Western Governors University Offers Tips for Selecting an Online University

WGU, an online university, provides guidelines to help prospective students
avoid "diploma mills"

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For a growing number of
degree-seekers, the idea of earning a college degree from an online university
is becoming increasingly attractive. The flexibility and convenience of online
universities allow adults who are juggling work and family responsibilities to
advance their education without abandoning their lives. But with this
increased interest in online higher education, a few new colleges and
universities have appeared that are little more than "diploma mills." So,
finding a reputable, accredited online university that offers a program that
meets your needs requires some diligence.

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Non-profit Western Governors University, www.wgu.edu, an innovator in online
higher education, has developed a list of questions to help online degree
seekers make informed, wise choices:

1.) Does the school offer the degree program you need to advance your
education and career?
If you're considering a teaching degree, will it prepare you to be licensed as
a teacher?
Is there a master's degree program that will help you progress in your
profession?

2.) Are the programs challenging and rigorous enough to be worth your time and
expense? Going to college requires a significant investment of time and money,
so be sure to find out all you can about the coursework, quality of learning
resources, and degree requirements. Easy isn't a good thing in this instance
-- when you finish your degree, you want to know that you've successfully
completed a demanding program that prepares you for career success.

3.) Is the school accredited?
Online universities should have regional accreditation, which is the same
accreditation given to campus-based schools like Harvard and Stanford. A good
online school may also have national accreditation from the Distance Education
and Training Council (DETC), and individual degree programs in subjects like
Education and Nursing should also be accredited by bodies such as the National
Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and by the
Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
If the school you're considering is not accredited, your online college degree
may not be respected by employers and graduate schools, so if it's not
accredited, it's not for you.

4.) Are employers willing to hire graduates of this online university?
Ask the enrollment staff at the university you're considering to share
feedback (surveys, placement statistics, etc.) from employers who've hired
their grads. If they can't provide this information, this could be a red flag.

5.) How does the degree program work? Will you attend classes via webinar,
study independently, be required to visit a physical campus?
Be sure you understand how you'll be expected to study, learn, and complete
tests and assignments. Online universities use several different academic
models:
-- Traditional college courses, led by instructors, are delivered online,
requiring students to attend at prescribed times and sometimes
requiring
group projects. School terms are generally divided into traditional
semesters or quarters, and students may only start work on their
degrees
at the beginning of these terms. Students earn credit for time spent
in
class and completion of assignments, projects, and tests.
-- Competency-based programs, like those offered by Western Governors
University, provide students with learning resources in degree subject
matter, allowing students to study and learn on their own schedules,
advancing in their degrees as they demonstrate mastery of the content
through tests and other assessments rather than simply spending time
in
class.

-- Combined online/traditional programs, which require students to attend
class both online and in person, are also available.

Be sure to consider your lifestyle, motivation, independent learning ability,
and time available as you consider which academic model is best for you.

6.) How much will it cost?
Unfortunately, some online universities, particularly the for-profits, have
tuition that's twice as much as that of a state institution. While almost all
offer financial aid in the form of student loans, make sure to choose wisely
to avoid incurring unnecessary debt. And, students who wish to accelerate
their degree programs should look for schools with programs that allow
acceleration -- this can help save overall costs. And, be sure to ask if the
university offers scholarships.

7.) What type of help and support does the school offer its students?
Because the student won't be on campus, it is important to make sure that the
school provides the support and advising he or she needs to be successful and
feel connected.
Is each student assigned an advisor or mentor?
How often will the student be able to communicate with an advisor, and who
will be available to provide extra help and support if needed?
Is there an online student community?
Are there learning communities for specific degree programs?
Are online study groups available?

"An online university can be the ideal solution for career-minded adults who
want to get a bachelor's or master's degree, and there are some excellent
schools who offer rigorous, challenging, and respected degree programs," said
WGU Marketing and Enrollment Vice President Patrick Partridge. "Before you
choose a school, make sure to do some good research to ensure you find a
reputable university that offers the program you need and fits your personal
learning style. By investing the time before you start, you help ensure that
you can be successful and that the degree you earn will help you advance in
your profession."

About Western Governors University (WGU)

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

Recently featured on the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, WGU is the only
online university in the U.S. offering competency-based degree programs. WGU
courses are academically rigorous and designed for adults who are motivated
and committed to earning a degree that supports their career objectives and
meets the needs of employers.

WGU is nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council
(DETC) and 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 the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
(CHEA). In addition, WGU's Teachers College is the first and only exclusively
online provider of teacher education to receive accreditation from the
National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). WGU
nursing programs have been accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing
Education (CCNE).

Founded in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors, WGU's enrollment has grown to over
16,000 students. Private, non-profit, and self-sustaining on tuition, the
university has earned the support of 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. More information
is available at www.wgu.edu.

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

SOURCE Western Governors University

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