Western Governors University is a nonprofit online university that aims to improve access to affordable post-secondary education through a competency-based model where students can learn and earn degrees independently of time and place. Rather than focusing on seat time, WGU assesses students through domains, courses of study, learning resources, and assessments, including diagnostic pretests, objective assessments, and performance assessments. The university is governed by a board of trustees and national advisory board and employs a disaggregated faculty model consisting of program coordinators, course mentors, and student mentors to guide students through their individualized learning plans.

1. A Radical Model for Post-Secondary Education Over a Decade of Progress at Western Governors University Janet Schnitz, Ed.D. Associate Provost Assessment Thomas Zane, Ph.D. Director of Assessment Quality and Validity

2. A Radical Model For Post-secondary Education Vision for a new way of learning – Online Address changes in student population Non-profit Affordable

3. The Mission The principal mission of Western Governors University is to improve quality and expand access to post-secondary educational opportunities by providing a means for individuals to learn independent of time or place and to earn competency-based degrees and other credentials that are credible to both academic institutions and employers.

4. The Students

5. The Structure Governance Board of Trustees National Advisory Board Program Councils Organization by function Business, not academic structure Competency not “seat time” basis for graduation 6 month terms No courses No grades

7. Domains

8. Assessments

9. The Faculty Disaggregated model Council Members Program Coordinators Program Managers Course Mentors Student Mentors Adjunct Contractors

10. The Process Mentor Assignment Enroll in Course of Study Accelerate past/through learning opportunities Assessments Diagnostic Pretests Objective Assessments Performance Assessments Other Culminating Assessments

11. What’s Next? Continue to evolve the model More experimentation Move to integrate new technologies

12. Questions? For more information, visit our website at: http://www.wgu.edu Feel free to ask other questions via e-mail at: Dr. Schnitz – jazbell@wgu.edu Dr. Zane – tzane@wgu.edu For enrollment information call: 866.225.5948