2/3/2016 – WGU Named a Top School by Military Advanced Education for 9th Consecutive Year

Nonprofit, online university recognized for providing service members, veterans, and their families with flexible, affordable education

 WGU Missouri and its parent university, Western Governors University (WGU), have once again been recognized among the top military-friendly universities in the nation. WGU was recently named a Top School by Military Advanced Education (MAE) for the ninth year in a row. In its 2016 Guide to Colleges & Universities, the publication highlights institutions that provide the best educational options and fit for military service members, veterans, and their families.

WGU and its state affiliates were selected for their affordability, flexibility, and personalized one-on-one faculty support. WGU Missouri’s online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs are approved for tuition assistance for active-duty, reserve, and National Guard personnel. Veterans are eligible for education benefits through the G.I. Bill. Because of WGU’s affordable tuition of about $6,000 per year for most programs, veterans are generally eligible for benefits that fully cover tuition and fees.

WGU Missouri’s competency-based learning model is ideal for adult learners—especially military personnel—because it allows students to study and learn on their own schedule and at their own pace. Students can apply what they’ve learned at work, in the service, and in previous courses to move quickly through what they already know, while taking the time they need to focus on what they still need to learn. Students who devote additional time to their studies can often accelerate their programs, saving both time and money. WGU faculty members work one-on-one with students as mentors, offering guidance, support, and individualized instruction.

“I have three kids, a full-time job, and am in the Navy Reserves,” stated WGU Missouri student Tricia Roarkin, who is earning her B.S. – IT Software. “I’m very busy. WGU Missouri is about the only option right now that is feasible for me. I really appreciate the flexibility of WGU Missouri, to do it at my own pace and be able to work ahead.”

The online university also recently partnered with the National Military Family Association to launch a new scholarship program aimed at helping veterans and active-duty military and their families go back to school to complete their bachelor’s or master’s degrees. The WGU Missouri Military Appreciation Scholarship, valued at up to $2,000 per student, will be applied at the rate of $500 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms, toward WGU Missouri’s already-low tuition of about $3,000 per term for most programs. WGU will award multiple scholarships to Missouri military personnel and their spouses. Applications are now being accepted at missouri.wgu.edu/militaryappreciation.

Of the more than 1,900 WGU Missouri students enrolled across the state, 186 are active-duty military personnel, their dependent family members, or veterans. For more information about WGU and military or veterans’ benefits, visit missouri.wgu.edu/military.

About WGU Missouri

WGU Missouri is a competency-based, online university created to expand access to higher education for Missouri residents. The university offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. WGU Missouri faculty members serve as mentors, working one-on-one with students, offering guidance, support, and individualized instruction.

Established through a partnership with nationally recognized Western Governors University, WGU Missouri is open to all qualified Missouri residents. The university is nonprofit and self-sustaining on flat-rate tuition of about $6,000 per year for most programs.

Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is 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*).

More information is available at missouri.wgu.edu or by calling 855.948.8493.

*Western Governors University offers nursing programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington DC 20036, 202-877-6791).

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