WGU Texas Student Enrollment Exceeds 5,000

AUSTIN, Texas, June 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Officials from nonprofit, online university WGU Texas, http://texas.wgu.edu, announced today that the university has surpassed the 5,000 mark in student enrollment, a 169 percent increase since its launch in August of 2011.

As the only state-endorsed, online university offering accredited competency-based degree programs, WGU Texas' model is unique—rather than earning degrees based on time spent in class, students advance toward their credential at their own pace by demonstrating competency. Because students advance as soon as they demonstrate mastery of course materials, they can usually graduate with a bachelor's degree in three years—saving time and money.

WGU Texas has continued to grow its student population at a steady pace with an approximately 37 percent increase in matriculates over last year—which compares favorably with public universities. And, with more than 5,000 students currently enrolled, including students in 191 of the state's 254 counties, the university is meeting the demands of hard-working adults who are trying to finish their degrees and quickly becoming an important part of the state's higher education ecosystem.

WGU Texas has built significant partnerships with healthcare organizations (including CHRISTUS Health, Baylor Scott & White and HCA, among others), corporations, and school districts, as well as the member institutions in the Texas Association of Community Colleges. The university offers seamless transfer with community college partners and recently launched a new Pursuit of Excellence Transfer Scholarship, to encourage emerging leaders in East Texas to continue their education at WGU Texas.

"WGU Texas' healthy growth is a true indication that more adult Texans are finding value in attaining a degree from our university to help them succeed in the state's highly competitive, evolving job market," said WGU President Dr. Robert Mendenhall. "We look forward to continuing to work with Texas community colleges and healthcare partners to reach out to the more than 3 million adults with no degree and create a brighter future for the state."

In celebration of this milestone, WGU Texas will award five scholarships, each valued at up to $5,000 ($1,000 per term for up to five terms) to help adult learners in Texas pursue an online bachelor or master's degree program at the university. While the university will award several scholarships, the Trailblazer Scholarship is a competitive program, and will be awarded based on academic record, financial need, readiness for online study, and current competency. The application deadline is September 30, 2014. For more information on the WGU Texas Trailblazer Scholarship, please visit texas.wgu.edu/trailblazer or call 1-877-214-7011.

With more than 50 accredited master's and bachelor's degrees in the high-demand fields of business, information technology, K-12 teacher education, and health professions, including nursing, WGU Texas focuses on providing affordable, high-quality opportunities for working adults and offers some of the lowest in the state — most of the university's degree programs are charged at a flat rate of $2,890 per six-month term, and terms can begin on the first day of any month.

"I am proud to see our university doing its part to keep higher education accessible and affordable for adult learners," said WGU Texas Chancellor Ray Martinez. "As we continue to grow, I look forward to helping more Texans realize their dream of finishing a degree."

About WGU Texas 
WGU Texas is an online, accredited, nonprofit university aimed at expanding access to high-quality, affordable higher education for Texans. WGU Texas offers more than 50 bachelor's and master's degrees in business, information technology, K-12 teacher education, and health professions, including nursing.

Designed to meet the needs of working adults who need to complete a bachelor's or master's degree to advance their careers, the university's innovative competency-based learning model makes it possible for busy adults to earn accredited degrees without sacrificing work and family obligations. Students study and learn online, with one-to-one faculty support, moving at a pace that is personalized to their individual needs. Rather than logging into class, students have 24/7 access to online learning resources, allowing them to fit their studies into their lives.

WGU Texas was established on August 3, 2011, by Executive Order from Governor Rick Perry with strong bipartisan legislative support and operates under the accreditation of nationally recognized Western Governors University (WGU).

To learn more about WGU Texas, call 1-877-214-7011 or visit texas.wgu.edu

Follow WGU Texas:
http://www.facebook.com/WGUTexas
http://www.linkedin.com/companies/western-governors-university
http://twitter.com/wgutexas
http://www.youtube.com/user/WesternGovernorsUniv

Contact for enrollment information:
877.214.7011
texas.wgu.edu

WGU Texas News  
Contact for media inquiries:
Holly Subervi, PR Manager
512-225-6652 or 512-965-4500
holly.subervi@wgu.edu

SOURCE WGU Texas