Admissions – Academic Experience – Using Learning Resources

The learning resources you need

Using Learning Resources

Learning resources come in a variety of forms:

• Textbooks
• E-textbooks
• Library Services
• Web-based tutorials
• Simulations
• Online classes
• Learning Communities

These resources are available to students directly or through WGU’s affiliations with third-party education providers. These learning resources are detailed in your Degree Plan. You will work with your student mentor to select the learning resources that best meet your needs in your development of competencies.

Resource Fee

WGU charges a $145 Resource Fee each term. The Resource Fee covers your use of the library, e-textbooks, and many other new learning resources. The majority of learning resources are included in the cost of tuition, with the primary exception of textbooks which you are responsible for purchasing.

Click here to see an image example of your selection of Learning Resources.

Textbooks

For most assessments, you will be provided a course of study that outlines the textbooks you will need to purchase to develop the required competencies. Textbooks are not included as part of tuition, so you will be responsible for purchasing what is required.

WGU operates a bookstore through EdMap that contains all of the required texts found on the courses of study. Books are competitively priced and, in some cases, can be purchased in an "eText" version for half the cost.

E-textbooks

At WGU, we intend to keep the cost of your education as affordable as possible. That is why we recently implemented e-textbooks into our courses—most of which are included into the cost of your tuition. The new e-textbooks, on average, are saving WGU students several hundred dollars in textbook costs. More importantly, the e-texts are carefully integrated with the courses of study and are helping students more effectively learn, prepare, and pass assessments.

Library Services

WGU provides library services that give you the ability to search for academic materials in your areas of study with access to full-text articles, study materials on e-reserves, and books available through the interlibrary loan service.

Enrolled Learning Resources

Some learning resources require you to enroll. Your student mentor will refer you for these learning resources at your request. WGU will share whatever contact information is essential for you to adequately participate in and complete the requirements of these resources.

• Course Compass – This online resource is commonly used for undergraduate language assessments as well as math, economics, and accounting labs.
• Skillsoft Library – Used by students in the Colleges of Business and Information Technology, this high-quality learning resource utilizes hundreds of modules to help you better understand the competencies you are developing. Skillsoft enables you to create a plan for covering the materials you need on a schedule that works for you.
• Online Classes – WGU also offers access (as part of your tuition) to online classes in specific subject areas that are led by a certified instructor.
• Learning (Online Student) Communities.

If you enroll in a learning resource course, you will be required to adhere to the academic calendars and deadlines of those courses, independent of the required completion dates established in your Degree Plan.

Note: The resources listed above are all included in your tuition.

Online Student Communities

Another key learning resource are the Online Student Communities. Student communities are designed to connect you with university leaders and other students who can help you be successful in your degree program. Click here to learn more.