Image Carousel



Overview
College of Western Idaho (CWI) offers you the opportunity to complete what has traditionally been referred to as your General Education or core classes and earn a college certificate in the process. What’s great about this certificate is that you can transfer to any Idaho public university or college, and the credits you earned will fulfill general core classes there.
You can earn the General Education Academic certificate by itself or along with your degree. Transferring is made simpler because you have a designation on your transcript that you have completed the General Education program.
This General Education Academic Certificate consists of 36 credits.
Areas you will study:
- Ethical Reasoning
- Global Perspectives
- Written Communication
- Oral Communication
- Mathematics
- Science
- Humanities and Arts
- Behavioral and Social Science
Be sure to check out which classes are available online!
Mission
Courses in the General Education Academic Certificate at CWI will engage students to consider other contexts and viewpoints, communicate with clarity and accuracy, and apply solutions and ideas. Students will be prepared to move forward in their academic career with a solid foundation from the General Education courses they completed at the College of Western Idaho.
Why This Program
The CWI General Education Academic Certificate gives you the opportunity to earn credits that will count towards your future whether or not you have already decided your career path. CWI General Education classes are taught by instructors with at least a master’s degree. You receive a high-level education at a fraction of the cost of universities in Idaho.
Requirements and Costs
Degrees and Certificates
General Education - Academic Certificate
1.5
YEARSAC
Advising
Navigating your way through college can be confusing, especially if you try to go it alone. CWI offers advising assistance to help in deciding which courses you need to take to reach your education and career goals. Visit Advising or contact One Stop Student Services for more information.
Connecting With Ideas
Connecting With Ideas (CWI 101) is designed to prepare students with the skills to succeed in college, a career, and life. Completion of CWI 101 is a general education requirement of students seeking to earn an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree from CWI. Students are encouraged to take CWI 101 during their first semester.
Explore CWI 101 PathwaysTransfer
Individuals admitted to CWI as a degree-seeking student who have earned college credit from another institution may transfer their credits to CWI. Visit Transferring to CWI to learn more.
Plan ahead for your transition to a four-year college or university. Students are encouraged to work closely with their advisor and representatives from the intended transfer school to ensure a smooth transition beyond CWI. Visit Transferring From CWI to explore our transfer partnerships.
General Education courses transfer to all public colleges and universities in Idaho. The General Education Academic Certificate meets the General Education requirements for any Associates or Bachelor’s degree at a public college or university in Idaho.
Cost & Aid
As a student in this program, you may be eligible for financial aid and scholarships. Visit Cost & Aid to view tuition and fees, explore types of aid, apply for federal financial aid, and more.
Are you a 2024 Idaho high school graduate? Learn how to get up to $8,000 of your tuition and fees covered at CWI through Idaho LAUNCH.
Career Info
The skills developed in CWI’s General Education Program help students succeed in any work environment because employers want people who can solve problems, communicate effectively, and apply knowledge and skills to new situations. Graduates understand that success in our interconnected world requires consideration of multiple perspectives, cultures, and contexts. The General Education Academic Certificate will ensure students gain these skills and are well prepared for employment.
Instructors
Program Department Chair
Respectful Community
College of Western Idaho is committed to maintaining a Respectful Community by providing equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate in services, benefits, or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status, age, or any other legally protected status. More on Title IX
News and Blogs

Congratulations to Greg Wilson, College of Western Idaho’s Faculty of Distinction for January 2021.

College of Western Idaho student, Brandon Edralin, won a new Apple iPad during the College’s mobile app giveaway!

Congratulations to Jana McCurdy, College of Western Idaho’s Faculty of Distinction for March 2019.

Faculty who teach General Education courses recognized for exemplary teaching, creativity, excellence, delivery, and service.
Academic Transfer
- Agriculture Business, Leadership, and Education
- Animal Veterinary Science
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Biotechnology Laboratory Assistant
- Business
- Chemistry
- Communication
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice
- Education, Elementary
- Education, Secondary
- Engineering
- English
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
- Exercise Science
- General Education
- Geographic Information Systems
- Geography
- Geosciences
- Health Science and Public Health
- History
- Liberal Arts
- Mathematics
- Media Arts
- Military Science (Army ROTC)
- Nursing, Registered
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
- Sign Language Studies
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Studio Art
- Swift Programming