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.