Degrees

Degrees

The Board of Trustees, on recommendation of the Faculty and President of Western Michigan University, confers the following degrees:

Baccalaureate Degrees

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Musical Arts
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science in Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Bachelor of Social Work

Graduate Degrees

Master of Arts
Master of Business Administration
Master of International Development Administration
Master of Fine Arts
Master of Music
Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Health
Master of Science
Master of Science in Accountancy
Master of Science in Engineering
Master of Science in Medicine
Master of Science in Nursing
Master of Social Work
Specialist in Education
Doctor of Audiology
Doctor of Education
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Physical Therapy

Undergraduate Majors

Majors by College

College of Arts and Sciences:

Students selecting a communication or psychology program will be placed in the “Pre-Communication” (CMUP) or “Pre-Psychology” (PRPP) program respectively until requirements have been met. See the Department of Communication or Department of Psychology section for complete information on admission requirements.

College of Aviation:

Students selecting the Flight Science major in the College of Aviation will be placed in the “Pre-Flight Science program (PRFL)” until requirements have been met. See the College of Aviation section for complete information on admission requirements.

Haworth College of Business:

Students selecting the Business Administration program will be placed in the “Pre-Business Administration” (PRBA) program until requirements have been met. See the Haworth College of Business section for complete information on admission requirements.

College of Education and Human Development:

Students selecting teacher certification programs/majors will be placed in one of the “Pre-Education” programs until requirements have been met. See the College of Education and Human Development section for complete information on admission and program requirements.

Students selecting Occupational Educational Studies will be placed in the “Pre-Occupational Studies” (PROE) major until requirements have been met.

College of Engineering and Applied Sciences:

Students selecting engineering programs will be placed in a “Pre-Engineering” (PREG) program until requirements have been met. See the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences section for complete information on admission and program requirements.

College of Fine Arts:

Students selecting Graphic Design will be placed in the Art major until requirements have been met. See the Art section for complete information on admission requirements. Students selecting any other Fine Arts major will be placed in a pre-program until requirements have been met. See the departmental section for complete information on admission requirements.

College of Health and Human Services:

Students selecting any Health and Human Services program will be placed in a “Pre-Program” until all requirements have been met [i.e., Pre-Interdisciplinary Health Services (PRIH), Pre-Nursing (PRNG or PRPR), Pre-Occupational Therapy (PROT), Pre-Social Work (PRSW), and Pre-Speech Pathology and Audiology (PRSA)]. See the College of Health and Human Services sections for complete information on admission requirements.

Extended University Programs:

Specific information about the programs listed below may be found in the Extended University Programs section of this catalog.

Other Curricula:

Students not selecting a curriculum will be placed in the Undecided, University Curriculum (UNV) program until a selection can be made. Students are encouraged whenever possible to select a specific curriculum.

Office of Student Transitions

Adrienne Fraaza, Interim Program Manager
Ellsworth Hall
(269) 387-2167

The Office of Student Transitions delivers programs designed to foster a learning environment that involves students academically and socially. Our programs encourage student persistence and retention through graduation from Western Michigan University. The FYE seminar, described below, is the credit portion of the Office of Student Transitions for all students new to the University.

The purpose of the FYE seminar is to develop an intellectually engaged and socially integrated first-year student. This greatly enriches academic and campus life and helps to positively impact university retention.  The FYE seminar is available for first-year, first-time students only and has no prerequisites. The FYE seminar is offered fall semester. 

FYE 2100 First-Year Experience
2 hoursThe First-Year Experience seminar is designed to help students develop a sense of responsibility for their own learning and will provide support during the first semester of transition to the University. This seminar will introduce students to University resources, academic expectations, the eight dimensions of well-being, and will foster community-building. Taught in a small group setting, students will interact with a faculty/staff member and a student leader either once or twice a week. The FYE 2100 seminar will include weekly class meetings, project-based assignments, written assignments, and attendance at selected University events and workshops. The importance of writing, critical thinking, communication, and study skills will be emphasized, as well as exploration of major and career opportunities. Students will earn a letter grade for this course.

University Curriculum

Deveta Gardner, Acting Director
1260 Ellsworth Hall
(269) 387-4410

University Curriculum/Exploratory Advising provides first-year students who wish to explore academic and career options with advising, assessment, and referral services designed to help them select a curriculum. The program is designed with sensitivity to students’ developmental as well as academic needs.

