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Western Governors University Gains an Accreditation

The Internet-based Western Governors University http://www.wgu.edu has been granted accreditation for its degree program, putting it on par with other Utah colleges, administrators said Tuesday.

BY SHINIKA A. SYKES
THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

"This is a great day for WGU, and for the future of distance education and competency-based education," said WGU President Bob Mendenhall in a telephone call from Washington, D.C. "WGU has been recognized for its focus on student learning, and for implementing new models in higher education that have been demonstrated to be effective for students."

WGU received accreditation from the Interregional Accrediting Committee (IRAC) to offer associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in certain subjects. In addition, three new programs — interdisciplinary studies, mathematics education and teacher training — were reviewed and approved for inclusion under the accreditation of WGU.

WGU is the first online, competency-based institution to receive accreditation and the first time that four IRAC members have collaborated to oversee the evaluation process, said Sandra Elman, executive director of the Commission on Colleges and Universities of the Northwest Association and the Executive Director of Redmond, Wash.-based IRAC.

The four IRAC commission members are the Commission on Colleges and Universities of the Northwest Association of Schools and of Colleges and Universities, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

The four-region accreditation is being heralded as "historic" in accreditation, making WGU the only university to be simultaneously accredited by multiple commissions. WGU is already nationally accredited by the Distance Education Training Council.

Western Governors University, founded in 1997 by 19 states and governors, was spearheaded by Gov. Mike Leavitt and 25 corporations and foundations. It offers associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in information technology, business and education. This school year, WGU has 750 students seeking degrees and another 450 enrolled in courses.

"It helps us as a university, putting us on par with other state universities," said Mendenhall. "It makes it easier to market to and enroll students."

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http://www.sltrib.com/2003/Feb/02272003/utah/33300.asp

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