Admissions Requirements

Making an informed admission decision

WGU seeks to admit individuals who have the capacity and determination to complete a rigorous WGU degree program…and graduate. The admission process is designed to help you and the university reach an informed decision about your likelihood of success.

At WGU we want you to graduate, not just enroll. Consequently, not every applicant is admitted because not every individual is a good “fit” for WGU’s programs and competency-based, online academic model.

The following criteria are considered by WGU when making an admission decision:

• Your interview(s) with a WGU Enrollment Counselor
• Your prior college experience and work experience
• Your results from the WGU Collegiate Readiness Assessment
• The time commitment you can make to your studies (More about the time commitment)

Depending upon your program of interest, other specific admission requirements may also apply.

General Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission to WGU, you must meet the following minimum requirements, although completing these requirements does not guarantee admission:

For Undergraduate Programs

• Apply for admission
• Have earned a high school diploma or GED
• Submit official transcripts of all prior academic work completed at community colleges, colleges, or universities you’ve attended.
• Must be at least 16 years of age
• Meet any program-specific admissions requirements (see below)
• Interview with a WGU Enrollment Counselor to determine “fit” with WGU’s expectations

Graduate Programs

• Apply for admission
• Submit an official transcript verifying receipt of your bachelor’s degree from a recognized, accredited institution. See Transferring for additional information about submission deadlines, etc.
• Submit official transcripts for all prior college academic work completed
• Must be at least 16 years of age
• Interview with a WGU Enrollment Counselor to determine “fit” with WGU’s expectations

Program-Specific Admissions Requirements

Many programs have specific admissions requirements. Click on the one of the links below to learn more about these program-specific admissions requirements:

Teachers College Admissions Requirements
College of Business Admissions Requirements
College of Information Technology Admissions Requirements
College of Health Professions Admissions Requirements

State-Specific Admissions Requirements

Some states have additional requirements that have to be met by WGU students residing in said states.

Click here to see if your state has any additional requirements for you.

WGU Collegiate Readiness Assessment

Since WGU does not require entrance exams such as the SAT, ACT, GRE, or GMAT, all incoming students are expected to successfully pass the WGU Collegiate Readiness Assessment. This online test helps determine your readiness for collegiate-level study in an online environment that relies heavily upon writing ability. Your Enrollment Counselor will inform you of when you’re able to take the test once you have applied for admission. Results will be made available to you by your Enrollment Counselor as part of your admission decision.

(Those entering a teacher licensure program may need to meet additional requirements. Learn about Teachers College admissions requirements.)

Your Interview with a WGU Enrollment Counselor

Because we want you to succeed and graduate, it’s in your interest (and ours) to make sure you know the challenges you will face when you become a student. An open, honest dialogue with your Enrollment Counselor should focus on your background, time commitment, previous college experience, and other factors that will help determine your likelihood of succeeding and graduating from WGU, which, after all, is our shared goal.

Programs Begin the First of Every Month

WGU offers degrees, not classes. Instead of semesters at which time many students begin (or continue their programs), WGU starts new students at the beginning of each month, which launches a new "term."

A "term" at WGU is six months in length. The six months that make up your term are based on when you begin your program. (For example, if you begin your program March 1st, your first term lasts from March 1st to August 31st. Your second term would begin September 1st.)

Tuition is billed at a flat rate every term. You pay for the time, not by credit hour or by course. Learn more about tuition rates and terms.

Hassle-Free Enrollment (and Checklist)

WGU’s enrollment process is continuous, simple, and relatively straightforward. Click here for a step-by-step checklist of what to do and expect during the admissions process. Speak to an Enrollment Counselor who can guide you through the steps to applying, getting accepted, and beginning your degree program.

Sending in Transcripts

Required transcripts should be sent via secure electronic channels or mailed directly from the sending institution to:

Electronic Option
Western Governors University, Student Records 03339400
transcriptinfo@wgu.edu

Mail Option
Western Governors University
Attn: Transcripts Department
4001 South 700 East, Suite 700
Salt Lake City, UT 84107

Click here to learn more about requesting and submitting transcripts

Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Policies

WGU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, disability, or age in regards to admissions, programs, student services, or employment. Read more.

Answers to your questions
Click a question, see the answer below.

• What if English isn’t my first language?
• Will you admit students living outside the U.S.?
• What if my prior college was outside the U.S.?
• What if my prior college no longer exists?
• Do I have to pay the application fee to be admitted?

What if English isn’t my first language?

As a WGU student, you will be expected to communicate clearly in writing and during conversations with your mentor and WGU staff. If English is not your native language, you will need to submit proof of a qualifying score on the internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language Test (TOEFL iBT). WGU requires a qualifying score of 80 or higher. WGU’s TOEFL code is 3949. Speak to an Enrollment Counselor to get additional information. (For more information specifically on the TOEFL, visit the TOEFL website.)

Will you admit students living outside the U.S.?

At the present time, WGU is accepting applications only from individuals living in the United States and select geographical areas of Canada. (The exceptions are U.S. active-duty military personnel and their families at overseas installations and individuals living in Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.)

Unfortunately, we have discovered we cannot always guarantee that the educational experience for students living outside the United States will meet our high standards for quality and convenience. It is our expectation that these problems will be solved in future years. An Enrollment Counselor has more information about which areas are eligible to submit applications.

What if my prior college was outside the U.S.?

Applicants who have completed coursework outside of the United States must provide one copy of official transcripts or certified true copies with official English translation of all documents. Applicants are responsible for submitting transcripts that have been evaluated for U.S. equivalence. Click here for more information about international transfer credit evaluation.

What if my prior college no longer exists?

If you attended a college that no longer exists, you may be able to get transcripts from a state agency, such as a Department of Consumer Affairs or Department of Higher Education. If the college was taken over by another school, check with the current school. You can also submit any unofficial copies of transcripts or course records you may have, although we can’t promise that you will be able to waive any WGU requirements.

Do I have to pay the application fee to be admitted?

Yes. You may talk to an Enrollment Counselor without paying the application fee, but the fee must be paid before you can be admitted. The application fee helps defray our costs associated with admissions, transcript collection, enrolling students, etc. Note: It is against federal regulations to use financial aid for an application fee.