WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
Welcome to the WGU School of Education
Championing Next-Generation Teaching, Learning, and Leading
The WGU School of Education is a champion of next-generation teaching, learning, and leading. We are the largest non-profit School of Education in the U.S., and the right choice for rising and striving teachers, learners, and leaders who want to advance their pathways to opportunity and their ability to make a difference in the lives of others.
As part of our competency-based model led by expert faculty, students will gain a working understanding of mastery-based education, online/blended instruction, next-gen teaching and learning, and the strategic use of new, emerging educational technologies to prepare them for their careers.
Teachers College
With more than 30 undergraduate and graduate programs, WGU’s Teachers College provides a rich array of learning pathways in a proven, student-centered, competency-based model with flexible scheduling. Our career-oriented content builds a strong foundation for success and provides the knowledge and skills employers seek. Our model ensures that anyone with a passion for teaching, learning, or leading will be prepared not only for their own success but also to help others achieve their dreams.
WGU’s Teachers College educator preparation programs have been continuously accredited since 2006 and are accredited by both the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a prestigious and rare combination.
We have approximately 42,000 active degree-seeking students and have awarded more than 100,000 degrees to educator alumni working across all 50 states. We partner with more than 5,000 school districts nationwide to provide clinical experiences and student teaching at scale, wherever students live. We provide a broad portfolio of dozens of degree pathways that prepare students for licensure. We also offer many programs for licensed educators who want to expand their knowledge and expertise.
And because of our decades of success in K–12, we are expanding beyond the classroom to wherever teaching and learning are happening, including adult education and workforce learning. Our first degree in this area is now available: our M.Ed., Education Technology and Instructional Design.
A National Network of District Partnerships
Our field experience team partners with more than 5,000 school districts to place students in student teaching assignments year-round, working to keep students close to where they live, tailoring the placement to each individual across all 50 states.
We also provide educator pathways for paraprofessionals and other district staff, helping to address the national teacher shortage. These partnerships help school districts up-skill their existing pool of dedicated, passionate employees. If you would like more information about hosting teacher candidates in your school or district, please contact our Outreach Team.
How We Help You Succeed
Renewing Education’s Promise
Our deep connection to the workforce helps students advance their careers and see a strong return on their educational investment—including social impact. We are not only preparing students with relevant, updated, applicable content and knowledge but also helping build their emotional intelligence and ethics so they can be successful, even in times of uncertainty and change.
Personalized Learning
WGU’s unique model enables tailored experiences and tiered comprehensive support services that help students succeed. We meet students where they are and help them get to where they want to go, with flexible scheduling within each six-month term.
Affordable, Accredited Higher Education
We effectively manage our operation so we can offer low-cost, flat-rate tuition that gives our graduates the freedom to pursue their professional passion without the burden of student loan debt. In addition, we awarded $11.6 million dollars in scholarships to Teachers College students in the fiscal year 2023-2024.
Expanding Access and Removing Barriers
The WGU School of Education is committed to removing barriers to make higher education possible for all, regardless of their individual circumstances, so that all students can have a positive impact on the communities in which they live and work.
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 is institutionally recognized.
From the Senior Vice President of WGU and Executive Dean of the School of Education
Welcome to the WGU School of Education. Whether you’re considering taking your first step toward a career in education or you’re already part of our community, I’m glad you’re here.
I’ve spent much of my career thinking about a simple but incredibly important question: How do we help people learn? That question has taken on even greater importance as education continues to evolve. We know more today about how people learn than ever before, and we have an opportunity and a responsibility to put that knowledge into practice.
At WGU, we believe educators can change trajectories. Great educators do more than teach content. They help learners discover what they are capable of, create opportunities and strengthen the communities they serve. That’s why our School of Education is committed to preparing educators with the knowledge, skills and evidence-based practices they need to make a meaningful difference from day one.
We also know there is no single path into or through education. Our students are aspiring teachers, paraprofessionals, career changers, experienced educators and leaders. Many are balancing work, family and other responsibilities while pursuing their goals. Wherever you are on that journey, our goal is to meet you there and help you continue moving forward.
When you join the WGU School of Education, you become part of a community committed to learning, innovation and improving education for every learner. Our faculty, mentors and staff are here to support you, challenge you and help you turn what you learn into meaningful impact.
Thank you for trusting us to be part of your journey. I’m excited about what lies ahead for education, and even more excited about the educators who will help shape that future.
Dr. Jeff Borden
Senior Vice President and Executive Dean
WGU School of Education