Western Governors University High price of low-quality education Salt Lake City Utah

I'm just a reader of the student's complaint.  

Then I read a rebuttal which has enough details on WGU specifics, that I might presume the person who replied is in some way employed with WGU.

Then I look at all the spelling errors and grammatical errors in the rebuttal response to the complaint of "low quality education," and I have to think to myself, "Yep, that rebuttal certainly confirms everything the complainant had to say about WGU's quality of education."

YIKES!  What an embarassment for WGU!  Turned me off!  

Roobah

WGU is a very different education.  If you are already up to speed on a subject, the WGU format allows you to simply prove your competency and move on.  If you are not, you are expected to learn it.

I'm speaking from my experience only, so please don't think I'm claiming this is true for everyone.  With that said, my experience with WGU has been that material I know has been an easy pass.  A few term papers (so far it's been 2-6 papers per class) written on the subject prove my knowledge.  Whatever I don't know, I have to learn.  

For resources, I have access to e-books for each class.  I have a course mentor who explains what I need to know in private, small group, or online classroom formats.  Depending on what I need, I'll get help via an email (quick questions), a phone call, or an online session (so I can see "the board").  Most of the instruction I've received in math has been via online private tutoring sessions.  For other subjects, the online classroom settings (webinars) have been very helpful.

Webinars are offered on various schedules, or you can access recorded webinars and email your mentor any additional questions you might have.  I have access to communities for additional support.  And if I don't know where to find something, I have a student mentor who points me to the right people (and keeps me on my toes with weekly check-in phone calls).  This is all included in the price of tuition.

The flat rate per 6-month term (like a semester) covers as many units as you can complete, so depending on how much time you're wanting to put in each week, you can make this very economical or very expensive.  My first two terms, I only completed 9 units (probably 4-6 hours per week) so that was VERY expensive.  Last term I completed 12 units, so the cost is pretty average.  This term, I'm working less and dedicating double the amount of time to school, so my plan is to complete 24-27 units.  Several other students have completed over 30 units in a term -- less than $100/unit!

If you're disciplined (I wasn't at first, but I've gotten better) then it's great.  If you're big on personal responsibility and holding yourself accountable, you'll do well.  But don't think it's easy -- it's harder than a brick and mortar school.  It's much, much different.  And for me, it's been much better.  

Let's begin with the facts. WGU is a Regionally accredited University.  It is 100% web-based, and allows you to accelerate through the program as quickly as your proficiency and experience allows.

Grades - The pass/fail competency-based learning model does not hinder your transcript, it enhances it.
For example, in order to pass a class at WGU, you need to obtain a "B" score or greater, whether your final exam is "Performance" based (where you turn in your work), or "Objective" based (when you take the exam in a monitored environment IE: Proctored). You may pass a class at a traditional school with a "C"
grade, but WGU expects a "B" grade or better.

Learning environment - If you prefer to study at your own pace, WGU is ideal. If you require a classroom environment, keep looking. WGU offers a course mentor for each course, as well as an online library and user groups, which allow students to interact w/each other. Again, make the choice that is best for your
learning style.

Cost - Before I enrolled at WGU, I researched just about every online university that offers IT programs.
To date, I do not believe their is a higher rated, cost effective University available.

Before you enroll, make a list of every conceivable topic that is important to you. Do not make a decision before you do due diligence, as a few of the previous posts imply.

I am presently starting my third semester at WGU, and could not be more pleased with my experience.

I am a student of WGU.  I, myself, enjoy and respect the school immensely.  I do understand why the two people made their negative comments.  Their experiences and/or perceptions were negative ones.  So, they have a right to share and warn everyone of what they've experienced.  I would do the same.

This is why it is important for everyone to do their due diligence.  So, please... don't stop at this website.  Peruse others and get all the facts and information that you can.  That's what I did. 

Two other friends of mine performed their own due diligence. One registered this August of 2010 and the other will start his classes in October.   My coworker is considering transferring from his present school to WGU.  I advised him to research the school first, and then make a decision.

I researched WGU and other schools I considered before I decided on WGU.  I've been a student at WGU for four months now.  I've taken and completed four classes.  The classes are challenging and enlightening.  I studied hard to pass my assessments.  The mentors (counselor) are available anytime I need them, especially my assigned mentor.  We talk once a week, and he answers any questions or issues I may have.

