The world’s most student-centric university.
A Washington university created to help you succeed.
WGU Washington was established in 2011 as a partnership between Western Governors University and the state of Washington with a unique mission to help Washingtonians obtain a high-quality education. When WGU was established in 1997, the founding governors realized that technology, the internet, and a new model of competency-based education could transform higher education by creating new opportunities for working adults.
The mission of WGU Washington is to expand access to affordable higher education for Washington residents through online, competency-based programs that address key workforce needs.
Who we are.
WGU Washington is a partnership between the state of Washington and nationally recognized Western Governors University. WGU Washington offers more than 60 bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the high-demand fields of business, IT, teacher education, and healthcare. WGU now serves nearly 14,000 students in Washington and has awarded degrees to more than 24,900 Washingtonians.
Our promise.
We help our students achieve their dreams for a degree and career success by providing a personal, flexible, and affordable education based on real-world competencies.
As an online university, WGU Washington provides faculty support throughout your program—meaning your goals become our goals.
Satisfied students, successful grads: It's our purpose.
WGU exists to change lives. By bridging the gap between talent and opportunity, we make it possible for today’s worker to also be today’s learner—and tomorrow’s success story. Stories like these:
An accredited university that fosters successful grads.
When it comes to choosing a university, accreditation is crucial. Our regional accreditation (the gold standard in higher education) assures you of the quality and transferability of our degree programs. Additional program-specific accreditations add to our respect in the industries where our alumni work.
WGU pioneered competency-based learning—and it's redefining higher education.
We were designed to break the mold of traditional higher education with something new, something innovative: something that harnesses technology to teach in new ways, focuses on measuring learning rather than time, and provides more Americans the opportunity to build their careers and better their lives by finally finishing that bachelor's or master's degree they need to achieve their goals.
"WGU is about fundamental change in the way higher education is delivered. It's right, it's real, and it's efficient. It's what higher education will require to succeed in the future." Michael O. Leavitt,
Former U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services
Former Governor of Utah
Respect and recognition.
One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, your degree benefits from the added clout of their endorsement. Western Governors University is a pioneer in higher education for the 21st century, and the organizations below—along with many others—have taken notice. Click or tap the logos to reveal more.
Supporting students is our faculty's #1 job.
Supportive
Our faculty members have one focus: the individual student. Your needs, your questions, your goals. Instead of spending their time lecturing, they spend their time helping you learn the material and reach full competency.
Experienced
Our faculty members are seasoned professionals in the fields in which they instruct. They know their industries, and their knowledge is more than just academic: It’s practical.
Focused
Unlike most universities, where faculty members wear many hats, WGU’s faculty is structured in a way that allows them to really focus on student success. Program Mentors instruct students throughout their programs. Course Instructors are subject-matter experts on specific courses and topics. Curriculum development, assessment evaluation, and other faculty roles are handled by other specialized faculty members.
WGU in the news.
Molly Helmuth Racing partners with WGU Washington.
A Seattle native and rising star in the racing community, Helmuth graduated from WGU Washington with a bachelor’s degree in marketing management.
A high-quality alternative to traditional education.
"Competency-based bachelor’s degree programs offer an alternative for nontraditional students who may not have the time or resources to complete a four-year program yet still desire a rigorous, meaningful education."
WGU's uniquely supportive faculty model scores high.
The Chronicle of Higher Education examines WGU's track record of extraordinarily high marks for providing students with personalized faculty support and the way WGU "connects students and mentors with surprising success."
Four colleges, one university.
All of our degree programs are carefully chosen with employment and success in mind. Our special model of online learning is designed for the working adult, and our commitment to keep costs down means better ROI for our graduates.
