The Center for Academic Support Programs (CASP)

The Center for Academic Support Programs (CASP) helps students succeed at WMU and in life. CASP consists of five programs, including the Academic Skills Center, Writing Center, and University Curriculum, an advising office for students who enter the University without declaring a major.

All CASP services are FREE to WMU students.

The Academic Skills Center (ASC) helps students succeed academically. ASC staff members understand students have different learning styles and needs, so we tailor our instruction to help each student. The ASC offers several key programs:

• Course Tutoring: In these one-to-one and small group sessions, students can review class material with a trained tutor, ask questions, prepare for exams, and clarify class concepts.
• Supplemental Instruction: Guided study sessions for classes many students find challenging, such as chemistry, foreign language, and music therapy, Supplemental Instruction is led by students who have previously excelled in the challenging classes.
• College Success and Reading Seminars: These hour-long seminars teach students to improve study skills, reading strategies, time management, and other strategies needed for college (and life) success.

The Writing Center helps students better understand and use writing strategies. In one-to-one sessions with students we teach them to make better choices about texts they create for classes, work, or personal needs. Our consultants help students improve their drafting, organizing, and proofreading abilities, write for different audiences, respond to challenging writing assignments, and much more. We advise writers from all majors and from all levels. We succeed with students because we talk with them about their own work and writing decisions. Encourage your students to take advantage of our expertise throughout their WMU careers.

University Curriculum (UNV) is the temporary advising home for first-year students who enter Western Michigan University without a declared major. UNV advisors offer such students personalized academic advising and assistance with career exploration. All UNV students participate in the First Year Experience program, all eventually declare a major, and move to another advising office within WMU. University Curriculum also includes the Alpha Program, a special admissions program for select students.

CASP also houses the TRIO Student Success Program, a federally-funded program for approximately 300 first-generation college students, and the Intellectual Skills Program, which is responsible for reading, writing, and mathematics placement testing.

All our programs are located in Moore Hall; our Web site is Center for Academic Support Programs and our telephone number is (269) 387-4411. Stop by our offices or visit us online to learn how CASP can help your student optimize the WMU undergraduate experience.