IBL News | New York
New details emerged today on Western Governors University (WGU)’s first MicroBachelors program developed in partnership with edX.
In a press release, WGU announced that its Information Technology (IT) program will be available to students around the world through edX.org and will stack into seven bachelor’s degree programs at the university.
These bachelor’s degree programs include: B.S. Computer Science, B.S. Software Development, B.S. Cloud and Systems Administration, B.S. Data Management/Data Analytics, B.S. Information Technology, B.S. Cybersecurity, and Information Assurance, and B.S. Network Operations and Security.
However, the completion of this series of low-cost, certificate-granting courses –they cost $1,347 and grant 10 competency units (CUs)– does not mean automatic admission to Western Governors University. “While the MicroBachelors does fulfill many of the requirements for bachelor’s programs in IT at WGU, students will still need to apply to WGU and be accepted; admission is not automatic,” warns the first FAQ at the website.
In addition, the program comes with a time limit of three months. “If the coursework is completed within the quarter, the learner will receive credit for the course and passing of the assessment. If the work is completed outside of the quarter, the learner will not receive any credit for the task or assessment completed toward a certification.”
In other words, learners who pass the program will receive a verified certificate of completion and will be eligible to apply for an undergraduate degree at WGU and other institutions (still to be determined). Applying for admission to WGU will be at no additional cost.
Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors, nonprofit institution WGU now provides affordable, online higher education programs to more than 121,000 students nationwide and has more than 166,000 graduates in all 50 states.
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• IBL News, January 9: edX Launches Its First Two MicroBachelors Degrees with WGU and NYU
