Response from: Daniel Gukeisen

I attended WGU over a year ago and paid several thousand dollars to do so. Now they have showed up over a year later with $81 that they think I still owe. They did not substantiate the debt, they simply referred me to a collection agency in South Carolina. The collection agency is easier to work with than WGU. STAY AWAY WITH YOUR MONEY!!!

Response from: Free Shipping Furniture

Western Governors University (WGU) is a non-profit, online university that specializes in adult education. It was founded in 1997 by 19 governors, led by Democrat Roy Romer when he was governor of Colorado and Republican Michael O. Leavitt when he was governor of Utah. George W. Bush was also a signatory governor but beyond that his level of involvement with the university was minor. The ongoing bi-partisan support from politicians received by WGU is attested to by the governors who are active on the board in 2006: Janet Napolitano Democratic Governor of Arizona, and Jon Huntsman, Jr. Republican Governor of Utah. As an online school, WGU has no campus. Its administrative offices are in Salt Lake City, Utah. With staff in over thirty states it is a true virtual university of the 21st century. WGU is regionally accredited and grants degrees based on competency. WGU's programs are not based upon required courses, but instead on a students ability to demonstrate skills and knowledge through various assessments--including exams and assignments. In October of 2006 WGU's Teachers College received accreditation from NCATE. NCATE accreditation is the most difficult accreditation for a teacher's college to receive. WGU is the first online, and the first non-traditional program to receive this.

Response from: Chris

Western Governors University is the biggest fraud!!!!!!!! It took them 6 months to find me a host school to do my demonstrating teaching because they don't have contracts with the public schools. Meanwhile hey take your money for 2 years and then 11 weeks left in the program they say that because the host school that they placed you with terminates the contract due to no fault of your own that you are out of your money and that they won't find you another school or refund your money.

Response from: Tom

Western Governors University is the biggest fraud!!!!!!!! It took them 6 months to find me a host school to do my demonstrating teaching because they don't have contracts with the public schools. Meanwhile hey take your money for 2 years and then 11 weeks left in the program they say that because the host school that they placed you with terminates the contract due to no fault of your own that you are out of your money and that they won't find you another school or refund your money.

Response from: Joe

WGU is a fraud. It took them weeks to withdraw me.By the time the stopped trying to convince me to stay, I was no longer eligible for a refund.

Response from: Sue

I started at WGU over a year ago. When I started, I thought this was the best thing since sliced bread. Since then, I have changed my mind greatly. Let me say that yes I am passing so I am not a failing person who is angry. WGU is not a fraud but close to it. Check the BBB to see that they have had 12 complaints in the last year. I have encountered nasty and sarcastic mentors,graders that do not use the rubics and I quesion their ability to grade. It can take over a week to get some papers back. You teach yourself and do papers over and over again to standards that the graders create. It is never what you learn at this college but, who you get as a grader. This college has changed it's policies several times in my year with them. The college has changed formats, policies and standards. They say they are accredited? They are an awful college. You get what you pay for. Costs are low at WGU and so is the education you receive. Please save your money and stay away from this college. My suggestion would be for anyone who has attended this college to notify the 19 Governors who created this college and have them rethink their decision. This is one of the worst colleges anyone could go to. Please save your money and go right by this college to a school who cares about their students and standards.

Response from: Yana

I am currently attending WGU, and I really don't understand all of the negative comments. You have to be ready to write college level papers and read college level texts as well as be a self starter, but that is it. I rarely have had to rewrite papers (and I have submitted dozens of them now), so I think the people complaining either didn't have the necessary educational background to attempt college or they are lazy. If anything, WGU is a little too easy. I am in their Master's in Teaching program, and I don't even have to try very hard to pass the assessments. If you can't write, don't go to WGU. If you are unmotivated, don't go to WGU. Simple as that.

Response from: Sherry

I too do not understand the negative comments. This is college not a cake walk. I don't know what schools any of you have gone to but it always takes awhile to get papers back even form a brick and mortar professor. I am in my last year at WGU and have found it to be a great school. I have had the same mentor since the very beginning. WGU requires you to be self motivated and self disciplined. I don’t any reason you can’t finish the assignments in the six month terms. My guess is many people put the assignments off until the last minute and then can’t complete them in time. Yes WGU has changed some policies but most have been for the better. I have attended traditional schools and have always been disappointed with the hand holding professors have to do to most students because they incapable of taking responsibly for themselves; finally a school that requires actual learning not just regurgitating facts.

Response from: Anna

I too am in my final year with WGU and am thankful for the university. I work in education and we hire SEVERAL teachers who have completed their studies with WGU. In fact, it was at a Education Conference held in Austin, TX that my Deputy Supt. learned of the university. It is self-paced and you must be disciplined to be successful. Also, before beginning the program, I contacted a major university within an hour's drive of my residence and a local junior college and asked if they recognized WGU and allowed their courses to transfer. They do and said they deal with WGU on a regular basis and recommend the program for those that cannot fit the traditional university within their schedules. I also saw a representative from WGU on CNN not long ago discussing its online program as ivy league schools in attendance were looking for ways to compete with the online program offered by WGU. As an employer's point of view and as a student's point of view, I am certain WGU will prove to be a leader in higher learning.

Response from: Maria

Western Governors University (WGU) is a fraud!!! I entered the University in 2004 with great hopes of earning my first degree from this Online University. However, after the first class (mandatory intro to online learning) on one at the college could tell me what and when my next class begins. Therefore, I formally withdraw from the university (in writing, over the phone, and online). This resulted in owning money despite complying with their necessary time frame for withdrawal. Additionally, when I enrolled in another online university, which I eventually graduated from in 2007 with a 3.77. GPA, WGU submitted a transcript with grades of "F" for all of their remaining classes that I did not take -- what jerks!!!

Response from: Paul

It is folks like Maria who attempt to give WGU a bad name. First of all, you obviously did not pay attention to the first class as it clearly explains to you of how to begin your next "first" class. Also, did you not read the part about "go at your own pace." You set yourself up to fail, the university did not fail you. Anna's, post is great information. Just to give some more positive real world feedback, when I began WGU I had about 10 years experience in the IT field, 90 completed hours at UTSA, and few field certifications. After graduating with my Bachelors in IT I gave myself a goal to see what this degree would get me, if anything at all. I spent three months sending out resumes, literally, every single day. After three months I was made an offer with another company and gained $30k more than what I was currently at with a boat load of extra's. (With the extra's I would say I really gained about $60k more.) Big time difference. After getting comfortable in my new position I have now signed up to pursue my MBA at WGU. And again everything is running smooth.