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NWCCU Accredited

Regional accreditation: the highest form of accreditation

Western Governors University is accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), a regional accreditation body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the regional authority on educational quality and institutional effectiveness of colleges and universities in a seven-state region that includes WGU’s headquarters state of Utah. NWCCU provides the accreditation of many other major institutions, such as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, Gonzaga University, University of Utah, University of Idaho, and Brigham Young University, to name just a few.

NCATE Accredited

The WGU Teachers College is accredited based on the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) standards for a period of 7 years, from 2012 to 2019.

WGU’s Teachers College is eligible and will seek accreditation based on the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards in spring 2018. CAEP is the single specialized accreditor for educator preparation, and administers NCATE accreditation.

WGU is proud of its Teachers College’s 7-year NCATE accreditation history and is prepared to meet the renewed rigor and relevance of excellence by seeking accreditation based on the CAEP Standards in 2018. CAEP accreditation eligible EPPs take steps to maintain gapless national accreditation for educator preparation.

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CCNE Accredited

WGU’s bachelor’s and master’s nursing degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791).

CAHIIM Accredited

WGU’s Health Information Management program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

ACBSP Accredited

All of WGU’s College of Business bachelor’s and master’s degree programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), a leading specialized accreditation association for business education. ACBSP accredits business, accounting, and business-related programs at the associate, baccalaureate, master, and doctorate degree levels worldwide. The accreditation focuses on recognizing teaching excellence, determining student learning outcomes, and a continuous improvement model. Institutions with programs accredited by ACBSP are committed to continuous improvement that ensures business programs deliver students the skills employers want.

What Accreditation Means to You

A quality education is the key to future success. That’s why accreditation should be a primary consideration when choosing a university. By enrolling in one of WGU’s regionally accredited degree programs:

  • You are assured a basic level of quality in education and services.
  • Your credits are more likely to be transferable to other accredited institutions.
  • You earn a degree that is more likely to be recognized by colleges and employers as a legitimate credential.

Questions and Answers

Select a question from the left, see the answer to the right.

Should I care about accreditation?

Absolutely. Accreditation by a regional commission that’s recognized by the U.S. Department of Education is important. It’s your proof that outside evaluators have carefully reviewed an institution’s programs and policies. Many businesses, school districts, and other organizations prefer to hire graduates of programs that are regionally accredited. Regional accreditation also allows you to transfer more easily to other universities and assures employers that you've earned a credible, respected degree.

Why is WGU’s regional accreditation important?

Regional accreditation means that WGU’s competency-based programs meet the same educational standards for performance, integrity, and quality as those found at other more traditional universities, from large state schools to Ivy League universities. Regional accreditation bodies—in WGU’s case, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)—are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the authorities on educational quality and the effectiveness of institutions in their geographic areas. WGU’s accreditation comes from NWCCU because its region includes WGU’s headquarters state of Utah.

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Jay Nixon

WGU Missouri Founding Governor

"WGU Missouri is designed to meet the needs of real people with real lives. How quickly you earn your degree depends on how quickly you master the subject matter, because you advance at your own pace. Instead of paying tuition by the credit hour, students can take as much coursework as they want for a flat rate. This is the flexibility and the affordability that many working Missourians need to finish a degree to help themselves, their family and their community."

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