CLINTON, N.C. – WGU North Carolina, an affiliate of online nonprofit Western Governors University (WGU), has signed an agreement with Sampson County Schools to help Teacher Assistants (TAs) advance their careers by earning bachelor’s degrees and teacher certifications. Any Sampson County Schools Teacher Assistant who enrolls in one of WGU North Carolina’s teacher-preparation programs will receive up to $800 in tuition credit per six-month term, after any Pell Grants have been exhausted, for up to three years.
Additionally, all Sampson County Schools employees are eligible to apply for WGU Institutional Partner Scholarships valued at $2,000 ($500 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms). Tuition is around $3,250 per six-month term for most undergraduate degree programs.
TAs will have access to WGU career services resources and events, and WGU North Carolina staff will be available to participate in any education/benefits fairs, seminars, and presentations offered by the school system.
“By making this degree pathway available to TAs, Sampson County Schools is creating a viable pipeline to help fill future job openings for teachers,” said WGU North Carolina Chancellor Catherine Truitt. “I am very pleased to be partnering with the school system to maximize career opportunities for its staff.”
Designed to meet the needs of adult learners, WGU’s competency-based learning model allows students to take advantage of their knowledge and experience to move quickly through material they already know, so they can focus on what they still need to learn. Students complete their programs by studying with schedules that fit their lives, advancing as soon as they demonstrate mastery of the subject matter.
WGU’s Teachers College is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
For more information about WGU North Carolina, visit nc.wgu.edu. For information about Sampson County Schools, visit www.sampson.k12.nc.us/.