Students in the University Curriculum/Exploratory Advising are assigned advisors who are specialists in academic planning, human development, and career planning. Help is provided for course selection, academic program planning, interpreting skills and interest assessments, exploring academic and career alternatives, and establishing goals.

In addition to academic advising and career counseling, opportunities available for students include:

• Career Exploration and Career Resource Center
• Skills and Interest Assessments
• Specially-designed freshman curriculum options suited to skills and interests.

University Courses (UNIV)

UNIV 1010     Freshman Seminar
This course is designed to assist students to encounter experientially, intellectually, and emotionally the various avenues of learning, and to foster the academic, personal, social, and career development of each student. The activities and assignments of the course aid students in the development of an intellectual awareness and provide the skills and self-management required for a successful transition from high school to the University. The course is intended to excite students about learning and living in the new and challenging world of Western Michigan University. For freshmen only.    1 to 3 hours

UNIV 1020     Career Exploration and Development
This course is designed to help students through the career development process by assessing and developing skills in self-awareness, career awareness, decision-making, and planning. It will include activities to identify and explore the following areas: values, interests, career information, decision-making, university resources, and the world of work. Assignments will involve taking career assessments, written exercises, networking, resume development and career research.                   1 hour

UNIV 1030    Special Topics within Academic Success
UNIV 1030 is open only through instructor or department approval. The department overseeing UNIV 1030 will be the Center for Academic Success Programs. Courses will vary by topic and be chosen based on student need. The goals of the course will range from academic preparation for special populations, academic improvement, career exploration and skill building.                                             1 to 3 hours

Undergraduate Certificate Programs

An undergraduate certificate is awarded for the satisfactory completion of a non-degree undergraduate program designed around a narrow, applied, and coordinated curriculum with a professional focus. Any new course that is developed for an undergraduate certificate program must be approved through the curriculum process. An undergraduate certificate program may be either multidisciplinary or uni-disciplinary in organization and may be taken separately or in conjunction with an undergraduate degree program. The undergraduate certificate is not an award of license, accreditation, or certification to render professional services; rather, it signifies that a student has satisfactorily completed an approved undergraduate certificate program curriculum. Certificates generally focus on necessary professional training requirements in a specific area of study and may serve as enhancements to existing undergraduate degree programs. Certificate programs will normally range from a minimum of 15 hours to a maximum of 24 credits/semester hours. However, individual certificate programs may exceed these boundaries commensurate with the breadth and depth of the program’s topic (e.g., the needs of the intended professional training).

Delivery Methods

Undergraduate certificates may consist of traditional instruction, hybrid, or fully online instruction. Applicants should check with their academic advisor or program director of the academic unit for specific information regarding delivery methods in their choice of certificate programs.

Pre-Professional Programs

Every professional school has prescribed the nature and amount of academic work to be completed as a prerequisite to the professional training for a particular vocation. Four years of higher education are generally required by most professional schools for entrance. Western Michigan University is able to offer its students courses of study that meet the requirements for this pre-professional training. It should be noted, however, that the courses outlined are only suggested plans to illustrate in general the kinds of programs that pre-professional students should follow.

In every case, students should plan their course of study according to the requirements of the school to which they plan to attend for professional training.

It cannot be emphasized too strongly that the student should exercise care to make certain that the specific requirements of a particular school will have been met.

Pre-Health

Pre-Health Advisors
Megan Larson, Coordinator
Department of Biological Sciences
3447 Wood Hall
www.wmich.edu/arts-sciences/academics/pre-professional/pre-health

Pre-Health Pathway Advising is available for students who plan to eventually apply to one of the following programs, for which, a bachelor’s degree is required:

• Pre-chiropractic
• Pre-dental
• Pre-forensic science
• Pre-medical (Allopathic)
• Pre-medical (Osteopathic)
• Pre-naturopathic medicine
• Pre-optometry
• Pre-pharmacy
• Pre-physical therapy
• Pre-physician assistant
• Pre-public health
• Pre-veterinary

Students who plan to apply to Health Professional Programs often major in Biomedical Sciences, Biology, or Biochemistry because many Pre-Health Program course requirements, such as biology, chemistry and physics, are also major requirements.  However, students are not limited to these majors and are encouraged to work with a Pre-Health Advisor, early on, to ensure the best fit for their pursuits.  Although the Pre-Health Advisor is continuously educated in a broad spectrum of school and program requirements, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand the specific requirements for application to such program(s).  Together, with the Pre-Health Advisor, plans for completing admission requirements, co-curricular pursuits, admission tests, and program application are created via regularly scheduled meetings that should take place throughout the undergraduate experience. 

