Western Governors University 2022 University Catalog Volume MMXXII, No. 8 August 2022

Western Governors University 2022 University Catalog Volume MMXXII, No. 8 August 2022 Undergraduate and Graduate Programs Teachers College College of Business College of Information Technology College of Health Professions The electronic catalog—the WGU public website—is available at any time by accessing the following URL: The print version of this catalog for students and prospective students may be requested by sending an email to the Student Records department at . Disclaimer: All information in this catalog is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute a legal contract between Western Governors University and any person or entity unless otherwise specified. Information in this catalog is subject to change without prior notice. Although every reasonable effort is made to present current and accurate information, Western Governors University makes no guarantees of any kind. Western Governors University Corporation 4001 South 700 East, Suite 700 Salt Lake City, UT Toll Free: 866.225.5948 Local Phone: 801.274.3280 Fax: 801.274.3305 Table of Contents About Western Governors University 5 Admissions 12 State Regulatory Information 19 Tuition and Financial Aid 22 Academic Policies 29 Academic Programs 44 College of Business Programs 46 B.S. Business Administration - Accounting 47 B.S. Business Administration - Healthcare Management 49 B.S. Business Administration - Human Resource Management 51 B.S. Business Administration - Information Technology Management 53 B.S. Business Administration - Management 55 B.S. Business Administration - Marketing 57 Master of Business Administration 59 MBA Information Technology Management 60 MBA Healthcare Management 61 M.S. Management and Leadership 62 M.S. Accounting 63 College of Health Professions Programs 64 B.S. Nursing (Prelicensure) 65 B.S. Nursing (RN to BSN) 67 B.S. Health Information Management 68 B.S. Health Services Coordination 70 M.S. Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner 72 M.S. Nursing - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 73 M.S. Nursing - Education 74 M.S. Nursing - Leadership and Management 75 M.S. Nursing - Nursing Informatics 76 M.S. Nursing - Education (RN to MSN) 77 M.S. Nursing - Leadership and Management (RN to MSN) 79 M.S. Nursing - Nursing Informatics (RN to MSN) 81 Master of Health Leadership 83 Post-Master's Certificate, Nursing - Education 84 Post-Master's Certificate, Nursing - Leadership and Management 85 College of Information Technology Programs 86 B.S. Cloud Computing (AWS Track) 87 B.S. Cloud Computing (Azure Track) 89 B.S. Cloud Computing (Multi-Cloud Track) 91 B.S. Computer Science 93 B.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance 95 B.S. Data Management/Data Analytics 97 B.S. Information Technology 99 B.S. Network Engineering and Security 101 B.S. Network Engineering and Security (Cisco Track) 103 B.S. Software Development (Java Track) 105 B.S. Software Development (C# Track) 107 M.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance 109 M.S. Data Analytics 110 M.S. Information Technology Management 111 Teachers College Programs 112 B.A. Educational Studies 114 B.A. Elementary Education 116 B.A. Special Education and Elementary Education (Dual Licensure) 118 B.A. Special Education (Mild to Moderate) 120 B.S. Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) 122 B.S. Mathematics Education (Secondary) 124 B.S. Science Education (Middle Grades) 126 B.S. Science Education (Secondary Biological Science) 128 B.S. Science Education (Secondary Chemistry) 130 B.S. Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) 132 B.S. Science Education (Secondary Physics) 134 M.A. Teaching, Elementary Education 136 M.A. Teaching, English Education (Secondary) 137 M.A. Teaching, Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) 138 M.A. Teaching, Mathematics Education (Secondary) 139 M.A. Teaching, Science Education (Secondary) 140 M.A. Teaching, Special Education 141 M.S. Curriculum and Instruction 143 M.S. Educational Leadership 144 M.S. Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology (K-12 and Adult Learner) 145 M.S. Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology (Adult Learner) 146 M.S. Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology (K-12 Learner) 147 M.A. English Language Learning (ELL) (PreK-12) 148 M.Ed. Instructional Design 149 M.Ed. Learning and Technology 150 M.A. Mathematics Education (K-6) 151 M.A. Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) 152 M.A. Mathematics Education (Secondary) 153 M.A. Science Education (Middle Grades) 154 M.A. Science Education (Secondary Biological Science) 155 M.A. Science Education (Secondary Chemistry) 156 M.A. Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) 157 M.A. Science Education (Secondary Physics) 158 Endorsement Preparation Program, English Language Learning (ELL) (PreK-12) 159 Course Descriptions 160 Instructor Directory 208 © Western Governors University Jul 26, 2022 5 About Western Governors University Why are we called Western Governors University? Our name tells the story of our founding—a story that dates back to 1997, when a group of U.S. governors came up with an innovative answer to a question of growing concern: How can we ensure more of our residents have greater access to a college education that fits their schedule? That meeting of the Western Governors' Association marked the beginnings of a new national university. From the beginning, we were designed to be different. The U.S. governors who founded WGU knew that the college student of the 21st century would be very different from students in the past. For millions of working adults, the dream of pursuing a college education could only become a reality once the boundaries of time and place could be removed. Overcoming this challenge was at the heart of the WGU idea. It was the mid-1990s, and a new technology was quickly emerging: the internet. As more and more Americans were able to get online, the possibility of an “anywhere, anytime” education became a reality. And more than simply delivering traditional, lecture-based learning via modem and monitor, our founders recognized that technology could be used to fundamentally change the way college students learn. Harnessing the power of the internet and our innovative new learning model—competency-based education—WGU revolutionized the way students learn, master concepts, and progress to a degree. As a nonprofit, online university founded by governors, WGU is different. But even beyond the unique story of our founding and the foresight of our founders, WGU is different for a more fundamental reason: We do education differently. WGU is mission-driven. Created