Western Governors University

I needed to complete a BSN. I had earned a bachelors in another country, but being unable to transfer credits, needed to complete the BSN from scratch. WGU is based on a competency model. If you can complete the assigned tasks or pass the exam you are welcome to go ahead and do that and then take the next course. It really worked for me. I was able to test out of many of my courses and am on target to graduate with a BSN in about 9 months.

WGU assigns each student a mentor. I didn't think this would really be a useful part of my time here, but my mentor is an experienced masters prepared nurse and has been so helpful in navigating WGU courses and considering options for my career post BSN. the mentor phone calls have become one of the best features of the program for me. The course work has largely been relevant and useful. I have been able to use much of it in my nursing already. If you are looking for an online option, I recommend considering WGU.

1st Year Female -- Class 2014

Education Quality: A+, Individual Value: F

After many years of putting off getting my BSN and then seriously researching which online university to go to, I feel I have chosen the best university for me. Even though I am a well seasoned and experienced nurse, I am astounded and very happy with all I am learning. I love the self paced study and hope to finish ahead of schedule and move on for my MSN, that is how inspired I am!! The classes have excellent content and so far the professors have been nothing but kind and helpful - especially the Statistics professor!! He is wonderful!

1st Year Female -- Class 2014

Education Quality: A+, University Resource Use/ spending: B

In the Information Technology school, you come out with industry standard certificates on top of your degree. Through this program I have earned the following certificates: Cisco CCNA,Cisco CCNA: Security, CompTIA: A+ (hardware+Software), CompTIA Project+, CompTIA Security+, Windows 7 configuration (MCP, MCTS), CIW JavaScript Specialist,CIW Web Designer,CIW Database specialist.

Regardless of the validity anyone may assign to each of these certifications, they look great on a resume, and speak to the broad range of ones skills. Even though I am just graduating now, the certifications obtained throughout the course of study have greatly aided in my employment opportunities and career growth in hard economic times.

In addition to all of this, it is the only program that I could pull off as a working adult with children. It is truly self paced, and allows for the student to decide how to proceed with-inn their program. That said once you pick a program it is rigidly set. You have no room to select electives. The programs of study are designed to lead you in a strait path to the finish line. There is no bologna in the program to distract. You demonstrate the competencies they have laid out for you (once and only once), and if you do it properly you get credit.

Unlike other online schools WGU is nonprofit. I have emailed senior staff, and junior staff. They all seem to be very responsive and care about what they are doing.The one pitfall with WGU is that it is very unlikely you will be able to transfer credit from this institution if you decide to move schools. You need to finish the program, it is all or nothing, or so it would seem. WGU uses a different method for giving credit. My personal belief is that it is ahead of its time, and not all schools understand what WGU has put into practice. I believe it is the future of education, but I am just one guy.

3rd Year Male -- Class 2013

Education Quality: A+, Scholastic Success: A-