WGU Washington Offers $40,000 in Scholarships to Current and Aspiring Teachers

SEATTLE, March 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- WGU Washington is offering $40,000 to students interested in pursuing a degree in teaching through its new Excellence in Education Scholarship.  WGU Washington, the state-based affiliate of Western Governors University (WGU), boasts one of the nation's top-ranked teacher education programs, according to the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ).  The Excellence in Education Scholarship is intended for current and aspiring teachers seeking a bachelor's degree, master's degree or teaching certificate through the online university.

"Teachers help strengthen the foundation of our state, yet many communities in Washington are experiencing a shortage of qualified educators," said Jean Floten, chancellor of WGU Washington. "Our university, with its low-cost, competency-based model, is well-suited to give hardworking men and women the skills and knowledge needed to fill that skills gap and begin enjoyable and rewarding careers as teachers."

With more than 1,900 students across the state enrolled in its Teachers College, WGU Washington's competency-based, online model allows students to study and learn on their own time and at their own pace. The university's unique model is a modern and effective option for students looking to earn a high-quality degree in a career-focused field.

"My daughter was born in the middle of my school term, but I was able to stop and be there for my family.  That's not something I could have done at another school," said Mike Johnson, a graduate of WGU Washington's Teachers College. "Because of WGU Washington, I'm going to be a math teacher. It's opened so many doors; I wasn't expecting to get a job before I graduated."

WGU is the largest producer of math and science teachers in the country.  In 2014, the university's secondary math education program earned a number one ranking from the NCTQ.  WGU was also the first exclusively online university to earn accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

WGU Washington will award ten Excellence in Education Scholarships, each valued at up to $4,000 ($1,000 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms). That money will be applied toward WGU Washington's already-low tuition of less than $6,000 per year for all Teachers College programs. Applications are currently being accepted at washington.wgu.edu/excellence.

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must be newly enrolling students who have been officially admitted to the university. Applicants will be required to submit an essay and participate in an interview with a scholarship counselor. This is a competitive program, and 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 June 30, 2015. For more information about the Excellence in Education Scholarship, visit washington.wgu.edu/excellence.

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.

*One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington DC 20036, 202-877-6791

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SOURCE WGU Washington