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BYU–Pathway Worldwide

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BYU-Pathway Worldwide
Former names
PathwayConnect
Established2009; 16 years ago (2009)
Parent institution
Church Educational System
Religious affiliation
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
PresidentBrian K. Ashton
Students80,000
Location
Salt Lake City
,
Utah
,
United States
(Headquarters)[1]
ColorsGold and White
   
Websitewww.byupathway.edu

BYU–Pathway Worldwide (BYU–PW) is a higher education organization supported by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

BYU–PW serves students in more than 180 countries and offers a select list of U.S.-accredited certificates and degrees in partnership with BYU–Idaho and Ensign College. Courses offered through BYU–PW are online and designed to be affordable, flexible, and spiritually grounded. Its mission is to "develop disciples of Jesus Christ who are leaders in their homes, the Church, and their communities."[2][3]

Since its creation in 2009, BYU–PW enrollment has risen exponentially: from 50 original students to over 17,000 by 2013, more than 38,000 by 2017, and nearly 75,000 by 2024.[4][5]

BYU-PW's parent organization, the Church Educational System (CES), sponsors four traditional, on-campus schools—Brigham Young University, BYU–Idaho, BYU–Hawaii, and Ensign College—as well as Seminaries and Institutes of Religion. CES Commissioner Clark Gilbert has said that each CES higher educational organization has a distinctive role and strategy, with BYU–PW being "the access provider" and catering to the "hidden many."[6]

In addition to taking academic and religion courses online, students gather weekly in online groups or at local church facilities. Students participate in educational and leadership activities related to the courses, build friendships, and strengthen their faith.[7] Tuition rates are significantly lower than similar educational organizations, with all students eligible for tuition discounts based on need and enrollment status.[8]

History

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BYU–PW started in 2009 when BYU–Idaho launched PathwayConnect, a one-year, reduced-cost, online program offered to students wherever they lived.[9]

On February 7, 2017, the LDS Church announced the creation of BYU–PW to provide strategic oversight and leadership for the church's online higher education initiatives, which consists of PathwayConnect and online higher education certificate and degree programs.[10] The certificates and degrees are developed and awarded by BYU–Idaho and Ensign College, with BYU–PW providing student support and online access to courses. Clark Gilbert, formerly a president of BYU–Idaho, was credited with developing the program in 2009 and was BYU–PW's first president from 2017[11] until 2021, when he was called as an LDS Church general authority. He was succeeded by Brian K. Ashton.[12]

In 2019, it was announced that all LDS Church returning missionaries automatically receive pre-approval for admission to BYU–PW’s PathwayConnect program.[13] Gilbert stated that the program is intended to be scalable and currently has no enrollment cap.[14]

During 2019, BYU–PW served 44,482 distinct students (28,059 in PathwayConnect and 19,355 in online degree programs). PathwayConnect students participated in 500+ locations throughout 145 countries, and online-degree students participated in all 50 states and 87 countries.[15]

In 2020, BYU–PW reached a new milestone by serving 51,583 students. The year marked the first time BYU–PW served more students outside the United States than within it.[16][17]

Beginning in April 2024, and with approval from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, BYU–Idaho and Ensign College, began offering 90–96-credit bachelor’s degrees through BYU-PW by eliminating elective credits while preserving required major and general education courses.[18][19] CES Commissioner Clark Gilbert has said the idea was to create an affordable, spiritually based program for those often priced out of the education market. This degree is available to students in Africa for as low as $300, and for students in the U.S. for an estimated $6,300.[20][21]

By the end of 2024, BYU–PW had served nearly 75,000 students in 180 countries,[5] and is expected to have over 80,000 students in 2025.[22] As of 2024, 68% of students resided outside the United States, with the highest enrollments in Nigeria, Ghana, and the Philippines.[23] In a podcast interview, BYU–PW president Brian K. Ashton and Vice President of Advancement Matt Eyring discussed how students are securing jobs early in their studies by earning career-boosting certificates before completing their bachelor’s degrees.[22] By partnering with social impact staffing companies, BYU–PW helps connect students to remote and local jobs that offer a sustainable living wage so they can support a family and serve in the LDS Church.[24] Notre Dame professor Viva Bartkus expressed that BYU–PW is now designed to be both an education institution and an economic engine for its students who live in underdeveloped economies.[25]

References

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  1. ^ "Triad Center to be BYU-Pathway Worldwide's New Headquarters". pathwaynewsroom.org.
  2. ^ "Our Story". BYU-Pathway. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  3. ^ Writer, Angie Carter Content; Utah; USA. "Why Choose BYU-Pathway?". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  4. ^ "Facts & Stats". Pathway Newsroom. 2016-01-29. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
  5. ^ a b Apostles, Elder Ronald A. Rasband Of the Quorum of the Twelve. "Right Before Our Eyes". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  6. ^ "Why the Church Educational System Needs More Than Just BYU". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2021-05-19. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  7. ^ Walch, Tad. "A private college degree for less than $9,000: How a 10-year-old school is disrupting higher education", Deseret News, 19 August 2019. Retrieved on 17 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Tuition Discounts". BYU-Pathway. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  9. ^ "Our Story". BYU-Pathway. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  10. ^ "Church Announces BYU–Pathway Worldwide, a Global Higher-Education Mormon". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2017-02-07. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  11. ^ Stack, Peggy Fletcher. "New BYU Pathway offers online higher education to Mormons and others worldwide", The Salt Lake Tribune, 23 February 2017. Retrieved on 17 March 2020.
  12. ^ "Meet the New President of BYU–Pathway Worldwide". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2021-05-26. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  13. ^ Smith, Lisa. "RM's pre-approved for BYU-Pathway Worldwide's Pathway Connect program", Standard Journal, 7 May 2019. Retrieved on 17 March 2020.
  14. ^ Dodson, Brayley. "Continued growth sparks BYU admissions changes, expansion of online church program", Provo Herald, 21 October 2019. Retrieved on 17 March 2020.
  15. ^ "Annual Report 2019". byupathway.org.
  16. ^ October 2020, Ammon Teare9. "More Than 50,000 Students Served in 2020". The Pathway Compass. Retrieved 2021-04-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ "BYU–Pathway Worldwide Enrollment Surpasses 50,000 Students". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2020-10-29. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  18. ^ "Through BYU–Pathway, BYU–Idaho and Ensign College to Offer Three-year Degrees". Newsroom. 2023-09-01. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  19. ^ "A 3-year college degree? BYU-Pathway Worldwide wins approval to launch revolution in higher education". Deseret News. 2023-09-01. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  20. ^ https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/apr/30/ba-6k-byu-pathway-pioneers-three-year-degree-four-figure-price-tag/
  21. ^ "15 Most Affordable Accredited Platforms For Degrees Under $1,000/Year". editorialge.com. 2025-04-08. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
  22. ^ a b "Episode 202: President Brian K. Ashton and Matt Eyring discuss the growing legacy of BYU–Pathway".
  23. ^ https://www.byupathway.edu/fact-sheet-2024
  24. ^ "Annual Report 2023 - Interactive Page". BYU-Pathway. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
  25. ^ "Why one expert says BYU-Pathway Worldwide may be the church's 'biggest gift to the world'". Deseret News. 2025-04-11. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
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