Institutional Catalog Western Governors University 2021 University Catalog Volume MMXXI, No. 9 September 2021 Undergraduate and Graduate Programs Teachers College College of Business College of Information Technology College of Health Professions The electronic catalog—the WGU public website—is available at any time by accessing the following URL: www.wgu.edu The print version of this catalog for students and prospective students may be requested by sending an email to the Student Records department at [email protected]. Disclaimer: All information in this catalog is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute a legal contract between Western Governors University and any person or entity unless otherwise specified. Information in this catalog is subject to change without prior notice. Although every reasonable effort is made to present current and accurate information, Western Governors University makes no guarantees of any kind. Western Governors University Corporation 4001 South 700 East, Suite 700 Salt Lake City, UT 84107-2533 Toll Free: 866.225.5948 Local Phone: 801.274.3280 Fax: 801.274.3305 [email protected] www.wgu.edu Table of Contents About Western Governors University 5 Admissions 12 State Regulatory Information 18 Tuition and Financial Aid 21 Academic Policies 28 Academic Programs 43 College of Business Programs 45 B.S. Business Administration - Accounting 46 B.S. Business Administration - Healthcare Management 48 B.S. Business Administration - Human Resource Management 50 B.S. Business Administration - Information Technology Management 52 B.S. Business Administration - Management 54 B.S. Business Administration - Marketing 56 Master of Business Administration 58 MBA Information Technology Management 59 MBA Healthcare Management 60 M.S. Management and Leadership 61 M.S. Accounting 62 College of Health Professions Programs 63 B.S. Nursing (Prelicensure) 64 B.S. Nursing (RN to BSN) 66 B.S. Health Information Management 67 B.S. Health Services Coordination 69 M.S. Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner 71 M.S. Nursing - Education 72 M.S. Nursing - Leadership and Management 73 M.S. Nursing - Nursing Informatics 74 M.S. Nursing - Education (RN to MSN) 75 M.S. Nursing - Leadership and Management (RN to MSN) 77 M.S. Nursing - Nursing Informatics (RN to MSN) 79 Master of Health Leadership 81 College of Information Technology Programs 82 B.S. Cloud Computing 83 B.S. Computer Science 85 B.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance 87 B.S. Data Management/Data Analytics 89 B.S. Information Technology 91 B.S. Network Operations and Security 93 B.S. Software Development 95 M.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance 97 M.S. Data Analytics 98 M.S. Information Technology Management 99 Teachers College Programs 100 B.A. Elementary Education 102 B.A. Special Education and Elementary Education (Dual Licensure) 104 B.A. Special Education (Mild to Moderate) 106 B.S. Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) 108 B.S. Mathematics Education (Secondary) 110 B.S. Science Education (Middle Grades) 112 B.S. Science Education (Secondary Biological Science) 114 B.S. Science Education (Secondary Chemistry) 116 B.S. Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) 118 B.S. Science Education (Secondary Physics) 120 M.A. Teaching, Elementary Education 122 M.A. Teaching, English Education (Secondary) 123 M.A. Teaching, Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) 124 M.A. Teaching, Mathematics Education (Secondary) 125 M.A. Teaching, Science Education (Secondary) 126 M.A. Teaching, Special Education 127 M.S. Curriculum and Instruction 129 M.S. Educational Leadership 130 M.A. English Language Learning (ELL) (PreK-12) 131 M.Ed. Instructional Design 132 M.Ed. Learning and Technology 133 M.A. Mathematics Education (K-6) 134 M.A. Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) 135 M.A. Mathematics Education (Secondary) 136 M.A. Science Education (Middle Grades) 137 M.A. Science Education (Secondary Biological Science) 138 M.A. Science Education (Secondary Chemistry) 139 M.A. Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) 140 M.A. Science Education (Secondary Physics) 141 Endorsement Preparation Program, English Language Learning (ELL) (PreK-12) 142 Course Descriptions 143 Instructor Directory 186 About Western Governors University Why are we called Western Governors University? Our name tells the story of our founding—a story that dates back to 1997, when a group of U.S. governors came up with an innovative answer to a question of growing concern: How can we ensure more of our residents have greater access to a college education that fits their schedule? That meeting of the Western Governors' Association marked the beginnings of a new national university. From the beginning, we were designed to be different. The U.S. governors who founded WGU knew that the college student of the 21st century would be very different from students in the past. For millions of working adults, the dream of pursuing a college education could only become a reality once the boundaries of time and place could be removed. Overcoming this challenge was at the heart of the WGU idea. It was the mid-1990s, and a new technology was quickly emerging: the internet. As more and more Americans were able to get online, the possibility of an “anywhere, anytime” education became a reality. And more than simply delivering traditional, lecture-based learning via modem and monitor, our founders recognized that technology could be used to fundamentally change the way college students learn. Harnessing the power of the internet and our innovative new learning model—competency-based education—WGU revolutionized the way students learn, master concepts, and progress to a degree. As a nonprofit, online university founded by governors, WGU is different. But even beyond the unique story of our founding and the foresight of our founders, WGU is different for a more fundamental reason: We do education differently. WGU is mission-driven. Created to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU’s mission has remained one of helping hardworking adults meet their educational goals and improve their career opportunities. Our mission is to change lives for the better by creating pathways to opportunity. Competency-Based Education Colleges and universities traditionally require attendance in a classroom, conferring degrees based on completion of a certain set of courses for a given number of credit hours. As an online institution that provides its students the convenience of studying and completing coursework outside the classroom, WGU provides competency-based courses to complete its degree and non-degree requirements. Competency-based programs allow students to demonstrate that they have acquired the competencies (levels of knowledge, skill, or ability) required for a particular degree or certificate. Students have often acquired many of the skills necessary for a degree through life or work experience. WGU’s system enables students to utilize previously learned skills in proving their competencies. A team of faculty have identified the required competencies for each program offered at WGU. Competencies summarize the critical knowledge and skill levels essential for mastery of a particular field. WGU students demonstrate mastery of competencies by completing assessments. An assessment may be a test, a project, an essay, or another practical demonstration of a required skill. Therefore, assessments might look like: ● Assignments involving problem-solving in science or information technology. ● Computerized math examinations consisting of multiple-choice, matching, and other question types. ● Projects requiring the student to design a lesson plan about American history. ● Reflection essays about case studies. ● Research papers on particular topics within the student’s field. Each assessment measures knowledge and skill in a given area through appropriate means. Assessments are developed using a rigorous process that conforms to professional testing standards. This process yields high-quality exams, reliable results, and supports valid conclusions about each student’s level of competence. Students can be confident that all their assessments, whether computerized exams or performance tasks, align to and demonstrate specific competencies in their individual degree programs. Accreditation Accreditation provides external, expert evaluation of WGU’s programs and policies, eases the transfer of credits to other accredited institutions, and legitimizes degree credentials for employers and colleges. © Western Governors University Aug 25, 2021 5 NWCCU Western Governors University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation. Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance