Moving closer to WGU...

The more I correspond with WGU, the more I'm leaning toward them for my Bachelor's degree in Management. I'm currently interviewing several schools, including WGU, TESC and Excelsior.

Months back, Excelsior was the front-runner due to their flexibility. However, they've not been incredibly responsive to my e-mails, and when I spoke to a counselor on the phone I felt rushed, as though they wanted me off the line ASAP.

I've only started the process with TESC, but I've gotten good feedback on them from a number of sources. I'll let you know how that goes.

However, based on everything I've heard and my personal contact with my pre-enrollment counselor at WGU (Jan), Western Governors University is the front-runner for my tuition money.

You can read more in my blog about my dealings with WGU if you like (see link in signature).

 

WGU has some good programs. I hope it works for you.

 

Wgu

I know absolutely nothing about WGU but your tag line of going back to school at 44 is phenomenal.

I went back to school at 44 for both MBA and my MS concurrently after 19 years away from school and now I have acquired a new found thirst for knowledge and have made and met some terrific friends and mentors along the way.

Congratulations and good luck.

 

I know WGU...

I'll tell you from personal experience that Western Governors University has an excellent educational model for people like you and me with lots of real-world experience but little academic credentials.

The competency model being used by WGU has long been the "holy grail" of distance learning but has never been implemented in an acceptable manner until WGU.

Following their process will put you completely in control of your academic progression. The only caveats are that since they are rigorous in ensuring your competency, you'll need to be aware that their assignments will be challenging. If you are a good independent learner and love essays, thesis, projects and proctored examinations, you'll love WGU.

I attended WGU for both my Bachelors and my Masters degrees.

I finished the both programs in about 2.5 years at a cost less than $20K.

They are both regionally and nationally accredited (DETC, NWCCU, WASC, and NJATE).

I think they are an excellent find. I owe this find to degreeinfo.com and degree.com forums.

I like the fact that their mentors are experts in their field with advanced degrees from other major distance-learning schools such as Union and UoP.

I enjoy being able to script my success.

NOTE: I AM IN NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM ASSOCIATED WITH WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY EXCEPT AS A HAPPY ALUMNI.


I wish you well, whatever you choose.

Jacob

 

Thanks for the feedback. So far, I'm liking what I'm hearing. My pre-enrollement counselor did tell me that she expects I could complete my BS in Management in one year, considering that I'll be coming into WGU with my AA degree already.

She felt as though I'll be able to take the pre-test on certain competencies and, since I have so much management experience, I'll be able to do well enough on the pre-test to go directly to the exam and pass the class.

Any thoughts on that part of the process?

 

Credit by Exam at WGU

Credit by Exam is a well-known and well-respected means of earning credentials based on what you know. The thing I liked about WGU was that though there tests were longer and harder than CLEP subject exams, there are far fewer of them. WGU is very good at guaging your initial competency in a subject. Their pre-tests while they might seem a little too easy if you really have experience and knowledge of your subject are designed to give your mentor an idea of how much you know about a subject and are therefore designed to help you and your mentor design your academic action plan (kind of like a formal academic learning agreement).

I think that you have nothing to loose by trying the examinations (both pre and real). People often often know much more than they think they know.

Anyway, I'd recommend just taking the exams and brushing up where you may be a little weak. This is an excellent program. Who is your mentor?

Jacob

NOTE: I AM NOT AFFILIATED WITH WGU IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM EXCEPT AS A HAPPY ALUMNI.

 

No mentor as yet, I haven't enrolled at WGU. I'm still weighing my options.

 

Jacob,

If someone fails a competency test, can they retake it? If so, how many times?

Abner

 

Actually, that would be happy ALUMNUS, unless you are two persons in one (with both of your persons having been WGU grads).

 

Split personality perhaps?

 

There has been lots of positive feedback (in fact I do not recall a negative) in this forum over the last several years for Charter Oak State College
http://www.charteroak.edu/

 

I did about half a degree with them (MS) and was fairly pleased. I think they're pretty good--the profs are phenomenal in keeping you on task.

 

I don't think that COSC offers an MS. Which school are you talking about?