Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities Reaffirms WGU Accreditation

SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) has reaffirmed the regional accreditation of Western Governors University (WGU). The NWCCU is an independent, nonprofit membership organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the regional authority on educational quality and institutional effectiveness of higher education institutions in the seven-state Northwest region of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. WGU is reviewed by the NWCCU because the online university's headquarters are located in Utah.

WGU first earned regional accreditation in 2003, and the university has maintained this accreditation continuously since then. In its official notification letter, the NWCCU commended WGU "on its effective and efficient use of data to continuously improve and enhance the student learning experience," and the university's "institution-wide focus on helping students succeed."

"Regional accreditation is the gold standard for college and university accreditation in the U.S., and renewal of our accreditation reaffirms the quality and effectiveness of competency-based education at WGU," said WGU President Scott D. Pulsipher.

WGU, which serves busy adult students, pioneered competency-based learning for higher education. Competency-based education (CBE) is ideal for adult students with work experience and prior education. It allows students to study and learn on a schedule that fits their busy lives, moving quickly through material they have already learned, focusing more time on learning new material. Faculty members work with students individually, providing regular coaching, mentoring, and instruction. Because students can advance as soon as they demonstrate mastery of course subject matter, many are able to accelerate, saving both time and money.

About WGU
Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online, nonprofit WGU now serves 79,000 students nationwide and has more than 75,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation's leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In less than 20 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in today's rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, and was featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at www.wgu.edu.

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SOURCE Western Governors University