WGU's Teachers College Makes the National Council on Teacher Quality Honor Roll

SALT LAKE CITY, June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) has recognized  Western Governors University's Teachers College for its quality in a new report, the "NCTQ Teacher Prep Review." WGU, www.wgu.edu, was the only online university to be included in the NCTQ's Honor Roll, which was based on ratings of more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the U.S. The NCTQ evaluated the teacher preparation programs of these institutions for alignment with national standards for content, pedagogy, classroom experiences, and outcomes, and based on these criteria, WGU earned three out of four stars. WGU was specifically recognized for its student teaching best practices.

Established just 10 years ago, WGU's Teachers College has 11,000 students and more than 10,000 graduates in all 50 states. WGU offers 20 undergraduate and graduate level teacher preparation programs, with licensure available in all 50 states. WGU is the first all-online university to earn accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) for its teacher preparation programs. WGU's Teachers College is a leader in math and science education—the nation's largest provider in master's degree in math education. Nearly 25% of WGU Teachers College graduates are math or science educators, many teaching in inner city and rural schools.

WGU uses an innovative approach to learning called competency-based education, which measures learning rather than time spent in class. Students earn their degrees by demonstrating mastery of subject matter. Designed to meet the needs of adult learners, competency-based education allows students to take advantage of prior learning and experience to move quickly through material they already know so they can focus on what they still need to learn. WGU faculty members, called Mentors, work one-one with students, offering guidance, support, and individualized instruction. While WGU's degree programs are rigorous and challenging, competency-based learning makes it possible for students to accelerate their programs, often finishing sooner, saving both time and money. Tuition for WGU's teacher education programs, which has not increased since 2008, is charged at a flat rate of $2,890 per six-month term.

About Western Governors University 
Named one of  Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies 2013, WGU has been featured on NPR's "All Things Considered," NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, CNN's "Schools of Thought," and in The New York Times, WGU is the first university in the U.S. to offer accredited, competency-based bachelor's and master's degree programs.

Founded in 1997 by a bi-partisan group of 19 U.S. governors, WGU is nonprofit and receives no ongoing state or federal funding. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

WGU 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, HCA, Hewlett-Packard, Lumina Foundation, Microsoft, Oracle, SunGard Higher Education, and Zions Bank. More information is available at www.wgu.edu or by calling 866.225.5948.

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SOURCE Western Governors University