New WGU Scholarship Helps Students Earn Master's Degrees in Business

SALT LAKE CITY, July 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Western Governors University (WGU),  www.wgu.edu, is encouraging business professionals to continue their education and professional development through a new scholarship for students pursuing a master's degree in business through the online, competency-based university's College of Business. The Master's Degree in Business Scholarship is designed for new WGU students working toward a business-related master's degree. The scholarship provides $500 per six-month term for as many as four terms, up to a $2,000 value.

"WGU is committed to helping busy working adults achieve their dreams of a degree and career success," said Eric Goodman, the National Director of the College of Business. "The university's competency-based programs empower graduates with the education and skills they need for the workforce, making them valuable employees."

To be eligible for the Master's Degree in Business Scholarship, applicants must submit an application for admission and be accepted to the university, submit their previous transcripts, and complete an interview with a scholarship counselor. Eligible applicants must be newly enrolled in—or in the admissions process for–– one of the following programs:

• Master of Business Administration
• MBA Information Technology Management
• MBA Healthcare Management
• M.S. Management and Leadership
• M.S. Accounting

Like all of WGU's accredited, competency-based programs, the five master's degrees in business were created for working adults looking to further their education in a way that fits with their lives. WGU uses technology that allows individual learners to study, complete assignments, and take tests on their time and at their pace. Competency-based learning allows students to progress through their programs when they can prove mastery of a topic. Each course focuses on competencies that, according to input from third-party and academic leaders, meet the latest needs of the marketplace, preparing students to enter the workforce when they graduate. Because WGU measures learning instead of seat time, students with previous academic and work experience are able to move through their programs more quickly, saving time and money.

While multiple scholarships will be awarded, the Master's Degree in Business Scholarship is a competitive program. Scholarships will be awarded based on the student's academic record, readiness for online study, and current competency, as well as other considerations. The application deadline is October 31, 2014. For more information about the Master's Degree in Business scholarship, visit www.wgu.edu/masterbiz

About Western Governors University
Recognized by President Obama as an innovative university that "awards credits based on learning, not seat time," Western Governors University is the only university in the U.S. offering accredited, competency-based bachelor's and master's degree programs at scale. Named one of Fast Company's "Most Innovative Companies for 2013," WGU has been featured on NPR's "All Things Considered," NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, CNN's "Schools of Thought," and in The New York Times.

WGU was established in 1997 by a bipartisan group of U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education. Today, WGU enrolls more than 46,000 students in all 50 states and has 36,000 graduates nationwide. The university is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Western Governors University has partnered with five states to establish state-based universities aimed at adding affordable capacity to state higher education systems. WGU Indiana, WGU Missouri, WGU Tennessee, WGU Texas, and WGU Washington are key elements in their states' strategies for increasing the percentage of adults with bachelor's or master's degrees. These state-endorsed universities offer degree programs that are accredited through WGU.

The university has earned the support of more than 20 leading corporations and foundations, including AT&T, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lilly Endowment, HCA, Hewlett-Packard, Lumina Foundation, Microsoft, Oracle, SunGard Higher Education, and Zions Bank. More information is available at www.wgu.edu or by calling 866.225.5948.

Follow WGU:
http://www.facebook.com/wgu.edu  
http://www.linkedin.com/companies/western-governors-university  
http://twitter.com/wgu  
http://www.youtube.com/WesternGovernorsUniv  
http://google.com/+wgu
http://news.wgu.edu/news/news.xml

Contact for media inquiries:
Joan Mitchell – VP of Public Relations
801-428-5463
[email protected]

Contact for enrollment information:
866-225-5948
www.wgu.edu

SOURCE Western Governors University