History and/or Overview
Western Governors University is an online university and the only university in the U.S. founded by the governors of 19 states. WGU is also supported by 20 major corporations and foundations and serves over 25,000 students from all 50 states.
The stated mission of WGU is to provide opportunities for hard-working adults to meet their higher educational goals and take advantage of career opportunities.
Tuition is charged at a flat rate every six months. Therefore, if you work hard and finish a program in less time, you may realize significant savings, which is an incentive not found at other major schools.
Funding Source or Type
Western Governors University is a non-profit university, which strives to keep tuition low. Typically, it is half of what other major online universities charge.
Accreditation
Western Governors University is nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). Additionally, it is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities; this is one of the major accrediting commissions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
WGU also has numerous other degree program certifications and accreditations, including:
- National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
- Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)
- National Security Agency’s Information Assurance Courseware Evaluation (IACE) Program.
Western Governors University is unique in that it is the only university to receive regional accreditation simultaneously from four accrediting commissions.
Internal Colleges and Schools
WGU Online Teachers College
Online College of Business
Online College of Information Technology
Online College of Health Professions
Online Degree Programs
Western Governors University offers bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees as well as teacher licensure programs and online graduate programs for licensed teachers. These are summarized below:
|
Bachelor’s of Arts |
Bachelor’s of Science |
Master’s |
| Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8) | Business Management | MBA |
| Early Childhood Education | Business—Human Resource Management | MBA / IT Mgt. |
| Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12) | Business—Information Technology Management | MBA / Healthcare Mgt. |
| Science (5-9) | Sales and Sales Management | MS in Information Security and Assurance |
| Science (Chemistry, 5-12) | Marketing Management | M.S. Nursing / Education |
| Science (Physics, 5-12) | Accounting | M.S. Nursing / Leadership and Management |
| Science (Biological Sciences, 5-12) | Information Technology | M.S. Nursing / Education (RN to MSN Option) |
| Science (Geosciences, 5-12) | Information Technology / Networks Administration | M.S. Nursing / Leadership and Management (RN to MSN Option) |
| Special Education (K-12) |
Information Technology / Networks Design and Management | M.A. Teaching (K-8) |
| Information Technology / Databases | M.A. Teaching, Mathematics | |
| Information Technology / Security | M.A. Teaching, Science | |
| Information Technology / Software | M.A. Teaching, Social Science | |
| Health Informatics | M.S. Curriculum and Instruction | |
| Nursing (RN to BSN) | M.S. Special Education (K-12) |
|
| Nursing (Prelicensure) | M.S. Educational Leadership | |
| M.A. English Language Learning/English as a Second Language (ELL/ESL) (PK-12) | ||
| M.A. Mathematics Education (K-6, 5-9, or 5-12) |
||
| M.A. Science Education (5-9) |
||
| M.A. Science Education (Chemistry, 5-12) | ||
| M.A. Science Education (Physics, 5-12) | ||
| M.A. Science Education (Biological Sciences, 5-12) | ||
| M.A. Science Education (Geosciences, 5-12) | ||
| M.Ed. Instructional Design | ||
| M.Ed. Learning and Technology |
MBA is Master’s of Business Administration
MS is Master’s of Science
MA is Master’s of Arts
M.Ed. is Master’s of Education
Online Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure Programs
Teacher Preparation Program (K-8)
Teacher Preparation Program, Mathematics
Teacher Preparation Program, Science
Teacher Preparation Program, Social Science
Military Students and Veterans
WGU was recognized among the “Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities” for four consecutive years by Military Advanced Education Magazine.
Students are offered VA approved programs under the Montgomery G.I. Bill, for which Reservists and National Guard members may also be entitled to educational benefits. And because of the already low tuition costs, veterans are generally eligible for benefits covering the full cost of tuition, fees and books.
For active-duty, reserve and National Guard military students competency-based degree programs for tuition assistance at WGU have been approved by the U.S. Department of Defense. A number of scholarships are available for active-duty military personnel and military veterans, as well as spouses of military personnel for degree programs in the following colleges:
Teachers College
College of Business
College of Information Technology
College of Health Professions
Financial Aid and Scholarships
WGU is one of the first online universities to be approved to give students federal financial aid. And because tuition costs are so low, students are able to graduate without huge loans to repay.
However, for students requiring financial aid, the following are available:
- Need-based Pell Grants
- Need-based Federal Direct Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized)
- Federal Grant programs (through the U.S. Dept. of Education)
- State Grants – available in 10 states: Arkansas, Indiana, Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Washington
At WGU scholarships are also available for many degree programs. This is one method this University uses to invest in the future of its students. There are scholarships available for both new and current students. For new students these include:
- WGU General Scholarships – up to $4,000
- WGU Partner Scholarships – up to $7,500
- Scholarships for Military Personnel, Veterans, and Spouses – valued up to $2,000
- Scholarships from External Sources
Awards Given and Received
WGU was given the 2008 International Distance Learning Awards. This was awarded in two categories by the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA):
The 21st Century Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning: This was awarded in recognition for achievements as the nation’s first competency-based online university, while recognizing WGU’s success in expanding access to higher education for adults seeking bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Outstanding Leadership by an Individual in the Field of Distance Learning: This was awarded to Dr. Janet Schnitz, who was the former executive director of the WGU’s Teachers College.
Enroll Now!
If the Western Governors University sounds good to you, consider signing up for a few online courses! With little interference with your present routine at home or at work, you can make progress toward your own bachelor’s or master’s degree, or enroll in an Online Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure Program. And you will be the one determining your study schedule and earning a degree at your own pace.
All comments about this Western Governors University article are welcome. This is a continuing series of articles on reviewing and selecting the best online colleges. Do come back soon!