 Further resources, including advising contact information, are provided on the College of Arts and Sciences Pre-Health website: www.wmich.edu/arts-sciences/academics/pre-professional/pre-health.

Pre-Law

Pre-Law Advisors
Lindsey Millet
Thomas Mills
College of Arts and Sciences Academic Advising Office
2318 Friedmann Hall
(269) 387-4366
www.wmich.edu/arts-sciences/advising/pre-law

Though law schools do not require a specific major or degree program, they do recommend completion of an academically rigorous four-year bachelor’s degree program. Courses in critical analysis, logical reasoning, and written and oral communications can be found in a number of majors. Some typical majors are English, business, political science, philosophy and history, but other disciplines can also be suitable majors. Pre-law students should discuss possible majors and major/minor combinations with their advisor to determine which one best suits them. It is very important that Pre-law students see their advisor on a regular basis for curriculum guidance.

Courses with a strong writing or oral communication component are ideal preparation, as are courses that require legal reasoning, like business law and constitutional law. Courses that allow the student a broader understanding of the structure and processes of government (such as national government, the legal environment, and judicial processes) are also valuable, as are those that focus on the American historical experience.

Students interested in pursuing the further study of law should see a Pre-law advisor as early as possible to select a curriculum.

Accreditation

University Accreditation

Western Michigan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, 230 LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL., 60604-1411; Web site: www.hlcommission.org; Telephone (800)621-7440.

Disclosure of Academic Program Accreditation and Certification Status

The College of Education and Human Development at Western Michigan University is granted Accreditation at the initial-licensure level and advanced-level. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), 1140 19th St NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 223-0077, www.caepnet.org. This Accreditation status is effective between spring 2020 and spring 2027.

The B.S.E. programs in aerospace, chemical, civil, computer, construction, electrical, industrial and entrepreneurial, mechanical, and paper engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

Western Michigan University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (or of NASAD).

The B.S. in Athletic Training (professional program) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The program has been placed on Probation as of February 1, 2020 by the CAATE, 6850 Austin Center Blvd, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78731-3101.

The B.S. in Aviation Flight Science is accredited by Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) under the Flight Education criteria, as well as certified by the Federal Aviation Administration as an FAA Part 141 Flight School and licensed by the State of Michigan Department of Transportation. The B.S. in Aviation Maintenance Technology/Aviation Technical Operations is accredited by Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) under the Aviation Maintenance criteria, as well as certified by the Federal Aviation Administration as an FAA Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Training School. The B.S. in Aviation Management and Operations is accredited by Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) under the Aviation Management criteria.

The M.A. in Psychology (concentration in behavior analysis) and the Ph.D. in Psychology (concentration in behavior analysis) are accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International.

B.B.A. and M.B.A. programs in the Haworth College of Business are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. In addition, the B.B.A. and M.S.A. programs in accountancy are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International – Accounting Accreditation.

The Center for English Language and Culture for International Students (CELCIS) at Western Michigan University is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) for the period 2016 through 2025 and agrees to uphold the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions. CEA is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accrediting agency. For further information about this accreditation, please contact the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation, 801 N. Fairfax St., Suite 402A, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 519-2070, www.cea-accredit.org.

The Ph.D. in Psychology (concentration in clinical psychology) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation, American Psychological Association, c/o Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242, (202) 336-5979.

The M.A. in Coaching Sport Performance is accredited by the National Committee for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE).

The M.A. in Counselor Education (concentrations in clinical mental health counseling; college counseling; marriage, couple and family counseling; rehabilitation counseling; and school counseling), as well as the Ph.D. in Counselor Education, are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

The B.S. in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

The Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation, American Psychological Association, c/o Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242, (202) 336-5979.

Western Michigan University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance (or of NASD). 

The B.S. programs in engineering design technology, engineering management technology, and manufacturing engineering technology are accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission ETAC of ABET, www.abet.org.

The M.S. in Engineering Management is certified by the American Society for Engineering Management, asem.org/Graduate-Program-Cert.

The interior design program leading to the B.S. in Interior Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, www.accredit-id.org, 206 Grandville Avenue, Suite 350, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503-4014.

Western Michigan University is certified for metal casting by the Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF).

Western Michigan University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (or of NASM). 

