"Change will not end. The phrase 'rethinking education' is not to be only a slogan for the transformation from a two-year to a four-year status. The school is to be a place of educational innovation permanently."
- Elder Henry B. Eyring
Developing disciple-leaders
Guided by its affiliation with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, BYU-Idaho seeks to develop students who are faithful disciples and capable leaders.
Learning by Study and Faith: The Academic Experience
at BYU-Idaho
Take one look at Brigham Young University-Idaho's distinctive academic structure and you will see this is a teaching focused institution where students learn by study and faith with the help of dedicated instructors.
Guided by its affiliation with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, BYU-Idaho seeks to develop students who are faithful disciples and capable leaders. This is done by creating a wholesome, righteous learning community in which students can strengthen their testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and receive a quality education that prepares them for leadership in the home, the Church, and the workplace.
With this mission in mind, BYU-Idaho is continually working to raise the quality of each student's experience, while searching for cost effective ways to make a BYU-Idaho education available to many more of the Church's youth. BYU-Idaho is establishing an innovative educational model that blends a traditional liberal arts education with specialized professional training.
Students receive a broad educational experience that emphasizes gospel and moral values, develops an appreciation for education, and stresses the importance of being good citizens. At the same time, they are prepared to enter the workforce as skilled contributors thanks to internships, the Student Activities Program, and other experiential learning opportunities.
As a two-tiered institution, BYU-Idaho offers a variety of associate and bachelor's degrees, giving students the opportunity to choose the direction of their education. Associate degrees offer students specialization in a major field of study along with a carefully selected curriculum of general education. Specialized bachelor's degrees focus on a specific discipline, while integrated bachelor's degrees allow students to incorporate other related fields of study into their chosen major.
BYU-Idaho's vast academic offerings are spread across six colleges:
The instructors in these various disciplines engage in a wide range of scholarly and research activities, but their primary focus is always on the teaching and development of students.
BYU-Idaho operates on a year-round basis that allows more students the opportunity to attend. The academic calendar is divided into three equal semesters: winter, spring, and fall. Students are admitted to one of three tracks: spring/fall, fall/winter, or winter/spring. Students are "off-track" for one semester each year, and they stay on the same track through graduation.
This unusual approach to calendaring makes BYU-Idaho appealing to internship providers because students are available throughout the year. BYU-Idaho is one of the largest intern-providing institutions in the nation, and students are also placed internationally. An internship with an approved experience provider is an integral component of a BYU-Idaho education and is often a required element for both associate and bachelor degree seeking students.
