Online Competency-Based Degree Programs

Already have college credit? Earn your degree online and via distance learning with these competency-based and credit for prior learning degree programs offered by accredited universities and colleges.

Competency-Based Degree Programs

Western Governors University
Western Governors University (WGU) is America's only online, competency-based university and unlike traditional universities, WGU does not award degrees based on a given number of credit hours you accumulate or a certain set of courses you are required to complete.

Instead, you earn your degree by demonstrating your skills and knowledge through a series of assessments, which typically include tests, projects and a portfolio.

It's likely that you may already be well prepared in one or more subject areas due to prior academic, life or work experience. In that case, you may move directly to the assessments as soon as you feel ready. Instead of taking classes in subject areas you already know, you will focus your education only on the areas in which you need to gain skills and knowledge. This may include taking online or distance education classes, or conducting self-study activities and other alternative methods of learning.

Online degree programs offered by WGU include:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Information Systems
• Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology - Network Management
• Bachelor's Degree in Finance
  (not suited for those interested in investment management, brokerage, or capital markets)
• Bachelor's Degree in Management Accounting
  (not suited for C.P.A. exam preparation or tax accounting/auditing careers)
• Bachelor's Degree in Business - Human Resource Management
• Bachelor's Degree in Business - Information Technology Management
• Bachelor's Degree in Business Management
• Bachelor's Degree in Marketing Management
• Master of Education / Management and Innovation
• Master of Education / Measurement and Evaluation
• Master's Degree in Mathematics Education (K-6, 5-9, or 5-12)
• Master's Degree in Science Education (5-9 or 5-12)
• Master's Degree in English Language Learning (preK-12)
• Endorsement Preparation Program in English Language Learning (preK-12)
• Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)
• Bachelor's Degree in Science (5-9 or 5-12)
• Master's Degree in Teaching, Mathematics (5-12)
• Master's Degree in Teaching, Science (5-12)

Western Governors University is the only university to have received simultaneous accreditation by four regional accrediting commissions. Currently, WGU's "home" accrediting commission is the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the same organization that accredits such leading institutions as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, University of Utah, BYU, and other public and private colleges. WGU is also nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The WGU Teachers College is the first and only online provider of teacher education to receive accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Learn more about these online degree programs.