Online Competency-Based WGU Education Degrees in 50 States
Western Governors University is also featured in our ranking of the Top 10 Online Master’s in Education Degrees.
Partnered with 100Kin10, the Teachers College grants 10 bachelor’s majors for Western Governors University Night Owls to build concrete pedagogical skills in as little as 18 months with one-on-one advising. For example, the B.S. Secondary Chemistry Education accepts $65 applications year-round from science enthusiasts seeking initial licensure with 41 courses and NSTA Chapter membership. Advised by Dr. Carmen Turner, the B.A. Elementary Education leads to PreK-6 jobs growing by 7 percent through 2026 after 40 career-relevant courses like Instructional Presentation and Psychology for Educators. At the U.S. News & World Report’s 10th most innovative school, the B.S. Secondary Mathematics Education builds LiveText portfolios via 44 courses and 20-week internships for the equation to success. The B.A. Special Education Mild to Moderate was designed by the Education Program Council with 42 NCATE-accredited courses on prevalent disabilities, including Autism. Other WGU opportunities are the B.S. Middle Grades Mathematics Education, B.A. Special Education K-12, and B.S. Secondary Physics Education.
Ranked the National Council on Teacher Quality’s #1 best value, the WGU Graduate School confers 19 education master’s majors at $3,240 per six-month term using the TaskStream portal. The M.A. Teaching Science Education has graduated Intel Grant, Claes Nobel Award, and Milken Family Award recipients with 91 percent satisfaction from a 19-course online STEM track in 10-24 months. Chaired by Dr. Deb Eldridge, the M.A. Teaching Mathematics Education Middle Grades follows a 21-course, NCTM-aligned licensing path with 12-20 hours of weekly demonstration teaching in junior highs. The M.Ed. Instructional Design prepares for CNN Money’s 38th best job crafting curricular standards with just 13 courses like Evaluation Methodology and Content Strategies. Recognized by the CEC, the M.S. Special Education trains K-12 cross-categorical disability specialists for Praxis exams with 12 online courses and 240 practicum hours. Also consider the M.A. Teaching English Education, M.A. Learning and Technology, M.S. Curriculum and Instruction, M.A. Secondary Physics, or M.A. Teaching Elementary Education at Western Governors University.
Named to G.I. Jobs’ “Military Friendly” list for $3,000 Salute to Veterans Scholarships, WGU offers three online certificate programs starting the 1st monthly too. The Post-Baccalaureate Elementary Education Certificate fills undergrad gaps with a 23-course, ACEI-approved curriculum for initial PreK-6 licensure to inspire the youngest pupils. Administered by Dr. Marni Baker Stein, the Educational Leadership Endorsement Preparation Certificate supplements M.A./M.S. training with nine TaskStream courses like School Governance that meet ELCC 2011 guidelines for principals. For 6-20 months, the English Language Learning Endorsement Preparation Certificate develops ESL specialists capable of teaching America’s 12 million bilingual kids with eight online courses and 15+ observation hours. Outside the Teachers College, Western Governors even delivers 15 CCNE-accredited classes for the BSN-to-MSN Education Track to produce collegiate nursing professors as a 2015 NLN Center of Excellence.
About Western Governors University
Western Governors University is a private university that offers online programs for students of all ages. Governors working in 19 different states came together to help establish the school. They each pledged $100,000 that went towards hiring teachers and building an infrastructure that allowed students living in any state to go to school. The United States Department of Education gave WGU $10 million to establish its own Teachers College, which now ranks as one of the top online options for education majors. This college offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and included programs for future teachers who do not have an undergrad education degree. Students can enroll in one of more than 50 degree programs or enroll in one of its endorsement programs.
Though the College of Business is the oldest division of WGU, it also has a College of Information Technology and College of Health Professions in addition to its Teachers College. The Teachers College helps students meet the requirements needed to obtain a teaching license in any state. WGU offers competency programs for its students too. These programs allow students to take exams and demonstrate the knowledge they gained from work they did in the real world. Those deemed competent in different areas by the university will receive some course credit.
Western Governors University Accreditation Details
Though Western Governors offers a number of online programs and classes, it has the regional accreditation that traditional colleges have. This accreditation comes from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Students attending WGU have the right to apply for financial aid and use any of the aid given to them, but this type of accreditation also lets them transfer any college credits they earn. The university also has accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) for all its education programs.
Western Governors University Application Requirements
WGU has application requirements that all students must follow, but its Teachers College has its own application requirements. Those applying to one of its online master’s education programs must use the online application and submit an essay. This essay must describe the leadership experience that the student has and how the student thinks that experience will help him or her in the field. They must also fill out a case study and practicum agreement. This document essentially states that the student understands the practical work required in the program and that the student will complete that requirement offline. Some programs also ask that students fill out a form to verify that they have at least three years of professional experience.
All incoming education majors must use the online application to start the process. This application features different sections that allow students to enter information about where they went to college, the type of degree they have and what they studied. While WGU offers a number of education programs, some of these programs are only open to students who have a teaching degree, a valid teaching license, and some teaching experience.
Tuition and Financial Aid
All graduate education programs that Western Governors University offers charge the same rate. Graduate students pay $3,190 per term. Each term lasts for six months, which gives students plenty of time to complete their practicum work. Fees added to this cost bring the total amount up to around $3,350 per term. Students can transfer in credits earned at another school and graduate in just one term. New graduate students will earn their degrees in around two years or after finishing four terms. Online students receive access to all required course materials, including digital textbooks, through the online campus.
WGU offers 10 different scholarships for incoming students that include those for female students, those majoring in an education field and those going back to school. It offers a self-pay option that lets students pay their total costs over time and a special program for military students. Incoming students can also use the FAFSA and find out if they qualify for any government aid. Students may qualify for a TEACH grant, which requires that they work in a low-income neighborhood after they complete their studies, or for one of the other top grants. Western Governors University also accepts both government loans and alternative student loans.