Western Governors University
Is This Your Business?Author: Kalicia Bateman
Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Western Governors University (WGU) offers over 60 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs within its four online colleges:
- College of Business Online
- Teachers College Online
- College of Information Technology Online
- College of Health Professions Online
Within the Teachers College, WGU offers two career certificate programs.
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The Good
- Flat-Rate Term Tuition
- Ongoing Enrollment
- Teacher Certificates
Flat-Rate Term Tuition
WGU charges tuition by six-month term rather than per course or per credit.
You can complete as many courses as you would like during that six-month term. The more courses you complete each term, the more affordable your degree or certificate is.
Ongoing Enrollment
WGU has an ongoing enrollment period, enrolling students the first day of every month. This predictable schedule can accommodate students deciding to enroll at the last minute.
Teacher Certificates
The WGU Teachers College is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
WGU offers two teacher certificates, both which have full accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and cost $3,240 per six-month term:
The post-baccalaureate certification in Elementary Education prepares teachers to meet licensure requirements in any of the 50 states. This includes online coursework and assessments as well as in-classroom experiences.
The English Language Learning (PreK-12) Endorsement Preparation Program is for teachers who want to teach in ELL or ESL classrooms and is nationally recognized by the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) International Association.
With both of these programs, students are given personalized, one-on-one faculty support.
The Bad
- Application Fee
- Limited Certificate Programs
Application Fee
Whereas some career certificate organizations do not charge an application fee, WGU charges a $65 application fee. Sometimes you can get the fee waived during special enrollment periods and when a fee waiver code is displayed on the college website.
Limited Certificate Programs
WGU’s focus is on bachelor’s and master’s degrees, so the university currently offers only the two career certificates in education.
The Bottom Line
Western Governors University sets itself apart from other career certification organizations with its tuition-per-term setup. WGU claims students can graduate with less student debt through WGU than if they go to another institution.
If you’re a teacher looking for an alternate route to licensure and want to get it done fast, WGU might be the way to go. Plus, WGU has a generous credit transfer policy, so your college experience may be able to count towards your WGU certificate.
