Pioneer competency-based online university serving 192,000+ working professionals across four schools.
WGU operates four schools offering 96 bachelor's, master's, and post-baccalaureate degree programs as of March 2025, plus 11 certificate programs and 23 single courses. The university pioneered competency-based education, allowing students to progress upon demonstrating mastery rather than completing fixed time periods. All learning occurs online through textbooks, web-based tutorials, simulations, and online classes. Students interact with program mentors, course instructors, and evaluators—all subject-matter experts with advanced degrees. Assessment combines performance-based assignments (evaluated against rubrics) and proctored objective exams.
WGU holds accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Schools and Universities (NWCCU). Specialized accreditations include CAEP for education programs (2018), CCNE for nursing (through 2024), ACBSP for business (2018), and ABET for computer science (2023). The university was the first exclusively online school to receive NCATE accreditation for teacher education (2006) and the first to be reviewed by four regional accreditors. In 2020, WGU ranked tied for 12th in U.S. News's 'Most Innovative Schools' category for western regional universities.
WGU does not require SAT or ACT scores. Undergraduate applicants typically need an associate degree, significant college credits, or relevant work experience; graduate applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and complete an enrollment interview. Each school has additional specific requirements. The median student age is 33, reflecting WGU's focus on working professionals. The university has received repeated recognition as a military-friendly institution.
WGU operates entirely online with no physical campus and does not participate in intercollegiate sports. In 2018, the university launched the Center for Applied Learning Science (CALS) to focus on innovation; it has partnered with Carnegie Mellon University on AI professional development projects funded by the National Science Foundation. The competency-based model has influenced other universities, including University of Massachusetts Global, Purdue University Global, and University of Wisconsin System programs.