WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
Salt Lake City, Utah
The University
Western Governors University (WGU) is the nation's only online, competency-based university and was specifically designed to help adults fit college into their already busy lives. WGU students earn their degrees by demonstrating their skills and knowledge in required subject areas through a series of expert-designed assessments.
Founded by the governors of several western states, WGU is currently supported by nineteen states and governors and by more than twenty leading corporations and private foundations. WGU is a private, nonprofit university and is regionally accredited by four regional accrediting associations, including the Northwest Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities and the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. WGU is also nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).
WGU has approximately 1,200 students enrolled from forty-six U.S. states, nine foreign countries, and the U.S. military. From 2001 to 2002, enrollment in programs doubled. Most WGU students work full-time, have a family, and find it inconvenient or impossible to commute to a college campus because of geographic or time restrictions. The average WGU student is around 40 years old.
Students may choose from associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. The University focuses on three degree areas: information technology, business, and education.
With the assistance of a $10-million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the Teachers College of Western Governors University is addressing the looming national teacher shortage with online, competency-based degree programs for current and aspiring educators. The Teachers College currently offers master's degrees for already-certified educators, secondary math endorsements, and initial teacher certification programs in elementary education (K–8) at the bachelor's, postbaccalaureate, and master's degree levels. The teaching certificates and endorsements the student earns are recognized by multiple states. The programs were developed using more than 10,000 state and national teacher standards, including those from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Location
While its administrative offices are located in Salt Lake City, Utah, all WGU programs are online and accessible to students located anywhere in the world. It is truly a university without boundaries.
Majors and Degrees
WGU students may choose from three degree areas: information technology, business, and education.
WGU offers both associate and bachelor's degrees in business. Students can choose from a Bachelor of Science in business–human resource management, Bachelor of Science in business–information technology management, or Associate of Science in business. Additional undergraduate degrees in business are under development.
For students interested in a degree in information technology, WGU offers the Bachelor of Science in computer information systems, Associate of Science in information technology, Associate of Applied Science in information technology–Certified Novell Engineer (CNE), and Associate of Applied Science in information technology–network administration.
The Teachers College offers a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies with teacher licensure (K–8) for uncertified teachers, school paraprofessionals, and others who wish to become fully certified teachers. Additional undergraduate degrees in education are under development, including initial teacher certification programs in secondary education (math and science).
WGU also offers an Associate of Arts degree for those seeking to complete a general education. The Associate of Arts degree is an excellent choice for school paraprofessionals who need to meet the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act.
Academic Program
Unlike traditional universities, WGU does not award degrees based on a given number of credit hours a student accumulates or on a certain set of required courses a student must complete. Instead, students earn their degrees by demonstrating their skills and knowledge in required subject areas through a series of carefully designed assessments, which typically include tests, projects, and a portfolio. Students who enter with some competencies (due to life, work, or prior education) speed up considerably the time it takes to earn their degrees.
Each student is assigned a faculty mentor–an expert in the student's field of study–who works with the student one-on-one from enrollment to graduation. At the beginning of a student's program, the mentor helps the student determine what he or she already knows and what he or she needs to learn to prepare for the assessments required of that degree program. Together they develop a personalized Academic Action Plan–a roadmap and schedule for completing the degree program. In addition, the mentor advises the student on the classes he or she needs and guides the student through the assessment process.
The Academic Action Plan specifies the courses and other learning opportunities the student uses to prepare for the assessments. Based on the student's needs, preparation may include taking classes, independent study, or other alternative methods of learning. Students can choose from more than 1,000 high-quality courses from dozens of institutions throughout the U.S.
All new students begin their WGU academic experience with a four-week introductory course, Education Without Boundaries. This is the only course WGU requires the student to take. The course is designed to help the student understand WGU's competency-based programs, identify their learning styles, gain skills in online research, review time management and study skills, practice using online communication tools such as threaded discussions and chat, and connect with peers and mentors in an online community.
