Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, is the largest religious university and one of the largest private universities in the United States. Named a Top 10 Best Value school in U.S. News & World Report’s 2014 Best Colleges rankings, its tuition is significantly less expensive than similar private universities. Established in 1875, BYU provides an outstanding education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of its sponsor, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The university seeks to develop students of faith, intellect and character who have the skills and the desire to continue learning and to serve others throughout their lives.
BYU’s primary focus is on undergraduate programs in liberal arts, engineering, agriculture, management, and law. Popular majors include exercise science, public health, psychology, English, communications, computer science, political science, economics, management, accounting, and international business. The university is also recognized for its extensive language programs, talented performing arts ensembles, outstanding sports programs, and devotion to combining solid scholarship with the principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
Campus Life
While approximately 98% of BYU’s 34,000 students are members of the LDS Church, other recognized student religious organizations on campus include a Catholic Newman Club, a Christian Fellowship, and a Muslim Student Association. All BYU students are required to follow an honor code that mandates behavior in line with LDS teachings (e.g., academic honesty, using clean language, living a chaste and virtuous life, adherence to dress and grooming standards, abstinence from the consumption of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea, etc.).
BYU is proud to be ranked by Princeton Review as the most “stone-cold sober” school for the 17th year in a row. Its conservative student body apparently prefers the wholesome goodness of ice cream and other sweet treats. The award-winning BYU Creamery has been a Provo tradition since 1949, and the BYU Bookstore has been making its own famous old-fashioned fudge for more than 25 years. Both are a unique and enduring part of the BYU experience.
BYU’s main campus is nestled in a beautiful location at the western base of the Wasatch Mountains where students can find plentiful climbing, hiking, and biking opportunities. The university’s 300+ buildings feature a wide variety of architectural styles, each having been built in the style of its time. The grass, trees, and flower beds on the picturesque 560-acre campus are impeccably maintained. In 2005, the grounds and landscaping won first place in the campus division of America in Bloom’s nationwide competition promoting community beautification.
Independent Study
In addition to college classes, BYU has been offering independent study high school courses for over fifty years. Presently, they have about 200 online courses available for students to choose from. Some homeschool students complete their entire high school program through BYU. Others take one or two courses as a supplement. In any case, BYU is a pretty flexible program allowing students to start a course at any time during the year and work as fast or slow as they want—so long as courses are completed within a year. Some of the highlights of BYU’s online courses include:
1. A large offering of world language courses (Mandarin, Spanish, German, Arabic, Latin, French, American Sign Language, etc.).
2. BYU’s award-winning courses are designed using engaging technology and captivating features.
3. Enrolled students have access to free tutoring for many courses.
4. BYU is a non-profit institution that works very hard to keep the price-point low.
5. Homeschool students in all fifty states have used BYU courses.
6. BYU has dual enrollment options available where you can take university courses while in high school! Upon course completion, you’d receive an official BYU university transcript.
7. Enrollment is open to anyone!
To learn more about BYU’s independent study program, go to: elearn.byu.edu
For more information about BYU, go to: home.byu.edu
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