College Admission Requirements for WGU (2024)

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Your Quick Guide to Admission and Enrollment

Earning your degree can not only open the door to increased earning potential, it can change families and communities for generations. From admission to graduation, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

The admission process is simple and straightforward.

  1. Complete admission form.
  2. Submit official transcripts through our free transcript service or independently.
  3. Fill out your FAFSA if you are interested in financial aid.
  4. Complete your Commit to Start documents.

(Individual degree programs may have additional admission requirements.)

If at any point you would like help with the admission process, you can call or email your Enrollment Counselor and get more support through the process.

Next Possible Start
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Start dates are the 1st of every month. Meet requirements by the 15th to start next month. Discuss steps and deadlines with your Enrollment Counselor.

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Prepare yourself to enroll at WGU by downloading your step-by-step guide here.

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Any Questions?

Get your questions answered and take the next step. Talk to an Enrollment Counselor.

866-225-5948

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Student Success IS Our Business–Your Support Starts Now

Helping our students succeed is at the heart of everything we do. If you have any questions about admission or degree programs, or would like help with any part of the process, your Enrollment Counselor is there to provide all the support you need.

From the very beginning, the whole process was very smooth. My enrollment counselors were knowledgeable and helpful. If I did run into any kind of little snag, somebody was always there to help me.”

Cindy Krupinski
B.S. Information Technology

WGU is Focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as Part of our University Mission

WGU’s mission is to help as many people as possible obtain the quality education they desire. We recognize every individual has talent and potential, but not every individual has the same access to opportunity. Our goal is to help as many students as possible reach their educational goals and use their talent to change their lives, regardless of race, color, nationality, gender, religion, disability, orientation, or age. We know that diversity is crucial to ongoing growth and progress, particularly in higher education. That's why we are determined to make our university inclusive to all types of learners.

Read more about inclusion efforts at WGU.

General Admissions Criteria

For each student who applies, WGU will evaluate previous academic history to include high school or college coursework and/or work history as required.

Students may also meet admissions requirements by completing the relevant program of study at WGU Academy, a pre-enrollment alternative pathway to regular enrollment at WGU.

Program Criteria

Many WGU programs have specific admission requirements. To be considered for enrollment into a bachelor's degree program, applicants must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent. Click on the links below to learn more about specific admission requirements for your degree program.

School of Education
Leavitt School of Health
School of Technology
School of Business

Admission Details For Courses and Certificates

Anyone can enroll in a WGU academy course, bundle, or certificate as long as they meet the prerequisite requirements. Enrolling in any of WGU Academy's courses or certificates means you will meet WGU's degree program admission requirements. After you complete your course or certificate, you are guaranteed admission to WGU and your credits will transfer.
Once you complete the required transferable course with a "pass" grade, you will need to clear any remaining non-academic WGU requirements, including sending transcripts from other colleges and any other special pre-enrollment steps. See the course requirements in each section or talk to your WGU Academy Enrollment Counselor for more details. WGU Academy's admission guarantee does not currently include some WGU programs. Check with your enrollment counselor if the WGU program you are interested in is not listed on our website.

Submitting Past Transcripts

At WGU we are committed to decreasing the barriers to starting school. That is why we are working with a large group of education institutions to request and gather transcripts for you, free of additional fees and time for participating institutions.

The process is simple—during the application you will:

1. Add in all the information about your previous education institutions.

2. The free transcript service will let you know if any of your institutions do not participate in their program. If an institution does not participate, you will need to request that transcript independently. Currently several thousand institutions do participate in the free transcript service, but there may be some that do not.

3. You will then be asked if you would like to use the free transcript service to gather transcripts from previous institutions.

4. You will check “yes” if you are interested in this service.

5. For participating institutions, your transcripts will be gathered and submitted to WGU with no additional work or cost on your end.

6. If you opt out or have a previous institution that does not participate in the free transcript service, you will need to arrange and pay to have your official transcripts sent to WGU. This can be done electronically or by mail. Plan ahead, because it can take a few weeks to process your request. Transcripts should be submitted by the first day of the month before your intended start date.

Mail option:

Western Governors University
Attn: Transcripts Department
4001 South 700 East, Suite 300
Salt Lake City, UT 84107-2533

Electronic option:

Western Governors University,
Student Records 03339400
transcriptinfo@wgu.edu

Learn About Credit Transfer

Admissions FAQs

WGU seeks to ensure that students can engage in WGU coursework using both written and spoken English, as the language of instruction and evaluation at WGU is English. If English is not your native language, you will need to demonstrate English language proficiency.

Learn more about how you can demonstrate your English proficiency.

At the present time, WGU is accepting applications only from individuals living in the United States. (The exceptions are U.S. active-duty military personnel and their families at overseas installations and individuals living in Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.)

As a recent update, students who reside in and/or will complete their programs in Canada (except for residents of Newfoundland and Labrador) are eligible for admission but may not enroll in WGU programs that require clinical field experience (e.g., initial teacher licensure programs).

Unfortunately, we have discovered we cannot always guarantee that the educational experience for students living outside the United States will meet our high standards for quality and convenience. It is our expectation that these problems will be solved in future years. AnEnrollment Counselorhas more information about which areas are eligible to submit applications.

Applicants who have completed coursework outside of the United States must provide one copy of official transcripts or certified true copies with official English translation of all documents. Applicants are responsible for submitting transcripts that have been evaluated for U.S. equivalence.Click here for more information about international transfer credit evaluation.

