Completing Your Bachelor s Degree, Gaining STEM Mastery, and Obtaining Licensure at WGU

Transcription

1 Completing Your Bachelor s Degree, Gaining STEM Mastery, and Obtaining Licensure at WGU Dr. Stan Schmidt Western Governors University National Association Of Community College Teacher Education Programs March, 2015 Boston, MA.

2 Levels of Education

3 Economic Benefits of Earning Advanced Degrees

4 Western Governors University Mission Statement The principal mission of Western Governors University is to improve quality and expand access to post-secondary educational opportunities by providing a means for individuals to learn independent of time and place and to earn competency-based degrees and other credentials that are credible to both academic institutions and employers.

5 5 Reasons to Complete Your Bachelors/Masters Degree at WGU 1. WGU is a fully accredited, national university 2. WGU is uniquely competency based 3. Employers value a WGU education 4. WGU students are fully supported with resources and social interaction 5. WGU is affordable and cutting edge

6 WGU is the Nation s Largest, Fully Accredited, Teachers College The Teachers College at WGU is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)-the first exclusively online teacher education institution to achieve this distinction. WGU's "home" accrediting commission is the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the same organization that accredits such leading traditional institutions as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and other public and private colleges. WGU boasts 12,619 students in Teachers College, 55, 000 students total, and 40,000 graduates. 5% of all education degrees in U.S. are now awarded by WGU. 15% of all master s degrees in STEM teaching are awarded by WGU.

7 WGU is Uniquely Competency Based Competence is the top priority of every degree program. Each program emphasizes the mastery of essential skills and knowledge, which is an approach to online learning that rewards focused, hardworking adult learners. Progress toward your degree is based on passing rigorous competency-based assessments that measure your skills and knowledge in your field of study. You can progress as quickly as you are able to demonstrate competency in each assessment.

8 Competency Based Education

9 Every adult considering enrolling in an online degree program should take a close look at Western Governors University..Two things stand out, besides the very reasonable cost, and they are: competencybased learning and the overwhelming positive reviews this school receives from its students and graduates. University Research & Review, 2014

10 Employers Value a WGU Education Results of 2014 Harris Poll Survey of 300 Employers: 99% said that WGU graduates meet or exceed expectations (92% exceed expectations) 96% said their WGU graduates were prepared for their jobs; 89% said very well or extremely well prepared. 93% of employers rate the soft skills of WGU graduates as equal to or better than graduates from other institutions.

11 WGU Graduates Work Placement Comparison of results of a 2014 Harris Poll Online survey of 1,561 new college graduates nationwide with a survey of 1,213 WGU graduates. Employment Outcomes WGU National Total Employed 92% 91% Employed in degree field 86% 81% Employed Full Time 82% 77%

12 WGU Students are Fully Supported with Resources and Social Interaction Each WGU student has a student mentor, and a course mentor for each assessment Textbooks are embedded in courses of study and are not purchased by students Provision is made for objective exams to be proctored at student s home. Evaluation of written assignments are returned with feedback for improving resubmission. Subject specific communities provide interaction. State get-togethers, graduation ceremonies, mixers

13 2014 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) poll of 350,000 students at 600 institutions) Quality of interactions with WGU faculty -20% (higher than national average) Quality of academic support 23% higher Would attend same institution again 25% higher Rating of entire educational experience 16% higher Time spent per week on studies 13% higher Acquisition of job-related knowledge and skills 13% higher

14 WGU is Affordable WGU s tuition of about $6,000 per year has not increased since 2008 Tuition is charged at a flat rate per six-month term regardless of the number of courses attempted. WGU is self sustaining on tuition, receiving no ongoing state or federal funding. 73% of WGU students receive financial aid 40% of WGU undergraduates receive Pell grants In 2014, WGU awarded more than $2.5 million in need-based scholarships In 2014, WGU s 3-year student default rate was 6.6%, compared with national average of 13.7% In 2014, University Research & Review honored WGU with its Best Value Award.

15 WGU is Cutting Edge WGU was recently honored with the 21 st Century Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning (4 th time since 2008) WGU has received Sloan Consortium s Ralph E. Gomery Award for Quality Online Education NCTQ ranked WGU #1 for secondary teacher preparation programs

16 STEM A Promising Future STEM positions will grow 1.7 times faster than non-stem positions Math and Science (especially chemistry and physics) are high demand WGU is the leading producer of math and science degrees according to Eduventures, (2013). 15% of all master s degrees in STEM teaching are awarded by WGU WGU is a charter member of the 100Kin10 program

17 Obtaining Licensure at WGU WGU maintains state licensure in all 50 states Enrollment counselor helps you enroll in desired degree plan. WGU accepts transfer credit You are assigned to a student mentor You are assigned to a course mentor for each assessment Field Experiences helps prepare your placement for preclinical observations and demonstration teaching. WGU assists you in preparing for Praxis II exams (tutoring, pays for 1 st exam) WGU assists with state testing and endorsement WGU supports students with professional portfolios WGU provides for professional development and networking WG enjoys a strong and growing alumni association

18 WGU State Partnerships WGU has been adapted by the follow states and endorsed as a state university Indiana Missouri Tennessee Texas Washington (tuition discounts, scholarships, professional development)

19 Completing Your Bachelor s Degree, Gaining STEM Mastery, and Obtaining Licensure at WGU Thank you for attending! (and special thanks to Carrie Pottinger) Dr. Stan Schmidt Western Governors University

20 References Babson Research Group. (2014). The value of online education. Retrieved from: Education Pays. (2013). Retrieved from: