Western Washington University ( WWU or Western ) is one of six state-funded, four-year universities of higher education in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located in Bellingham and offers bachelor's and master's degrees.
Western Washington University’s MBA program has been ranked in the top 100 programs worldwide by the Aspen Institute. WWU’s program finished 72nd out of approximately 600 business schools invited to participate in the survey, which goes beyond mainstream academic content and ranks the programs on the institution’s efforts to integrate social, ethical and environmental concerns as well. York University in Great Britain finished atop the list; WWU finished ahead of such well-known programs as Vanderbilt University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Oregon State University and Washington State University.
In 2007, US News ranked Western Washington University number two in the public, master's universities (west) category, while placing 18th overall in the west (both public and private). Only two public schools are ranked among the top 25 master’s universities (west) category, "a region stretching from Texas to the Pacific." The universities found in this ranking are schools that lack doctoral programs but still retain master's programs.
- Classes and labs average 10 to 19 students. Only two percent of courses are taught by graduate teaching assistants. Undergraduates have the opportunity to take graduate level courses.
- Undergraduate research in the sciences and humanities is encouraged. Funds are available for undergraduate research in any field.
- Campus facilities include an electronic music studio, an air pollution lab, a motor vehicle research lab, a marine research lab, a wind tunnel, an electron microscope, and a neutron generator lab. Western's Vehicle Research Institute has led Automobile Magazine to describe Western as "very possibly the best school in the country for total car design."
- Western is an NCAA Division II school, meaning that limited athletic scholarships are awarded. Alpha Kappa Psi is the only recognized fraternity.
Firms that most frequently hire graduates of Western include: Microsoft, Boeing, Washington school systems, Bank of America, KPMG LLP, Moss Adams, Starbucks, T-Mobile, Safeco, Maxim, Macy's, Weyerhauser, Wells Fargo, and various government agencies. Western Washington University ranks sixth among the top medium-sized colleges and universities with alumni serving as Peace Corps volunteers in 2008.
Campus setting
WWU's scenic location in Bellingham, a rapidly-growing city of about 74,000 people, overlooks Bellingham Bay and many of Puget Sound’s 172 San Juan Islands. It was originally built on a peat bog, and due to this and the area's geography, the university has had to address problems from its buildings slowly sinking into the ground. The university is 90 miles (140 km) north of Seattle, 55 miles (89 km) south of Vancouver, British Columbia, and an hour’s drive from 10,778 foot (3285 m) Mount Baker. The university is located close to Interstate 5.
The campus is 215 acres (870,000 m²), including the 38 acre (154,000 m²) Sehome Arboretum, operated jointly with the city of Bellingham. Western also has off-campus facilities at Shannon Point Marine Center in Anacortes, Washington; Lakewood, a 15 acre (61,000 m²) student-university facility at nearby Lake Whatcom; and Whatcom County property used for environmental and aquatic analyses.
Western's on-campus wireless network can simultaneously accommodate 4,800 users (approx).
Academics
Academic organization
Western offers bachelor's degrees and the degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Education, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Music. The university is composed of the following colleges:
- College of Business and Economics
- Fairhaven College
- College of Fine and Performing Arts
- Graduate School
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Huxley College of the Environment
- College of Sciences and Technology
- Woodring College of Education
Accreditation
The university is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities; National Association of Schools of Music; National Recreation and Parks Association; American Speech and Hearing Association; National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education; Computing Sciences Accreditation Board; Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology; Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business; and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs.
Honors
- High-achieving freshmen from colleges in other western states can enroll at Western at a reduced tuition level that is equivalent to a $30,000 four year scholarship.
- The undergraduate honors program offers merit scholarships worth up to $5,000. These scholarships are awarded to successful applicants to the honors program. No separate application is necessary.
Notable degree programs
- Bachelor's degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, similar to a program of study originated by the University of Oxford.
- The Philosophical Gourmet Report mentions Western as having one of the nation's best philosophy departments among colleges and universities that only offer a B.A. in the discipline. Western was among only eight public universities so honored.
- Huxley College of the Environment at Western is introducing a bachelor's program in emergency planning and management. It is the first bachelor's degree of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. "Students in the program will be looking at environmental mitigation, safety factors, coastal issues, geomorphology, watershed planning and flood plain and erosion issues, as well as issues related to terrorism."
Research institutes and laboratories
Border Policy Research Institute
Center for Continuing Education and Rehabilitation
Center for Cross-Cultural Research
Center for International Business
Center for Pacific Northwest Studies
Center for Performance Excellence
Center for Service Learning
Demographics Research Laboratory
Institute for Literary Sciences
Institute for Watershed Studies
Internet Studies Center
Shannon Point Marine Center
Vehicle Research InstituteRecent student accomplishments
2009: The Model United Nations program, Western Model United Nations (WMUN), won outstanding delegation at the 2009 National Model United Nations conference, held April 5-9, 2009 in New York City for their representation of Ecuador.
2008: The Model United Nations program, Western Model United Nations (WMUN), won an Honorable Mention at the 2008 National Model United Nations (NMUN) conference which was held April 22-26, 2008 in New York City for their representation of Romania. In addition, WMUN members also received accolades at multiple regional conferences, including Northwest Model United Nations (NWMUN), University of British Columbia Model United Nations (UBCMUN), and Oregon State Model United Nations (OSUMUN) for their excellence as delegates.
2007: The Human-Powered Submarine Team competed in the International Submarine Race (ISR) in Bethesda, MD held June 25-29, 2007. With a top speed of 4.775 knots (8.843 km/h), the team placed 6th overall, out of 27 submarines, and 3rd in the two-person propeller-driven submarine category. Western's Sub Team also won the honorable mention awards for "Best Use of Composites" and "Best Overall Performance". The students improved their submarine (Drekar) from the previous year.
2006: The Submarine Team won best presentation at the 2006 Human Powered Submarine Contest in Escondido, Calif. "Driving the only two-person propeller driven submarine, the team had the fourth fastest time of all submarines in the contest. The team also placed second in overall engineering." The students designed and built the sub.
Scholarships
Merit scholarships
Oswald Hall II and Henny Lund Scholarship:
$27,200. "Selection criteria include outstanding academic achievement and financial need. Recipients are identified through admission application materials; no separate application is necessary.”Washington Scholar Award&
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College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Bond Hall 302. Western Washington University. Bellingham, WA 98225-9062. Phone: 360-650-3859. Fax: 360-650-6714
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Western Washington University - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Western Washington University (WWU or Western) is one of six state-funded, four-year universities of higher education in the U.S. state of Washington.
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