Western Governors University: 2015

Contact US :: Western Governors University

Contact US :: Western Governors University

Accreditation and Recognition

WGU is regionally, NCATE, and CCNE* accredited. WGU is also a USDLA Best Practices in Distance Learning Award recipient.

*The bachelor's and master's degree programs at WGU are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, 202-887-6791).

Technical Information

Employment From Western Governors University

Employment From Western Governors University

Western Governors University—the nation’s only competency-based, accredited, online university—is a great place to work.

The university looks for leaders with a strong commitment to our mission of expanding access to higher education. We also actively engage in recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and student body that includes members of historically underrepresented groups.
WGU is an innovative leader in distance higher education, receiving numerous accolades from educators and industry leaders. The university currently offers online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in teacher education, business, information technology, and health professions including nursing.

Technical Information

Online Library and Merchandise From Western Governors University

Online Library and Merchandise From Western Governors University

The WGU Central Library

The WGU Library offers full-text, online access to thousands of subscription-based scholarly journals, industry periodicals, magazines, and newspapers, as well as an extensive collection of ebooks. Students can get research assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from our Ask a Librarian chat service, attend live webinars to learn more about research and using the library, or use the convenient online tutorials.
The WGU Library is available only to current WGU students and faculty. WGU graduates have continued access to many resources in the Alumni Library.

WGU Merchandise

Students, mentors, alumni, and friends of WGU can acquire WGU apparel and other merchandise through the services of our contracted online store.

Student and Graduate Profiles From Western Governors University

Student and Graduate Profiles From Western Governors University

Meet Our Students and Graduates
WGU’s student body may be diverse, but all of our students lead busy lives and share many of the same challenges to earn their degrees. Most of our students work full-time while working on their degrees and balancing families and other life responsibilities. All of our students and graduates have a “story”, so take some time to get to know some of them by clicking on the profiles below.

Student Profiles

Nikki Skinner, M.A. Science Education Student
Jennifer West, M.S. Special Education Student
Gregory Rondot, B.S. Information Technology Student
Roger Jerman, M.A. in Teaching Science Student
Sharing her WGU Experience: Tessa Ashworth, B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies Student and Spouses to Teacher Scholarship recipient
A True WGU Family Affair: Charice Black, MED Learning and Technology; Dale Nelson, M.A. in Teaching Science; Dottie Brereton, B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies; Dean Brereton, M.S. in Nursing Education
Michael Perry, B.S. Information Technology Graduate and MBA Student

Graduate Profiles
Maria Vega, B.A. Science (5 - 9)
Judy McCowin, M.S. Educational Leadership
Keith Plant, B.S. Nursing
Vicki Dippner-Robertson, M.S. Nursing—Education
Jill Howard, MBA Healthcare Management
Mitzi Adams, M.A. Math Education
Tammy Hosang, B.S. Nursing
Jozelda Porter, M.S. Educational Leadership
Justin Osmond, M.B.A.
Dallan Jones, B.S. Information Technology
Larry Manch, B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8)
Dolores Northrup, B.S. Nursing Graduate
Philip Breiding, B.A Science and M.A. Science Education Graduate
Jose Gracia Medrano, B.S Accounting Graduate
Tammy Ramsey, B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate
Joanna Goslin, B.S. Business in Human Resource Management Graduate
Leila Crouse, M.S. in Health Education Graduate
Shari Davis, B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate
Scott Saunders, B.S. Information Technology Graduate
Father of Seven and VP of a Business Finds Time to Earn MBA
A Mother Studies on the Sidelines In Hopes of Becoming a Teacher
Roger Osborne Defeated His Personal Goliath to Earn His Degree from WGU
Kimberly Lillywhite Finally Reached Her Lifelong Goal…Just 18 Years Later
WGU Helps a Deaf Student Achieve Her Dream of Becoming a Teacher
A Seriously Ill Teenage Daughter Became her Mother's Inspiration to Finish her MBA
Trudy Sutherland, B.A. Social Science Graduate
Jennifer Tenney, B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate
Michael Friesen, MBA Graduate
David Dart, B.S. IT Management Graduate
A Student's Story: Dorothy Etheridge, B.S. Business Management Graduate
Laura Barber, M.A. in Teaching Science Graduate
Wilfrid Ky, B.S. Information Technology Graduate
William Sparkman, B.A. Mathematics Graduate
Elizabeth Hayes, M.A. in English Language Learning Graduate
Michael Alvarez, MBA in Healthcare Management Graduate
Elizabeth Carroll, M.A. Learning and Technology Graduate
Tara McDougall, B.S. Business Management Graduate
Bill Luton, B.S. Business Management and MBA Graduate
Stefanie Kelly, B.S. Marketing Management Graduate
Gary Carmichael, M.A. Learning and Technology Graduate
Bill Parisen, B.S. in Business and MBA Graduate

The Highest Form of Accreditation From Western Governors University

The Highest Form of Accreditation From Western Governors University

The Highest Form of Accreditation

Western Governors University is regionally accredited, which is considered the highest form of accreditation given to institutions. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is responsible for WGU’s accreditation as well as that of other major institutions such as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, Gonzaga University, University of Utah, University of Idaho, and Brigham Young University, to name just a few.

NCATE Accredited

The WGU Teachers College is the first exclusively online university to receive accreditation for its degree programs that lead to teacher licensure from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The NCATE accrediting team extensively reviewed the entire WGU Teachers College curriculum to ensure that "candidates have the knowledge and skills to be effective in helping all students learn." NCATE is the premier specialized accrediting body for teacher preparation and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. It accredits colleges of education that produce over two-thirds of the nation’s new teacher graduates annually.

