B.A. in Special Education (K-12) Western Governors University

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 only exclusively online university to receive NCATE accreditation for its degree programs that lead to teacher licensure from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). WGU's Health Informatics program is now accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

WGU's Nursing programs are CCNE accredited.

Facts & Figures

Institutional Accrediting Agency:   (?) WGU is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. WGU is also nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). WGU's Nursing programs are CCNE accredited.

Institution Type:   (?) Private, not-for-profit, Higher Education

Calendar Type: WGU programs are based on six-month terms (not traditional semesters). New students may begin their program on the first day of any month.

Average Cost per Credit: Currently, tuition for most degree programs at WGU is $2,890 per six-month term. WGU's MBA and Nursing programs' tuition is currently $3,250 per six-month term.

Credit-earning Options: If you have competencies in your degree program due to prior academic or work experience, you may be able to complete the required assessments more quickly. Transfer students with an AA/AS degree may generally enroll as an upper-division BA/BS student.

Delivery Format: (?) As a WGU student, you will prepare for your assessments by accessing online learning resources, studying independently, or using other alternative methods of learning.

Carnegie Classification: (?) Baccalaureate College-General

Technical Requirements: Minimum: Windows--Pentium II 266 MHz with 64MB RAM, 800x600 monitor with 256 colors, 56Kb TCP/IP Internet connection, Microsoft Windows 98, 98 SE, ME; Macintosh--PowerPC with 32MB RAM, Mac OS 8.1 or later, 56Kb (or better) TCP/IP Internet connection.

Geographic Restrictions: WGU only accepts inquiries and applications from individuals living in the U.S., Guam, and from U.S. military personnel and their spouses at overseas installations.

On-Campus Requirement: Programs are delivered online and there are no on-campus requirements. However, students in teacher certification programs must complete their teaching practicum in a real K-12 classroom in their geographic area, working with real students.

Scholarships Offered: A limited number of scholarships are available to qualified WGU students. The majority of these scholarships have been earmarked by their donors for K-12 teachers and prospective teachers in particular states or locations.

Loans Offered: WGU was one of the first institutions selected by the U.S. Department of Education to offer federal financial aid to distance education students. Aid includes federal Pell Grants and both subsidized and unsubsidized federal Direct Student Loans.

Registration Details: Enrollment Counselors are available to answer questions and provide assistance with the application process. They may be reached by clicking the "Request Information" button and completing the Information Request form.