Western Governors University Comments

Wow, finally went through all the comments. I'm really interested in enrolling in Information Technology. I'm quite impressed that it is a Microsoft IT Academy member. I had a couple questions for those currently in the IT program, be it general or specialized:

*I've noticed that a lot of the IT students posting already have work experience, or are already employed in IT jobs. My question: Would the IT coursework be good for a student that already possesses basic IT knowledge, but does not have a current IT job and is looking to get a job in the IT field? Would the certifications be enough to get your foot in the door?
*Did anyone have any trouble getting their certifications and taking assessment tests? From what I read, you visit a local community college to take the test/exam. Was there any trouble involved with that?

Thanks in advance.

Your path would be challenging, but achievable.  The knowledge you would gain would be at least the equivalent of anyone graduating from a traditional B&M School, but you would also have industry desirable certifications.  That gives you two of the three things that IT hiring managers seek (Education, Certification, Experience).  If you volunteer your services to some form of non-profit agency or charity and join local industry groups you should be able to do all three.  Good luck, but I am sure you will succeed regardless of the path you take. 

The proctored tests can be at a testing center or community college but, certification tests must be done at a certified testing center.  You get vouchers to take the tests.  Providers for the tests are Prometric, and Pearson Vue. Usually you go with the test provider that has a testing center closest to you.  The test centers are usually devoted to proctoring tests and are state and provider certified.

No, I have not had issues taking these exams.  If they are certification exams, you will be taking them through Prometric or Vue centers.  If they are WGU exams, you will be likely be taking them through Sylvan.

My situation is that I was laid off and switching careers without much going for me.  I wasn't sure about online college at first either and read plenty of these posts before I took the plunge. My previous cautious optimism has turn into just optimism.  I'm not really a school spirit type but I'll be attending my graduation in Utah (I live in CA) and I have purchased a WGU license plate frame.  If my story sounds familiar and you're hesitant just imagine being so satisfied you buy merchandise!
I can look back at myself a year ago and honestly say that going to WGU is probably the second best decision I've made in my life (the first was marrying my wife, who consequently supported me going back to school). The bottom line is that you will learn the skills you need to be successful at WGU. 
If my story does not sound familiar, well then, good day to you sir or madame.

The WGU teacher credential program is a disgrace and is designed by persons showing incompetence to a  degree of criminal fraud and incompetence.

	The program consists of four parts
1. The Course of Study - In theory, the course of study is a list of reading and activities that the student should do before each of the tasks

2. The Tasks - are a list of papers to write or tasks to do for a course based on the course of study.

3. The Graders - The tasks are emailed to  a person who passes it or send it back to redo.

4. The Course Mentor - is a person that students in a course can email or call on the phone to ask questions or help on assignments.

In practice the relationship between these four parts is tenuous at best. The Task instructions are usually so vague as to open to wide interpretation and often requires  things which are in no way part of the COS, and the COS contains little that relates to the Tasks. 
	The graders often demand tasks be redone to include material that is not in the task instructions or the course of study and fail to adequately explain the reasons for the redo. Asking aid from the course mentors is difficult because the same question must be asked three or four times before a useful answer is given. Most often the course mentor will simply repeat the task instructions or give a useless answer that does not address the question.
	The impression given is that the course of study was designed by a person who had never read the task instructions or the reverse is true. The same can be said of the task graders who seem to never have read the task instructions or feel free to ignore them.
	The course work in general consists 95% of material that has no use in the classroom or inane theories that have no relation to reality but this is common among teacher credential programs. Any program has room for improvement but it is shocking that this total lack of coordination between the four parts would happen in the first place. 
	If a contractor were to build a house with a foundation so fundamentally flawed then he would not only loose his license but be subject to criminal prosecution. These are not simply mistakes but a program that was designed from the foundation up, with total incompetence that rises to the level of morally criminal fraud.

A minimum of common sense would demand that the tasks written based on the course of study or vice versa and the graders and course mentors completely review the task instructions and course of study. 

	Tuition is 3000 dollars a term regardless of how many classes you take and a term is six months. You can finish as many courses you are able to in this time period without extra costs. My plan at the start was to just zip through the courses and get done in a year or a year and a half at most but my progress was actually very slow because of the very grueling frustrating flaws in the program.

Three great semesters. Great school, even professors, mentors, etc. You will get out of it, what you put into it. If you are someone who needs hand holding then this or any online program is not for you.

I have read every single comment on this thread and I am nonplussed at the venom spewed by some naysayers who haven't actually gone to WGU and the whining of some who have. WGU is clearly a fantastic idea for someone who wants to accelerate his/her degree and not have to be bogged down by professor opinions and co-student ignorance. I am grateful however because many persons have confirmed for me that this is exactly where I belong. (Thanx Nicole!) 
I have done accredited brick and mortar. A building does not a good programme make! Bad advisors, missing mentors, broken links, crappy books, puzzling exams from out of left field and cloudy days, they happen on a real-life campus as well! Get over it!

As a student I was highly driven, self-motivated and abhorred the drivel of fellow students who needed to be spoon fed. Like Nicole, I hated attendance requirements and suffered through many classes where I learnt nothing and still had to teach myself in order to pass! I felt moved to post when she took it down to personality types. I have looked for years for my perfect fit: Eureka!

I am a little wiser and more accommodating now and respect the differences between learners. Each person applying simply needs to do an honest self assessment. If you have the least academic assistance possible can you still feel confident to read, learn and test on your own? If your answer is "no", move on!

WGU states clearly that they are a competency-based university...Perhaps persons enrolling should seek to find out what that means before becoming involved. From what I can tell, if you can generate your own steam go for it! If you need anything but a course outline and the materials (exactly what I hope for), find another neck of the woods. I have finally found the place that is perfect for me! Wish me luck with the application process!

I'm working on my last few courses in my Bachelors program of Accounting and I absolutely love this school for being so completely different in how it works. 

I will say, for certain, this is NOT a school for just anyone. If you have problems self-motivating, prefer following a prescribed course with a professor leading lectures, or need strict schedules to make yourself do things... go to a traditional college.

