Recent WGU Experiences?

So, I have applied to, been accepted, and awarded financial aid to attend Western Governors University. I have been seriously torn between WGU which is both RA and NA (DETC) accredited, and AJU's sponsored tuition program. I would save a ton of money at AJU, but with the whole RA/NA debate like the safety of the RA accreditation WGU offers. My only concern is WGU is competency based. While confident in my abilities, I work full time and would love to know if others who are WGU students or alum found it possible to fit WGU's program into their schedule. I can devote 2-3 hours a night and weekends, but its just so hard for me to gage how much time WGU would require. Any comments on recent WGU experiences would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Justin

 

Which degree? For an undergraduate degree, WGU will NOT accept transfer credits toward a major.

 

BS in Business Management. I am nervous about their acceptance of transfer credit, but with the equivalent of only 90 s.h. I am not that far into the major, and since I have many years of experience in management, I am hoping to move through the domains a bit more quickly. That is one thing I'd like to know though, how successful have other WGU students been at moving through the domains and passing the exams?

 

The only place you're going to see the whole "RA/NA debate" is on message boards like this.

 

I was VERY close to signing up at WGU to complete my education degree, but they would not accept any of my 16 credit hours in education. That was a deal killer for me. You may want to think about Thomas Edison.

 

I'm surprised WGU is that picky. I was under the impression they would look at your credits in terms of earned competencies, and make the assessment accordingly.

Someone should actually try that-- try selling their WGU mentor on credits earned as competencies completed, and see what they say. Run it through any available appeals process if necessary, and let the board know what happened. . .

Additionally, if there's any way to parlay previously earned credits into certificates/certifications/minor diplomas, that might convince them to award the relevant competencies.

 

Well I admit I am disappointed, but also completely unsure. I received my transfer credit evaluation today and out of 29 required assessments, my associates degree (90 hours total) only cleared 5 assessments. It's tough because if WGU where what it claims to be I'd still be very excited, because I am confident I can move through my in-filed management coursework quite easily. However, some reviews I found online make it seem like it is not as easy to move through the assessments because it takes so long to have things graded, and the expected time to complete is two years, and somehow I just felt like I was further along. However, I still love the idea of WGU in theory. My first class is supposed to be "Education Without Boundaries", which is supposed to explain the whole competency based education model in more detail and answer more questions.

Right now, I am glad I decided to apply to FHSU and TESC. I have a 13 day European vacation planned starting Wednesday, and when I get back I should have transfer evals back form both FHSU an TESC. I have not ruled out WGU completely, but I am certainly glad I decided to keep options open.

I want an affordable way to finish my degree. Runner ups right now, with no clear winner, are: WGU, AJU, FHSU, and TESC.

 

I liked the concept also, but the practical application of their concept is an utter failure. They ran me off with the nonsensical transfer credit situation. Much of your hard work would be down the toilet. I would look elsewhere.

AJU if you want to take affordable classes and can supplement some with CLEP/DANTES.

TESC if you want to focus on on CLEP/DANTES and finish quickly.

Let us know how it goes. Have a good time in Europe. Watch out for scammers/pickpockets. Keep your valuables as close to your body as possible if going to popular tourist attractions.

 

hi,
I was wondering which college you chose to attend

 

Wow, WGU not accepting transfer credits for undergrad. Let me share something with you all.

I was admitted to WGU in 2005. My Microsoft certs and previous college credits transferred in and I passed more than half the program before taking Learning without Boundaries. (first course).

They must have had a lot like me because there's no way I would have gone there if it wasn't for the transfer credits and I can't imagine why the credit transfer policy would have changed, unless they were losing a lot of money or were in danger of losing their regional accreditation.

As to the practical application of their competency model, used to be just fine. Read a book, take a proctored exam.. read a book, write an essay, submit. move on. What have they done to screw it up?

IT

 

Does WGU accept CLEP/DSST?

 

I am seriosly considering WGU for a MAT. Has anyone done a masters there? My AA & BA are from TESC, but I am not expecting problems with them. I am just wondering how difficult the Masters equivalency programs are.

 

I would check out Online Degree Reviews Written by Students. I've posted recent MBA comments from that site, but not their MAT comments.

 

Thank you so much for that link. I checked it and other similar sites and found some good info. I am closer and closer to applying at WGU. I live in NJ and it is extremely difficult to get an alternate route teaching certification, I have come as far as I can without a job, so WGU sounds like a great chance for me to get a license.

 

I just thought I would bump this to see if anyone else has gone or applied here. I applied on Friday, I have to wait for all my transcripts to get there, but I was told today that they would take CLEP. Right now my biggest worry is they will tell me I need a history course. The only real history I have done is DSST History of the Vietnam War.

I would really like to here from someone who has applied or gone here recently. I will let you know how it goes for me.

 

I have always been skeptical of WGU. I had never heard of them till I saw an advertisement in the chronicle and applied. During the interview they kept repeating over and over that I would have to subscribe to their "business model" in order to work there. Having previously worked for the UOP - another school with a business model - I found this to be a real turnoff. I made it to the second round of interviews before I asked them to remove me from consideration.

On paper the WGU program sounds great. They are the only NCATE accredited teaching program that is online. If you are going to get a license from another state; then this will make transferring back to NJ much easier. Take a look at the NASDTEC website for the details on how to transfer your teaching license back to NJ.

Linda, with a degree in science you should be able to do an alternative certification program in many US cities. Most large urban school districts have such programs. If you are willing to relocate then this would be another avenue towards a license. I know of several districts that also include a Masters as part of the deal.

Here are a few alternative programs by big districts.
http://notebook.lausd.net/portal/page?_pageid=33,1017281&_dad=ptl&_schema=PTL_EP
http://www.ccsd.net/jobs/ARLPcomponent.php
http://www.indianapolisteachingfellows.org/eligibility_requirements.php

I did the alternative program through LAUSD. I just did the licensing program; however, I know that many folks got MS degrees out of the deal. I didn't have to pay a penny for the license. I have a friend in Indianapolis that is also not paying a penny for his math/physics endorsement and masters degree in Indianapolis. I know several people in the program in Las Vegas. Part of the program is free for the license. They end up paying for a few classes to get the masters degree.

If you are a math or science program I can see no reason why you would need to pay for a MS degree or a teaching license.

 

I am attending currently, but in the IT program. It will serve my purposes. I do have to say, though-- I hear mostly good things about the nursing and teaching programs, including their rigor.

 

I was provisionally accepted today. I just need to do the intake interview and have them get my transcript.

I exspect to have to pay for my own Masters or license for two reasons. #1 I am what some people would call to old to start a new career (lets just say the double nickle has come and gone), I do not feel old and I figure I have at least 20 years to be active as a teacher. #2 I am a country girl. The town I now live in is 2.9 square miles and about 4000 people. I substitute at 2 different school systems both are K-8 systems with less than 600 students in 2 schools. I like knowing all of the kids in the middle schools by name and they know my name.

As for relocating my DH and I have lived in NJ all of our lives, he just got a new job after 18 months unemployed. The new job may mean we have to move to Colorodo in 12-18 months. I could easily travel to Allentown PA to teach, but I really am not comfortable in the city. I have also looked into teaching in Vermont I love it up there, but I would have to retake my Math Praxis they have a really high requirement and I missed it by 4 points.

I really LOVE science I worked in several different laboratories for a total of over 30 years. I just added math because I thought it would make me more marketable.