The school has an excellent concept, allowing professionals to prove what they know, while studying at their on pace.  Online education definitely fits my lifestyle, and WGU is the perfect online school offering the best program and cost for me.

It's up to you.  Get all the information.  Remember that people's experiences are different, and make "your educated" decision. 

Western Governors University is the right school for me.  Get the right school for you.  I wish you the best.

I have seen a few comments about this school and yes it is indeed worthy of being called a rip-off.

I have been researching this school for quite some time and have come to the conclusion that after wasting time, effort, and money they are not a good choice.

I am a 32 yo. working student. After dropping out of school in 1996 I thought I finally found an accredited school that fit just right. Little did I know that I was doomed to dissappointment.

Yes WGU is accredited. Yes thier degrees are worth something, but only after you and your prior college/university have done all the hard work. This school judging from what I have researched basically is looking for students that are almost completed in thier degree. They promise a full transfer of credit and or tell you your life experience is accepted. This is true to a point. However you find that they will not transfer most of your credit. They will tell you to go to a community college for six months and then come back. That being said they just do this to squeeze out your prior education and life experience and put you through 3-5 years of thier incompetence. They collect money, award you a degree after you pay them, and last but not least they pat themselves on the back for it and get accredited!!!

Don't even consider going here if you are reading this. You may as well go somewhere else that is more expensive, with true professionals, and a staff that is actually educated by someone other than themselves (WGU). Ask them what thier degree is and where they recieved it and you will hear WGU.

True they are not for profit. True they are accredited, but they only achieve this on the backs of real people and professionals that know what they are doing.

Hello There,

I'm sorry to hear your bad experience with WGU, but as a student in WGU people who read this report they should hear the other side of the story too.

First of all, WGU dose not promise a credit transfer and this is very well explained on there website and I'm certain the enrollment counselor explained that to you on the phone, also WGU does not preform a pre-admission evaluation so they can't tell you how many credit will be accepted. So in short, it is impossible to promise you any thing about your credit transfer, and this is just like any legit university "YOU APPLY AND YOU WILL FIND OUT AFTER WORDS & THERE IS NO PROMISES".

Second, The FIRST course you take at the university is "Education without Boundaries" in this course they explain in details how everything works and how the exams been carried out and marking scheme. and they clearly mention that it is your responsibility as a student to understand everything before you start and they did very good job in explaining every single detail and they will test you afterwords with what they explained.

but apparently, you ignored it and started giving out fuse accusations.

Third, you are talking about the quality of education is low ! THERE IS NO CLASSES AT WGU, it is self study based and if you have questions you can talk to subject matter at the university and they will answer your questions buy phone, email community website . but if you want a class to attend to ... I'm telling you "SORRY BUDDY THIS SCHOOL NOT FOR YOU". this school for motivated people who can study on their own.

fourth, the mark "pass" means it is B or grater and when you will graduate WGU will convert the pass to your corresponding mark. SO if you got A+ it will show up as A+ not as Pass on your final transcript.

I'm very sure that if you asked your enrollment counselor he / she would explain that in details. or simply if you ever took the "Education without Boundaries" course you would know by know and stopped giving out fuse accusations.

fifth, 3, 6, 12 unites not POINTS and that is up to the university to decide NOT YOU, there is colleges with 12 or even more credit hours, that is all depends on the length of the course and what is covering, for example: would you accept getting 3 unites on a course that contain the followoing:

Quantitative Literacy course covers: College Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, Statistics, Probability, and Problem Solving.

will that is acceptable to you to be a 3 credit course ? I will leave the answer to you and just to let you know it is a 6 credit course at WGU. so the unite represent the amount of work that is involved and subject length.

Finally, I wish you all the best with your school, but please stop posting fuse accusations and next time try to open your eyes and ears and try to understand university policy before you make such a report.

Hello There,

I'm sorry to hear your bad experience with WGU, but as a student in WGU people who read this report they should hear the other side of the story too.

