Western Governors University

About Western Governors University

Western Governors University, a nonprofit private university, provides an innovative, efficient way to get the respected and accredited education you want. Our competency-based approach emphasizes mastery of essential skills and knowledge instead of accumulating credit hours, rewarding focused, hard working professionals. Progress toward your online degree is based on passing rigorous assessments that measure your skills and knowledge in your field of study. WGU's programs are best designed (well suited) for people with at least one year or more of college completed.

WGU is the recipient of the USDLA 21st Century Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning for 2011, awarded in recognition of our success in expanding access to higher education. WGU has been featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams in their 'What Works' segment and TIME Magazine called WGU 'the best relatively cheap university you've never heard of'.

With multiple degree programs in education, business, healthcare, and information technology, WGU's rigorous yet flexible approach gives the university a unique advantage over other online programs. Here's what the WGU advantage means to you:

-          Flexibility and Affordability. Our competency-based approach gives you the flexibility to use your existing knowledge and experience to pass your assessments as quickly as you can. You pay one flat rate per six-month term, so if you're able to pass the assessments at a faster pace, you can save time and money.

-          Credibility through Accreditation. WGU is regionally and nationally accredited. It is the only university ever to have received accreditation from four regional accrediting commissions. WGU's Teachers College is also now NCATE-accredited – the first online university to achieve that distinction.

-          Commitment and Support. At WGU, students are supported by a mentoring team committed to success. You'll work with a progress manager, faculty mentors and a support staff that will keep you motivated as they steer you toward your degree.

If you're an organized, independent learner willing to devote at least 15-20 hours a week to your studies but require flexibility in time and place to complete your education, WGU could be the answer. As a nonprofit institution, WGU does not rely on state or federal funding.

Western Governors University Services

There's no university quite like Western Governors University (WGU). Created by the governors of 19 U.S. states to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based programs, WGU's mission has remained one of helping hard-working adults meet their educational goals and improve their career opportunities.

The founding governors insisted that WGU be affordable, flexible, and student-focused. Hence, WGU strives to help as many students as possible--including minorities, first-generation college students, those with modest incomes, and others whose lives or geographic locations do not allow them to attend traditional, campus-based colleges

Western Governors University Learning Format

Our competency-based approach allows for extensive personalization of your degree program. With assessments determining your success instead of credit hours, you’ll enjoy an education that fits your lifestyle. In most cases, you will access course material or study independently at the time and place you choose.

Western Governors University Tuition/Financial Aid

Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

Western Governors University Faculty

WGU students are supported by a mentoring team committed to success. You’ll work with a progress manager, faculty mentors, teachers, and a support staff that will keep you motivated as they steer you toward your degree.

Western Governors University Accreditation

Western Governors University is the only university to have received simultaneous accreditation by four regional accrediting commissions. Currently, WGU's 'home' accrediting commission is the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the same organization that accredits such leading institutions as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and other public and private colleges. WGU is also nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). WGU is the first online university to receive NCATE accreditation for its degree programs that lead to teacher licensure from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).  WGU's Health Informatics program is now accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

Western Governors University's Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).