Western Governors University is a fully online university dedicated to offering working-adults high quality, affordable, distance education programs that fit with their other commitments. The College of Business holds distinguished accreditation with the ACBSP, and WGU has received recognition for its innovative competency-based format. NBC Nightly News has featured this program on its segment “What Works,” and TIME Magazine says the official motto of WGU should be, “Let’s not waste anyone’s time or money.” Students begin their degree any time, with programs starting the first of each month.
WGU is committed to accessible education, with high levels of excellence and affordability. Tuition rates are offered as a flat annual rate of about $7,600 or less, and millions are awarded in scholarships! Students’ potential return on investment is excellent, with graduates assuming careers with Fortune 500 companies, starting their own business ventures, and everything in between. Alumni are employed with Microsoft, IBM, Facebook, and American Express. According to the 2018 Harris Poll, out of 300 employers surveyed, 100% said graduates are well-prepared for their jobs, and 97% said graduates meet or exceed their expectations.
Education
The College of Business features bachelor’s degrees in Business Management, Healthcare Management, Human Resource Management, IT Management, Marketing Management, Accounting, and Health Information Management. Students in the IT program receive a top-notch education through the Microsoft IT Academy. Classes are self-paced, and the average WGU student completes their bachelor’s degree in two and a half years. Faculty serve as mentors to students, motivating them along the way, and have been recognized for their support by The Chronicle of Higher Education.
The highly respected master’s degrees offered within the CoB include the Master’s of Business Administration, MBA Information Technology Management, MBA Healthcare Management, Master of Health Leadership, Master’s of Science in Management and Leadership, Accounting, Data Analytics, and Information Technology Management. MBA students will be required to show competency in eight key business areas, including management, economics, marketing and communication, accounting, leadership, finance, strategy, and a capstone project. For the capstone component, students will work in teams of three or four on a real-world business simulation. WGU graduate students typically graduate at an accelerated pace between 13 and 24 months. According to program alumni, 97% would recommend WGU to their peers.
Student Life
Approximately 12,400 ambitious students are currently pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees at WGU. Even though students complete their coursework fully online, there are still many ways to form lasting relationships with their peers. There are interactive apps, online groups, and even in-person meet-ups for current students and specific groups for alumni.
Online Programs
WGU excels at offering online degrees. In fact, WGU has been recognized nine times by the United States Distance Learning Association as a leader in distance education. Students can use their on-the-job experience, independent study, or previous knowledge to move through classes rapidly. At the beginning of each class, students will take a pre-assessment, and the course will be tailored around what the student still needs to learn. Once a student believes they are proficient in that particular subject, they may take the assessment and receive credit if they demonstrate competency.