Western Governors University (WGU) is a private, non-profit online university based in the United States, founded in 1997 by the governors of 19 U.S. states. It operates with a unique competency-based education (CBE) model, allowing students to progress through courses as soon as they demonstrate mastery of the material, rather than based on traditional semesters or credit hours.
WGU is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), a highly recognized form of accreditation, and also holds programmatic accreditations in specific fields like nursing, education, and health informatics.
The university offers a wide array of bachelor's and master's degree programs across four colleges: Business, Information Technology, Health Professions, and Education, primarily catering to working professionals seeking flexible and affordable higher education.