WGU's teacher licensure programs are accredited by AAQEP.
AAQEP-accredited teacher licensure degree programs.
The teacher licensure programs offered through the WGU Teachers College have been awarded full accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) through June 30, 2026. Full accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and that the program has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to continue to do so.
All WGU Teachers College initial-licensure programs are accredited by AAQEP.
Bachelor's degrees with licensure.
- Elementary Education – B.A.
- Special Education and Elementary Education (Dual Licensure) – B.A.
- Special Education (Mild-to-Moderate) – B.A.
- 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.
Master's and post-baccalaureate degrees with licensure.
Program performance indicators.
Degree/Program
Name and Level
Corresponding State Certificate, License, Endorsement, or Other Credential
Number of Candidates
9/1/2018 - 8/31/2019
Number of Completers
9/1/2018 - 8/31/2019
BA/Elementary Education
Elementary Education
14,468
1,546
Post Bac/Elementary Education
Elementary Education
244
39
MAT/Elementary Education
Elementary Education
1,153
234
BA/Special Education (K–12)
Note: dual licensure with special education and elementary education
Elementary Education and
Mild/Moderate Special Education
5,980
661
BA/Special Education (K–12)
Note: dual licensure with special education and elementary education (Redesigned)
Elementary Education and
Mild/Moderate Special Education
667
0*
BA/Special Education-Mild to Moderate
Mild/Moderate Special Education
337
0**
MAT/English Education (Secondary)
English Endorsement
363
81
BS/Mathematics Education (Middle Grades)
Mathematics Endorsement
567
77
MAT/Mathematics Education (Middle Grades)
Mathematics Endorsement Middle Grades
217
37
BS/Mathematics Education (Secondary)
Mathematics Endorsement Secondary
1,104
79
MAT/Mathematics Education (Secondary)
Mathematics Endorsement Secondary
174
31
BS/Science Education (Middle Grades)
Science Middle Grade
199
22
BS/Science Education (Secondary Chemistry)
Chemistry Secondary
136
11
BS/Science Education (Secondary Physics)
Physics Secondary
153
11
BS/Science Education (Secondary Earth Science)
Earth Science Secondary
259
14
BS/Science Education (Secondary Biological Science)
Biological Science Secondary
1,100
73
MAT/Science Education (Secondary)
(includes Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Earth Science and Physics)
Science Education Secondary
365
97
27,486
3,013
*BA/Special Education and Elementary (K–12) - Redesigned program was launched in April 2019. There were no program completers as of March 2020.
**BA/Special Education-Mild to Moderate program was launched in November 2018. There were no program completers as of March 2020.
Candidate academic performance indicators.
Std.
Provider-Selected Measures
Explanation of Performance Expectation
Level/Extent of Success in Meeting Expectation
1
WGU-TC is a competency-based program. All courses and all programs have embedded competencies.
In order to pass a course, candidates must all meet competencies at 3.0 GPA equivalent. In order to meet program completion requirements, candidates must pass all courses.
100% of completers meet program competencies.
1
Demonstration Teaching Final
Candidates need an overall score of 3.0 in order to pass the demonstration teaching assignment. Scoring levels are as follows:
0 = Not Observed. The candidate did not demonstrate the teaching practice.
1 = Emerging. The candidate demonstrates through their knowledge or skills that they require significant remediation to improve the teaching practice. The candidate requires sustained, intensive support in order to achieve success.
2 = Learning. The candidate demonstrates through their knowledge or skills that they are learning and require some additional practice to fully demonstrate competency for the teaching practice. The candidate lacks professional confidence and requires additional support in order to achieve success.
3 = Competent. The candidate demonstrates through their knowledge or skills that they are fully competent to meet the teaching practice. The candidate is generally confident, competent, and demonstrates potential for success.
4 = Exemplary. The candidate demonstrates through their knowledge and skills above what is expected for a competent candidate related to the teaching practice. The candidate exudes confidence, composure, and competence, is able to work with increasing independence, and demonstrates a strong potential for success.
Data reflect cumulative ratings, or all iterations of the assessments taken by all students during the designated data cycle.
