Programs
Get in Touch!
Naomi Petersen
509-963-1481
Naomi.Petersen@cwu.edu
One fifth of the population is affected by disability, and laws protect their rights as individuals to have access. To be accessible, an environment—work, home, school, shopping, medical, leisure, and virtual/digital—must be functional for everyone. Central's accessibility studies program provides opportunities to learn about barriers that exclude people with disabilities. Moreover, it serves to ensure that every environment will accommodate everyone, regardless of ability.
Starting fall 2017 students can earn a minor or a certificate online in accessibility studies. A fast-track certificate is also offered over the summer. At CWU, almost 30 pre-professional degrees across disciplines—from business and information technology, to social services and safety and health management—have added the accessibility minor as an option to broaden their student’s employment opportunities.
CWU's program is the first in the country dedicated to increasing accessibility by applying universal design principles to all fields of study and careers.
English Department
509-963-1546
english.department@cwu.edu
The study of language and literature will broaden your knowledge of literary history and traditions, develop your understanding of different cultures, and introduce you to the world's most brilliant writers. Our inclusive curriculum offers a diverse selection of courses that cross national borders, literary genres, and minoritized cultures.
A degree in English Language and Literature provides you with essential skills in persuasive communication, analytical reasoning, creative thinking, and emotional intelligence that are most in demand by employers in a variety of professional fields, including teaching, training, writing, publishing, law, research, business, and government.
Our faculty is comprised of excellent teacher-scholars who genuinely care about you, the student. We offer small classes with innovative learning activities, such as multimedia writing projects, mock trials, archival research, and collaborative group work. We actively publish in scholarly journals and present at national and international conferences, while closely mentoring students in research, writing, professionalization, and preparation for graduate study.
English Department
509-963-1546
english.department@cwu.edu
In an increasingly technological world that depends on evolving, merging, and expanding forms of writing and communication, our Professional and Creative Writing Program offers students a range of courses across modalities and writing styles. In professional and technical writing courses, students learn practical elements including necessary workplace skills in usability testing, document design, and new media. In creative writing courses, students learn the nuances of genre and develop writing practices in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting, screenwriting, and blurred forms. All students can take publishing, editing, and grant writing courses that offer further skills across specializations.
This program produces graduates with a set of valuable skills adaptable to a wide range of industries and workplace opportunities. Recent graduates of this program have found careers in teaching, marketing, grant writing, technical writing, advertising, publishing, arts networking and community organizing, and more, and others have gone on to graduate programs in rhetoric and composition, creative writing, and editing.
Moreover, our undergraduates connect with diverse opportunities through publishing, community immersion, regional and international travel, and internships.
The Professional and Creative Writing program is rigorous yet also flexible and adaptable to student needs. The program can be completed face-to-face, online, or via a combination of the two modalities. Students work closely with faculty mentors, all of whom are published professionals in their own fields, to develop their own professional identities.
Jordan Shumate
509-963-1383
ITAMinfo@cwu.edu
CWU's offers two options for an online Information Technology and Administrative Management (ITAM) degree that prepares students for information technology, administrative management or retail management and technology careers. Students can earn a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Applied Science in ITAM. Both degrees are entirely online.
According to Forbes magazine, 14 of the top 25 highest paying in-demand jobs in America today are technology related. Students in Central's ITAM program choose to specialize in administrative management, information technology, cybersecurity, and retail management and technology.
This program is 100 percent online and is designed for students who have already completed an associate degree or a bachelor degree in any field. CWU accepts ITT transfer credits.
Nicole Dunn
509-859-4930
nicole.dunn@cwu.edu
Central’s Interdisciplinary Studies-Social Sciences degree allows you to choose courses from several disciplines to meet your interests and professional goals.
Graduates of this degree find jobs in a variety of occupations, ranging from corporate to social services, depending upon their primary emphasis among the various disciplines within the social science category. This degree also provides excellent preparation for graduate studies in psychology, sociology, social work, and political science.
The Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies Social Sciences is conveniently offered online and is for students who are interested in broader options in course selection than are possible within a traditional departmental major and who want to specialize their course of study according to individual interests and professional/educational aspirations.
Cody Stoddard
509-963-3252
Cody.Stoddard@cwu.edu
Protecting the rights of others and ensuring the public’s safety and security is not only noble but satisfying. The study of law and justice prepares students for employment and to respect the rights of individuals in their professional roles.
Graduates of this program go on to serve as correction officers, juvenile justice officers, law enforcement officers, and wildlife agents.
CWU's online law and justice program was name #2 in the Top 50 Best Value Online Criminal Justice Programs of 2016.
Keith Monosky
509-963-1145
Keith.Monosky@cwu.edu
The online component of the EMS Paramedicine Major is designed for students who already possess a current and valid certification as a paramedic from an authorized training institution and want to complete their Bachelor Degree in Paramedicine at Central Washington University.
Central Washington University EMS Paramedicine Program has a long history of maintaining high academic standards and skill requirements for our graduates that often exceed both state and national minimum standards for paramedic programs.