I absolutely HATED my brick-and-mortar college because I couldn't stand the rigidity. I didn't like having to show up for classes just for attendance requirements... even if I was getting nothing out of them, I didn't like having to learn from professors who were questionably biased on at least half the topics that they talked about, and I certainly didn't enjoy the busy-work of homework and excess assignments designed to make it a miserable experience. 

My personality is someone who is highly self-motivated, has owned/operated multiple businesses and is not a good employee type, very nontraditional thinking in my day-to-day life and open to trying new things, fairly anti-social, and prefers self-direction over following orders. 

I would expect that people with similar personality types might also have excellent experiences with this school.

I took time to research WGU and was impressed with my findings. I will be starting soon and hope to pursue my MBA thereafter. 

I am considering WGU for an advance degree, I am concerned about the fact that I will not be able to transfer my credit hours from WGU to another school. 

I would be more concerned about a college that wouldn't accept hours FROM WGU. They are accredited, and most legitimate schools accept transfer courses from other accredited institutions.

Are all the exams conducted online as well, or would I have to relocate to some other location for exams?

I have been to a traditional university, an online university that was very different from WGU, that I obtained a degree from, and WGU, which I am in my 3rd term.  I am very confused about the complaints people have had on this message board.  Admittedly, I did not do alot of research on WGU before I enrolled, so it was a bit of culture shock that I was expected to do all of this work, with no one giving me deadlines or guidance.  On that note...if you want guidance at WGU, you HAVE to ask for it.  My mentor is absolutely wonderful.  Also, my course mentors have been great.  But, again...if you need help, you have to ask.

I'm considering WGU and have correspondence with a Admissions Counselor. I have not completed my application yet.

Can anyone tell me, that if I complete my bachelors with WGU, will any other (specific names please) universities accept a degree from WGU, so that I could do my masters with them? I may not want to continue with WGU for a masters and try a traditional University.

TIA for any information

I'm considering WGU and have correspondence with a Admissions Counselor. I have not completed my application yet.

Can anyone tell me, that if I complete my bachelors with WGU, will any other (specific names please) universities accept a degree from WGU, so that I could do my masters with them? I may not want to continue with WGU for a masters and try a traditional University.

TIA for any information

I just finished my B.S. with WGU and have been accepted into an online M.S. program with Purdue. Not a single graduate school I applied with balked about the WGU degree. In fact most had positive things to say about the school. Good luck!

I know several people in my WGU program who were finishing while I was starting and some stayed on to do Masters programs, and some transferred to other schools for them. For example, I know someone who transferred to Boston University for their online Masters program. Most colleges don't seem to care so long as they check the school accreditation and it legitimate.

I recently applied to WGU's RN - MSN program; I currently hold an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing from Excelsior College. I graduated with high honors and a 3.87 GPA. After applying and waiting about a month, I received my transcript evaluation. Come to find out, their so-call generous transfer policy is anything but; it is true, they award you 50 CU's for holding an active RN license, but they are extremely strict on General Education and Science classes. Most of the classes that I tested out of, because I already knew the material, were not accepted by WGU.

After waiting nearly a month to receive this evaluation, needless to say, I was extremely disappointed. My advice is to be very careful dealing with WGU...if something sounds to good to be true, then it probably is!!!

I was recently on the WGU website to catch some updates on where the organization is headed. As a former employee, I was very surprised to see them publish a complete listing of their entire faculty and staff who hold PHDs. Here's the problem- more than half of the names listed, all of whom I am familiar with, serve in a "customer service capacity" either as mentors, managers or other administrative roles. This means they are given specific instructions NOT to engage in anything academic in nature or content related with students, so the fact that WGU is using their credentials to provide legitimacy to their claims about highly qualified faculty is extremely misleading.

WGU has a fundamental flaw, Taskstream.
We are talking about a group of people that do not have a reading level above that of a 5th grader. These are the same "educated" people that will be doing the grading of your papers.
I think they are outsourced to India.

While your opinion is valuable consider this: Taskstream is simly a media that interfaces students with professionals/practitioners in the field of your particular interest. Thus, it is a professional with strong credentials and experience that follows a specific rubric to grade the quality of the work YOU upload on Taskstream. I have been grading student work for three California State universities since 2007 and my credentials are impeccable. I have to undergo interrater reliability training every two years just to make sure my grading is on the mark, relevant, consistent, and fair. I post this to put balance into theis discussion so persons new to Taskstream aren't misled by one-sided comments. the more information, the better when considering something important to you and your life. Best wishes.

Im a current masters degree student in the information security and assurance program. From my experience, it is challenging and time consuming, just as a masters program should be. I have no regrets in attending this school, or this program. But be warned, if you are not self-motivated, this school will be a challenge for you. Yes, there are mentors, which I honestly dont like... the weekly calls are annoying, but can see how some people may need that in order to stay motivated, and they can help you if you get stuck or need assistance. But if you are intelligent enough to research and comprehend, you will get through just fine. But like I said, must be self-motivated.

This is not true! AT ALL! I just spoke with financial aid counselors from WGU today (8-12-2011) and I was given *all* of my financial aid information, including the amounts I will qualify for, info in reference to grants and also what it would take for me to qualify for and receive additional grants. They have not even seen my transcripts yet from other schools I've attended, so to say you must be already enrolled prior to receiving information is an outright lie! Bottom line: their tuition is affordable for me and I feel their education is something that will enhance my career. I am going into Special Education, I am a self-starter, and I can think of no better way for me to complete my education other than online, at home and able to accellerate (or not) at my own pace. So far, I think WGU is cool. But, I'm not much into 'hand-holding' and having to be treated like a baby, either. If for some reason, my opinion of WGU changes, I will be the first to return and repost.    

