Admissions to our online teaching programs
Admissions Requirements and Deadlines for the WGU Teachers College
The WGU Teachers College is a recognized leader
in online teacher education with students all over the country. Below are admissions
requirements specific to Teachers College programs that are in addition to WGU’s
general admissions requirements.
Special requirements for programs leading to initial teacher certification
Students who are seeking initial teacher licensure in a bachelor’s, post-baccalaureate,
or master’s program must also pass a state-specific basic skills test for the state
in which they live as a prerequisite to Demonstration
Teaching (student teaching). (Registering and paying for the test is the
student’s responsibility.) This requirement can be met either prior to admission
or before beginning the Foundations of Teaching subject area once you are in your
WGU program. Other state specifics include:
- California, Illinois, Michigan, and Texas - States where WGU students
are required to take a state-specific test. (The passing score is identified for
each state according to the state’s regulations.)
- Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington
- States where WGU students can take either the state-specific basic skills test
or the Praxis I. (Washington students also have the option to take California’s
CBEST test.)
- All other states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and international
students - WGU students are required to take the Praxis I.
WGU’s teacher licensure programs also include Demonstration Teaching (student teaching).
The following are requirements to be completed prior to entering the classroom for
this component of your program:
- Submit to a criminal background
check.
- Take the Haberman Online Star Teacher Pre-screener. Teacher candidates scoring in
the lowest quartile will be directed to non-certification programs leading to a
bachelor’s or master’s degree without licensure.
Click here to learn more about becoming a licensed
teacher at WGU.
Special requirements for programs leading to endorsement
If you enroll in a program that also includes a special endorsement (for example,
the M.A. in Mathematics Education, with an endorsement to teach 5-12 mathematics)
and you plan to eventually apply for the endorsement, the following is required
of you:
- A copy of a valid teaching license.
- Official transcripts that demonstrate you have earned a bachelor’s degree from a
recognized accredited university.
An Enrollment Counselor will instruct you as to
when and how to submit your teaching license prior to or during your program. You
do not need to submit a copy of your license if you are not seeking the endorsement.
Prior to entry into the M.S.
Educational Leadership, you will be required to submit an essay and Practicum
Site agreement. Click on the link below for more information. Case study and practicum agreement.
Steps and Deadlines for Enrollment into a Teachers College Program
Below is the list of steps and their respective deadlines required for enrollment
into an online teaching degree program. Click here if you’d like a print-friendly
version.
Apply for admission and pay the application fee
You may apply for admission at any time
once you’re ready. The application fee is $65. You can pay online using a credit
card, mailing a check, or calling the Bursar’s Office at 1-877-435-7948, ext. 3105.
You must pay the application fee for your application to be fully processed.
Send in your official transcripts
Transcripts of your prior college experience are required if you are seeking transfer
credit, confirmation of sufficient background (for post-baccalaureate and master’s
licensure programs), or if you are looking to enroll into a graduate program.
For students looking to enroll into a teacher licensure program, you must submit
official copies of your transcripts by the 10th day of the month prior to your intended
start date for evaluation. (For students looking to enroll into a graduate program,
the transcript deadline is the 25th of the month prior to your intended start date.)
Please make arrangements for the official copies to be sent to:
Western Governors University
ATTN: Transcripts Department
4001 South 700 East, Suite 700
Salt Lake City, UT 84107-2533
Click here to learn more about transferring credits.
Complete the Readiness Assessment
The WGU Readiness Assessment is a three-part online test designed to determine your
likelihood of success at WGU. Your Enrollment Counselor
can answer questions regarding this assessment.
Complete the Financial Aid application process (if necessary)
If you intend to use federal financial aid to cover your tuition expenses, you will
need to complete WGU’s financial
aid application process and be certified as eligible to receive aid no later
than the 25th of the month prior to your intended start date. An
Enrollment Counselor can answer any questions you may have about the financial
aid process.
Click here to learn more about financial
aid.
Complete your Intake Interview
The Intake Interview is a 20- to 30-minute phone-based interview that finalizes your
enrollment and officially sets your program start date. This call is conducted by
your Enrollment Counselor to ensure that you’ve developed
accurate and appropriate expectations of WGU and of your program. This step must
be completed by the enrollment deadline (generally the 15th of the month prior to
your start date).
Make tuition payment arrangements
Tuition payment arrangements must be made by the 25th of the month prior to your
start date. A two-payment plan is available to those who are not using federal financial
aid.
Click here to learn more about paying tuition.
