New WGU Washington Scholarship Supports STEM Teacher Training

SEATTLE, June 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- WGU Washington is pleased to offer the Future STEM Teachers of America scholarship. WGU will award 20 scholarships, each valued at up to $5,000, to selected students planning to pursue a teaching license in math or science. Applications may be submitted from now through Sept. 30, 2014.

WGU Washington is part of the national Western Governors University, the United States' top producer of science and math teachers. In a recent Eduventures study, WGU was ranked as the nation's top provider of a number of math and science teacher-preparation degrees. Earlier this year, the nonprofit university was named a partner in 100Kin10, the national initiative to train 100,000 science, technology, engineering and math teachers by 2021.

"STEM education is a national priority and, particularly here in Washington state, we need to ensure we are effectively preparing STEM educators.  Offering these scholarships is just one of the ways WGU Washington is demonstrating its commitment to delivering high-quality math and science education programs," said WGU Washington Chancellor Jean Floten.

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be officially admitted to a WGU Washington Teachers College licensure program in one of the STEM fields, complete the enrollment process and have an interview with a scholarship counselor. The scholarship program is competitive; scholarships will be awarded based on candidate's academic record, readiness for online study at WGU and other considerations. The $5,000 scholarship will be applied at the rate of $1,000 per six-month term, renewable for up to five terms. For more information and details on the scholarship, visit www.wgu.edu/STEMscholarship. 

Like all of WGU Washington's degree programs, the university's NCATE-accredited teacher education programs are competency-based - an approach that focuses on measuring learning rather than time spent in class. Designed to meet the needs of busy adults with work and family obligations, competency-based learning allows students to advance as soon as they demonstrate mastery of course subject matter. Because they can move quickly through material they already know, many students can accelerate their time to graduation - the average time to earn a bachelor's degree at WGU is less than three years.

The following teacher licensure programs are eligible for the Future STEM Teachers of America Scholarship:

• B.A. Mathematics (5–9 or 5–12)
• B.A. Science (5–9)
• B.A. Science (Chemistry, 5–12)
• B.A. Science (Physics, 5–12)
• B.A. Science (Biological Science, 5–12)
• B.A. Science (Geosciences, 5–12)
• Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation, Mathematics (5–9 or 5–12)
• Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation, Science (5–9 or 5–12)
• M.A. Teaching, Mathematics (5–9 or 5–12)
• M.A. Teaching, Science (5–9 or 5–12)

WGU Washington's Teachers College also offers master's degree and endorsement-preparation programs for already-licensed teachers. For more information about education degree programs, visit http://washington.wgu.edu/education/online_teaching_degree.

About WGU Washington

WGU Washington was established by the State Legislature in 2011 in partnership with nationally recognized and accredited Western Governors University to expand access to higher education for Washington residents.

The state-endorsed, online university offers more than 50 bachelor's and master's degree programs in Business, Information Technology, Teacher Education and Health Professions, including Nursing. WGU Washington's competency-based learning model is designed to meet the needs of working adults by providing an affordable, flexible option for earning an accredited, respected college degree. It's non-profit and receives no money from the state.

Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is regionally 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*).

The university has earned the support of more than 20 leading corporations and foundations. They include institutions such as AT&T, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lilly Endowment, Hewlett-Packard, Lumina Foundation, Microsoft, Oracle and SunGard Higher Education.

* One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington DC 20036, 202-877-6791

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SOURCE WGU Washington