BYU-Pathway is helping students worldwide strengthen their temporal and spiritual foundations
“Heavenly Father brought me to BYU-Pathway, and everything started working. Oh boy, I was so happy!” Temilayo said. “He’s so merciful. He has never left us alone.”
Equal access to education and opportunity
It’s not realistic for everyone to travel to a campus in the Church Educational System, so BYU-Pathway brings higher education to the world, creating opportunities for students to earn marketable certificates and degrees wherever they live.
On a larger scale than ever before, BYU-Pathway is helping students fortify their temporal and spiritual foundations to create hopeful futures and become “established in all their lands of promise.”Becoming spiritually established
Helping students become spiritually established is a key part of BYU-Pathway’s mission: to develop disciples of Jesus Christ who are leaders in their homes, the Church, and their communities. Students strengthen their faith as they learn more about the Savior, follow prophetic direction, and prepare to make and keep sacred covenants in holy temples.
Faith-based courses
All BYU-Pathway students take academic and religion courses founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Integrating academic and spiritual learning helps students of all faiths and backgrounds — including more than 9,700 friends of the Church in 2024 — forge a relationship with the Savior.
Devotionals
Monthly devotionals featured prophetic voices from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, as well as the Ashtons, other Church leaders, and special guests. President Ashton also shared devotionals for service missionaries. All devotionals invite viewers to come closer to Jesus Christ.
President Ashton promised students, “By exercising faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement and making and keeping covenants, you will build your life upon the ‘rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ.’ In so doing, you will receive strength, power, and inspiration to meet the challenges in your life.”We used to leave our country in search of greener pastures. But now, with BYU-Pathway, greener pastures are coming to us. We are building Zion right where we are.
Earl Walters, a student from Connecticut, USA, found strength in Jesus Christ after his youngest daughter, Victoria, passed away. “Life was very dark for my wife and me,” he said.
Victoria had been a BYU-Pathway student. Searching for a way to cope with his grief, Earl decided to enroll in her honor. Returning to university was challenging after being away for over 50 years, but he persevered. “I strengthened my faith, testimony, and conversion,” he said. “I learned to focus on Jesus Christ and pray in ways I never dreamed possible.” Through the Savior, Earl found healing. He also became a service missionary for BYU-Pathway so he could use his experience to help other students.
Becoming temporally established
BYU-Pathway served nearly 75,000 students in 180 countries in 2024, many of whom face significant economic and financial challenges. To help them become temporally established, BYU-Pathway prepares students to earn a sustainable living wage — meaning they can support a family, fulfill Church callings, and still have adequate personal and family time. Providing these opportunities fills students with greater hope.
Three-year bachelor’s degrees
BYU-Pathway began offering three-year bachelor’s degrees in April 2024. These optimized 90–96-credit degrees eliminate elective credits while preserving required major and general education courses, reducing the time and cost needed to complete a degree by 25%.
Remote jobs for students
BYU-Pathway tripled the number of students connected with remote jobs from companies that provide flexible schedules and higher wages ( learn more ). On average, students improve their employment two to three times before graduation.
Octavio Krasnoselsky has benefited from steady remote jobs during a difficult political and economic time in Argentina. “BYU-Pathway not only prepared me for these positions but also helped me to expand my network,” he said. “Every time someone asks me about my career, I answer, ‘Enroll in BYU-Pathway! It’ll change your life.’”
New student information system
To streamline the student experience so students can graduate faster and more easily in the years to come, BYU-Pathway transitioned to a new student information system (SIS). Previously, students applied to BYU-Pathway, BYU-Idaho, and Ensign College separately — and their data moved with them. With the new SIS, the application and data for all online programs (including EnglishConnect 3) have been consolidated into BYU-Pathway.
BYU-Pathway gave me the opportunity to continue my academic learning and build my foundation on the Savior.
Alex Santos da Silva, a student from Brazil, enrolled in BYU-Pathway after his mission. He had very little money and worked multiple jobs while taking courses. “I remember doing assignments when I was very tired,” he said, “but I could see how it would change my life.”
Before graduating in December 2024, Alex landed a competitive investment banking internship with JPMorgan Chase. He said, “Just 1.7% of the people who apply for the job get it. It’s crazy that someone who came from nothing is interning for the biggest bank in the world. I am so grateful for this opportunity.”
As Alex continues his career, he shares what he’s learning with others in Brazil. “I talk to a lot of students and try to help them,” he said. “There’s always opportunity for growth, and I know that God is going to bless us.”
Building Zion worldwide
Through BYU-Pathway the Lord is providing students around the world with greater opportunities to make and keep covenants and become self-reliant. They are cultivating greener pastures in their lands of promise and building Zion right where they are.
“BYU-Pathway is a great blessing that has been foretold,” said Temilayo. “Heavenly Father promised to bless His people in Zion, and that is happening all over the world.”