Nearly done with my BS-IT.  Had some issues with enrollment counselors initially and would like to have had better course mentors in some areas, but overall it's been a good program so far.

couldnet agree more
the lack of mentor or any real service
if you enjoy sitting in DMV lines
getting [messed] around and just put your nose on track like 
a good sheep
There really is no "quick" reply to anything
Do not expect service with a smile
Save when you pay and like military service
Once you start, you dont end your tour of tragedy
Good and bad... more like only cost effective choice
I strongly do NOT reccommend this school

I have finished my BS in Business Management in a year and a half. The university is definitely not perfect, but what university is? My experience was excellent and I saved a lot of money while learning more than I learned at a traditional university. 

There are people on here saying you can only survive here if you have real world experience. That is absolutely false. One student who spoke at the Feb. 2011 commencement started at WGU when he was 14 and now owns an IT business at 19.  There are also people who say there is no structure. This is also false. WGU allows you to learn at your own pace, but there is an outlined course that suggests study materials and which week they should be completed in. I didn't follow these because I wanted to finish at an accelerated rate. Someone who does not have any experience can follow the course structure and be fine. Sure, you don't have a deadline to finish except the end of term deadline, but if you can't set your own goals and reach them then you have some problems that will not look appealing to an employer.

  Even if you choose to finish in the standard 4 years you will pay about $24K rather than $50-$60K that other online universities charge. Plus with the accreditation major universities will accept the credits. I have read reviews for other big name schools not being accepted my other universities. 

I just completed my RN-BSN in 3.5 months. I dont expect everyone to finish this fast but i have been so motivated that I couldn't stop.  I love WGU and I have been encouraging everyone I work with to join.  The program has allowed ne to obtain an affordable degree and to use my community and job resources to do so.  I will be starting my MSN next and I cannot wait! I found everything I needed in my course of study and the information was interactive and very current. The online library was an asset. My mentor kept me on track and motivated me to be accountable and show progress each week.  Once again I love WGU!

I totally agree with these postings.  I would recommend that everyone print out your AAP plan with the date included, because they will change your program and then will force you to take more classes than necessary.  Although, I finished my degree with the school, it's very frustrating when the game plan keeps changing and there's little you can do about it.

Which of these postings do you agree with?

Printing out your AAP is not a bad idea, but I haven't had my program (IT general) change that much in the year I've been there.  I guess it's one of those YMMV things.

As an employee, I've got the inside scoop. Here's what WGU is hiding. Their retention rate is 70% but that's at the one year point. After that it drops off steeply. They've been hiding the true numbers for their grad rate, which are an abysmal 30% in most programs. The problem this institution had is excessive policy changes. They've changed the way they calculate completion for federal financial aid eligibility three times in three years. Be prepared if you enroll to have your program change midstream, which may cause you to have to repeat some coursework. And beware that while this school has strong accreditation both regionally and nationally, they base that on counting their mentors as faculty, many of whom have no subject matter expertise in the programs they serve and often have bachelor's degrees. Enrollment has also changed policies recently so that they can improve their grad rate and are turning away many people in IT and other areas if they don't have previous college experience. They have been without a Provost for several months and because of excessive growth and hiring, the leadership team is exhausted so there is frequent turnover especially among mentors. Plan to end up having three or four mentors before you're through! Most students are not able to accelerate significantly and the average time to completion of a degree is still 4-5 years. 

Thank you for this insightful post about the inside of WGU.  As a recent "graduate", I had signed up for the RN-MSN program then found out that when you reach the BSN requirements you are considered "graduated" and are left to your own devices about when you re-enter classes.  Towards the end of my 2nd term, I felt rushed, pressured, etc to get the BSN requirements done and found little or no support from my mentor who essentially told me that if she could do it with a dead beat husband and 5 children at home that me, with my full time job, 2 homes, 2 kids, 3 dogs, and a husband surely could.  I have asked for a mentor change and feel like I'm being put through the inquisition to get it or at the very least feel as though my complaint will reflect poorly on the mentor who has lead me to the decision.  I'm strongly considering not going back because the only way to get that requested mentor change is to go through the enrollment counselor who was little or no help when I first started with WGU.  Signed-"Wondering if I Should Be Satisfied with BSN and simply Move On"

I think many of WGU's problems lie in the fact that it has a different model, not in the other areas such as excessive change folks mention.  Given WGU's programs have a different paradigm from most other schools, there are bound to be growing pains for MANY years as there are few similar programs to model against.  I'd also have to think most online schools suffer similar grad rates/retention rates-- I'd have to go check.  I personally believe the recent admissions changes are generally good and are long overdue, but WGU would benefit from finding ways to screen for student motivation.  I'm hearing lots of commentary about how they could use more mentors as well.  I'm hoping the next accreditation review helps them sort many of these issues out.

Hello everyone, I've been doing research for the past month to see which online school would be better for me, and I'm curious to know if there is anyone out there that can commment on the Business Administration course? I'm relying on FA and loans only, and I've been reading the comments about how some of these financial aid rep's don't know what their doing. Can someone that is enrolled at WGU comment on how their experience has 
been so far? And much out-of-pocket are you spending every semester? 

I am in the business administration program and have received FA for 3 straight semesters without a hitch. Don't believe everything you read online. A lot of these people do not have a life and they get their kicks by sitting around on message boards and bitching about stuff. Every school has strengths and weaknesses. You will not find a school that is 100% perfect. Just find a place you feel is best for you. Make a pros and cons list for all the institutions you are considering and pick the one where the pros outweigh the cons. Good luck.  

Yes, I sound like a commercial. I believe in my school! I don't take time out of my day devaluing other fully accredited academic institutions and I don't see why people without the proper expertise try to devalue mine.

