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A Teaching Education That Puts You First

Whether you want to become a teacher or already are and want to continue your education, WGU’s Teachers College has the degree program you need to meet your goals. Log in to do work and take tests when you have the time—no need to rearrange your life and responsibilities around school.

Learn more about our degree programs.

Our low, flat-rate tuition is about half the national average*, making a degree from WGU an affordable option for aspiring students nationwide. As a student, you’ll be eligible to apply for exclusive scholarships, which can lower the cost of your degree even more. Graduate with less student debt or none at all—the average student debt of WGU grads is about half that of their peers at other universities.*

Learn about tuition and financial aid at WGU.

 

*WGU average annual bachelor’s tuition rates are 48% lower than the national average, compared to national rates reported by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Systems in 2022. WGU average rate does not include rates for WGU Bachelor of Science, Nursing Prelicensure program.

**WGU undergraduate students have approximately half the debt at graduation compared to the national average, according to the Institute for College Access and Success (2022).

Pursuing a college degree is a life-changing decision. We want you to have all the information you need to feel confident in your education path. Your success is our mission.

Get answers to common questions asked about WGU.

Scholarships Available

WGU also offers scholarships for students to help make our low tuition even more affordable.

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Start dates are the 1st of every month. Meet requirements by the 15th to start next month. Discuss steps and deadlines with your Enrollment Counselor.

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Prepare yourself to enroll at WGU by downloading your step-by-step guide here.

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Get your questions answered and take the next step. Talk to an Enrollment Counselor.

866-225-5948

Spend Less with Flat-Rate Tuition

Undergraduate
School of Education undergraduate program tuition

$3,825

Graduate
School of Education graduate program tuition

$3,975

Tuition rates effective September 1, 2023. Costs are per six-month term. Tuition covers unlimited courses per term. 
All programs: $200 per-term Resource Fee covers e-textbooks and learning resources.

Undergraduate
School of Education undergraduate program tuition

$3,825

Graduate
School of Education graduate program tuition

$3,975

Tuition rates effective September 1, 2023. Costs are per six-month term. Tuition covers unlimited courses per term. 
All programs: $200 per-term Resource Fee covers e-textbooks and learning resources.

WGU Teachers College Frequently Asked Questions

After you earn your degree from WGU you will have to meet your state requirements to be licensed to teach. Our accredited programs give you the credentials you need to earn licensure, and we work with you to help you finish the requirements for your state.

View teacher licensure requirements by state.

WGU doesn't offer individual licensure for aspiring teachers. Some states will allow you to earn licensure with any bachelor's degree. If your state requires a specific bachelor's degree, WGU can be a perfect fit to allow you to earn your degree, get licensure, and get started as teacher.

When you apply for demonstration teaching, you will identify districts and/or private schools where you prefer to be placed on the FE application. Your placement coordinator will do their best to place you in the districts and/or schools you have identified but be aware that it is not always possible. If a placement is not available in your preferred district or school, your placement coordinator will seek a placement for you in a neighboring district. You should not make concrete plans around a placement until your placement coordinator sends you official notification that you have received Full Acceptance to the cohort your placement is confirmed. Finding a placement that is close to your home is not always possible. In rare instances, you may have to travel up to two hours depending on the availability of placements for your content area in your location.

Undergraduate teaching programs at WGU cost $3,825 per six-month term. Most of our students graduate in 18 to 48 months. Graduate teaching degrees that require licensure cost $3,975 per six-month term. Most students graduate in 12 to 18 months. Professional graduate degrees in education at WGU cost $3,975 per six-month term. Most students in these programs finish in 6 to 24 months.

You will be expected to maintain regular communication with your Program Mentor while enrolled at WGU. 

During a student's first term, the Program Mentor and student meet once each week by phone for a substantive discussion about engaging learning resources and assessments until the student achieves on-time progress (OTP).

After the first term, for students who meet and maintain on-time progress (OTP), the Program Mentor and student meet at least once every two weeks by phone for a substantive discussion about engaging learning resources and assessments.

For students on financial aid warning, probation, or termination, the Program Mentor and student meet at least once each week by phone for a substantive discussion about engaging learning resources and assessments until the student achieves OTP.

