Western Governors University Nursing Education Programs Receive CCNE Accreditation

Western Governors University Nursing Education Programs Receive CCNE
Accreditation

WGU's Competency-Based Bachelor's and Master's Degree Programs Accredited
Through 2014

SALT LAKE CITY, May 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Western Governors
University's Nursing Education Programs (www.wgu.edu), including the new B.S.
in Nursing (Prelicensure) have been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate
Nursing Education (CCNE). The initial accreditation, which has a five-year
term, was awarded following a rigorous process that included a site visit as
well as a review of WGU's nursing curriculum.

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An autonomous arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, CCNE is
the foremost accrediting body for nursing schools that offer baccalaureate and
graduate degrees. Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as
a national accreditation agency, it is the only accrediting body devoted
exclusively to the evaluation of baccalaureate and graduate nursing degree
programs. Accreditation is a nongovernmental peer review process that
evaluates each program's mission, goals, and expected outcomes and assesses
the performance of the program in achieving the mission and goals.

"Providing educational opportunities and degree programs to meet the needs of
underserved populations and employers with critical workforce needs is part of
WGU's mission, and earning CCNE accreditation allows us to address the growing
shortage of nurses and nurse educators in the U.S," said WGU President Robert
Mendenhall. "Accreditation demonstrates that our approach, which combines
technology and competency-based learning with comprehensive clinical
experience, will produce graduates who are well prepared to fulfill their
roles in patient care, nurse education, and leadership."

About WGU's Nursing Education Programs

WGU offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in nursing designed to meet
the needs of the healthcare industry today. Developed in collaboration with
employers and industry experts, the programs combine online learning, advanced
simulation training, and in-hospital clinical experience to provide nursing
education that is high quality, affordable, and accessible to working adults.
WGU's degree programs include:
-- B.S. Nursing (RN to BSN online)
-- B.S. Nursing (Prelicensure)
-- M.S. Nursing--Education (for RNs with BSNs)
-- M.S. Nursing--Leadership and Management (for RNs with BSNs)
-- M.S. Nursing--Education (RN to MSN Option)

-- M.S. Nursing--Leadership and Management (RN to MSN Option)

For more information on WGU's nursing programs, go to www.wgu.edu/CCNE or call
1-866-225-5948 (866-CALL-WGU).

About Western Governors University (WGU)

"[WGU is] the best relatively cheap university you've never heard of."
-- TIME magazine (Nov. 2008)

WGU is the only accredited online university in the U.S. offering
competency-based degree programs. The private non-profit university has been a
leader in online education for more than 10 years. WGU is the recipient of the
USDLA 21st Century Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning for 2008,
awarded in recognition of WGU's success in expanding access to higher
education. WGU has been honored as one of the 2008 Top 20 Military Friendly
Colleges and Universities by Military Advanced Education magazine. WGU
sponsors the Online Student Survival Guide, a blog that addresses many of the
questions and daily concerns online students from any online college or
university face.

Now serving more than 13,000 students, WGU was founded by 19 U.S. governors,
and is supported by more than 20 leading corporations and foundations. They
include institutions such as AT&T, BearingPoint, Dell, Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation, Hewlett-Packard, HCA, Microsoft, Oracle, Qwest, SunGard Higher
Education, Sun Microsystems, and Zions Bank. WGU offers bachelor's and
master's degrees in business, information technology, teacher education, and
health professions, with students in all 50 states. More information is
available at www.wgu.edu.

About CCNE

Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national
accreditation agency, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is
an autonomous accrediting agency contributing to the improvement of the
public's health. CCNE ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and
graduate education programs preparing effective nurses.

CCNE serves the public interest by assessing and identifying programs that
engage in effective educational practices. As a voluntary, self-regulatory
process, CCNE accreditation supports and encourages continuing self-assessment
by nursing education programs and the continuing growth and improvement of
collegiate professional education.

Contact for enrollment information:
866-225-5948

Contact for media inquiries:
Joan Mitchell -- Director of PR
801-428-5463
jmitchell@wgu.edu

SOURCE Western Governors University

Joan Mitchell of Western Governors University, +1-801-428-5463,
jmitchell@wgu.edu