The employees of Shriners Hospitals for Children-St. Louis are now eligible for a 5 percent discount on tuition under a new partnership agreement between the pediatric orthopedic care hospital and WGU Missouri. The partnership discount will apply to any of WGU Missouri’s 50+ degree programs in business, information technology, education and health care. St. Louis Shriners Hospital employees will also be eligible to apply for scholarships available through the WGU Missouri Healthcare Partners Fund. The Fund grants scholarships of up to $2,500.
St. Louis Shriners Hospital is part of the Shriners Hospitals for Children network, which has 22 locations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico and is one of the nation’s most recognized names in pediatric specialty care for children. Founded in 1922, Shriners Hospitals for Children provides the highest quality care to children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate, regardless of the families’ ability to pay. The environment at Shriners Hospitals embodies a compassionate, family-centered and collaborative care setting.
“Our goal is that 80 percent of our direct-care nurses have a bachelor of science degree in nursing or higher by 2020, as recommended by the Institute of Medicine,” said Marjorie McEttrick-Maloney, Chief Nursing Officer, Shriners Hospitals for Children. “We are committed to meeting this objective, and we value each and every one of our nurses for their dedication and passion. As such, Shriners Hospitals for Children looks forward to the partnership with WGU to meet the needs of our nurses’ and all employees’ future education.”
WGU Missouri’s competency-based learning model makes it possible for working adults to fit studying into their busy lives. While WGU Missouri’s online degree programs are rigorous and challenging, students can earn their degrees without sacrificing work, family and financial obligations. Students complete courses as soon as they demonstrate that they have mastered the materials, enabling them to move quickly through material they already know and spend more time on what they still need to learn. As a result, many students are able to accelerate their studies, finishing faster and saving money—the average time to complete a bachelor’s degree is about two-and-a-half years.
WGU Missouri’s tuition after the 5 percent discount is about $2,850 per six-month term and covers all coursework completed within that time. WGU Missouri offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in health professions (including nursing), information technology, business and teaching.
“WGU Missouri is committed to changing lives by giving people the opportunity to advance their education,” said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Chancellor of WGU Missouri. “Our academic programs ensure graduates have the core knowledge and skills required to compete and succeed in the workplace, while also helping partners like Shriners Hospitals for Children-St. Louis address their critical professional development needs.”
To learn more about the WGU Missouri-Shriners Hospitals for Children partnership, visit https://www.wgu.edu/landing/shriners.
About Shriners Hospitals for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. Our 22 locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico, provide advanced care for children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Learn more at shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.
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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For more information, contact:
Pam Powell
(314) 436-9090
pam@hausergrouppr.com