WGU is governed by a board of trustees made up of educators, industry leaders, and governors. As of January 2011, the trustees are:

The Honorable Jim Geringer, Chairman
Director, Policy & Public Sector, ESRI
Governor of Wyoming, 1995-2003

Frank D. Alvarez
President and CEO, The Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Dr. Therese Crane
Senior Education Advisor, e-Luminate Group

The Honorable Mitch Daniels
Governor of Indiana

Dr. Emily S. DeRocco
President, The Manufacturing Institute
Senior Vice President, National Association of Manufacturers

Kate Driscoll
Area Vice President, Government, Education and Healthcare, Sun Microsystems

Robert Evanson
Former President, McGraw-Hill Education

Dr. Robert Mendenhall
President, Western Governors University

David E. Simmons
President, Simmons Media Group

Dr. Samuel H. Smith
President Emeritus, Washington State University

Dr. Blenda Wilson
Former President, California State University, Northridge

This school is not for all people. But for many is what we needed to complete our degrees. This school is newer so yes there will be some flaws, but since I have attended the school has only gotten better. Also, if you do have a problem they will work with you.  People post they have had many mentors, I have only had one in three years. My mentor was ill and I had to have another for a little while, but the ones that filled in where GREAT!  I believe you get what you put into it.  I am student teaching and in my 7th week and I am very prepared to be in the classroom. WGU is very difficult before you get in the classroom, but I feel prepared because of it.  Also I read one comment that they signed up for Special Education not regulare Ed. Any school you go to when you go into Spec. Ed. you need to teach in both settings, it is not just a WGU requirement.  Don't let these bad reviews keep you from coming here, I am confident I will get a job when I am finished! :)

Some of you sound very unintelligent.  It's funny to me.  If you would take the time to research the school, like you would be advised to do ANY school, you would know that this program is ONLY for people who are self motivated.  If you expect someone to come to your house and teach you, or call you and go over the lesson than you need to pony up and pay for a brick and mortar school.  Posting that you didn't like the program just means that you have no will power.  Say that instead of "Plus I heardfrom many people, getting an online degree is fine, but attending a university that only offers online degrees is what you should be wary about" because there are very few schools that are brick and mortar schools that let you take your classes online only to receive a degree.
Let it be said again and loudly that WGU IS A SCHOOL THAT IS FOR SELF MOTIVATED PEOPLE THAT ARE ABLE TO TEACH THEMSELVES.  THIS IS A COMPETENCY BASED PROGRAM SO IF YOU ARE NOT COMPETENT THAN YOU SHOULD LOOK ELSEWHERE FOR YOUR AFFORDABLE EDUCATION.  MAYBE YOU SHOULD TRY NON-ACCREDITED COLLEGES, ONES THAT WILL REQUIRE LITTLE TO NO WORK. THERE ARE MANY WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE PROGRAM AND IT GETS VERY GOOD REVIEWS SO IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN IT PLEASE RESEARCH WHAT IT IS ABOUT BEFORE YOU PAY THE APPLICATION FEE.

I Agree with the posting about being Competent!! I am currently a student at WGU and think it is a good school BUT you have no one over you making you do your work. It is up to you, as a responsible adult, to do it and it is not always easy. I have no problem with my mentor and have had the same one. I think it is a great option for those of us who work full time, have families but still want to get a reputable degree.

While I can't speak for all their degree programs, I can say that the teaching program I am currently enrolled in is great for me.  WGU is a great school if you are self-motivated and need a schedule that's flexible.  I like that they are fully accredited and cheaper than most online universities like Phoenix because they are non-profit.  Yes, most of the learning is self-taught, but there are course mentors that specialize in the subject you're studying and can help you and answer questions on anything that comes up.  As with any school, you will get out what you put in.

No. When I was pursuing an MBA in Health Care, all I was required to do was write and turn in stuff, talk with a "mentor". No interaction at all...that's why I dropped the program. Plus I heardfrom many people, getting an online degree is fine, but attending a university that only offers online degrees is what you should be wary about. Though it seems to work well with people who have years and years of experience but just want to get a degree in the most convenient and inexpensive way.

My experience at WGU was a terrible one. First off,  you will be assigned a mentor who calls you once a week and says "You done this? Good Job! See you next week." If you feel like you need a babysitter this might be the college for you. Next, I started the Bachelors in information technology program. They send you the text books and say here read these from start to finish and then at the end we will take a test over the entire thing, but we won't tell you which parts to focus on. Then to top it all off, you better not have a day job. Because their testing centers are only open from 8 to 5.  The closest one to me was an hour away from my house. I wish I would have spent my money more wisely and bought myself a semesters worth of toilet paper. But if you feel the need to try WGU for yourself, Good Luck!

I work 84+ hours a week in a war zone. My mentor called me only occasionally to ensure that I was focused enough to complete my courses.  Sometimes I was, sometimes I wasn't.  My responsibilities running the Army's network did take priority, but also gave me material to use as my Capstone project. 

I enrolled in WGU on 01APR08 to obtain a BS in IT - Network Design & Management.  Yesterday I completed the degree.  Their testing centers?  What are you talking about.  Any college testing center can work for academic centered testing.  Any testing center that carries the specific IT test you are looking for (i.e. Pearson Vue for Cisco, Prometric for Microsoft, either for most others).  The entire program is flexible and COMPETENCY based.  If you are competent and motivated THIS IS THE SCHOOL FOR YOU!!!  You can complete the program as fast as you can show competency in all of your courses.  If I didn't have "a day job", I would have done it in a year...tops!  But it isn't watered down and there are plenty of resources to help you succeed, but if you are stuck USE THE #$@% INTERNET!!!  It is all out there, just look, study, & learn.   

The course of study should tell you enough about what's important to the course to study for it.  If you're looking for a cheat sheet, maybe local colleges are more your style.

 Just wanted to clarify that the latest I could start a test was 2:30 in the afternoon. 

I'm in my second term at WGU for B.S. in Information Technology.  My first term I completed over 28 units and this may seem like a lot but education without boundaries (EWB) takes a while.  EWB is an orientation of sorts; just think of your first couple classroom sessions where you get a syllabus and an easy assignment.  EWB is needed to fully utilize the online learning interface of WGU.  

If you have questions about transfers go to kb.wgu.edu (that's a link to the student handbook, a lot's covered there). Following the kb.wgu.edu link on the left hand frame you will see a Records and Transcripts link amongst others, click that, then in the right frame click the link that corresponds with the program you are interested in (will look something like Transfer Credit for *program name*).  If you can't follow those instructions then give up now, online learning and independent study isn't for you.

