University for one to two academic semesters. Students from international partner institutions receive a discounted program rate.
- Benefits of American University Experience
- Program information
- Application and admission process
- Learn more about WMU
Benefits of American University Experience
- Study for one or two consecutive semesters.
American University Experience students can explore the campus, culture and community of Western Michigan University for one to two consecutive semesters.
- 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
American University Experience students with TOEFL scores of between 52 and 70 iBT can enroll in the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students (CECLIS) and regular academic classes concurrently.
Eligibility requirements
- Undergraduate students—Cumulative GPA of 2.5 (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 scores 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.
Program Fees
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.) | $5,507 | $8,144 | $8,768 | $9,392 |
| 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 | $14,117 | $16,754 | $17,378 | $18,002 |
*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 (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.) | $5,507 | $7,489 | $8,207 | $9,361 |
| 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 | $14,517 | $16,499 | $17,217 | $18,371 |
| 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.) | $5,507 | $7,162 | $8,848 | $7,427 |
| On-campus housing and meals (recommended) | $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 | $14,117 | $15,772 | $17,458 | $16,037 |
*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.) | $5,507 | $9,012 | $7,591 | $7,716 |
| On-campus housing and meals (recommended) | $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 | $14,517 | $18,022 | $16,601 | $16,726 |
Housing
WMU's newest Living and Learning Community is called the Global and Languages Community. Located in Hadley Hall, the Community brings together domestic and international students, offers a communal cooking space and remains open during winter closure.
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 incoming application materials and routine student-questions should be addressed to Yumi Takahashi-Ede at yumi.takahashi@wmich.edu.
Application and Admission PRocess
Application process- Course information and selection
- Health care and insurance
- Resources for admitted students:
- International Student Orientation
- Pre-Arrival Guide
Learn more about WMU
WMU Fast Facts- WMU Points of Pride
- WMU Profile
- WMU Academic Calendar
- WMU Pre-Arrival Guide (for international students)