More than 45,000 educators and school employees are now eligible for a 5% discount on tuition under a new partnership between WGU Missouri and the Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA). The agreement provides greater access to high-quality, affordable bachelor’s and master’s degrees for the Missourians working hard to provide high-quality instruction to Missouri’s children.
MSTA is the largest education organization in Missouri, and its members include certified teachers, school employees, and students pursuing a degree in education. Under the terms of the agreement, MSTA members will receive a 5% discount (for up to two years) to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree at WGU Missouri.
The tuition discount reduces WGU Missouri’s already-low tuition of about $6,000 per year for most programs. Members are also eligible to apply for exclusive scholarships, valued at up to $2,500.
“We are excited anytime we can offer our members a new opportunity to advance their careers,” MSTA Executive Director Bruce Moe said. “I’m looking forward to hearing from members who take advantage of this new benefit about their experiences and successes with WGU Missouri.”
“As a former MSTA member, I am proud that WGU Missouri can provide an even more affordable option for teachers,” said WGU Missouri Chancellor Angie Besendorfer. “WGU Missouri’s model allows adult learners to accelerate through information they already know, honoring the experience that busy teachers and paraprofessionals bring to the table.”
WGU Missouri, the state affiliate of Western Governors University, is a nonprofit online university established by the state and was designed to meet needs of working adults. WGU was recently ranked the No. 1 secondary teacher preparation program nationwide by the National Council on Teacher Quality and was also among the top colleges in elementary teacher preparation. WGU Missouri’s teaching programs are approved for teacher certification in Missouri, and its teacher licensure programs include demonstration teaching.
WGU Missouri’s competency-based learning model allows students to learn at their own pace. Rather than spending time in classes with set schedules, students can move quickly through material they already know so they can focus on what they still need to learn. As a result, many students are able to accelerate their time to degree completion—the average time to bachelor’s degree at WGU Missouri is less than three years.
The MSTA discount will apply to any of WGU Missouri’s degree programs in education, information technology, health care, and business. Tuition is charged at a flat rate of $3,000 per six-month term for most programs, and terms can begin on the first day of any month. MSTA members will also be eligible for the Institutional Partner Fund, with scholarships of up to $2,500. For more information on WGU Missouri, and details on the MSTA partnership benefits, visit missouri.wgu.edu/msta.
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 provide one-on-one guidance, support, and 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*).
*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).
About MSTA
The Missouri State Teachers Association is the largest education organization in the state, with more than 45,000 members and over 150 years of service to Missouri educators. The association’s headquarters is in Columbia, Mo., with regional field representatives throughout the state. MSTA has no national affiliation.
Contact for media inquiries: Contact for enrollment information:
Kelly MacNeil 855-948-8493
314-677-2303 missouri.wgu.edu