WGU offers flexible pacing, meaning you can move through courses at a pace that meets your learning style and knowledge level. Students can go as fast as they can but not as slowly. Students are required to complete a minimum number of competency units per term to meet on-time progress. However, if you choose to study at 3 am daily, that we can accommodate. 

Your personal progress will be determined by the extent of your transfer units, your time commitment, and your determination to proceed at a faster rate. Traditionally, without an associate’s degree or equivalent, it will take 2 to 2.5 years. Master's degree programs are designed to be completed within 2 years. However, we work on a competency-based model, which gives you credit for passing assessments and proving you can perform a task or understand a course of study proficiently. 

Yes! If you are able to complete the minimum requirement before your term is over, you can add more courses, with no tuition increase.

Yes! WGU is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the highest form of accreditation.

An accredited online college offers the same valuable and respected degrees that an on-campus college offers. The main difference is that online colleges offer you flexibility in your program. For example, you don't have to go to campus and sit in a classroom. You can move faster through courses. You are largely independent in your education. These are benefits that help many students pursue degrees who may not be able to attend an on-campus college.

It depends on the type of degree and online school you choose. Some online bachelor's degree programs will take 4+ years, and some online master's degrees will take 2+ years.

However, WGU is designed to help students accelerate their online degrees. Our unique education model allows students to move through courses as quickly as they can master the material. This means that, on average, students finish bachelor's degree programs in three years or less, and master's degree programs in 18 months or less.

Source: WGU internal data

Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™

One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.

Satisfying Your Tuition Obligations

The majority of WGU students are independent adults supporting themselves and their families, and federal financial aid makes it possible for them to complete their degrees. There are different types of financial aid for which you may be eligible.

Western Governors University's FAFSA Code: 033394

  • Pell Grants: These need-based grants are awarded to students who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree.
  • Supplemental Educational Opportunity (SEOG) Grants: These need-based grants are available for students who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree and demonstrate exceptional financial need when filing the FAFSA.
  • Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants: Students who qualify for the TEACH Grant must agree to teach in a low-income, high-need school after graduation.

  • Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized): The interest on these need-based loans is paid by the federal government while you are enrolled in school at least half time or during deferment periods.
  • Federal Direct Loans (Unsubsidized): These loans are available to most WGU students. You are responsible for the interest from the day you borrow the money until you repay the loan.

For students who plan to pay for tuition without government assistance, payments or payment arrangements must be completed on or before:

The 22nd day of the month prior to program start date for new students paying first-term tuition.

The first day of the new term for second and subsequent terms.

WGU's degree programs are approved for Veterans Administration (VA) education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill®.

Read more about support for service members.

WGU's degree programs are approved for Tuition Assistance for active-duty, reserve, and National Guard service members.

Read more about tuition assistance for military students.

Many corporations and organizations offer tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement to their employees.

Read more about tuition reimbursement.

Find Your Teaching Degree at WGU

Elementary Education – B.A.

Special Education and Elementary Education – B.A. Leads to dual licensure in elementary education and K–12 special education.

Special Education (Mild to Moderate) – B.A. Leads to single licensure in K–12 special education.

Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) – B.S.

Mathematics Education (Secondary) – B.S.

Science Education (Middle Grades) – B.S.

Science Education (Secondary Chemistry) – B.S.

Science Education (Secondary Physics) – B.S.

Science Education (Secondary Biological Science) – B.S.

Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) – B.S.

Teaching, Elementary Education – M.A.

Teaching, English Education (Secondary) – M.A.

Teaching, Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) – M.A.

Teaching, Mathematics Education (Secondary) – M.A.

Teaching, Science Education (Secondary) – M.A.

Teaching, Special Education (K-12) – M.A.

Educational Leadership – M.S.

English Language Learning (ELL) (PreK–12) – M.A.

Mathematics Education (K–6) – M.A.

Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) – M.A.

Mathematics Education (Secondary) – M.A.

Science Education (Middle Grades) – M.A.

Science Education (Secondary Chemistry) – M.A.

Science Education (Secondary Physics) – M.A.

Science Education (Secondary Biological Science) – M.A.

Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) – M.A.

Educational Studies – B.A.

Curriculum and Instruction – M.S.

Education Technology & Instructional Design – M.Ed.

English Language Learning (PreK-12) Endorsement Preparation Program

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