WGU Indiana
Encyclopedia
WGU Indiana is a private, non-profit university established by the state of Indiana as an online, competency-based university to expand access to higher education for Indiana residents. Formed by a partnership between the State and Western Governors University
, the university offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Business, Information Technology, Teacher Education, and Health Professions, including Nursing
WGU Indiana was established through an executive order on June 14, 2010 by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels
, as a partnership between the state and Western Governors University in an effort to expand access to higher education for Indiana residents and increase the percentage of the state’s adult population with education beyond high school.
The mission of WGU Indiana is to expand access to affordable higher education for Indiana residents through online, competency-based degree programs that address key workforce needs.
WGU Indiana is a wholly owned subsidiary of Western Governors University, which was founded in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs. Today, Western Governors University is a national university with 20,000 students from all 50 U.S. states. Non-profit but self-sustaining on tuition, WGU Indiana provides new educational opportunities for Indiana residents without ongoing state subsidy.
WGU Indiana accepts applications only from residents in the state of Indiana. There is no minimum high school grade point average for admission, and no minimum score on the SAT or ACT. However, all applicants must pass an admissions examination administered by the university.
(NWCCU) and nationally accredited through the Distance Education and Training Commission (DETC). The Teachers College programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
(NCATE). Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
WGU Indiana is an approved education provider for Indiana state grants and scholarships offered through the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana (SSACI). As a wholly owned subsidiary of Western Governors University, WGU Indiana is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to offer federal financial aid. WGU Indiana’s online, competency-based model makes college possible for adults who may not be able to travel to a campus by providing flexibility to complete studies while meeting work and family obligations.
, who is based in the university’s Indianapolis office. The Chancellor reports to Western Governors University President Robert Mendenhall
.
WGU Indiana works under the guidance of an Advisory Board of corporate, community, and education leaders in the state.
WGU Indiana Advisory Board members are:
Vince Bertram, Superintendent, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation
Linda Buskirk, Owner and President, Accountable Solutions
Kathy Davis
, Former Lieutenant Governor, Founder, Davis Design Group
David Harris, President & CEO, The Mind Trust
Jamie Merisotis, President, Lumina Foundation for Education
Senator Earline Rogers, State of Indiana
Ron Stiver, Sr. Vice President, Engagement & External Affairs, Clarian Health
Western Governors University
Western Governors University is a private, nonprofit, American online university with nearly 30,000 students across the United States and in military bases overseas, as of December 2011. It is a competency-based university...
, the university offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Business, Information Technology, Teacher Education, and Health Professions, including Nursing
WGU Indiana was established through an executive order on June 14, 2010 by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels
Mitch Daniels
Mitchell Elias "Mitch" Daniels, Jr. is the 49th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Indiana. A Republican, he began his first four-year term as governor on January 10, 2005, and was elected to his second term by an 18-point margin on November 4, 2008. Previously, he was the Director of the...
, as a partnership between the state and Western Governors University in an effort to expand access to higher education for Indiana residents and increase the percentage of the state’s adult population with education beyond high school.
The mission of WGU Indiana is to expand access to affordable higher education for Indiana residents through online, competency-based degree programs that address key workforce needs.
WGU Indiana is a wholly owned subsidiary of Western Governors University, which was founded in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs. Today, Western Governors University is a national university with 20,000 students from all 50 U.S. states. Non-profit but self-sustaining on tuition, WGU Indiana provides new educational opportunities for Indiana residents without ongoing state subsidy.
WGU Indiana accepts applications only from residents in the state of Indiana. There is no minimum high school grade point average for admission, and no minimum score on the SAT or ACT. However, all applicants must pass an admissions examination administered by the university.
Academic Model
WGU Indiana uses a competency-based, mentor-guided model that requires students to demonstrate their knowledge rather than spending time in a classroom. Adult students have often acquired many of the skills necessary for a degree through life and work experiences. WGU’s competency-based system is designed to enable students to employ such previously learned skills in proving their competency while earning a degree. Each WGU Indiana student is assigned a mentor, who provides one-on-one coaching, guidance, and support from enrollment through graduation. Learning resources, which include textbooks, webinars, simulations, and online tutorials, have been developed by third party sources and are reviewed by councils of industry representatives to ensure that they are relevant to employers’ needs.Accreditation
WGU Indiana degrees are granted under the current accreditation of Western Governors University, which is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and UniversitiesNorthwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is an independent, non-profit membership organization recognized by the United States Department of Education since 1952 and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the regional authority on educational quality and institutional...
(NWCCU) and nationally accredited through the Distance Education and Training Commission (DETC). The Teachers College programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education was founded in 1954 to accredit teacher certification programs at U.S. colleges and universities. NCATE is a council of educators created to ensure and raise the quality of preparation for their profession. NCATE is recognized by the U.S....
(NCATE). Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Affordibility and Accessibility
WGU Indiana tuition is charged at a flat rate for six-month terms, not per credit hour or semester. Tuition for most undergraduate programs is $2,890 per term. Students may begin their terms at the first of any month.WGU Indiana is an approved education provider for Indiana state grants and scholarships offered through the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana (SSACI). As a wholly owned subsidiary of Western Governors University, WGU Indiana is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to offer federal financial aid. WGU Indiana’s online, competency-based model makes college possible for adults who may not be able to travel to a campus by providing flexibility to complete studies while meeting work and family obligations.
Governance and Indiana Operations
WGU Indiana is led by Chancellor Allison BarberAllison Barber
Allison Barber is the Chancellor of Western Governors University Indiana. WGU Indiana. The only non-profit, online university that is competency-based will offer new opportunities to Hoosiers who are seeking to advance in their careers...
, who is based in the university’s Indianapolis office. The Chancellor reports to Western Governors University President Robert Mendenhall
Robert Mendenhall
Robert Winton Mendenhall is the president of Western Governors University where he also serves on the board of trustees.Western Governors University is a private, non-profit, online university offering competency-based undergraduate and graduate degrees in Business, Teacher Education, Information...
.
WGU Indiana works under the guidance of an Advisory Board of corporate, community, and education leaders in the state.
WGU Indiana Advisory Board members are:
Vince Bertram, Superintendent, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation
Linda Buskirk, Owner and President, Accountable Solutions
Kathy Davis
Kathy Davis
Katherine L. Davis was the 46th Lieutenant Governor of Indiana, and the first woman to serve in that office.-Biography:...
, Former Lieutenant Governor, Founder, Davis Design Group
David Harris, President & CEO, The Mind Trust
The Mind Trust
The Mind Trust is a non-profit organization based in Indianapolis whose mission is to “dramatically improve public education for underserved students by empowering education entrepreneurs to develop or expand transformative education initiatives.”-History:...
Jamie Merisotis, President, Lumina Foundation for Education
Lumina Foundation for Education
Lumina Foundation for Education is a private, Indianapolis-based foundation with about $1.4 billion in assets. Its mission is to expand student access to and success in education beyond high school...
Senator Earline Rogers, State of Indiana
Ron Stiver, Sr. Vice President, Engagement & External Affairs, Clarian Health
Clarian Health
Indiana University Health is a non-profit, academic medical health center and is Indiana's most comprehensive healthcare system, comprising more than 20 hospitals and health centers statewide...