Coming, WGU Missouri and WGU Tennessee

In State of the State addresses last night, Govs. Jay Nixon of MO and Bill Haslam of TN announced plans to create the brands WGU Missouri and WGU Tennessee for Western Governors University's operations in their respective states. "Both WGU Missouri and WGU Tennessee students will have the same degree programs, mentors, and services they have had at WGU."

Seems to be a popular way to make a high-profile nod to competency-based education without really doing anything. I say this liking WGU.

Governors Announce Plans for WGU Missouri, WGU Tennessee (The Night Owl Blog, Western Governors University, January 29, 2013)

 

I'm under the impression they do slightly more than nothing. They create an office in the state, do some marketing, work with state schools, hire some staff, and get some locals onto a board. If nothing else it's a pretty good marketing plan for WGU.

 

I generally agree with this unless these state "campuses" qualify for state financial aid.

 

Good points san and siersema. siersema, in line with 'working with state schools,' I guess WGU state brands usually involve some efforts on articulation plans with community colleges in the state. Articulation plans could be especially helpful given WGU's very unique course sizing. (Who else puts "Introduction to Special Education, Law and Legal Issues" into one 7 semester hour equivalent course, "Themes in U.S. and World History" into a 1 semester hour course, and "Applications in U.S. and World History" into a separate 1 semester hour course? No, there isn't a third 1 sh course to complete that U.S. and World set.)

 

Seems to me these schools should be EGUs

 

WGU Indiana seems to be going well. I remember years ago when WGU first started and naysayers were making fun of the fact that during the first couple of years, the University had low enrollments. When WGU became the first university to be accredited by four regional accrediting agencies, the naysayers crawled back into their holes.

 

It's working.

WGU offers competency-based education, which refutes the need for "campuses" for those students who seek another avenue for learning. The purpose of the university's establishment is to make access available to those who could not otherwise reach a degree goal. The purpose of establishing state programs is for the sole purpose of making state financial aid available to those who may need it. The program seems solid and "campuses" are starting to model it.