Online degrees giving you the skills and knowledge you need

Your competence is the ultimate focus of every degree program at Western Governors University. The university emphasizes mastery of essential skills and knowledge in your field, basing progress toward your online degree on passing rigorous assessments (such as tests, projects, assignments, etc.) instead of accumulating credit hours. We call it competency-based learning.

With bachelor's and master's degree programs in education, business, information technology, and health professions, WGU's rigorous yet flexible approach to education gives the university a unique advantage over other online programs. Here's what the WGU Advantage means to you:

Flexibility and Affordability

Our online competency-based approach gives you the flexibility to use your existing knowledge and experience to pass your assessments as quickly as you can. You pay one flat rate per six-month term, so if you're able to pass the assessments at a faster pace, you can save time and money.

Credibility through Accreditation

WGU is regionally and nationally accredited. WGU's Teachers College is also NCATE-accredited, the first exclusively online university to achieve this distinction.

Commitment and Support

As a student at WGU, you'll have the support of a dedicated mentor to keep you motivated as you progress toward your degree. You'll also interact with an online learning community of students in your same program, so you're never alone.

WGU is the recipient of the USDLA 21^st Century Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning for 2008, awarded in recognition of our success in expanding access to higher education.

If you're an organized, independent learner willing to devote at least 15 to 20 hours per week to your studies but require flexibility in time and place to complete your education, WGU could be the university you've been looking for. Learn more today!

"Western Governors University has raised the bar of excellence. We are truly honored by WGU's contributions to the distance learning industry."
- Dr. John Flores, CEO of 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".

BS in Health Informatics

Become a unique asset in the world of health informatics and health information management. WGU's BS in Health Informatics program combines concepts from health care, IT, and leadership practice to provide you with the knowledge and skills to become a valuable designer, developer, and manager of health information systems. This program is for experienced health care or IT professionals who have completed at least one year of college and are seeking an affordable bachelor's degree and two IT certifications to work in this high-demand field.

This flexible, accredited program incorporates two IT certifications at an affordable cost: CompTIA A+ IT Technician and CIW Database Design Specialist (all certification fees are included in your tuition). This program has been designed to align with the American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA) curriculum competencies. You may be eligible to apply to sit for the AHIMA Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credentialing exam upon completion of this program.

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. WGU was also recognized by TIME Magazine as the "best relatively cheap university you've never heard of" in the 11/13/08 issue of the periodical.

BS in Nursing

Elevate your credentials, boost your salary, and increase your job security with WGU's BS in Nursing. This rigorous yet flexible program is based on National League of Nursing (NLN) competency standards, preparing you to become a more qualified and influential nurse practitioner in hospitals and other health care facilities.

WGU's BS in Nursing program incorporates advanced skills and knowledge beyond the clinical aspects of nursing. Our industry-driven curriculum integrates patient education, health promotion, nursing roles and values, and technology, as well as health care systems and policies. This program is specifically designed for registered nurses who hold an associate's degree or nursing diploma, have current health care industry experience, and who can devote 15 to 20 hours per week to their studies. WGU nursing programs are CCNE accredited.

MS in Nursing - Education

The Master's in Nursing Education prepares you to become a nurse educator in schools, hospitals, and other health care facilities. This advanced program equips you with high-level knowledge and skills while incorporating best practices in policy, organization, financing; role development; research; advanced nursing practices; and nurse education. WGU's Master's in Nursing Education is specifically designed for actively working registered nurses (RNs) who hold a nursing bachelor's degree (BSN), already possess health care experience, and can devote 15 to 20 hours per week to their studies. This is an ideal program for RNs with BSNs who desire to become effective nurse educators. All WGU programs are CCNE accredited.

MS in Nursing - Education (RN to MSN Option)

Prepare yourself to become an accomplished nurse educator. WGU's Master's in Nursing Education degree (RN to MSN) prepares you with bachelor's- and graduate-level coursework to earn your master's degree. The curriculum of this program incorporates mastery of the competencies established by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for nurse administrator certification, and focuses on 11 domains of study. Completion of a capstone project and a 40-hour practicum in nursing education are also required. Total program: 151 Competency Units (credit equivalents).

Largely self-paced and flexible, this program is for RNs who have an associate's degree or nursing diploma, a current, unencumbered RN license, and wish to earn a master's degree to move into nursing education. WGU nursing programs are CCNE accredited.

MS in Nursing - Leadership and Management

Make a significant contribution to the successful operation of your health care organization. WGU's Master's in Nursing Management can prepare you to be a staff developer or health administrator in schools, hospitals, and other health care facilities. This online program is flexible and largely self-paced; equipping you with high-level knowledge and skills while incorporating best practices in policy, organization, and financing, role development, research, advanced nursing practices, and nurse education.

This is the ideal program for RNs who have a bachelor's of science in nursing (BSN), a current, unencumbered RN license, and wish to move into nursing administration. All WGU nursing programs are CCNE accredited

MS in Nursing - Leadership and Management (RN to MSN Option)

WGU's Master's in Nursing Management with (RN to MSN) prepares you to become an effective operator of health care facilities. You will complete your bachelor's degree coursework, earn your master's degree, and complete the exam necessary to earn the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Nurse Executive Certificate. Curriculum focuses on 11 domains of study including: leadership and management, policy, organization, and financing, nursing education and science, nursing theory and practice, quantitative literacy, and research fundamentals. Completion of a capstone project and a 40-hour practicum in nursing management are also required. Total program: 151 Competency Units (credit equivalents). To qualify, you must be an RN with an associate's degree or nursing diploma and a current, unencumbered RN license. WGU nursing programs are accredited by the (CCNE).

MBA in Healthcare Management

This program is ideal for the self-motivated learner who already possesses health care industry experience, seeks in-depth knowledge in management and strategy, and can devote 15 to 20 hours per week to their studies.

The MBA - Healthcare Management prepares you for mid-level to upper-level health care management positions. The program educates you in core business skills, essential industry knowledge, and advanced health care managerial expertise--a perfect program for the experienced health care administration professional who seeks a credible degree program and upward mobility.

Accreditation

Western Governors University is the only university to have received simultaneous accreditation by four regional accrediting commissions. Currently, WGU's "home" accrediting commission is the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the same organization that accredits such leading institutions as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and other public and private colleges. WGU is also nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The WGU Teachers College is the first and only online provider of teacher education to receive accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Information

If you are interested in this school and would like to find out more, please Request Information from Western Governors University.