The online paramedicine program at Central is accredited and meets all of the national and Washington State standards in paramedic education. CWU's program is recognized as one of the best, with content that meets or exceeds the National Education Standards for EMS. About 97 percent of graduates pass the National Registry exam on the first attempt and a job-placement rate of nearly 100 percent
Sara Bender
509-963-2381
sara.bender@cwu.edu
CWU has a long history of providing excellent training to students seeking a career as a psychologist.
CWU offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology that's completely online. This program prepares graduates for graduate school or for work in fields such as social work, family studies, business, forensics, primate behavior, and other fields for which training in behavioral science would be useful. At Central students can choose a 45-credit BA degree or a 30-credit minor in psychology. Both are completely online.
CWU's psychology program was the first in the state of Washington to be nationally approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Central's online psychology degree program received recognition as a top 30 online program in the nation.
Casey Mace
509-963-2492
casey.mace@cwu.edu
The online bachelor of science degree in public health (population health specialization), offers students a solid background in the field of public health, with a broad range of courses that can be tailored to the student’s particular interests.
At CWU, students in the online public health program can pursue careers in the fields of mental health, drugs and health, sexual health, police, advocacy, child and maternal health, environmental health, health administration, and more.
Understanding issues and situations that harm people’s potential for health, well-being, and quality of life enables public health professionals to develop effective strategies to deal with those issues.
Kelly Zakel-Larson
509-963-1305
kelly.zakel-larson@cwu.edu
The social service major is designed for students interested in working in the human services delivery systems.
Students in this major have a strong grounding in sociology as well as the applied field of social services. They study critical issues in the field and work within agencies in the community.
Online social sciences students are encouraged to organize their program of study to include a minor in an area of interest or specialization outside of sociology. Some areas that fit well with this major include psychology, ethnic studies, family studies, gerontology, women’s studies, and community health.
Kelly Zakel-Larson
509-963-1305
kelly.zakel-larson@cwu.edu
Sociology is the study of why humans do the things they do. Students learn research techniques, creative reasoning, and communication methods—core skills that can translate into a wide variety of careers including in counseling, marketing, criminal justice, or psychology.
About two-thirds of those who said their jobs were closely related to what they had learned as sociology majors were very satisfied with their jobs, according to a survey by the American Sociological Association. Additionally, more than three-quarters of majors said they were very satisfied with their choice of sociology as a major.
The Sociology Department provides opportunities for students to understand the conceptual and methodological tools used by sociologists to understand society.
RANKED AMONG THE BEST VALUE ONLINE COLLEGE DEGREE PROGRAMS IN THE U.S.
CWU offers twelve outstanding online bachelor’s degree completion programs and ten online graduate degree programs. No more struggling to work classes into your busy schedule. No more putting off the degree program you need to improve your future. You can earn your university degree while attending flexible, online classes no matter where you are. Our paramedicine bachelor’s degree program and two of our health related master’s programs are the only programs that include on-campus components combined with online learning. Otherwise, every course is completely online.
Each online program is affordably priced and non-resident online student tuition waivers allow out-of-state students to pay the same tuition as in-state students when they enroll in a fully online degree program. CWU’s accredited online learning programs give both working adults and traditional students a convenient way to gain the degree they need to improve their career and income. Best of all, you’ll be earning your online degree from one of Washington’s, and the entire country’s, best-value and most-respected universities.
CWU offers a wide range of minors, certifications, endorsements, performance based degrees, and fully fledged undergraduate and graduate degree programs all attainable through our highly flexible online programs.
ONLINE PROGRAMS SERVE STUDENTS ACROSS THE NATION
Central Washington University has authorization to deliver online courses and degree programs to out-of-state students under the terms and provisions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) and individual state authorizations. For a list of authorized states and requirements, please review the information for Out-Of-State Students.
Non-Resident Online Student Tuition Waivers: Non-resident students enrolled in online programs: Undergraduate, Post-baccalaureate, and Graduate students pay 100% of resident tuition after the waiver is applied. Non-resident students enrolled in online classes: Undergraduates and Post-baccalaureate students pay 150% of resident tuition. Graduate students pay 125% of resident tuition. Please review the Waiver Policy Guidelines and contact the CWU Financial Aid Office to identify yourself as a student eligible for a non-resident online student tuition waiver.
When investing in an online degree, there are three questions you should consider. First, who will teach the classes? Secondly, what type of support is offered online students? Lastly, how many students are in a class? At Central, all classes are taught by faculty. Central’s online classes typically are capped at 25 students. You will get to know your instructor and the other students in the class. CWU also has 24/7 tech support for the learning management system your classes will use; program specific advisors for all online programs; and a behind the scenes team working on the technology and helping faculty build better classes. These are just a few of the reasons Central also has nationally award winning programs.
COMPLETE LIST OF TOP ONLINE BACHELOR’S & MASTER’S PROGRAMS
Hybrid: online and on-campus course work required