While researching affordable online education, I have come across an interesting school called Western Governers University. This organization is very young at about 10 years old, but already has amassed quite a list of "firsts."
1. WGU's teachers college was the first online school to achieve NCATE Accreditation.
2. WGU is the only university accredited by regional accrediting organizations in four separate regions of the country. This is because the school was formed by the Governors of 19 different US States.
3. The distance learning programs of WGU were instrumental in getting Congress to approve government financial aid to be allowed for online education.
4. WGU also was involved in getting the GI Bill benefits to be able to be used for an online degree.
5. One of the 19 Governers to work on the formation of the school is Arnold Schwarzenegger.
6. Bill and Melinda Gates' foundation is also a major funder ofthe school, along with a larlge number of corporate sponsors.
7. WGU's competency based program allows students to receive course credit for measurable life and career experience. This program is even approved for VA benefits. If you can complete the assignments and pass the exams, you can accelerate your pace and not have to re-learn what you already know.
8. WGU's online teaching degree is still the only exclusively online school to have NCATE Accreditation.
9. WGU's tuition is charged by 6 month term and for most programs basic tuition is $2,890 Per Six-Month Term. At under $6,000 a year it's one of the most affordable options for college out there.
10. You can follow WGU on Twitter at twitter.com/wgu.