I can't speak for all the programs but in general I'm about 3/4's done with my degree and I feel confident in finding employment because I have the knowledge to do the jobs I'm applying for (or will apply for once my degree is complete).  I wouldn't be comfortable applying for a job as a fisherman because I can't catch a fish to save my life.  I know that sounds ambiguous but basically WGU provides you with the resources to learn the skills you need to get the job done.
Note if you plan to accelerate that you can't schedule a test past the 16th (depending on the month) of the last month of your term.  They do this because if you don't pass you won't have enough time to get the next one rescheduled before the end of your term.  You have to strategize your schedule to get the most bang for your buck, this means requesting resources before officially enrolling in classes.  Some people got mad because they got that two weeks with nothing to do, had they planned better they could have been studying for their next assessment.  My mentor gets me what I need when I need it, I really can't complain about it, I'm not the type of person that needs to be guided, once I have a target I strive for that until I've achieved it.  I honestly can't see how people could complain about their mentors as all the mentors really do is "sign off" on getting you learning resources, pretests, assessments, and classes.  I can't stand hearing people bash the mentors when everything is up to the individual (especially requesting new mentors).

I agree with Devin G.  My mentor has saved me from dropping out several times.  I've had a bad couple of years financially and emotionally.  He takes the time to talk to me about more than school.  If I get behind he takes the time to rearrange my classes to make sure I succeed. I really lucked out.  My only frustration is I am in the IT program and there are a lot of useless prerequisites, like integrated natural science etc...before I get to the classes I'm really interested in.   But that would be the same at any school.

Jarod's comments give me pause and concern as one who has a son considering a WGU IT Security degree.  Merely expecting students to read text books and be prepared to test can require a lot of motivation.  I have spoken to an acquaintance who is presently with DeVry (yes expensive...but)and they describe significant online engagement via required discussion threads, beginning of the week course objectives, Coach/Prof weekly interaction and such.  Is there anymore to WGU than text books, tests and a "how goes it" mentoring?  Just how much computer/online interaction is there?

I have an IT degree from another online university.  The way hiring managers view online degrees will vary per person.  Some people think that the only education worth getting is from a traditional school.  Having been a hiring manager in IT, those who came from the Brick and Mortar schools I skipped over because of the quality of education in IT.  Those who came from an Online program or learned themselves came with a lot more knowledge that could be utilized as one of my employees.  I have applied to some companies that dis-regarded my online degree, so I just move on to the next.  Everyone will not have the same opinion of the same thing.  I love chocolate ice cream.  It is great.  It is the best tasting ice cream there is.  Someone else reading this will say that I am so stupid because I think that way.  It is the same with an online degree.  From what I am reading here, if you start, finish.  Once you have the degree, you can go somewhere else to get a masters.  If that school doesn't like your degree, go somewhere else.

So many opinions!! Since the thread is still active, I thought I'd chime in about my WGU experience. I have been a challenging student--health issues and a midway-through program change from BAIS to BSIT. But I have never been let down by my mentors, and I have had 4 total. :)  Each one has made me feel as thought my needs were their priority and given me individual care and advice. 

I am a good independent learner, and I appreciated the way I was able to speed through some of the core-type courses in Interdisciplinary Studies because I had the knowledge to do so. I also appreciate the extra attention and help I have received in the IT program from not only my Program Mentor, but the Course Mentors as well. Any concept that posed a problem was quickly explained and/or additional resources were provided.

Another great thing about WGU is the apparent goal to make education less expensive. In the IT program, most of my learning resources have been free--including the offline books. 

That is it--just wanted to provide another positive perspective. :) I like WGU and the way the programs are implemented so much that, once I have my degree, it will be the first place I apply for a job.

BTW, someone asked about getting together with other students. I have seen a lot of that here in Texas within the Teachers College. Not so much for IT, but I think many enrolled in IT are already working IT professionals, not stay-at-home homeschooling moms like me. :)

Good luck to all on your educational goals!

yes it is regionally accredited

Is WGU regionally accredited? That's more important than being nationally accredited.  I'm enrolled in the MBA with a concentration in Health Management. I'm going to with draw from the program.  I'm learning nothing when it comes to an administrative position in health care.  My mentor brags about the CAPSTONE course, that is the ONLY course that deals with health care. Big deal..as other universities have that same course PLUS more courses that emphasize working in a health care setting.  I don't know about you all, but I miss interacting with other students and getting feed back from professors, not feed back from people going by a ruberic.  WARNING!  There have been people turned away from jobs b/c the HR Dept knew where they got their degree from. I wouldn't take a chance...yes there are other universities providing degree education online, but they also are a university or college where students attend to actually be present in class.  

And to the person who works in a 100million dollar company, you have YEARS of EXPERIENCE to back up your degree.  The vast majority of the people here do not have that.  And most likely will not get it because HR departments will throw their resumes in the reject stack. Believe me, I know several managers working in HR and this is what they've told me themselves.

I've said it before...look it up!  Did your university originally get accredited by four separate regional accrediting bodies?  No, I didn't think so.  This was a first!

Western Governors University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, one of the major accrediting commissions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. WGU has the distinction of being the only university to receive regional accreditation from four regional accrediting commissions:(a) the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities; (b) the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; (c) the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges; and (d) the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Has any other university had to get 4 accreditation in order to operate? Wgu is trying to operate on a national level. They did not want the feds accreditation because it is a garbage one that is not rated as highly. So the solution was to fill out the accreditation paperwork in the 4 region's.

I will tell you this, they should lose accreditation based on taskstream's incompetent graders.

I disagree with your statement due to the fact that I have looked at the WGU college for Health Professions and all of the coursework is accredited through four different bodies as well as CCNE which is the Comission for Collegiate Nursing Education.  You stated that you were enrolled in the Master's program for Health Care Management.  This course is only 40 or so credits and should compliment a pre-existing degree in nursing or medicine.  Working in a health care setting is accomplished through internships and other resources.

Below are the listed courses for Health Care Management through WGU.

