Western Governors University Bachelor Degrees

Western Governors University was founded by 19 state governors who joined together to create a non-profit learning institution for working adults and students needing flexibility to earn their degree. Western Governors University graduated its first student in November of 2000. All of the programs offered at Western Governors University, or WGU, are competency-focused. This means that students are tested to measure competency in each subject area, and are never required to take courses on materials that student already knows. WGU is the first of any college to offer this innovative approach to learning. Western Governors University was named one of America's Best Colleges in 2007 by U.S. News & World Report Magazine. Online bachelor degrees offered through WGU are in the areas of business management, information technology management, human resource management, finance, accounting, marketing management, information technology, health informatics, nursing, education - interdisciplinary studies (PK-8), education - mathematics (5-9 or 5-12), education - science (5-9 or 5-12), and education - social science (5-12).

Accreditation and Job Placement

Western Governors University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). WGU is also nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). Western Governors University is also the only university to receive regional accreditation from four regional accrediting commissions. Since the university's headquarters are in Utah, WGU's "home" accrediting body is the Northwest Commission. Individual programs are also accredited separately through various accrediting associations. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Job placement rates are not posted, and employment is not guaranteed. Career services offered to both students and alumni of Western Governors University include job searches, resume/cover letter writing, resume posting, networking, and career services resources/reference material available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams in their "What Works" segment, WGU is the recipient of the USDLA 21st Century Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning for 2008, awarded in recognition of our success in expanding access to higher education. TIME Magazine also called WGU "the best relatively cheap university you’ve never heard of."

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