CCNE Accredited

The bachelor’s and master’s nursing degree programs at WGU are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, 202-887-6791).

CAHIIM Accredited

WGU’s Health Informatics program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

USDLA Recognized Institution

WGU was presented International Distance Learning Awards by the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) in 2008 and 2011:

    2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2008 — 21st Century Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning, awarded in recognition for WGU's achievements as the nation's first competency-based online university and its success in expanding access to higher education for adults seeking bachelor's and master's degrees.
    2008 — Outstanding Leadership by an Individual in the Field of Distance Learning, awarded to Dr. Janet Schnitz, the Former Provost of the WGU Teachers College.
    2010 — Outstanding Leadership by an Individual in the Field of Distance Learning, awarded to Dr. Robert Mendenhall, President of Western Governors University.
    2011 — Outstanding Leadership by an Individual in the Field of Distance Learning, awarded to Dr. Phillip Schmidt, Associate Provost, WGU Teachers College.

These awards are in recognition of WGU’s achievements as an online university and our success in expanding access to higher education for adults seeking bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Read more about the USDLA awards.

How We're Different :: Western Governors University

We’re More Affordable (but you don’t sacrifice quality)

One of the best values in online education, the online university provides a convenient and cost-effective way for self-directed, hardworking adults like you to earn your degree and get ahead. Here’s what ultimately sets WGU apart:
Tuition costs across the nation are going up significantly every year. But not at WGU. A major part of our mission as a nonprofit university is to keep tuition low. So low, in fact, that our tuition is typically half what other reputable online universities and traditional colleges charge.
You don’t just save on rates alone; you can also be rewarded for your hard work. We charge tuition at a flat rate every six months, so you’re simply paying for the time you need to prove your competence. If you can complete your program in less time, you only pay tuition for the time it takes. Essentially, the faster you progress, the more you save—a big incentive to work hard that you won’t find at other major schools.

We’re Competency-Based, Not Credit Hour Based

Our online degrees are based on real-world competencies as opposed to seat time or credit hours. Our focus is on ensuring you possess the skills and knowledge you need to be successful, not whether you’ve attended class or not. ("Show us what you know, not how long you’ve been there.")
You’ll be able to take advantage of what you already know. After all, your progress is determined by whether you can "prove" you know your stuff. If you can prove it sooner than later because of prior experience and education, perfect! You’ll be able to draw upon this experience to complete assessments faster, ultimately saving you both time and money.

We Let You Choose When and Where You Study

Online learning "WGU style" is quite flexible, even compared to other online universities. Your program is personalized to your schedule in several ways, providing you the flexibility you need to be successful in all areas of your life, not just in school.
In fact, many of our graduates have commented on how nice it was to work their education around their jobs and family, not the other way around.

You Get Unparalleled Mentoring and Support

You will never feel alone as an online student at WGU. We won’t leave you on your own to figure out what resources are available to you. You’ll have a dedicated partner in your education: a mentor committed to connecting you to what you need to succeed. Your mentor will work with you until you graduate. You’ll get to know your mentor as an advisor, a coach, and your personal cheerleader.
When you enroll, you become so much more than a student — you become part of a community of students, faculty, mentors, and staff all united under one common goal: your success.
Learn more about WGU’s faculty

Additional Information

WGU Graduation Videos
WGU hosts two commencement ceremonies every year for WGU graduates.
Watch WGU Graduation Videos
Student Success and Performance Data
Read about WGU student satisfaction, student success on national exams, and employer satisfaction in hiring WGU graduates.
Learn more about WGU student success
WGU's First 15 Years
WGU's unique history is described and celebrated on the institution's 15th anniversary.

Student and Grad Success From Western Governors University

WGU is Focused on Student and Graduate Success

Knowing that the university you attend is accredited, it is important to know that you will learn the things you need to know to be successful in your career. At WGU, we are focused on your learning. At WGU, we're focused on your success.

WGU Grads Get the Jobs They Want and Are More Engaged at Work

A 2014 Gallup-Purdue Index, which compared 4,000 WGU graduate responses against national data, found that WGU grads are more engaged at work and reported better overall well-being than the national average. According to the study:

The employment rate for WGU alumni who have graduated within the last five years—79 percent—easily outdistances the national average of 66 percent.
WGU graduates are more likely to be engaged employees—15 percent higher than the national average.
WGU alumni are at least twice as likely as graduates of other institutions to be thriving in all five elements of well-being—purpose, social, financial, community, and physical.
WGU alumni are almost twice as likely to be emotionally attached to their university than alumni from other types of universities—proof that personal connections are possible in distance learning.

About WGU :: Western Governors University

Western Governors University

About WGU:

A School Unlike Other Schools

As a competency-based, student-focused, online, nonprofit university, we do things a bit differently at WGU. From the bottom up, we're designed with students in mind—particularly, the busy, working, adult student who wants to earn a bachelor's or master's degree but for whom a traditional university education simply won't do.

A Unique History in Higher Education

WGU has been different since the very beginning. We were designed in 1995 by 19 U.S. governors whose driving goal was to break the mold of traditional higher education and come out on the other side with something new, something innovative: something that harnesses technology to teach in new ways, focuses on measuring learning rather than time, and provides more Americans the opportunity to build their careers and better their lives by finally finishing that bachelor's or master's degree they need to achieve their goals.

At the Heart of It All, Our Mission:

The principal mission of Western Governors University is to improve quality and expand access to post-secondary educational opportunities by providing a means for individuals to learn independence over time and place and to earn competency-based degrees and other credentials that are credible to both academic institutions and employers.

Another Collage Information