EWOB Education Without Boundaries 1 1
JAT2 Leadership 2 1
JBT2 E-Business 2 1
AFT2 Accreditation Audit 4 1
JDT2 Human Resources 2 2
JET2 Financial Analysis 4 2
JFT2 Organizational Management 2 2
JGT2 Decision Analysis 4 3
AMT2 Service Line Development 4 3
JIT2 Risk Management 2 4
JJT2 Social Responsibility 2 4
ART2 MBA Healthcare Capstone Written Project

I suspect that many of these classes deal specifically with the health care industry and will only contribute to your success if you stick with it.

"Listen to the advocates of WGU and you will have to retake your degree at a real school."
Not necessarily.  WGU has the same accreditation as your local brick and mortars.
Try again.

Listen to those who have had a bad experience and NOT to those who praise this institution and you will find your time well spent. Go somewhere else for a quality degree - not something bogus and unacceptable to more than 95% of the truly accredited, verfiable and responsible colleges in the United States. In short, go to a real brick and mortar school and you will have found your money and time well spent. Listen to the advocates of WGU and you will have to retake your degree at a real school.

More like throwing your money away.  WGU is accredited by all the same bodies as brick and mortar schools.  It is rated the top, online university in the U.S. and is NON PROFIT.  I guess if you like buying the dean of your university a new car every year, that's your business.  I prefer to invest in myself.

I am a recent WGU graduate and I found my WGU experience to be very challenging and unique. I have read through some of the reviews here. Let me just say WGU is just like any other school, some will like it and some will dislike. I liked it because of what it could do for me. I did not need the piece of paper to get a job or a promotion because I got those things without the piece of paper. So for me, WGU served it's purpose. For those people who are giving WGU a bad grade you may want to consider letting your public officials know that WGU is a ripoff since WGU was founded by politicians. I would be very interested in what they would have to say about this since there have been so much talk about diploma mills schools here in the USA. Here is my honest opinion, I think some of us put too much emphasis on the personality and the brand name of a university versus what we come there to do. WGU is no Harvard or Yale but it is a legit school that does not fit for everyone. But no school is, including Harvard or Yale. I have said this many times in the past and I will say it again. "If it's going to be, it's up to me". No school or nothing in life is perfect. There are always problems and issues in everything you do regardless of what it is. No one school or job or anything makes me or breaks me. Where one door close another open and if not and I want to come in, I'll tear it down. As we all know WGU is not the only school in business when it comes to higher education. So if you don't like the way the boat rock, simply get off the ship. Deuce!!!

I promised myself I would not comment until after I completed a term at WGU. I completed a term and here I am.

After being laid off, I decided to become an IT student at WGU. So far in my first term, I earned about 20 credits. I was able to get two CIW Associate Certifications and A+ Certification so far. The cost was dirt cheap. 

So far, the courses are time consuming, but not overly difficult. If you take the time to do the assignments step by step, follow the Course of Study in chronological order, read and absorb the study materials, you will do fine. For someone with a full time job, and a family, it takes a lot of self-discipline to get motivated to do it. WGU may not be for everyone. 

My main Mentor doesn't really do much as far as coach you with individual courses. The main Mentor is or less a cheerleader to keep you motivated, makes sure you have all the study materials for each course, and schedules your courses. The actual Course Mentors provide you with help should you need assistance. The course Mentors have always been there to help me when I have a question with a specific course. 

There are some disadvantages. While there are message boards for students to help other students if you are stuck, most individual course mentors are not available on weekends. You have to wait for the next business day to get a hold of someone. If you pass a class on the weekend, you may not have all the study materials available to start the next course right away. Its always better to make sure you have all the study materials available a few days before you start the next class. With some of the courses outsourced, it can be confusing trying to remember a half dozen different passwords and login names, also I sometimes find myself with 10 different browser windows open and jumping back and forth. Also on a few late nights, I had issues with a couple websites being down for maintenance. 

I read complaints on here about papers take a long time to grade. I have not experienced problems, most of my assignments were graded within a half day. 

Overall, I think WGU is a great school. Aside from the minor issues with outsourcing of some courses, I would highly recommend them. I am receiving a huge bang for my buck. I would not say they are a diploma mill, I am enrolled in IT. Most of the IT Industry depends on certifications, and the certifications are the same tests, and at the same testing centers as other schools (online or brick and mortar).  

I have also completed a 15 page research paper, an Algebra course, a basic English skills course, and video presentation. Most of my courses in the first term were basic foundation courses, but they were a challenge, and appeared to be on a college level. 

WGU is an excellent option for people who have busy schedules, or live in a rural area.

Someone mentioned that a BA in education is much easier than a BS in education at any University... I don't think so... the only difference between a BA and BS as far as a teaching degree goes is a Foreign Language requirement.  Otherwise, the programs are virtually the same.  I've just graduated from a 'brick & mortar' University in MI with a degree in Elementary Education/major - integrated science/minor - early childhood education and I cannot imagine becoming a certified teacher through online "courses".  Additionally, most states require teachers to partake in two separate field experiences with a cooperating teacher and a university supervisor - make sure they are part of the program.  All in all, as far as an education degree/certificate, this place just seems fishy.

The WGU Experience
As an alumnus of this school, I would caution anyone considering admission to research both program and entire institution before venturing into an agreement with WGU. The domains that are taught here (yes, DOMAINS - NOT individual courses) are not easily recognized or accepted by other institutions of higher learning. This in itself causes great problems for those who actually graduate from WGU. Another matter to take into consideration is this - if you wish to change from one domain to another without completing the original domain, said original will remain on your transcript as "Not Passed" when you dropped said original domain in lieu of entering another. Again, a definite problem when attempting a transfer of credits to another institution, as well as trying to gain employment upon graduation from WGU. Take this as a warning, once committed to the WGU experience, you may find yourself in a negative position after graduation, having to retake the same degree you just earned at another college or university. In short - look elsewhere!

@Be Informed, who is uninformed 

Everything thing I quoted was said to me by a WGU Enrollment Counselor. 

No, I do not work for Columbia College. Just making people aware of other options.

Actually, it sounds like YOU work for WGU, and if so, you all need to have a meeting and get on the same page about how things work.

