WGU Recognized as a Top Producer of Nurses Among People of Color

SEATTLE, Feb. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Western Governors University (WGU) awards the fourth-largest number of bachelor's degrees in nursing and the ninth-largest number of master's degrees in nursing to people of color in the United States, according to Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. Diverse's report identifies the top 100 health science degree producers in the U.S. for African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American and Native American students. 

Online and nonprofit, WGU's College of Health Professions has awarded nearly 10,000 degrees in nursing since its founding and currently has more than 11,000 enrolled students across all 50 states, 23% of whom are people of color.

Established by the Washington state legislature, WGU Washington is the local affiliate of WGU.  More WGU students live in Washington than any other state in the nation. To date, WGU Washington has awarded nearly 700 bachelor's and master's degrees to working health professionals in this state, and more than 1,000 students are currently enrolled in the university's nursing college.

"We are fortunate to live in Washington state, a national leader in healthcare research and delivery," said Jean Floten, Chancellor of WGU Washington. "We have achieved that high standard in part because of a diverse workforce of highly skilled and knowledgeable nurses. WGU Washington helps deliver high-quality education to health professionals across the state, including those who have traditionally been underserved."

Among WGU's student body, 72% are classified as underserved in at least one of the following categories:

• 27% people of color
• 40% first-generation college students
• 28% low income
• 16% living in rural areas 

WGU Washington's BSN and MSN degree programs – like all of the university's online, accredited, competency-based degree programs – were designed for working adults looking to advance their careers in an educational setting that fits their busy lives. WGU Washington allows students to study and complete assessments on their own schedules, often at an accelerated pace. Designed to meet the needs of working adults, competency-based learning allows students to advance through their programs as soon as they're able to demonstrate mastery of the material—competencies that are defined by academic and industry experts. Because WGU Washington measures learning rather than time and charges tuition at a flat rate per six-month term regardless of how many courses are completed, professionals with knowledge and skills from work and previous college experience can often move through their programs more quickly, saving both time and money.

Learn more about WGU Washington's College of Health Professions »

About WGU Washington

WGU Washington was established by the State Legislature in 2011 in partnership with nationally recognized and accredited Western Governors University to expand access to higher education for Washington residents.

The state-endorsed, online university offers more than 50 bachelor's and master's degree programs in Business, Information Technology, Teacher Education and Health Professions, including Nursing. WGU Washington's 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. It's non-profit and receives no money from the state.

Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). 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 AT&T, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lilly Endowment, Hewlett-Packard, Lumina Foundation, Microsoft, Oracle and SunGard Higher Education.

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Contact for media inquiries:
Jake Riddell – Public Relations Manager
(206) 512-0025
[email protected]

Contact for enrollment information:
877.214.7004
washington.wgu.edu

*As part of Western Governors University, the nursing programs at WGU Washington are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, 202-887-6791).

SOURCE WGU Washington