Spring 2017 = 3.64
Fall 2017 = 3.66
Spring 2018 = 3.67
1
Licensure Exams
Pass with score greater than 80%
The overall pass rate on first and second attempts on the Praxis was 88% in 2018-2019.
2
Ed TPA
Pass with score greater than 80%
EdTPA pass rates in 2018-2019:
Undergraduate programs - 89.9%
Graduate program - 83.2%
2
Demonstration Teaching Observation
Candidates need an overall score of 3.0 in order to pass the demonstration teaching assignment. Scoring levels are as follows:
0 = Not Observed. The candidate did not demonstrate the teaching practice.
1 = Emerging. The candidate demonstrates through their knowledge or skills that they require significant remediation to improve the teaching practice. The candidate requires sustained, intensive support in order to achieve success.
2 = Learning. The candidate demonstrates through their knowledge or skills that they are learning and require some additional practice to demonstrate competency for the teaching practice. The candidate lacks professional confidence and requires additional support in order to achieve success.
3 = Competent. The candidate demonstrates through their knowledge or skills that they are fully competent to meet the teaching practice. The candidate is generally confident, competent, and demonstrates potential for success.
4 = Exemplary. The candidate demonstrates through their knowledge and skills above what is expected for a competent candidate related to the teaching practice. The candidate exudes confidence, composure, and competence, is able to work with increasing independence, and demonstrates a strong potential for success.
Data reflect cumulative ratings, or all iterations of the assessments taken by all students during the designated data cycle.
Spring 2017 = 3.44
Fall 2017 = 3.43
Spring 2018 = 3.42
2
Professional Portfolio
Candidates must achieve competency in all course tasks as measured by the task rubrics. To pass a task, candidates must receive a score of at least 2 in each rubric aspect.
The scoring levels are:
0= Unsatisfactory
1 = Approaching competency
2 = Competency achieved
Data reflect cumulative ratings, or all iterations of the assessments taken by all students during the designated data cycle.
Spring 2017 = 1.78
Fall 2017 = 1.86
Spring 2018 = 1.89
WGU graduate preparedness.
2017 study
A spring 2017 teacher college survey of completers/graduates who were beginning teachers from 1 to 3 years “out” of their programs found the following:
97%
of teacher college graduates believed their WGU preparation program prepared them extremely well or very well to create a productive learning environment with high expectations for all students.
89%
of teacher college graduates said their WGU program had prepared them extremely well or very well for using professional knowledge and skills to facilitate learning and reflecting on personal and professional biases.
Employment and hiring rates.
Data from the 2018 Harris Poll shows that employers hire WGU graduates at higher rates than traditional college students. In fact, 86% of WGU graduates report being employed full time, and 87% report that they are employed in their degree field. This demonstrates that WGU degrees prepare graduates for careers and their future.
Employer satisfaction rates.
The 2018 Harris Poll gives information on employers and their satisfaction with WGU-graduate employees. This report asked employers specific questions about how they would rate their WGU graduate employees.
Inspiring stories of WGU-educated teachers.
"My degree (B.A. Special Education) from WGU has allowed me to help both special-needs students and their families, and I've felt well-prepared since day one on the job." Miranda Good
WGU alum
“Half of what I learned from my master’s at WGU is a model for my classroom: tailoring curriculum for each student, checking in with them while giving them freedom, reducing structure and giving room for kids to learn how they learn best.” Joel Bianchi,
M.A. Science Education (Physics)
Western Governors University statistics.
Tuition
$3,225
per six-month term for undergraduate Teachers College programs.
Completion Time
½–4 years
Time to graduate, varies by program and student.
Graduate Satisfaction
97%
of graduates recommend WGU.
Teachers in nearly every school district across the nation—and many more across the globe.
Western Governors University has alumni all around the country, and 22% of our students are working toward a teaching degree. Our graduates also account for hundreds of teachers in nearly every state, demonstrating the impact that WGU has on school districts everywhere.
Connect with alumni near and far.
The Night Owl Network is an app—think part Facebook, part LinkedIn—where alumni of WGU can connect on professional and personal interest levels. If you loved the mentoring component of WGU, the Night Owl Network extends that to a professional capacity. Connect, share ideas, plan local events ... network how you want to!