I am in mid-process of enrolling in the MBA program with WGU. I have a B.A. from a private, liberal arts college. I would love to hear from others who are currently in or have graduated from the MBA program at WGU.

[QUOTE]. . .
First, they don't transfer in alot of your credits from other schools.
[/QUOTE]

Depends on what credits and which school.

[QUOTE]
Second, you must be on the roll BEFORE they will tell you if any of your credits will transfer.
[/QUOTE]

I've heard of some issues regarding transfer credits not being reported promptly, but you can contact the transfer team directly and ask.  You shouldn't have to be enrolled first.

[QUOTE]
Third, you must be on the roll BEFORE they will tell you if you qualify for any loans and the amounts.
[/QUOTE]

That I don't know about.

[QUOTE]
Fourth, they do not give out grades, so I'm not sure how they go about a GPA.
[/QUOTE]

Neither does Brown University.  Look them up.

[QUOTE]
. . .Also, if you end up in the end only needing one more class, then you will be paying for an entire 6 months ($2,890) for one class.
[/QUOTE]

Incorrect. Their policy is to provide refunds for partial terms.

[QUOTE]
I switched to Columbia College in Missouri, which has a brick and mortar school, distance campuses, and complete ONLINE degree programs. Their costs are comparable to WGU. Check them out.
[/QUOTE]

Sounds like you work for Columbia College. . .

I'm one proctored test away from completing the BS IT. I started a year and a half ago, and have paid about 9000.  I had many classes transfer in from WKU but they were mostly general ed classes ... but I think thats pretty normal people. 

Keep in mind the intentions of some of these reviewers. 

The end all for me is if you want to be told this is what you have to do to graduate...now go do it.  Then your great for WGU. If you want to take a class here and there without any focused plan to graduate then dont go to WGU.  You need to be motivated and ready to finish your degree.

After I take this last exam I am reenrolling for my MBA IT. Expecting to finish it in a year giving me BSIT, MBAIT for 15,000 in 2.5 years.  Cant think of any place else that can beat that.

I 'almost' signed up with WGU.  I want you to be aware of a couple of things before you make your decision.  First, they don't transfer in alot of your credits from other schools. Second, you must be on the roll BEFORE they will tell you if any of your credits will transfer. Third, you must be on the roll BEFORE they will tell you if you qualify for any loans and the amounts.  Fourth, they do not give out grades, so I'm not sure how they go about a GPA. 
The kicker for me and deciding NOT to go to WGU is that they wanted me to enroll and begin classes BEFORE they would tell me which of my credits would transfer and how much I could receive in student loans. Also, if you end up in the end only needing one more class, then you will be paying for an entire 6 months ($2,890) for one class.
I switched to Columbia College in Missouri, which has a brick and mortar school, distance campuses, and complete ONLINE degree programs.  Their costs are comparable to WGU.  Check them out.

Not true! You know how much money you get for any school when you apply for FAFSA. Almost all of my credits from almost 8 years ago transferred.  You do have to apply to the school before you will know which ones but any school does that. Applying is NOT enrolling. And you know well before you enroll how much student loan money you are getting and how many credits have transferred. If you don't plan out your courses well and end up having less than 12 credits left you are charged $240 a credit. Get your facts straight before you rant about something and you won't look like an idiot.    

@Happygolucky

WGU doesn't offer a BS in Chemistry.  It is not a science school, it is mostly for teachers.

I don't who keeps saying that LAUSD does not accept degrees from WGU but here is the Board of Education link that specifically says WGU is an accepted school within their program requirements.

134.186.81.79/fmi/xsl/CTC_apm/browserecord.xsl?-recid=106&-token.1=recordlist

I for one and seriously thinking about taking the plunge into an education for a BS in chemistry with WGU for the state of Texas.

Is Brown University an Ivy League school?  Probably not, but it's a well known (probably first or second tier) school.  Do they use GPA?  No.

Why do people exaggerate so much? Most state schools are under $10,000 a year, not $40,000 and also have online programs. At least WGU is non-profit, so it's probably a whole lot better than schools like UoP and Devry.

Okay, I have managed to read every single comment placed here. For better or worse.  Amazing how dictated our society has become in regards to education.  Simply Amazing. Degrees, Online or B&M get you in the door. What should it matter if it is competancy based or GPA (which is very skewed).  
Kudos to WGU for breaking the mold and going againts traditional education. Look around "Traditional anything" isnt working as well anymore. Money can buy an education for even the worst of idiots. Just Sad.  

Thank you for all the information I have acquired here. Now, I am even more convinced about not going back to school even though it is 100% paid for.

Wow I clicked this link by accident.  Here is some good objective advice.  

If you can afford a bricks/mortar school and have no kids or a job that does not require travel, then go to bricks and mortar.  I travel for my job and I just physically can't go to school.  I also can't afford a degree that is $40,000....so this is the best option.   
A lot of this feedback has to do with attitude, confidence, and the ability to make it through this program.  If you can't say, "yes, I went to an online school," without shame...then don't do it.  On the other hand if you can say, "this was my option....yes I went to an online school, paid for everything myself, and I learned a lot" with confidence...well, people respect that.  Trust me, its more than most people can say in the U.S.  I'm living well, have a great job, and WGU is a part of that success.

exactly.  Devry's cost for a B.S. in Computer Information Systems?  $69000.  No joke.  WGU?  If you are extremely unmotivated, probably still under $20k.

@ Ex-Faculty

If you do not complete your degree @WGU, you will absolutely waste your money.  They do not have credit hours to transfer.  The teaching degrees themselves are professionally accredited by NCATE, which is the gold seal for teacher certification.  The major pain is getting students paired up for student teaching.  WGU does not have enough contacts to know where a good placement is.  You pretty much need to find a teacher willing to do it and tell WGU who it is.

This is why WGU has a 70% + retention rate. :)

Nope, I don't work for WGU.  I will say this though-- their enrollment department needs an overhaul.

I agree.  Something doesn't quite work right there.

they sure are out for your money i applied and knew the test well but still didnt get accepted. they already started to send me emails to apply in 6 months! no way gonna do that!

