ESA Students

Thank you for your interest in Western Governors University (WGU). WGU supports employees and members of Educational Service Agencies (ESAs), BOCES, and other educational partner agencies.

WGU was founded by the governors of 19 U.S. states to expand access to higher education so working adults can attend college when they would otherwise be unable to due to work or family obligations or time and geographical constraints.

WGU offers regionally-accredited degrees in teacher education, as well as business, information technology, and health professions (including nursing).

Special Offer for Partner Agency Members and Employees

If you are a member of a partner ESA, BOCES, or educational partner agency, you may be eligible for two special benefits:
(You will be required to complete and send your partner agency a confirmation letter. The link is below):

1. An application fee waiver (a savings of $65). Please use the waiver code ESA1 when you reach that portion of WGU’s online application form.

2. A 5% tuition discount, which you will be eligible to receive for the entirety of your degree program. Some restrictions apply.

Note: You may also be eligible for WGU’s numerous scholarship offerings. Click here to learn more. (If you qualify for and are awarded a scholarship, you will lose your eligibility for the 5% tuition discount).

Ready to get started? You’ll be required to mail or fax the Student Confirmation Form to your ESA for approval of your discount. Click the link to download the PDF.

WGU is competency-based

WGU’s rigorous, competency-based approach is ideally suited to self-directed learners anxious to advance their education and careers efficiently. Unlike traditional and even other online universities, WGU doesn’t award degrees based on seat time. Instead, you earn your degree by demonstrating your competence in your field. Through independent study, learning resources, and carefully designed assessments, you learn and master essential skills and knowledge necessary for success. Assessments take the form of essays, exams, research papers, and an assortment of projects that can be completed online.

Our competency-based approach measures your progress by successful completion of challenging assessments. If you have existing competencies from prior work and education, you may be able to draw upon this experience to complete your assessments faster and accelerate your degree program.

Learn more about WGU’s Teachers College programs:

Programs for already-licensed teachers:

M.A. Mathematics Education (K-6, 5-9, or 5-12)
M.A. Science Education (5-9)
M.A. Science Education (Chemistry, 5-12)
M.A. Science Education (Physics, 5-12)
M.A. Science Education (Biological Sciences (5-12)
M.A. Science Education (Geosciences, 5-12)
M.S. Special Education (PK-12)
M.A. English Language Learning/English as a Second Language (PK-12)
M.S. Educational Leadership
M.Ed. Instructional Design
M.Ed. Learning and Technology
M.Ed. Measurement and Evaluation

Programs leading to teacher licensure:

B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8)
B.A. Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)
B.A. Science (5-9)
B.A. Science (Chemistry, 5-12)
B.A. Science (Physics, 5-12)
B.A. Science (Biological Sciences (5-12)
B.A. Science (Geosciences, 5-12)
B.A. Social Science (5-12)
B.A. Special Education (PK-12)
Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Prep (K-8)
Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Prep, Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)
Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Prep, Science (5-9 or 5-12)
Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Prep, Social Science (5-12)
M.A. Teaching (K-8)
M.A. Teaching, Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)
M.A. Teaching, Science (5-9 or 5-12)
M.A. Teaching, Social Science (5-12)

If you’d like to learn about degrees offering outside of the Teachers College:

College of Business
College of Information Technology
College of Health Professions

WGU is affordable

WGU is a nonprofit online university. What does this mean for you? Very affordable tuition. In fact, WGU charges less than half what other traditional and reputable online universities typically charge. WGU is also approved to offer federal financial aid to those who qualify.

TuitionFinancial Aid

WGU is flexible and supportive

If your schedule demands flexibility, WGU is for you. In most cases, you will access course material or study independently at the time and place you choose. You can progress at a pace that enables you to earn a college degree while managing your career, your family, and life’s other challenges. Our competency-based approach to education allows for extensive personalization of your program to fit around your busy schedule.

When you become a student, you’ll study under the guidance of a dedicated mentor who will work with and support you from enrollment to graduation. Together with your mentor, you’ll develop your personalized Degree Plan—a roadmap and schedule for successfully completing your program.

Learn more about the WGU experience

For more information

For more information about WGU's degree programs, financial aid, student life, and transferring, visit www.wgu.edu or call 1-866-225-5948 to speak with a WGU Enrollment Counselor today. Transferring is easy, and we'll even waive your application fee (a $65 savings). Ask your Enrollment Counselor if you qualify for this benefit, and if so, your Enrollment Counselor will give you the proper waiver code to use on that section of our online application form.