First of all, WGU dose not promise a credit transfer and this is very well explained on there website and I'm certain the enrollment counselor explained that to you on the phone, also WGU does not preform a pre-admission evaluation so they can't tell you how many credit will be accepted. So in short, it is impossible to promise you any thing about your credit transfer, and this is just like any legit university "YOU APPLY AND YOU WILL FIND OUT AFTER WORDS & THERE IS NO PROMISES".

Second, The FIRST course you take at the university is "Education without Boundaries" in this course they explain in details how everything works and how the exams been carried out and marking scheme. and they clearly mention that it is your responsibility as a student to understand everything before you start and they did very good job in explaining every single detail and they will test you afterwords with what they explained.

but apparently, you ignored it and started giving out fuse accusations.

Third, you are talking about the quality of education is low ! THERE IS NO CLASSES AT WGU, it is self study based and if you have questions you can talk to subject matter at the university and they will answer your questions buy phone, email community website . but if you want a class to attend to ... I'm telling you "SORRY BUDDY THIS SCHOOL NOT FOR YOU". this school for motivated people who can study on their own.

fourth, the mark "pass" means it is B or grater and when you will graduate WGU will convert the pass to your corresponding mark. SO if you got A+ it will show up as A+ not as Pass on your final transcript.

I'm very sure that if you asked your enrollment counselor he / she would explain that in details. or simply if you ever took the "Education without Boundaries" course you would know by know and stopped giving out fuse accusations.

fifth, 3, 6, 12 unites not POINTS and that is up to the university to decide NOT YOU, there is colleges with 12 or even more credit hours, that is all depends on the length of the course and what is covering, for example: would you accept getting 3 unites on a course that contain the followoing:

Quantitative Literacy course covers: College Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, Statistics, Probability, and Problem Solving.

will that is acceptable to you to be a 3 credit course ? I will leave the answer to you and just to let you know it is a 6 credit course at WGU. so the unite represent the amount of work that is involved and subject length.

Finally, I wish you all the best with your school, but please stop posting fuse accusations and next time try to open your eyes and ears and try to understand university policy before you make such a report.

Hello There,

I'm sorry to hear your bad experience with WGU, but as a student in WGU people who read this report they should hear the other side of the story too.

First of all, WGU dose not promise a credit transfer and this is very well explained on there website and I'm certain the enrollment counselor explained that to you on the phone, also WGU does not preform a pre-admission evaluation so they can't tell you how many credit will be accepted. So in short, it is impossible to promise you any thing about your credit transfer, and this is just like any legit university "YOU APPLY AND YOU WILL FIND OUT AFTER WORDS & THERE IS NO PROMISES".

Second, The FIRST course you take at the university is "Education without Boundaries" in this course they explain in details how everything works and how the exams been carried out and marking scheme. and they clearly mention that it is your responsibility as a student to understand everything before you start and they did very good job in explaining every single detail and they will test you afterwords with what they explained.

but apparently, you ignored it and started giving out fuse accusations.

Third, you are talking about the quality of education is low ! THERE IS NO CLASSES AT WGU, it is self study based and if you have questions you can talk to subject matter at the university and they will answer your questions buy phone, email community website . but if you want a class to attend to ... I'm telling you "SORRY BUDDY THIS SCHOOL NOT FOR YOU". this school for motivated people who can study on their own.

fourth, the mark "pass" means it is B or grater and when you will graduate WGU will convert the pass to your corresponding mark. SO if you got A+ it will show up as A+ not as Pass on your final transcript.

I'm very sure that if you asked your enrollment counselor he / she would explain that in details. or simply if you ever took the "Education without Boundaries" course you would know by know and stopped giving out fuse accusations.

fifth, 3, 6, 12 unites not POINTS and that is up to the university to decide NOT YOU, there is colleges with 12 or even more credit hours, that is all depends on the length of the course and what is covering, for example: would you accept getting 3 unites on a course that contain the followoing:

Quantitative Literacy course covers: College Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, Statistics, Probability, and Problem Solving.

will that is acceptable to you to be a 3 credit course ? I will leave the answer to you and just to let you know it is a 6 credit course at WGU. so the unite represent the amount of work that is involved and subject length.

Finally, I wish you all the best with your school, but please stop posting fuse accusations and next time try to open your eyes and ears and try to understand university policy before you make such a report.