I am think of enrolling at Western Governors University and would like to hear from people who are currently enrolled at the school. Thanks, Lee
I was just accepted in their program, but I haven't started yet. They have been a pleasure to deal with so far. I posted the same question last week and got a favorable response from one gentleman. You should do a name search on here for "WGU" and "Western Governor's", and you may find some more feedback.
Re: WGU If the thread-starter emails you instead of you and he sharing here, for all to read, whatever it is you end-up talking about, then one of the purposes of this forum is defeated. Just my opinion.
I, for one, am considering them for an MBA. I would definitely like to be exposed to whatever students, prospective students, or graduates about the program are saying. Please do keep it public. Thanks!
My Experience So Far at WGU This is in response to a poster who felt it defeated the purpose of the forum by offering to make off-line responses to inquiries. Also, frankly, I hadn't considered I might be overwhelmed with questions. Therefore, I am posting my experience without the identification of the individual I responded to by personal email: Ternahan I've been enrolled since November 2004. I just completed my first six month term and took the assessments. So I've been through one cycle and will try to answer your questions as best I can. First, this is not my first experience with remote learning. I completed an MA with CSU Dominguez Hills in the same manner. However, the mode was very different: there, I was doing essentially term papers in response to readings and a syllabus. So, for a three semester hour course, I had to complete three term papers, generally about 15 or more pages each, in MLA format. Here, you will be expected to interact on line with your classmates, work towards a project for the term (that is, in the MA in Learning and Technology I'm taking). So anything I say should be considered referent with that program in mind. Also, you would be completing an objective final assessment and an essay (two topics). So, in the term just finished, I was graded on an instructional design project that I will be following through my entire program, and the aforementioned prometrics tests, which I took with my local junior college. Many of the WGU students I've encountered so far are teachers. They are either receiving or may be eligible to receive funds from the state in which they are teaching to defray the cost of their degrees. I don't know what your situation is. Also, the school is based on assessment units, vice semester hours. This could be an issue if you didn't finish an undergraduate degree and wanted to transfer to another regionally accredited school--I don't know. On the plus side, WGU is regionally accredited by ALL regional accreditors, which is unique. I've felt the instructors were top notch so far. My mentor is a PhD and I talk to her at least once per month. My course instructor last term was a published author, with probably twenty plus years experience in the field, also a PhD. Another issue is that the university functions as a learning manager and will enroll you in courses offered by other universities in pursuit of your degree requirements. Last term I took Instructional Design with a commercial provider of training. This time I'm enrolled with a state college, taking an educational research course for the competency in that domain. A big issue is how comfortable you feel working alone without the structure of a classroom. Life has a tendency to intrude when you have no definite time and place to be studying: kids, family, all that. Having said that, WGU puts you through a one month introductory course with a lot of hand-holding: they do the introduction to online learning very well. You will get a feel for your own preferences, if you don't already know how you would react to what can be very isolating. On the plus side is NOT having to be in a certain place: you can be up studying at 3 A.M. if that is what works for you.
