Are you someone who loves to learn? Maybe you want to “go back to school” and get your degree? Or are you seeking a way to feed your spiritual appetite? These things are all possible with the PathwayConnect program through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
If you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, you are eligible to enroll as a student in the PathwayConnect Program. After the program is complete, the students are then allowed to receive a certificate, associate degree or bachelor’s degree from BYU-Idaho for only $71 per credit, a substantial decrease from the regular cost.
Over the period of one year, or three semesters, students will complete course work online and gather once a week with other local PathwayConnect students, where they will gain valuable friendships, gain confidence and learn in a variety of ways.
During each semester, students are given a light course load of work wherein they will learn both academic and religious studies.
On the PathwayConnect webpage we learn, “PathwayConnect courses are designed to help students learn basic skills and gain the confidence and abilities needed to succeed in college and in life.”
PathwayConnect students may range in ages from 18-31 or 31+ years of age. Every Thursday for one year, students will gather at either a church or institute building where they will engage in leadership and educational activities based on their courses. Furthermore, students will also develop a stronger testimony of Jesus Christ.
Again, on the webpage, www.byupathway.lds.org, we learn that 55% of students who completed PathwayConnect pursued further education from BYU-Idaho online or another school; 40% improved employment; and 90% increased their ability to learn new skills and gain knowledge. Also, 94% improved their personal prayers and 98% increased their testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Free academic tutoring is also available. Missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints oversee the gatherings each Thursday and are also there to help in any way but are not meant to teach the class.
In the Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:119, we read, “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.”
Life Skills, Applied Math and Basic Writing are the three courses taught during the year with PathwaysConnect, as well as, The Book of Mormon—Another Testament of Jesus Christ.
In addition, students may learn about: Budgeting, time management, goal setting, career planning, organization and study skills, critical decision making and more are all incorporated into the learning process.
”PathwayConnect's low tuition brings a university education within reach of many who thought they could not afford it. Tuition1 varies by country and is carefully set to match the economic circumstances of local residents.”
Those who have been through the PathwayConnect program look back with great memories of the experience and are thankful they did it! One member of the Church remarked how she wishes, “all members of the Church could do this!”
I have begun the PathwayConnect Program myself, and I have loved every minute! Elder Mark and Sister Patty Williams are the missionaries over my gathering group. It has been a joy to get to know them along with several of my new friends.
I would like to thank my beautiful cousin, Brittney Cummings, for inviting me to join PathwayConnect with her! We’ll learn together! I am so excited to study the Book of Mormon in greater depth and gain a higher education from BYU-Idaho.
If you’re considering getting your education and developing a stronger testimony in the Gospel of Jesus Christ—you may find more information in the PathwayConnect program by going to www.byupathway.lds.org
