Western Governors University

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**Western Governors University**

Motto	Online. Accelerated. Affordable. Accredited.
Established	1997
Type	Private
President	Robert Mendenhall
Faculty	100+
Undergraduates	4,000+
Postgraduates	1,900+
Location	Online, USA
Campus	Online
Status	Non-profit
Website	www.wgu.edu

Western Governors University (WGU) is a non-profit, online university that specializes in adult education. It was founded in 1997 by 19 governors, led by Democrat Roy Romer when he was governor of Colorado and Republican Michael O. Leavitt when he was governor of Utah. George W. Bush was also a signatory governor but beyond that his level of involvement with the university was minor. The ongoing bi-partisan support from politicians received by WGU is attested to by the governors who are active on the board in 2006: Janet Napolitano Democratic Governor of Arizona, and Jon Huntsman, Jr. Republican Governor of Utah.

As an online school, WGU has no campus. Its administrative offices are in Salt Lake City, Utah. With staff in over thirty states it is a true virtual university of the 21st century.

WGU is regionally accredited and grants degrees based on competency. WGU's programs are not based upon required courses, but instead on a students ability to demonstrate skills and knowledge through various assessments--including exams and assignments.

In October of 2006 WGU's Teacher College received accreditation from NCATE. NCATE accreditation is the most difficult accreditation for a teacher's college to receive. WGU is the first online, and the first non-traditional program to receive this.

[edit] Academic programs

WGU offers programs in education, business, information technology, and in the health professions. Nursing programs will be added to the College of Health Professions beginning sometime in 2007.

[edit] Advisory Board

WGU advisory board members contribute $250,000 to $1,000,000+ in support of the university's programs. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and Google are just a few of the advisory board members.