Western Governors University

Degrees Offered at Western Governors University

Western Governors University appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Affordable Online Degree Programs For In-State Students. Western Governors University (WGU) offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees with 100% of its instruction being online. The school is composed of four colleges:

• the College of Business
• the College of Information Technology
• the Teachers College
• the College of Health Professions

Students are required to take some core courses, like:

• English Composition I and II
• Applied Algebra
• Introduction to Sociology
• Introduction to Humanities
• Critical Thinking and Logic

Once they move past these core classes, they’ll take other classes pertaining to their major. Here’s a sample of what those classes might be for a business major:

• Training and Development
• Compensation and Benefits
• Employment Law

Here’s another example from the Teachers College. Future teachers take classes, like:

• Foundational Perspective of Education
• Classroom Management
• Cultural Studies and Diversity
• Psychology for Educators

All courses, regardless of major, are intended to prepare students to hit the ground running once they graduate. To that end, the school follows a competency-based learning model. It rewards the skills that students develop and not necessarily the time they spend in class. This allows them to work through their programs at an accelerated pace, putting them into the job market much sooner.

About Western Governors University

Forbes has called Western Governors University the best-kept secret in online colleges. Six-month tuition costs are around $3,000. A master’s degree costs about $6,000. It’s easy to see why Forbes calls it such a bargain. This private, non-profit online university was founded by 19 United States governors in the late 1990s. It is governed by a board of trustees. This board includes:

• state governors
• business and industry leaders
• educators

The school has no physical campus. Enrollment over the years has steadily increased, going from just under 54,000 students in 2014 to nearly 111,000 students in 2018. The average age of students is 37. WGU provides students with a quality education that gets them jobs once their degrees are completed. According to a poll of students, 81% of WGU graduates get jobs following graduation. Where they work is pretty impressive, too. Former students are getting jobs at companies, like:

• Delta Airlines
• Chase
• Toyota
• Aetna

The school is a competency-based school, which means that students can go at their own pace. Competency in a subject and not the school calendar determines how quickly a student progresses through his or her program. Some students report getting through their degrees in 18 months.

Western Governors University Accreditation

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities accredits Western Governors University.

Western Governors University Application Requirements

According to the Western Governors University website, applying for admission takes about 10 minutes. The application is online. Occasionally, it’s free to apply if the school provides a code. However, most of the time, it costs $65 to apply. Filling out the application for the school does not automatically mean that students are admitted to the school. The school’s application is also not an application for financial aid, just admission to the school. The admissions office takes several weeks to make a decision about applicants. Financial aid is covered in the next section. Once students begin filling out the application, they will be asked for personal information, like:

• their names
• what degree they’re interested in
• where they’ve gone to school

Incoming students who hold degrees from other schools can have their classes evaluated for transfer. Prospective students should also know that all of the schools in the university system have special application requirements above those required on the general application. There is one thing that incoming students should be aware of. The school requires a readiness assessment for students who do not already hold an associate’s degree. This assessment gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge levels in subjects, like:

• English
• math
• essay writing

Students who struggle with the assessments do have the chance to retake them if necessary. These skills tests are pass or fail. Western Governors University provides a test for students online. The school offers year-round enrollment. New classes begin on the first of each month. Once students are accepted, they can begin school within a couple of weeks of applying. There is no need to wait for the fall or spring semester to begin in order to start school.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The cost of attending Western Governors University varies by the school. This means, for example, that the cost to attend might be different for students in the Teachers Colleges versus the students in the College for Business. As such, the different costs will be laid out below. The tuition costs cover a six-month term. The cost for an undergraduate degree in the Teachers College is $3,225, plus a $145 resource fee and a $150 program fee. For graduate students in this college, it costs $3,240 for tuition, plus $145 for the resource fee and $300 for the program fee. To attend the College of Business as an undergraduate, it costs $3,225 for tuition and $145 for the resource fee. There is no program fee. Graduate students in this college pay a tuition rate of $4,180 and a resource fee of $145. These students also have no program fee. Undergraduate students who attend the College of Health Professions pay:

• a program fee of $175
• a resource fee of $145
• a tuition rate of $3,225

Graduate students pay the same fee amounts as undergraduates. Their tuition rate is $5,280 per term. Finally, students who are part of the College of IT pay varying amounts for tuition, depending on their major. In light of that, students should be aware that tuition costs for this college will range from about $3,225 to $3,895. Program fees cost $150 and resource fees cost $145. The university provides financial aid for students who file the FAFSA. The school supports employer-sponsored tuition reimbursement programs and veteran education programs. Additionally, Western Governors University helps students avoid student debt as much as possible. Thus far, the school has reduced student debt by $400 million. Students can qualify for scholarships, grants, and loans. There are plenty of degree options at Western Governors University. Take a look at them today.

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