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Time to Completion FAQ
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| Q: How long will it take to earn my degree at WGU? |
A: WGU’s competency-based approach results in degree completion times that can vary from
student to student. The amount of time it will take you depends upon four factors:
- the program you enroll in,
- the knowledge and skills you already possess in the degree field,
- the amount of time you spend working on your program each week,
- your self-motivation and determination.
There are, however, standard program lengths. The standard time to completion information
is given with each program description. The following degree programs at WGU are designed
to take five terms (30 months) to complete for a typical student:
- bachelor's degree completion programs (for those who already have an AA or AS in a field related to their intended major)
- master's degree programs.
A full WGU bachelor's degree program — the equivalent of a four-year degree program started
from scratch at a traditional college — is designed to take 10 terms (60 months) at WGU for
a typical student.
The post-baccalaureate teaching certificate programs at WGU are designed to take four terms (24 months) to complete for a
typical student, depending on how many competencies the student already possesses.
A typical student is someone who commits to at least 15 hours per week studying and who
already has some competencies in the degree field.
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Q: Can I progress at a faster rate than the standard one for my program?
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A: Yes. Many students proceed faster than the normal pace designed into each program. But don’t assume doing so is easy. WGU programs are quite rigorous. That said, the pace at which you complete your WGU program depends upon how quickly you are able to take and pass the required assessments. Just prove your competency. You can take the assessments at a quicker pace if you are prepared for them.
During your WGU program, you will likely take some online courses, but many students use various independent learning resources that allow them to advance more quickly. At WGU you are not required to take a specific series of mandatory, time-consuming classes. Students who already possess some required competencies, or who effectively use independent learning resources, may take the assessments more quickly than the normal pace "designed" into the program. A critical ingredient is the time you commit to your studies. Students who commit 20 hours or more per week are often able to complete their programs more quickly. For instance, many students who are in a WGU program designed to take 30 months advance at a faster pace because they work extra hard or already possess a high level of competence in the field. You will work with your faculty mentor to develop a plan that is right for you.
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Q: How can I determine if I already possess the competencies that will help me go faster?
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A: Read the descriptions of competencies for the degree program that interests you. Compare your current knowledge and skills against those that will be required to demonstrate through assessments. If you already possess a considerable number of the competencies, you well may be able to accelerate your program faster than the typical student.
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Q: How does the time required compare to other institutions?
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A: Earning a four-year degree while attending part-time at a traditional college might take you six years or longer. An associate’s degree, bachelor’s completion degree program, or master’s degree can easily take three to four years to complete attending part-time at a traditional college. If you attend a traditional college part-time, you might end up spending much longer to finish than you would at WGU.
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Q: Will WGU waive its assessments based upon my job history or education background?
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A: WGU can sometimes waive lower-division assessments based on evaluation of your official transcripts, but we do not give "credit for life experience." After all, WGU isn’t credit-based. You must prove your competency. However, you can — and almost certainly will — draw upon what you’ve learned in your past education and work in passing the required assessments, and the more knowledge and skill you bring into your WGU program the faster you will be able to pass the assessments. Some required lower-division assessments may be cleared through an official transcript evaluation. However, upper-division assessments must always be taken and passed.
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Q: Can WGU guarantee I will finish in less time?
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A: Of course not. Your success is in your hands. At WGU there are no required courses, but you will need to pass the required assessments. Finishing faster will be based upon how much you already know and on how hard you’re willing to work. The good news is that many WGU students are able to speed up the time it takes to complete their programs. You may be one of them.
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Q: What is the deadline for transcript submission?
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A: Your mentor will utilize your transcripts to help develop your personalized Academic Action Plan, so it is required that we
receive official transcripts directly from all the colleges and universities you have previously attended by the 25th of the
month prior to your program start date. We can work, in certain cases, temporarily with your own (unofficial) transcript
copies, if you have them, but your AAP cannot be finalized until we receive your official transcripts. You have a maximum of
60 days to submit these documents, after which you will be withdrawn until the registrar's office receives them. Consult with an Enrollment Counselor if you have any questions.
Transcripts should be mailed or e-mailed directly from the sending institution to:
Admissions Office
Western Governors University
4001 South 700 East, Suite 700
Salt Lake City, Utah 84107-2533
admissions@wgu.edu
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Q: What about transcript requirements for graduate students?
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A: Students applying to a graduate degree program must submit an official transcript verifying receipt of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution by the 25th of the month prior to your program start date. In certain cases, you can be admitted provisionally to a graduate program and begin your studies before WGU has official confirmation of completion of your baccalaureate degree. However, it is your obligation to request an official transcript from the institution that awarded the baccalaureate degree immediately upon applying to WGU. The WGU Registrar's office must receive the official transcript within 60 days after you begin your program. If we do not receive the transcript by that date, you will be withdrawn from the WGU graduate program until the transcript is received. Graduate-level domains of knowledge are never cleared because of prior graduate-school study. However, your competencies obtained through prior study will help you accelerate toward your degree. Consult with an Enrollment Counselor if you have any questions.
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"Competency-based…"
"I like the idea of a competency-based program. In some areas I already had expertise and skills so I could take an independent study class and build the portfolio and take the exams. In other areas I needed more instruction."
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| —Gretchen Burr, WGU graduate, high school teacher |
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"Flexibility I needed…"
"I have been able to work at home during the time frame that fit my schedule. Studying on weekends, nights, early mornings, and even traveling times provided the flexibility I needed."
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| —Judy Beesley, WGU student |
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"Very flexible…"
"What a great opportunity this kind of program is for working adults. It was very flexible and fits into most any schedule. I worked with my mentor and studied independently or with co-workers who were also WGU students."
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| —Cathy Waters, HR Administrator, PacifiCorp |
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more testimonials > |
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