I am so thankful for this website. I think I had better face the music and take the GRE, and head for a brick school. The info. in these reviews is both damning and enlightening - very useful. Thank you, Norm!

I was told by my Enrollment Counselor that credits/courses will NOT transfer anywhere...only the BA, BS or MS, itself will transfer. 

After reading all of this, I am having 2nd thoughts about this school. It sounds like I will end up just wasting my time and money :(

i applied waiting to see if i get excepted. does any one know how i can meet the students? can i have access to anything yet or do i have to wait till i am an official student

Thanks im gonna apply and see what happens

@teach right

All schools accept WGU teaching degrees.  They are NCATE accredited.

how can i check if my school district accepts WGU? i want to apply for the interdisciplinary program but now im thinking of reconsidering if its going to be useless.

Obviously, this is just the South, so just imagine how many non-profit schools across the country offer online courses and/or programs.

"WGU Credits Will Transfer. I just checked with University Of Washington Credit Eval. Dept, and they confirmed that they do accept WGU Degree and Credits."

If you do not complete the degree, it is not accepted.  WGU does not have credit hours but competency based assessments.  They do not transfer individual courses nor do they count for pay raises unless you COMPLETE the degree.

This school is almost perfect... 

"Unfortunately, we have discovered that we cannot always guarantee that the educational experience for students living outside the United States will meet our high standards for quality and convenience. It is our expectation that these issues will be resolved in future years." - WGU

Resolved in future years? I wonder when? I hope they don't charge exorbitant out-of-state/international fees.

@ Ex-Faculty - WGU Credits Will Transfer. I just checked with University Of Washington Credit Eval. Dept, and they confirmed that they do accept WGU Degree and Credits.

Lets get one thing straight, WGU does not offer transferable credits.  Nothing you take at WGU will transfer... ANYWHERE.  If you start taking courses at this school you better finish or you are wasting your money.  If you do finish, you will get an NCATE accredited degree, at least in teaching which is not a bad credential and accepted everywhere for certification.  The rest of the degrees that lack professional accreditation are not really worth the time accept for the RA.

HM : All. Ivy league schools use GPA. I can't think of one that doesn't. In fact, WGU is the only school that I know of which does not utilize GPA. Sure you can take classes pass/fail, but they will not help your academic standing. 

Stanford will never switch to that. I don't know where you get your reputation. Schools without GPA don't have Cum Laude rankings. Do you really think Stanford will give up its status as a top ranked university? Don't think so.

Also, many state schools now have distance education programs, so why bother getting a degree from WGU?

WGU is fine for a last resort, but I wouldn't expect to find a job with it on your resume.

I am suprised to see so many negative reviews. 

I am currently enrolled with 48 credits complete for IT network managment and design. this degree gives you industry certifications from CompTIA, CIW, and a full MCSE as well as an accredited bachelor's degree. 

The mentors are kind of worthless, they are not teachers, they are more like project managers that gather resources and try to keep you on track. If you are self motivated then you can complete this, if not you will drop out. The same is true for any other degree program.

For all looking at the nursing programs...
Last year I completed my RN-BSN in 6 months. I put in a lot of time and work, but only costing 4,000 instead of the alternative was enough push for me. I am now close to completing my master's in nurse education. In both programs I have learned a great amount of applicable material. The key to sucess is self motiviation and good planning. I would recommend this program to anyone. 

The mentor that you have may make a difference in the perception of expierence. My first mentor, RN-BSN, was great. She was knowledgeable and helpful. The mentor that I have now is not so great, anyways if you get a mentor that you don't like, ask for a new one!

WGU is a difficult school, especially if you don't have the discipline to complete online classes.  

I have been at this school since June of 2005.  I have 5 classes (assessments) left to complete my degree (this includes my capstone project).

I have taken time off for medical reasons.  When all is said and done, I will probably have $40,000 of debt from attending WGU.

If I had to do things over again, I would have gone to college right out of high school, finished my associate's degree, then bachelors, then my master's degree.

That said, I am very happy that I am about to finish my degree.  I am obtaining a Bachelors of Science degree in Finance (this program has since been discontinued).

I worked in the finance industry for 10 years.  I am trying to decide what I want to do for graduate school.  I don't think I would attend WGU again as I am not very disciplined when it comes to online learning.  For example, my past 6 month term I had four assessments (classes) to complete for a total of 12 credits.  I completed the first one within a month.  I completed the last three within a month, but it was very difficult!

Overall, if you can handle online courses, I would recommend WGU.  If not, attend a traditional brick and mortar university.

I don't completely understand what you are saying. Please clarify. Are you saying that she scary because she is not qualified? Are you saying that it is scary that WGU supposedly just allows their students to 'slide through' without learning a thing? Are you saying that her personality is scary? What are you saying exactly?

I know a diploma prepared nurse who had zero college credits that was awarded a BSN from WGU in only one year (with no foreign language, etc. etc.). She got her Masters the following year.  And she is a very, very scary person.  I'd run from WGU because of my personal experience with the quality of persons they allow to graduate.

I completed both my BAIS and my Masters in Special Ed from WGU.  I am completely satisfied.  Any college that you attend will have pros and cons.  The bottom line is whether or not independent learning is for you.  It definately was for me!  I have been teaching for 4 years with my BAIS and completed my MS in May.  My husband is also enrolled in the BAIS program and he is loving the experience.  For those of you thinking about WGU, call and ask questions but before you ask questions of anyone else, ask yourself if you are prepared to be independent or not.  I have had job offers from 3 different counties in TN and basically got to choose which county to work in!  I would recommend WGU to anyone who is serious about their education!  I cannot speak for the other states in the US, but TN does not have a problem with WGU's accredidation.

I know you live in Northern California but this might interest you.

The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest in the country, will not accept credits/units from WGU.

Summary:
WGU is a competency-based university and is not credit based. Therefore, at this time unit credit for coursework completed through WGU is not eligible for salary point credit for LAUSD teachers."

This is still true. If you are with LAUSD don't go to WGU.

I don't know if your school district feels the same way as LAUSD does about WGU but I would check into it carefully if I were you.