LDS Church announces BYU-Pathway Worldwide, a global higher-education organization

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the creation of a global higher-education organization, BYU–Pathway Worldwide (BYU–PW). The institution will have responsibility for all online certificate and degree programs offered by the Church Educational System (CES). Pictured, from left to right, are Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency; Clark Gilbert, current president of BYU–Idaho, will oversee this new organization. BYU–Pathway Worldwide and Elder Kim B. Clark of the Seventy and Church Commissioner of Education. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the creation of a global higher-education organization, Tuesday. BYU–Pathway Worldwide will have responsibility for all online certificate and degree programs offered by the Church Educational System (CES).

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, made these announcements during a press conference on Temple Square.

“Pathway was created to make college educational opportunities available to those who otherwise would not have them,” said President Uchtdorf. “Pathway is a bridge into the world of online college education and a pathway to opportunities for a successful lively hood.”

BYU–Pathway Worldwide was originally called BYU–Idaho’s Pathway program, which began in 2009 with 50 total students at three pilot sites in Idaho, Arizona and New York. The program has since expanded to nearly 500 sites in 50 countries and has served 57,000 students.

Elder Kim B. Clark of the Seventy and Church Commissioner of Education said the key features of BYU–Pathway Worldwide’s programs will be the combination of online learning and local gathering activities. Tuition will also be based on the income levels of where the students are living.

“If you maintain a B average in the coursework, in that first year of Pathway, we waive all the academic requirements for entrance into the online certificate and degree programs,” said Elder Clark. “That means you don’t have to have an ACT score, you don’t need a GPA, in fact you even have to have graduated from high school.”

Clark G. Gilbert, current president of BYU–Idaho, was announced as the new president of BYU–Pathway Worldwide. The organization will be based in Salt Lake City, and will begin operating May 1, 2017.

Later Tuesday afternoon, Henry J. Eyring, BYU-Idaho’s current academic vice president was named the institution’s 17th president, to replace President Gilbert. He will begin his service April 10, 2017.

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