WGU a Top Military-Friendly School for Fifth Straight Year

Online university recognized as 2012 Top Military-Friendly School by Military Advanced Education

SEATTLE, Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the fifth consecutive year, nonprofit, online Western Governors University (WGU), has been named to Military Advanced Education's 2012 Guide to Top Military-Friendly Colleges & Universities. Published annually, the guide provides information regarding college options for U.S. service people and veterans.

WGU Washington, washington.wgu.edu, is a state-endorsed university established by the Legislature last year. WGU Washington is one of three states in partnership with nationally recognized and accredited Western Governors University and shares the same educational model, including the many traits that make it a military-friendly school.

WGU offers online accredited degree programs that are flexible, accessible, and supportive for military personnel and spouses who are often faced with challenges that make it difficult to earn a degree at a traditional college. With over 50 online bachelor's and master's degree programs in Business, Information Technology, Teacher Education, and Health Professions, including Nursing, students can study on their own time, from anywhere with an Internet connection. Additionally, students receive ongoing support from faculty who serve as one-on-one mentors through their entire degree program. WGU's terms are six months long and can begin on the first day of any month.

WGU graduate Loretta Lombard, a Lt. Col. for the U.S. Air Force, earned her MBA while on active duty. She was able to complete her degree while being deployed three different times to three different continents. "The six-month terms allowed for adjustments to my availability due to my military requirements and family priorities. If I had to leave on Temporary Duty, I could easily pick up where I left off and get going again when I could return my attention to school," Lt. Col. Lombard said.

Selected by Military Advanced Education for the guide based on the quality of its academics, the nonprofit university's degree programs are approved for tuition assistance for active-duty, reserve, and National Guard personnel, and veterans are eligible for education benefits through the GI Bill. Scholarships are available for active service people, their spouses, and veterans.

WGU is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for adult learners. Major General R. Martin Umberger of the Indiana National Guard, a strong supporter of military-friendly options for higher education, believes institutions like WGU will help America's military members reach their personal and professional potential. "Our soldiers and airmen will benefit tremendously from the parallel offerings of online learning opportunities," he said.

WGU Washington provides several benefits for military members and their families.

• Degree programs that are approved for Veterans Administration (VA) benefits under the GI Bill, as well as tuition assistance for active-duty, reserve, and National Guard service members
• Scholarships specifically designed for active-duty military, reservists, veterans, and military spouses
• Competency-based learning, which allows students to advance when they demonstrate mastery of subject matter rather than by logging classroom hours
• Option to accelerate degree completion for students who can devote additional time to their studies
• Learning resources and course materials that are available online 24/7 from anywhere there is an Internet connection
• Affordable tuition—just under $6,000 per year for most programs

For more information about WGU Washington's military benefits, please visit washington.wgu.edu/military.

About WGU Washington
WGU Washington was established by the State Legislature in partnership with nationally recognized and accredited Western Governors University to expand access to higher education for Washington residents. The nonprofit university, which receives no funds from the state, offers 50 bachelor's and master's degree programs in Business, Information Technology, Teacher Education, and Health Professions, including Nursing. The university's online, competency-based learning model is designed to meet the needs of working adults by providing an affordable, flexible option for earning an accredited, respected college degree.

Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and nationally accredited through the Distance Education and Training Commission (DETC). Teachers College programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The university has earned the support of more than 20 leading corporations and foundations. They include institutions such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, AT&T, Dell, HCA, Hewlett-Packard, the Lilly Endowment, Lumina Foundation, Microsoft, Oracle, Qwest, SunGard Higher Education, and Zions Bank. For more information, visit the WGU Washington website, http://washington.wgu.edu/ or call 1-877-214-7004.

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SOURCE WGU Washington