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) and Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, (202) 463-6930, www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE.

The B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics and the dietetic internship-non-degree program are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The M.S. in Occupational Therapy, offered in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-2682.

The M.A. in Blindness and Low Vision Studies (concentrations in orientation and mobility and vision rehabilitation therapy), is accredited by the Accreditation Council of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER), 1703 N. Beauregard Street, Suite 440, Alexandria, VA 22311.

Effective April 30, 2019, the Doctor of Physical Therapy at Western Michigan University has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314; phone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org). If needing to contact the program/institution directly, please call (269) 387-7352 or email pt-info@wmich.edu. Candidate for Accreditation is a pre-accreditation status of affiliation with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education that indicates that the program is progressing toward accreditation and may matriculate students in technical/professional courses. Candidate for Accreditation is not an accreditation status nor does it assure eventual accreditation.

At its March 2020 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the Western Michigan University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Western Michigan University on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in March 2022. Probation is a temporary status of accreditation conferred when a program does not meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened. Once placed on probation, programs that still fail to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and/or risk having their accreditation withdrawn.Specific questions regarding the Program and its plans should be directed to the Program Director and/or the appropriate institutional official(s).

The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).

The Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) and Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

The Master of Arts education program in speech-language pathology and the doctoral education program in audiology at Western Michigan University are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

Western Michigan University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre (or of NAST).

Copies of accreditation and certification documents are available for review upon request in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

Additional Specialized Program Recognition Leading to Post-Graduation Certification or Licensure of Students

Graduates of the following programs are eligible for initial teacher certification through the State of Michigan Department of Education:

Baccalaureate programs for preparation in art education (B.F.A. program); elementary professional education, elementary/middle school integrated science, language arts, math, and social studies; family and consumer sciences teacher education; health education: school; industrial technology, music education (B.M. program), occupational education studies, secondary education; and special education and elementary education LD and EI K-12; and, the M.A. in Career and Technical Education.

Graduates of the following programs are eligible for advanced teacher certification or an endorsement through the State of Michigan Department of Education:

Master’s programs in art education, educational foundations, educational leadership, English teaching, literacy studies, mathematics education, music education, physical education, school counseling, science education;

Educational specialist program in educational leadership; and

Doctoral programs in educational leadership, mathematics education, and science education.

Graduates of the B.B.A. in Accountancy are eligible to take the following exams, among others: Certified Public Accountant (CPA); Certified Management Accountant (CMA); Certified Internal Auditor (CIA); Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). The requirements to sit for the various professional exams differ by exam and state. It is each student’s responsibility to determine the requirements for a particular exam. The student should be aware that the exam requirements may change over time.

The M.S. in Accountancy program enables graduates to acquire financial leadership skills and additional depth in accounting and related areas. It also allows students interested in public accounting careers to meet the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ (AICPA) and State of Michigan educational requirements required to obtain a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. The State of Michigan requires a total of 150 hours of college credit to obtain a CPA license.

Individuals become eligible for BOC certification through a bachelor’s professional athletic training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Eligible candidates for the BOC exam must be endorsed by the recognized CAATE program director and be registered for their final semester prior to graduation from Western Michigan University with a B.S. in athletic training.

Graduates of the B.S. in Aviation Flight Science earn their Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument, and Single- and Multi-Engine Land ratings. Additional optional flight certificates and ratings include the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), CFI-Instrument, and CFI-Multi-Engine and Single-Engine Sea rating.

Graduates of the B.S. in Aviation Maintenance and Technology are qualified to take the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant written and practical examinations required to earn the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic Certificate.

Graduates of the M.S. in Engineering Management earn the Certified Associate in Engineering Management (CAEM) credential.

The master’s and doctoral programs in psychology (concentration in behavior analysis) are verified by the Association for Behavior Analyst International as meeting degree and coursework requirements to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®) certification examination.

The B.S in psychology (concentration in behavioral science) is verified by the Association for Behavior Analyst International as meeting degree and coursework requirements to sit for the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®) certification examination.

The baccalaureate programs in child and family development, family studies, and youth and community development, and the M.A. in Family Studies – Family Life Education option are approved by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). Graduates of NCFR-Approved academic programs who have completed all courses with a grade of C- or better can apply to NCFR for Provisional or Full Certification through the Abbreviated Application Process. Applicants applying through the Abbreviated Application Process do not need to take the Certified Family Life Education (CFLE) Exam.