Academic Facilities
As an online university, WGU has no classrooms, dormitories, student center, or other physical facilities for student use. However, WGU strives to make sure students feel connected and maintains a warm, personal relationship between faculty members and students. Students can access all the services they need to succeed via the Internet: an online library, bookstore, and catalog; access to online learning communities; a mandatory introductory course; and one-on-one advising with a WGU mentor. Students stay connected to their WGU mentors, course professors, and fellow students via e-mail, phone, online discussion groups, and other methods.
Costs
WGU tuition is affordable for nearly everyone. Tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition is based on a six-month term (not the traditional semester). Tuition for the Associate of Arts degree and undergraduate degrees in business and information technology is $1790 per term. Tuition for undergraduate programs with teacher licensure is $2250 per term. Tuition includes courses scheduled on the student's Academic Action Plan, plus all required assessments and mentoring services, but does not include the cost of books or other learning materials required for courses. Students also pay a library fee of $25 per term and a one-time, nonrefundable $100 application fee. Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Financial Aid
WGU was selected by the U.S. Department of Education to be one of the first online learning institutions in the country allowed to provide federal financial aid to distance education students. Aid includes Federal Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans. Teachers who commit to work in certain high-needs schools may be eligible to have their loans forgiven or waived. To be considered for financial aid, applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available online.
A limited number of scholarships are available to qualified WGU students. The majority of these scholarships have been earmarked by their donors for K–12 teachers and prospective teachers in particular states or locations.
For details about financial aid and scholarships, applicants should visit the WGU Web site or speak to a WGU enrollment counselor.
Faculty
There is nothing like WGU's mentor program in all of higher education. WGU mentors–who hold doctoral or other advanced degrees in the subject area–regularly work one-on-one with the students. Whether full-time or part-time, the mentor is fully dedicated to helping his or her students succeed. The mentor (or in some cases, mentors) works with the student until he or she graduates. The student and mentor communicate by e-mail or phone on a regular basis, typically at least every two weeks.
Other WGU faculty members include council members who develop competencies and approve assessments for degree programs. Teaching faculty members are located at WGU-affiliated institutions that offer courses through the WGU catalog.
Admission Requirements
WGU promotes an open admission policy. Although WGU encourages all individuals who are interested to apply for admission, adults who work full-time and have existing competencies in the degree they wish to pursue are strongly encouraged to apply. The admissions process is designed to help the student learn about the nature of study at WGU and to help both the student and the University reach an informed decision about the student's enrollment.
Most degree programs do not require a minimum GPA (grade point average). Applicants must be at least 16 years old and must demonstrate an ability to benefit from WGU degree programs. A high school diploma or its equivalent is required for entry into all undergraduate degree programs. Applicants must submit official transcripts of all prior academic work within the past five years. An intake interview and skill survey/questionnaire must be completed. Some programs also require a preassessment. Final admission into the programs that include initial teacher licensure also require letters of recommendation, a mandatory criminal background check, and two structured essays. These items can sometimes be deferred until the student is already in the program.
Transfer students who have already earned an A.A. or A.S. degree may generally enroll in a bachelor's degree program as upper-division students. Other students may transfer their previous learning by moving directly to the required assessments as soon as they feel ready.
Because WGU degree programs are designed to be delivered regardless of a student's physical location, there are no residency requirements. Students residing outside the U.S. are asked to assist WGU in locating an adequate assessment center (typically a university testing center) near their home where they can take the required assessments to complete their degree in a supervised, proctored environment. International applicants whose native language is not English must submit results of the TOEFL, taken within the past year. A minimum score of 550 is required.
Application and Information
The University does not follow a traditional calendar. New students may enroll at any time and begin their program on the first business day of any month.
Applying to WGU is quite simple. There are no application deadlines. Prospective students may apply at any time to WGU by completing an online application form at the Web site listed below. There is a $100 nonrefundable application fee.
Typically, within a few business days of applying, applicants are contacted by WGU regarding the status of their application. If the applicant is not admitted, WGU lets the applicant know why and what he or she can do to prepare to reapply. When an applicant is accepted, an intake interview is scheduled to answer any questions the applicant may have about WGU and discuss his or her degree program.
WGU enrollment counselors are available to answer questions and provide assistance with the application process. Students can contact an enrollment counselor at:
