Teachers College performance—an impressive class of graduates.
WGU is a pathway for independent achievers to reach their career goals.
The Teachers College at Western Governors University is granted accreditation at the initial-licensure level from CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, 1140 19th St NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 223-0077. CAEP is the only recognized national accreditor for educator preparation. WGU is the first competency-based online university to receive CAEP accreditation for its degree programs that lead to teacher licensure.
Our graduates go on to lead classrooms and schools with innovative insights they gained from their competency-based education at WGU.
Graduates of the WGU Teachers College include not only many Teacher of the Year recipients, but also recipients of the Gates Millenium Scholarship, Intel Grant for Mathematics and Technology, Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction Award, Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award, Association of Public Charter Schools Educator of the Year Award, and Henry Ford Innovation Nation Teacher Innovator Awards.
Our programs are nationally recognized.
The following programs are nationally recognized by their respective Specialized Professional Association (SPA):
- TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) for our English-language learning programs (M.A. and endorsement preparation).
- NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) for all our math education programs that lead to initial teacher licensure (B.S. and MAT).
- ACEI (American Association of Childhood Education International) for our elementary education programs (B.S., post-baccalaureate, and MAT).
- NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) for all our science education programs that lead to initial teacher licensure (B.S. and MAT).
- NCTE (National Council for Teachers of English) for our MAT English Education program.
Our programs share CAEP Annual Measures of Student and Gradate Performance with the public.
Data below are from September 1, 2019-August 31, 2020, unless otherwise noted.
1. Impact on P-12 Learning and Development
edTPA Pass Rates: Initial Licensure candidates demonstrate they can positivity impact P-12 learning and development through their success on the edTPA exam. The table below shows the number of test takers for each content area and the overall pass rates for academic year 2019-20.
edTPA Content Area
N
Overall 2019/2020
Elementary Education: Literacy with Math Task 4
365
97%
Elementary Literacy
64
96%
Elementary Math
635
98%
Middle Grades Education
20
92%
Secondary Education
309
81%
Special Education
367
99%
2. Indicators of Teaching Effectiveness
Final Demonstration Teaching Assessment: WGU uses the edTPA data noted above and the final Demonstration Teaching final evaluation as indicators of Teaching Effectiveness. Both assessments are conducted at the end of the program. Demonstration Teaching data are on a scale of 1=Emerging to 4=Exemplary and reflect cumulative ratings, or all iterations of the assessments taken by all students during the designated data cycle.
Demonstration Teaching Final
Elementary Programs
BA/Elementary Education
MAT/Elementary Education
Post Bac/Elementary Education
Special Education Program
BA/Special Education
Secondary Programs
BS/Mathematics Education (Secondary)
BS/Mathematics Education (Middle Grades)
BS/Science Education (Middle Grades)
BS/Science Education (Secondary Biological Science)
BS/Science Education (Secondary Chemistry)
BS/Science Education (Secondary Earth Science)
BS/Science Education (Secondary Physics)
MAT/English Education (Secondary)
MAT/ Mathematics Education (Middle Grades)
MAT/ Mathematics Education (Secondary)
MAT/ Science Education (Secondary)
Overall Pass Rate Fall 2019
3.70
3.70
3.75
3.55
3.31
3.18
2.81
3.53
3.49
3.56
3.75
3.59
3.49
3.44
3.53
Overall Pass Rate Spring 2020
3.64
3.67
3.58
3.54
3.29
3.37
3.83
3.57
3.53
3.60
3.27
3.55
3.42
3.48
3.53
3. Satisfaction of Employers
Employer Survey Results: Employers report that WGU teacher education programs prepare teachers who succeed in the classroom.
INTASC Standards
Content Knowledge
Learner and Learning
Instructional Planning
Professional Responsibility
Very Well
51.90%
49.37%
48.15%
43.24%
Extremely Well
37.09%
27.09%
19.98%
32.52%
Total
88.99%
76.46%
68.13%
75.76%
4. Satisfaction of Completers
Completer Survey Results: Graduations agree that their WGU teacher education program prepared them for success.
INTASC Standards
Content Knowledge
Learner and Learning
Instructional Planning
Professional Responsibility
Very Well
47.99%
44.10%
44.01%
40.56%
Extremely Well
49.25%
51.44%
49.45%
53.76%
Total
97.24%
94.54%
93.46%
94.32%
5. Graduation Rates
6. Ability of Completers to Meet Licensing and State Requirements for Certification
Praxis pass rates.
Across all WGU Teachers College licensure programs, the overall Praxis pass rates have remained at 88% for the last three academic years.
Total pass rate:
2016-2017
2017-2018
2018-2019
Title II: WGU offers programs in and recommends for licensure in all states. We report licensure/certification exam pass rates to the U.S. Education Department for state where we have state program approval. The following are the most recent summary pass rates for all program completers those states, when available. The data are representative of all TC program and completers.
State
California
Missouri
Nevada (alternate route)
Nevada (traditional)
Utah
Washington
2016-2017
97%
98%
96%
96%
97%
n/a
2017-2018
100%
97%
97%
97%
100%
97%
2018-2019
95%
100%
96%
96%
100%
94%
Average licensure rates.
Western Governors University boasts a 100% licensure rate for all Teachers College graduates who seek licensure. While not all graduates will attempt to get their license, it is noteworthy that every graduate who wants to obtain their teaching license is able to.
7. Ability of Completers to be Hired in Education Positions for Which They Have Been Prepared
Hiring Rates
WGU Teaching Degree Programs Accredited through CAEP
Bachelor's degrees with licensure.
- Elementary Education – B.A.
- Special Education and Elementary Education (Dual Licensure) – B.A.
- Special Education (Mild-to-Moderate) – B.A.
- Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) – B.S.
- Mathematics Education (Secondary) – B.S.
- Science Education (Middle Grades) – B.S.
- Science Education (Secondary Chemistry) – B.S.
- Science Education (Secondary Physics) – B.S.
- Science Education (Secondary Biological Science) – B.S.
- Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) – B.S.
Master's and post-baccalaureate degrees with licensure.
- Teaching, Elementary Education – M.A.
- Teaching, English Education (Secondary) – M.A.
- Teaching, Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) – M.A.
- Teaching, Mathematics Education (Secondary) – M.A.
- Teaching, Science Education (Secondary) – M.A.
- Post-Baccalaureate, Elementary Education (programs was retired in 2020)
8. Student Loan Default Rate and Other Consumer Information
About WGU
Employment and Hiring Rates
Data from the 2020 Harris Poll shows that employers hire WGU graduates at higher rates than traditional college students. In fact, 84% of WGU graduates report being employed full time, and 89% report that they are employed in their degree field. This demonstrates that WGU degrees prepare graduates for careers and their future.
WGU Graduate Preparedness
2017 study
A spring 2017 teacher college survey of completers/graduates who were beginning teachers from 1 to 3 years “out” of their programs found the following:
97%
of teacher college graduates believed their WGU preparation program prepared them extremely well or very well to create a productive learning environment with high expectations for all students.
89%
of teacher college graduates said their WGU program had prepared them extremely well or very well for using professional knowledge and skills to facilitate learning and reflecting on personal and professional biases.
Employer Satisfaction Rates
The 2020 Harris Poll gives information on employers and their satisfaction with WGU-graduate employees. This report asked employers specific questions about how they would rate their WGU graduate employees.
WGU’s official student loan default rate dropped for the FY 2017 cohort, from 4.6 in FY 2014 to 4.1 percent in 2020, which is less than half the national average of 9.7% for the same period. The default rate for FY 2016 was 4.2 percent.
Inspiring stories of WGU-educated teachers.
"My degree (B.A. Special Education) from WGU has allowed me to help both special-needs students and their families, and I've felt well-prepared since day one on the job." Miranda Good
WGU alum
“Half of what I learned from my master’s at WGU is a model for my classroom: tailoring curriculum for each student, checking in with them while giving them freedom, reducing structure and giving room for kids to learn how they learn best.” Joel Bianchi,
M.A. Science Education (Physics)
Annie Mewborn
Joel Bianchi
Fabian Reid
Adam Harris
Phyllis Boone
Samirah Akhlaq
Western Governors University Statistics
Tuition
$3,225
6 months' Teachers College undergraduate tuition.
Completion Time
½–4 years
Time to graduate, varies by program and student.
Graduate Satisfaction
96%
of graduates recommend WGU.
Teachers in nearly every school district across the nation—and many more across the globe.
Western Governors University has alumni all around the country, and 22% of our students are working toward a teaching degree. Our graduates also account for hundreds of teachers in nearly every state, demonstrating the impact that WGU has on school districts everywhere.
Connect with Alumni Near and Far
The Night Owl Network is an app—think part Facebook, part LinkedIn—where alumni of WGU can connect on professional and personal interest levels. If you loved the mentoring component of WGU, the Night Owl Network extends that to a professional capacity. Connect, share ideas, plan local events ... network how you want to!