Are you considering an online degree in teaching? Whether it’s a Bachelor’s or Master’s you may be wondering which online colleges and universities offer the best of the best. There is one university in particular you may be interested in learning about. Have you heard of Western Governors University? It is an accredited American University offering programs in Business, Teacher Education, Information Technology and Health Professions such as Nursing.
Western Governors University is known for it’s outstanding Teacher College with NCATE Accreditation and “recognized and accepted programs.” Here is a brief list of programs you can expect to see at WGU:
Online Teaching and Master’s Programs
- B.A Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8)
- B.A Early Childhood Education
- Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Prep (K-8)
- M.A Teaching (K-8)
- M.S Curriculum Instruction
- Endorsement Preparation Program
You can check out a complete list of online teaching programs on wgu.edu.
What sets WGU apart from other online universities is they have a very appealing tuition plan. Instead of paying a fee per credit hour, WGU charges tuition at a flat rate every six months. Wow, right? So basically as they say it, ” you are paying for the time and not the credit hours.” The tuition is just $2,890 per six-month term. How can an online university such as WGU keep tuition rates as low as this? This is a good question and one that I researched very quickly. Here is what I found out: ”WGU is a non-profit university who doesn’t need to benefit from shareholders.” WGU truly cares about their students so keeping tuition costs low is of utmost importance. Because WGU is strictly online, they don’t have any other concerns such as on-campus learning etc. What do you think of this? Sounds awesome and definitely worth looking into.
Though WGU’s tuition is low they still offer scholarship and financial aid programs to help you achieve your goals and dreams of getting a teaching degree. They even offer corporate reimbursement plans. It’s not a bad idea to check out if your current place of employment is using this program to help further your education.
Admissions Process
Before you decide on Western Governors University, here are a few things you need to consider before going forward with the admissions process:
- Talk with an Enrollment Counselor
- Look at your college experience if any and your work experience
- Your Readiness Assessment results from WGU
- How much time you commit to your studies in order to obtain a teaching degree
Here is what you need for admissions to Western Governors University:
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Submit any official transcripts from other colleges or universities you may have attended in the past.
- You must meet the minimum age requirement of 16
- Must be able to meet “program-specific” requirements
- Must have an interview with Enrollment Counselor
Graduate programs may have slightly different requirements for admissions so checking out those requirements on the website may be of interest to you.
What do you think of WGU? Would you consider obtaining your teaching degree from Western Governors University now that you know how set apart they are from all the rest? We would love to hear from you.
*If you are interested in more information about online education, check out our list of online schools here on classesandcareers.com.
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As the demand continues to grow for more online courses at universities and colleges across the U.S., more and more institutions of higher learning are taking action by starting online degree programs or expanding the ones that are already in place. And one of those institutions taking action is Belhaven University. In an effort to reach more students, Belhaven has recently augmented its online program by making five new degrees available online. The new degrees offered range from an associate’s up to a master’s. Belhaven created these online programs for and around people who cannot be in the classroom every day like traditional students. The five degrees that the university has added to its online catalogue are the following:
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Health Administration
- Master of Sports Administration
- Master of Health Administration
- Associate of Arts in Business
“We are excited about expanding our online offerings, because it allows us to reach even more students who are interested in a Christ-centered education but need the flexibility to take their classes at home and on their own time,” said Kevin Russell, Vice President for University Advancement at Belhaven.
Belhaven’s online degree program differs from other online degree programs, because it emphasizes personal attention to each individual student. The benefits of online learning at Belhaven go further than just the flexibility of classes. Belhaven’s highly qualified faculty and staff offer the type of close, individualized attention to online students not found at most big universities.
“While the programs are academically rigorous, the personal attention students receive during the admission process and once they enroll allows them to focus on their number-one priority… obtaining their degree,” said Russell.
To learn more about Belhaven’s online degree programs, go to the online degree section of the university’s website. Get free information from a list of online schools at Classesandcareers.com.
