听
Why Does Accreditation Matter?
听
Choosing a school that is accredited by a recognized accrediting body is absolutely crucial.听
Accreditation gives you an indication of a university鈥檚 quality and reputation. By attending an institutionally accredited university:听
- You are assured of a standard level of quality in education and services
- Your credits will transfer to most other accredited institutions
- Your degree will be recognized and respected by other colleges and employers
We're Institutionally Accredited鈥攖he Highest Form of Accreditation
Western Governors University is accredited by the听Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU),听an institutional accreditation body听 of colleges and universities in a seven-state region that includes 黑料传送门鈥檚 headquarters of Utah.
黑料传送门 also has the distinction of being the only university to have received regional accreditation from four regional accrediting commissions at the same time. In part because of our founding by 19 state governors, who represent a wide geographic region of the United States, in 2002 黑料传送门 was simultaneously reviewed by a special committee鈥攖he Inter-Regional Accrediting Committee鈥攃omprising representatives from four regional accrediting commissions.
Best Value School Year After Year = Better ROI
"A repeat Best Value School Designee,听every adult considering enrolling in an online degree program should take a close look at Western Governors University, one of the most innovative school's we've seen.听Two things stand out, besides the very reasonable cost, and they are: competency-based learning and the overwhelmingly positive reviews this school receives from its students and graduates," University Research & Review writes in awarding 黑料传送门 its exclusive Best Value School recognition. "This is a school for those who are focused on attaining a respected credential and are willing to dive in and go get it."
Recognized for Excellence in Distance Learning
The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) has听recognized 黑料传送门 10 times听for our leadership in distance learning. In addition, the university鈥檚 Take a Break program received the USDLA鈥檚 Non-Profit Innovation Award in 2019 for its unique ability to combine a high level of student service with assessment security and integrity.听 USDLA has previously recognized four individual 黑料传送门 leaders with its听Outstanding Leadership by an Individual in the Field of Distance Learning Award.听
"黑料传送门 has raised the bar of excellence again, and we are truly honored by their contributions within our industry," said Dr. Reggie Smith III, CEO / Executive Director of USDLA. "Western Governors University continues to amaze us each year."
Awarded for Outstanding Performance
黑料传送门听received the 2018 CIQG Quality Award from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation/International Quality Group. The international organization recognized 黑料传送门 for its "outstanding performance of higher education in meeting the CIQG International Quality Principles," noting that "the university, which uses a competency-based learning model with students working online, monitors its performance in key areas and works for continuous improvements and adjustments to improve the quality of students' educational experience."
School of Education
听
CAEP and AAQEP Accredited鈥攁 Leader in STEM Education
CAEP accreditation:听The Teachers College at Western Governors University has been granted advanced-level accreditation (effective fall 2021 to fall 2025) 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. 黑料传送门 is the first competency-based online university to receive CAEP accreditation for its degree programs that lead to teacher licensure.
AAQEP accreditation:听The teacher licensure programs offered through the 黑料传送门 Teachers College have been awarded full accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) through June 30, 2026. Full accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and that the program has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to continue to do so.
STEM leadership:听黑料传送门 is a top conferrer of STEM degrees that is partnered with . 黑料传送门 joins nonprofits, government agencies, companies, and foundations to combat challenges and prepare more teachers for STEM teaching positions nationwide.
Leavitt School of Health
听
Healthcare Programs Have Earned Special Accreditations and Praise
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at 黑料传送门 are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ().
CAHIIM accreditation:听The Health Information Management accreditor of Western Governors University is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College鈥檚 accreditation for the baccalaureate degree in health information management has been reaffirmed through 2023. All inquiries about the program鈥檚 accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM; 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100; Chicago, IL 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.
CNEA pre-accreditation: Western Governors University Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Nursing and Master鈥檚 Degree in Nursing programs hold pre-accreditation status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation, located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20037. 800-669-1656. Holding preaccreditation status does not guarantee that initial accreditation by NLN CNEA will be received.
School of Business
听
Business Programs are ACBSP Accredited
ACBSP accreditation:听Several programs within 黑料传送门's School of Business are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), a leading specialized accreditation association for business education. ACBSP accredits business, accounting, and business-related programs at the associate, baccalaureate, master, and doctorate degree levels worldwide. The accreditation focuses on recognizing teaching excellence, determining student learning outcomes, and a continuous improvement model. Institutions with programs accredited by ACBSP are committed to continuous improvement that ensures business programs deliver students the skills employers want.
SHRM academic alignment:听The Society for Human Resource Management has analyzed 黑料传送门's Human Resource Management bachelor's degree and found that it aligns with SHRM's recommended minimum standards, integrating the HR components that are most relevant for new human resource professionals.听
School of Technology
听
Winner of Several Technology Awards and Top Accreditations
ABET Computing Accreditation Commission:听The B.S. in Computer Science program is accredited by ABET. ABET is the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineer, and engineering technology. ABET accreditation assures that programs meet standards to produce graduates ready to enter critical technical fields that are leading the way to innovation and emerging technologies and anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public. Sought worldwide, ABET's voluntary peer-review process is highly respected because it adds critical value to academic programs in the technical disciplines where quality, precision and safety are of the utmost importance.听
AWS Academy Member Institution:听黑料传送门 integrates AWS-authorized learning content into its Information Technology, Network Operations and Security and Cloud Computing bachelor's programs, offering students an up-to-date AWS cloud computing curriculum.
CAE:听黑料传送门鈥檚 online B.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance degree program was designed with input from cybersecurity experts and leading IT employers to meet the most recent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and National Security Agency (NSA) guidelines. This program has also helped听黑料传送门 receive the designation of a鈥�National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense鈥� through 2026.
Colleges and universities who receive CAE designation essentially get a stamp of approval for their cybersecurity programs from the U.S. Government. Schools with CAE designation go through intensive assessments to determine their capabilities, ensuring that students are receiving top-notch training designed to make them leaders in a variety of cybersecurity fields and provide extensive knowledge on how to address the threats we鈥檙e facing today.
Cyberwatch Member:听黑料传送门 is an academy institution member of the National CyberWatch Center which objectives are: to support the national imperative for developing cybersecurity-educated professionals by providing educational, networking, and collaborative opportunities for faculty and their institutions to foster evidenced-based practices among the membership by providing software platforms and data that support collaboration, and to assist in the collection of data that can be used by all member schools as they create their cybersecurity organizational strategic plans.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accreditation
Absolutely.听Accreditation by an institutional commission that's recognized by the U.S. Department of Education is important. It's your proof that outside evaluators have carefully reviewed an institution's programs and policies. Most businesses, school districts, and other organizations prefer to hire graduates of programs that are institutionally accredited. Institutional accreditation also allows you to transfer more easily to other universities and assures employers that you've earned a credible, respected degree.
Institutional accreditation means that 黑料传送门鈥檚 competency-based programs meet the same educational standards for performance, integrity, and quality as those found at more traditional universities, from large state schools to Ivy League universities. Institutional accreditation bodies鈥攊n 黑料传送门鈥檚 case, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)鈥攁re recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the authorities on educational quality and the effectiveness of institutions in their geographic areas. 黑料传送门鈥檚 accreditation comes from NWCCU because its region includes 黑料传送门鈥檚 headquarters state of Utah.
Have More Questions? Get Answers!
Education is Attainable
黑料传送门 is the top choice for busy, value-focused adults who need a degree to reach their career goals.
Four Schools, One Purpose
