Arizona State University (ASU) is expanding access to higher education for high school students around the world by bringing college-level courses directly into international and U.S. classrooms. Through partnerships with organizations such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), ASU aims to make university coursework more accessible and affordable for students in regions including Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
Scott Weatherford, executive director of Universal Pathways at ASU Learning Enterprise, explained the approach: “For many schools, the challenge isn’t finding motivated students — it’s finding college options that actually fit their schedules, staffing and systems. We’ve built a model that meets students where they are, earns them real college credit and plugs into the school day without adding burden.”
The collaboration between ASU and IB began in 2023. It allows students enrolled in the IB Career-related Programme to take online ASU courses in subjects such as business, sustainability, and health. These courses are taught by ASU faculty members and offer both university credits and career certificates without requiring GPA or transcript submissions.
At ICS Addis in Ethiopia, this program has enabled students to explore academic interests while reducing future college costs. Deanna Milne, curriculum coordinator at ICS Addis, said: “The biggest draw was students’ ability to dive into areas of specific interest while earning college credit. Whether it’s for financial savings, confidence or career exploration — for most, it’s the chance to do all three.”
Similarly, IGB International School in Malaysia has established dedicated spaces for student advising and collaboration around these courses. Students there earn Education College Foundations Certificates through Universal Learner Courses developed by several colleges within ASU. Gregory Brunton, head of school at IGB International School, stated: “ASU’s outstanding reputation, flexibility and breadth of academic offerings provide our students with meaningful pathways to begin university-level work in a low-risk environment. Our families value access to coursework from a top U.S. university.”
ASU is recognized as the first U.S. university formally acknowledged by IB as a global provider of career-related study. This status streamlines course integration into IB programs worldwide.
Miriam Choi of IB North America noted: “Our partnership with ASU represents a significant step forward in expanding access and opportunity in higher education and career pathways.”
Some schools are customizing their use of ASU coursework beyond established IB frameworks. At Creation Village World School in Florida—a newer IB campus—leaders are introducing ninth graders to foundational skills using ASU-developed classes focused on project management as well as tracks like healthcare and technology. Derek Cummings, head of school at Creation Village World School said: “It really provides core competencies students need to prepare for university, continued education or even going directly into the workforce. It’s helping families better understand what their students can do — and how ASU plays a part in that.”
In another initiative aimed at broadening global literacy among high schoolers worldwide, ASU has partnered with CFR to launch an online Introduction to Global Affairs course worth three credits. The curriculum covers topics such as migration, trade policy, governance issues, and cybersecurity concerns—subjects relevant across borders today.
Laine Munir from ASU’s School of Politics and Global Studies co-designed this course alongside CFR experts based on her experiences working internationally: “Years of living and working across Africa and Asia taught me that the best classrooms don’t always have walls,” Munir said. “Drawing on my policy and humanitarian field experience to design Introduction to Global Affairs let me once again cross borders and build connections, breaking down barriers to link students everywhere with the real-world policy debates driving today’s most pressing global challenges.”
Caroline Netchvolodoff of CFR emphasized why this effort matters: “At the Council on Foreign Relations, we believe that informed citizens are the cornerstone of a healthy democracy,” she said. “Our collaboration with ASU brings this belief to life at scale.”
These efforts are part of ASU’s broader push through its Learning Enterprise platform—which now reaches learners in over 140 countries—to rethink higher education not only as a destination but also as an ongoing process open throughout life stages.
“By removing traditional barriers to dual enrollment and college access, we’re opening new doors for learners around the world,” Weatherford added. “It’s about meeting students where they are and helping them see where they can go.”