Graduates of the M.A. programs in clinical mental health counseling; college counseling; marriage, couple and family counseling; school counseling; and, rehabilitation counseling; as well as the Ph.D. in Counselor Education, are eligible to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) in Michigan after first becoming Limited Licensed Professional Counselors (LLPC). The LPC is granted after 3000 hours of supervised experience (by an LPC) and a passing score on either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) developed by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) or the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination (CRC) developed by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. The NCE and CRCE are the State of Michigan Counselor License Examinations. Graduates from the clinical mental health counseling; college counseling; marriage, couple, and family counseling; and, school counseling concentrations are eligible to become Nationally Certified Counselors (NCC). Graduates from the rehabilitation counseling concentration are eligible to become Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC).

Graduates of the M.A. program in Counseling Psychology are eligible to become Limited License Psychologists (LLP) in Michigan after first becoming Temporary Limited License Psychologists (TLLP). The master’s level LLP is granted after 2,000 hours of supervised experience (by a doctoral level Licensed Psychologist (LP) and a passing score on the Examination for the Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP). In Michigan, master’s level Limited License Psychologists must practice under the supervision of a doctoral level Licensed Psychologist (LP).

The Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology prepares students to become fully licensed psychologists (LP). In Michigan doctoral graduates first apply for a doctoral level Limited License. The LP is granted after 2,000 hours of supervised experience (by a doctoral level Licensed Psychologist (LP) and a passing score on the Examination for the Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP).

Graduates of all programs accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET are eligible to sit for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying® (NCEES). This is the second of four steps to earning a professional license in engineering.

The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, for advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations. The B.S. in Interior Design granted by Western Michigan University meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). For more information about NCIDQ Exam eligibility visit: www.cidq.org/eligibility-requirements.

The B.M. in Music Therapy is approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) as meeting AMTA’s standards of clinical practice. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national board certification exam administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT), to obtain the credential MT-BC (Music Therapist - Board Certified).

Students majoring in Public and Nonprofit Administration are eligible to earn Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance after completing additional requirements.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) pre-licensure program are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®) administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN®).

The WMU Bronson School of Nursing has received endorsement from the American Holistic Nursing Certification Corporation, which is the credentialing body for holistic nursing. This endorsement enables graduates of the B.S.N. and RN-B.S.N. programs to be exempt from prerequisites should they choose to sit for the National Certification Examination in Holistic Nursing.

Graduates of the baccalaureate didactic program in nutrition and dietetics are eligible to sit for the Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) Registration Examination, a national credentialing examination, administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Further, those graduates who successfully complete the post-baccalaureate, non-degree dietetic internship are also eligible to apply and take the Registered Dietitian (RD) Credentialing Examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Beginning in 2024 the entry-level registration eligibility education requirements for the RD credentialing examination will change from a bachelor’s degree to a minimum of a master’s degree.

Graduates of the M.S. in Occupational Therapy are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for occupational therapists administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.

Graduates of the M.A. in Blindness and Low Vision Studies (concentration in orientation and mobility and vision rehabilitation therapy), are eligible to sit for the Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) exam, and graduates of the M.A. in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy are eligible to sit for the Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT) exam. Both exams are administered by the Academic for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP).

Graduates of the B.B.A. in Personal Financial Planning who have completed FIN 3600 Risk and Insurance, FIN 4710 Applications in Personal Financial Planning, FIN 3720 Estate Planning, FIN 3730 Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits, and ACTY 3240 Introductory Tax Accounting are eligible to sit for the CFP® Certification Exam administered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.

Graduates of the Master of Science in Medicine (M.S.M.) in Physician Assistant are eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

Graduates of the M.S. in Engineering Management earn PDU’s to sit for the Project Management Institute’s® Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®) certification exam, and the Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification exam. WMU is a Registered Education Provider (REP) to the Project Management Institute®.

Graduates of the M.A. in Counselor Education (concentration in rehabilitation counseling) are eligible to sit for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam administered by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).

Graduates of the Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) are eligible to apply for the Michigan Limited License Bachelor’s Social Work. Graduates of the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) are eligible to apply for the Michigan Limited License Master’s Social Work.

Graduates of the M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology and the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) are eligible to take the Praxis specialty exam administered by the Education Testing Service as required for the Certification of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. They are also able to apply for state licensure in the state in which they intend to practice. They should, however, consult the state licensing board for the specific requirements for that state.