About Western Governors University | Accredited Online University

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What is WGU?

There's no university quite like 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.

Who's right for WGU?

Individuals from a variety of backgrounds do quite well at WGU; however, online learning isn’t for everyone. WGU programs are ideal for individuals who are self-disciplined, motivated, independent learners with the determination to succeed. To succeed at WGU, you must be comfortable with earning your degree by proving your knowledge and skills in your chosen field—the basis of our competency-based approach to education. Online learning at WGU also requires a significant time commitment, roughly 15-20 hours a week.

You may want to consider other alternatives if you have no prior college experience, you’re not very self-motivated, or you know you require face-to-face interaction with colleagues and instructors to be a successful student.

Why is WGU so respected?

WGU has flourished into a national university, serving over 11,000 students from all 50 states, yet remains non-bureaucratic and innovative. It continues to receive praise for its academic model and to enhance its reputation with employers for its emphasis on graduating highly competent professionals.

Students, faculty, staff, and corporate and philanthropic supporters all play a part in realizing the founding governors' original dream—to make quality higher education more available everywhere.

Our education approach works, and our National Advisory Board of more than 20 national corporations like Microsoft, Google, Oracle, and Dell believe it does as well. These are just a few of the many companies who are supporting and hiring graduates out of WGU.

In a recent third-party survey of 61 employers, 90% of employers rate WGU graduates' preparation for the work force as “Good” or “Excellent,” and of the student/graduate population surveyed, 98% would recommend WGU to others.

WGU received the 2008
award for Best Practices in Distance Learning from the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA).

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”.

Western Governors University is an online university that is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, one of the major accrediting commissions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. WGU is also nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).

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Answer these optional questions for a chance to win a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card**

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Have you ever had a positive experience with online learning in the past?

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How would you rate your English writing abilities?

**Chances of winning are dependent upon the number of entries submitted every month. Two entries will be chosen at random to receive a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card at the end of every month from the total number of entries submitted from this survey. One entry per person. Employees of WGU and their relatives are not eligible to win. Barnes & Noble is not a sponsor or co-sponsor of this promotion. Please see back of gift card for terms and conditions of use. Barnes & Noble is not liable for any alleged or actual claims related to this offer.

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