Online, competency-based university will grant 100 “New You, New Nevada” scholarships to students enrolling in any of its more than 50 bachelor’s or master’s degree programs
LAS VEGAS — (June 21, 2016) One year ago, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval issued a proclamation establishing WGU Nevada, the state’s online, competency-based university aimed at expanding access to higher education for Nevadans. Since that time the university’s enrollment has increased 93%, now serving more than 1,700 Nevadans. In celebration of the WGU Nevada’s growth, its first anniversary, and helping the governor toward his vision of a “New Nevada,” the university has announced $250,000 in scholarships for Nevadans.
Applications are now being accepted for the New You, New Nevada Scholarship, which will provide each recipient up to $2,500 ($625 per six-month term, up to four terms). In addition, the $65 university application fee will be waived for those applying for the scholarship at nevada.wgu.edu/newnevada by October 16, 2016.
To be eligible, scholarship applicants must be officially admitted into WGU Nevada, complete the scholarship application, and be interviewed by a WGU scholarship counselor. While WGU Nevada will award multiple scholarships, recipients will be selected based on their academic records, financial need, and readiness for online study at WGU Nevada.
The university was created on June 16, 2015, and since that time enrollment has increased 93% over Western Governors University’s enrollment number in Nevada prior to the state and WGU forming a partnership to create WGU Nevada. Last month, the university recognized more than 200 graduates at its inaugural commencement in Henderson, where Lt. Governor Mark Hutchison delivered the keynote address.
“WGU Nevada’s 21st century approach of providing rigorous anytime, anywhere learning is enhancing the quality of life for our graduates, their families, and their communities. Making higher education more accessible and affordable is paramount to improving Nevada’s economic competiveness,” said WGU Nevada Chancellor Dr. Spencer Stewart.
WGU Nevada uses an innovative approach called competency-based education, which measures learning rather than time spent in class. Competency-based education is a good fit for working business professionals because it allows them to study and learn at their own pace and advance as soon as they have mastered course materials. Students have 24/7 access to their course materials, and faculty members provide one-on-one support. Terms are six months long, and students pay a flat rate of $3,000 per term for most programs, regardless of the number of courses completed. Because WGU Nevada programs are self-paced, many students are able to accelerate their studies, finishing their degree sooner, which saves them both time and money. As a result, the average time to complete a bachelor’s degree at WGU Nevada is less than three years.
WGU Nevada is an online, nonprofit, competency-based university established to expand Nevadans’ access to higher education throughout the state. Formed through a partnership between the state of Nevada and nationally recognized Western Governors University, WGU Nevada is open to all qualified Nevada residents. The university offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the high-demand career fields of business, K–12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing.
Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). WGU’s Teachers College programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and its nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)*.
In addition to WGU Nevada, there are five other WGU state-based, state-endorsed universities: WGU Indiana, established in June 2010; WGU Washington, established in April 2011; WGU Texas, established in August 2011; WGU Missouri, established in February 2013; and WGU Tennessee, established in July 2013. For more information, visit the WGU Nevada website, nevada.wgu.edu, or call 877-214-7005.
*Western Governors University offers nursing programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington, DC 20036, 202-877-6791).
