On behalf of the Central faculty and staff: Welcome to Central Washington University!
 We are excited that you chose Central to pursue your education and next steps in your personal journey. Our greatest hope and aspiration for you is success: what that may mean to you now and how you will define it as you approach graduation may change and evolve. CWU offers a diverse, friendly, and inclusive environment to provide you with the space, support, and varied expertise to think, learn, explore, and grow.
Central is well known for its award-winning professors who know your name and want you to succeed; experiential learning opportunities; a diverse student body; and a wide variety of academic programs. In fact, we offer more than 135 majors. CWU ranks as one of the most affordable higher education options in many national college ranking surveys. And for the seventh time in the past eight years, Central has earned the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT into Diversity magazine.
An advantage of choosing Central Washington University is the variety of ways for you to learn. Students at our eight university centers and instructional sites can earn course credit and degrees that meet their individual needs while allowing them to remain close to home.
Central also provides a host of online classes and certifications. Several of our programs, including Psychology, Professional and Creative Writing, have been named among the nation’s top online programs. Our Safety and Health Management program was rated the fifth “Best Value Occupational Safety Degree Program” in the United States, and the Accounting program is listed in the 40 “Best Accounting Degree” programs. In 2020, a national college rating website named Central the “Best Value Online School” in the state of Washington.
During your time at Central, I encourage you to explore Ellensburg and the surrounding areas. The campus is only minutes away from beautiful mountains, nature walks, hiking trails, river rafting, snowboarding, skiing, and many other outdoor activities. Ellensburg itself offers a full schedule of special events as well as great dining and shopping. The Ellensburg area also offers myriad opportunities for hands-on learning such as fieldwork in Environmental Science and Geology, publication of the student-led Hype Magazine, and research in food production at the Wildcat Neighborhood Farm.
One of the best ways to succeed at Central is to immerse yourself in available co-curricular activities ranging from student sports clubs and student government to community organizations and award-winning research teams. We offer living learning communities that suit many interests where you can find a sense of community and belonging. Check out our newest living learning sustainability community. Join a club, play a sport, or volunteer with a student organization; getting involved will enhance your Wildcat experience and provide lifelong benefits and friends.
This catalog is designed to help you navigate your academic pathway to success while at Central. It serves as your resource for courses, programs, and academically-related policies. Please review it so you can have a seamless and enjoyable journey to graduation.
Welcome to CWU!
Michelle DenBeste
Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Life
Central Washington University
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