Accreditation

Nationally, regionally, and NCATE accredited

Nationally and Regionally Accredited

Western Governors University is nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). WGU is also 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).

Regional accreditation is considered the highest form of accreditation given to institutions. The Northwest Commission is also responsible for the accreditation of other major institutions such as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, Gonzaga University, University of Utah, University of Idaho, and Brigham Young University, to name just a few.

NCATE Accredited

The WGU 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). The NCATE accrediting team extensively reviewed the entire WGU Teachers College curriculum to ensure that "candidates have the knowledge and skills to be effective in helping all students learn." NCATE is the premier specialized accrediting body for teacher preparation and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. It accredits colleges of education that produce over two-thirds of the nation’s new teacher graduates annually. Read more about the NCATE accreditation.

CCNE Accredited

WGU’s nursing degree programs are now accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

USDLA Recognized Institution

WGU was presented the 2008 International Distance Learning Awards in two categories by the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA):

• The 21st Century Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning, awarded in recognition for WGU's achievements as the nation's first competency-based online university and its success in expanding access to higher education for adults seeking bachelor's and master's degrees.
• Outstanding Leadership by an Individual in the Field of Distance Learning, awarded to Dr. Janet Schnitz, the former executive director of the WGU Teachers College.

These awards are in recognition of WGU’s achievements as the nation’s first competency-based online university and our success in expanding access to higher education for adults seeking bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Read more about the USDLA awards.

Our Unique Story of Higher Education Accreditation

WGU has the distinction of being the only university to receive regional accreditation simultaneously from four regional accrediting commissions. In part because of our founding by the governors of 19 U.S. states, which encompass a wide geographic region, WGU was simultaneously reviewed by a special committee—the Inter-Regional Accrediting Committee—comprised of representatives from four regional accrediting commissions. In February 2003, the committee awarded WGU accreditation in all four regions, an extraordinary recognition that had never before nor since occurred. The Northwest Commission is considered WGU’s “home” accrediting body because the university’s main offices are located in Utah, which falls under the review of the commission. WGU still continues to be an institution with a broad focus and a mission to expand access to higher education. The university serves students in all 50 states and military installations abroad.

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

What Accreditation Means to You

Accreditation status can give you an indication of a university’s general quality and reputation. According to Peterson’s, a premier educational resource, by attending a regionally and nationally accredited university:

• You are assured of a basic level of quality in education and services.
• Credits are more likely to be transferable to other accredited institutions.
• Your degree is more likely to be recognized by colleges and employers as a legitimate credential.

Answers to your questions

Click a question, see the answer below.

• Should I care about accreditation?
• Why is WGU’s regional accreditation important?

Should I care about accreditation?

Absolutely. Accreditation by a regional commission that’s recognized by the U.S. Department of Education is important. It’s your proof that outside evaluators have carefully reviewed an institution’s programs and policies. Many businesses, school districts, and other organizations prefer to hire graduates of programs that are regionally accredited. Regional accreditation also allows you to transfer more easily to other universities.

Why is WGU’s regional accreditation important?

Regional accreditation means that WGU’s competency-based programs meet the same educational standards for performance, integrity, and quality as those found at other more traditional universities, from large state schools to Ivy League universities. A team of evaluators representing four associations made on-site visits to WGU over a period of two years to review WGU’s operations. Based on the reviews and the visiting team’s report to the accrediting commissions, WGU was granted regional accreditation. We went through a similar process for our national accreditation by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).