About Belhaven University
Belhaven University (formerly Belhaven College) is a private Christian liberal arts institution that was established in 1883. Belhaven’s 42-acre main campus is located in Jackson, Mississippi. The university offers 27 bachelor’s degrees and eight master’s degrees. Because Belhaven is a Christian university, its core curriculum is designed to help students navigate through the world of ideas while fostering a Christian worldview. Belhaven is accredited by both the Southern Association of Colleges and the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education to award associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The university also offers pre-professional programs in Christian Ministry, Medicine, Law, Dentistry, Nursing and Medical Technology.
Belhaven University is known for its nationally recognized arts degrees and business school, as well as its diverse out-of -state and international population. Belhaven now serves more than 3,000 students from campuses in Jackson, Memphis, Orlando, Houston, Chattanooga, Atlanta and Online, offering traditional undergraduate degrees, graduate and adult degree programs, and online degree programs. The university sponsors intercollegiate athletic teams that compete in the NAIA’s Mid-South Conference in football and the NAIA’s Southern State Athletic Conference in other sports.
In addition, Belhaven University has repeatedly been named among America’s 100 Best College Buys and is listed as one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News and World Report.
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Several studies and surveys have been conducted recently asking students and prospective students why they would choose to study online. Over 5.6 million students now study online, with a 19% enrollment increase in the past six years. That might not seem like much, but compared to traditional education whose growth was a mere 1.8%, the increase is significant. Over the next ten years, growth is expected to continue, with for-profit universities leading the charge.
With so many traditional college choices out there (over 4000 in the United State alone) why are people choosing online education? Following are just a few reasons that respondents listed in surveys.
Convenience
This is a large category and embodies almost half of the responses gathered. Convenience reasons include: flexibility, family circumstances, inability to travel, and scheduling conflicts. A large number of respondents stated that their heavy work schedule gives them the flexibility to fit the course into their individual schedules. Still others said that their family health and/or personal circumstances made a distance education the logical choice.
Good past experiences
A significant number who responded to the surveys stated they had taken online courses previously and had a positive experience with them. Accredited online universities work to maintain their certifications by providing quality education at an affordable price to the students. They solicit course and professor evaluations from the students, which helps them to make adjustments as needed to ensure they keep a quality teaching faculty.
Frequent travel
Those who travel for a living or travel frequently related to their jobs, found online courses to be the logical choice. Online classes are accessible from any computer with an internet connection, giving the students the freedom to check email, look at their course curriculum, schedule group conferences and even watch class sessions they missed that are recorded to video. Many universities are converting lectures to podcasts which make them accessible on any smartphone with internet capabilities.
Accelerated graduation
Online courses offer students the opportunity to add classes in the summer while at home during break to accelerate their degree requirements and graduate sooner. It is also possible to take an online course from an accredited online college in the summer and receive credit for that course when entering college in the fall.
Recommended by someone
Students took online courses because someone recommended it to them. There are many satisfied customers (graduates) in the online community. The average graduation rate among those who take online courses is 71%.
Get free information about online education!
Need a different type of learning environment
Many learners are more comfortable learning at their own pace. Some people need teachers standing over their shoulders to keep them motivated, others are able to organize and pace themselves on their own without any need for constant reminders. These type of learners thrive in a distance learning environment. If you like working ahead, staying up late at night or studying early, and can resist constant distractions at home, online education might be worth a look.
According to a recent survey (Class Differences-Online Education in the United States, 2010) conducted by the Sloan Consortium, more than twice as many undergraduates attend the University of Phoenix online campus as go to an Ivy League College. If you have been considering an online learning course or are convinced that pursuing an online degree is right for you, there are many options available. Do your research and choose the college and the degree plan that best fits your learning requirements, your desired major, and your schedule.
Gilbert Chesterton said, “Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another”. Online universities give every member of society an opportunity to get an education and pass it on to the next generation.
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