If you attended a college that no longer exists, you may be able to get transcripts from a state agency, such as a Department of Consumer Affairs or Department of Higher Education. If the college was taken over by another school, check with the current school. You can also submit any unofficial copies of transcripts or course records you may have, although we can’t promise that you will be able to waive any WGU requirements.

Have more questions? More information can be found by speaking with an Enrollment Counselor.

Resources for Student Success
Learn how you can find success as a student during troubling or challenging times.

Student Success Resources

Join Students Like You

Whether you’re the first in your family to go to college, live in a rural area, or want to move ahead in your career, you are not alone. At WGU, our goal is put a quality education within reach for as many people as possible. And with nearly 170,000 students from all 50 states, you’re sure to meet other students who understand where you’re coming from.

Who Attends WGU?

College Admission Requirements for WGU (1)

College Admission Requirements for WGU (2)

College Admission Requirements for WGU (3)

College Admission Requirements for WGU (4)

2023 Annual Report data

Connect with Student Communities

Once you enroll, you’ll be able to connect with a wide range of student groups and communities, including groups of students working on the same course as you. Many WGU grads say connecting with other students made a huge difference in their success.

Or, Chat Now!

Submitting Past Transcripts

If you have prior college experience, official transcripts can be gathered via our free transcript service, or should be sent directly from the previous institution via secure electronic channels or be mailed directly from the previous institution.

Computer System Requirements

Because WGU programs are hosted online, students must possess or have access to a computer and internet access that meet certain technological requirements.

Learn more about computer system requirements.

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College Admission Requirements for WGU (2024)

FAQs

Is it hard to get admitted to WGU? ›

The admission process is simple and straightforward. Complete admission form. Submit official transcripts through our free transcript service or independently. Fill out your FAFSA if you are interested in financial aid.

Does WGU have 100% acceptance rate? ›

Western Governors University has an acceptance rate of around 100%. As such, all applicants who meet the school's admission requirements are accepted at WGU.

Does WGU accept low GPA? ›

Applicants with a GPA lower than a 2.5 but a 2.0 or above may seek admission by submitting passing scores from the WGU program required basic skills test (e.g. Praxis CORE). An Enrollment Counselor can help you best determine whether you have the sufficient background for entry into your program of choice.

Can I get into WGU with just a high school diploma? ›

Prospective students seeking admission to WGU Academy must have a high school diploma. WGU Academy also recognizes several equivalents to a high school diploma: A GED.

What is the success rate of WGU? ›

Graduation rate for WGU seems kind of high for an online school at over 50%. It's hard for me to buy that so many people are graduating because they know everything perfectly.

What GPA do you need to get into WGU? ›

WGU does not require a minimum GPA or standardized test scores like the SAT or ACT for admission. However, during the application process, you'll need to complete an intake interview with an Enrollment Counselor to ensure that the program is a good fit for you and to assess your readiness for online learning.

How long does WGU take to make an admission decision? ›

Applying to WGU is a discovery process, that ends in an admissions decision on our end, usually within 4-6 weeks. When you apply, you learn about WGU and we learn about you, and together we can decide if it's a compatible fit.

Is a degree from WGU legit? ›

Hey there! Western Governors University (WGU) is indeed a legitimate, accredited online university. It was established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with the intention of expanding access to higher education, particularly for working adults who require flexibility.

Is Western Governors University a diploma mill? ›

Western Governors University (WGU) is certainly not a diploma mill. It is an accredited and reputable online university that offers bachelor's and master's degree programs.

Does WGU track GPA? ›

The Academic Transcript's key states, "Western Governors University and its state affiliates do not calculate a grade point average (GPA) or class rank." The Record of Achievement Transcript contains the statement in the transcript header, “GPA: This student completed each of the listed courses with a GPA between 3.0 ...

Can I get into Western Washington University with a 2.5 GPA? ›

First-year applicants must meet the state of Washington's minimum college admission standards: A cumulative GPA of 2.00. Completion of courses that meet the College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADRs)

What is the lowest GPA a college will accept? ›

Some colleges have GPA cutoffs where if you score lower than their requirements, they will not consider your application. These cutoffs usually fall between 2.0 and 2.5, but every college is different.

Does WGU require the TEA test? ›

Program prerequisites must be completed and ATI TEAS Exam must be passed. An individual appointment with the Program Director or designee is required. For veterans with military healthcare experience and a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN): Transcripts and experience will be reviewed by WGU personnel.

Is WGU hard to get into? ›

WGU is essentially open admission. You'll get in.

How long does it take for WGU acceptance? ›

Applying to WGU is a discovery process, that ends in an admissions decision on our end, usually within 4-6 weeks. When you apply, you learn about WGU and we learn about you, and together we can decide if it's a compatible fit.

How many attempts do you get at WGU? ›

You will take the proctored objective assessments and submit your performance assessment for evaluation by our WGU Evaluation team. You will have three attempts to pass the objective assessments. If you are unable to pass the objective assessment on the third attempt, you will be withdrawn from the program.

How fast can you finish WGU Academy? ›

The best part? You can complete your chosen course in less than 2 – 3 months, paving the way for a smooth transition to your WGU degree program. You'll embark on your bachelor's degree journey with confidence from day one.

Is there an entrance exam for WGU? ›

While WGU doesn't require typical standardized tests for admissions, there are some criteria that are required in order for students to begin their program. Learn about work requirements, past experience, or any other eligibility criteria you'll have to meet in order to be admitted to WGU.

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