Online University Earns High Ratings for Student Engagement
Students rate competency-based WGU higher than national average in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)
SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Students earning a degree online can feel just as connected and engaged—or even more—than those studying in more traditional environments, according to the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). In fact, Western Governors University (WGU), www.wgu.edu, students rated the online, competency-based university higher in several key areas than other institutions in the U.S. and Canada. The survey, conducted annually, polled more than 350,000 students from more than 600 institutions, both bricks and mortar and online, asking them to rate their experiences. Students gave WGU the highest scores possible at levels significantly higher than the national average in a number of important areas:
- Quality of interactions with faculty—20 percent higher
- Quality of academic support—23 percent higher
- Would attend the same institution again—25 percent higher
- Overall rating of entire educational experience—16 percent higher
In addition, WGU students believe that their degree programs and coursework are rigorous and challenging, preparing them well for career advancement. WGU students:
- Rated the challenge presented by their coursework as "very much" 19 percentage points higher
- Reported spending 13 percent more time per week on their studies
- Gave top ratings to their acquisition of job-related knowledge and skills 13 percentage points higher
"These ratings by our students tell us that WGU is providing a great learning experience as well as high-quality, relevant degree programs," said WGU's Vice President for Institutional Research Jason Levin. "Although our students complete their programs in an online, self-paced environment, they rate the quality of their interactions with faculty higher than students at many traditional institutions. This is because WGU faculty members, called mentors, work with students individually, guiding their learning and providing coaching and support tailored to each student's needs."
Nonprofit and fully online, WGU is the leader and pioneer in competency-based education, offering more than 50 bachelor's and master's degree programs in business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. Ideal for busy adults, this innovative learning model allows students to study and learn at a pace that meets their needs, moving quickly through material they already know so they can focus on what they still need to learn. Students work through course materials on their schedules, with consistent, one-on-one faculty support. Because they are not tied to traditional semesters and course schedules, many students can accelerate and finish their degrees faster—the average time to a bachelor's degree at WGU is less than three years.
About Western Governors University
Now with more than 53,000 students nationwide, WGU was established in 1997 by a bipartisan group of U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education. The nation's first competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House as what works in post-secondary education. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, and was featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times.
WGU has earned the support of more than 20 leading corporations and foundations, including AT&T, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lilly Endowment, HCA, Hewlett-Packard, Lumina Foundation, Microsoft, Oracle, SunGard Higher Education, and Zions Bank. More information is available at www.wgu.edu or by calling 866.225.5948.
Contact for media inquiries:
Joan Mitchell – VP of Public Relations
801-428-5463
[email protected]
Contact for enrollment information:
866-225-5948
www.wgu.edu
Follow WGU:
http://www.facebook.com/wgu.edu
http://www.linkedin.com/companies/western-governors-university
http://twitter.com/wgu
http://www.youtube.com/WesternGovernorsUniv
http://google.com/+wgu
http://news.wgu.edu/news/news.xml
SOURCE Western Governors University
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