to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU’s mission has remained one of helping hardworking adults meet their educational goals and improve their career opportunities. Our mission is to change lives for the better by creating pathways to opportunity. Competency-Based Education Colleges and universities traditionally require attendance in a classroom, conferring degrees based on completion of a certain set of courses for a given number of credit hours. As an online institution that provides its students the convenience of studying and completing coursework outside the classroom, WGU provides competency-based courses to complete its degree and non-degree requirements. Competency-based programs allow students to demonstrate that they have acquired the competencies (levels of knowledge, skill, or ability) required for a particular degree or certificate. Students have often acquired many of the skills necessary for a degree through life or work experience. WGU’s system enables students to utilize previously learned skills in proving their competencies. A team of faculty have identified the required competencies for each program offered at WGU. Competencies summarize the critical knowledge and skill levels essential for mastery of a particular field. WGU students demonstrate mastery of competencies by completing assessments. An assessment may be a test, a project, an essay, or another practical demonstration of a required skill. Therefore, assessments might look like: ● Assignments involving problem-solving in science or information technology. ● Computerized math examinations consisting of multiple-choice, matching, and other question types. ● Projects requiring the student to design a lesson plan about American history. ● Reflection essays about case studies. ● Research papers on particular topics within the student’s field. Each assessment measures knowledge and skill in a given area through appropriate means. Assessments are developed using a rigorous process that conforms to professional testing standards. This process yields high-quality exams, reliable results, and supports valid conclusions about each student’s level of competence. Students can be confident that all their assessments, whether computerized exams or performance tasks, align to and demonstrate specific competencies in their individual degree programs. Accreditation Accreditation provides external, expert evaluation of WGU’s programs and policies, eases the transfer of credits to other accredited institutions, and legitimizes degree credentials for employers and colleges. © Western Governors University Jul 26, 2022 6 NWCCU Western Governors University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation. Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution. Inquiries regarding an institution’s accredited status by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities; 8060 165th Avenue NE, Suite 100; Redmond, WA 98052; (425) 558-4224; . CAEP The Teachers College at Western Governors University has been granted advanced-level accreditation (effective fall 2021 to fall 2025) from CAEP, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation; 1140 19th St NW, Suite 400; Washington, DC 20036; (202) 223-0077. AAQEP The teacher licensure programs offered through the WGU Teachers College have been awarded full accreditation by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) through June 30, 2026. Full accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and that the program has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to continue to do so. CCNE The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and master's degree programs in nursing at Western Governors University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; 655 K Street NW, Suite 750; Washington, DC 20001; (202) 887-6791; . CAHIIM The Health Information Management accreditor of Western Governors University is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for the baccalaureate degree in health information management has been reaffirmed through 2023. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM; 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100; Chicago, IL 60601; by phone at (312) 235-3255; or by email at . ACBSP The baccalaureate and master’s degree programs offered by the College of Business at Western Governors University are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP); 11520 W 199th St; Overland Park, KS 66213; (913) 339-9356. University Governance WGU is governed by the Board of Trustees consisting of educators, industry leaders, and state governors. In addition, WGU continues to draw support (without state appropriations) from the governors of the member states that were instrumental in the founding of WGU. The following link provides information about the Board of Trustees, National Advisory Board, and other university officials: © Western Governors University Jul 26, 2022 7 Board of Trustees Dr. Charles Sorenson, Chairman President and CEO Emeritus Intermountain Healthcare Talia Milgrom-Elcott Co-Founder and Executive Director 100Kin10 John W. Bluford III President and Founder Bluford Healthcare Leadership Institute The Honorable Jared Polis Governor State of Colorado Cole Clark Managing Director Deloitte Scott D. Pulsipher President Western Governors University Joseph B. Fuller Professor and Co-Director Harvard Business School David Simmons President Simmons Media Group The Honorable Jim Geringer Director of Policy, ESRI Former Governor of Wyoming Dr. Samuel H. Smith President Emeritus Washington State University The Honorable Eric Holcomb Governor State of Indiana Lenny Mendonca Former Chief Economic and Business Advisor State of California Tammy Johns CEO Strategy & Talent Jessie Woolley-Wilson CEO and President DreamBox Learning University Leadership Council Scott D. Pulsipher President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Hunt Senior VP and General Counsel Bonnie Pattee Senior VP, People & Talent David Grow Chief Operating Officer David Morales Senior VP of Technology and CIO Marni Baker Stein Provost and Chief Academic Officer Wesley Smith Senior VP of Policy and Public Affairs Debbie Fowler Senior VP of Student Success Gene Hayes Senior VP, Regional Operations Mitsu Phillips Senior VP, College of Business Mark Milliron Senior VP, Teachers College Jan Jones-Schenk Senior VP, College of Health Professions Ashutosh Tiwary Senior VP, College of Information Technology Annalisa Holcombe President, WGU Advancement David Perkinson Senior VP, Program Development Jason Levin Executive Director, WGU LABS Nadeem Syed Chief Financial Officer Chris Lee President, WGU Academy © Western Governors University Jul 26, 2022 8 Academic Program Governance Academic programs are developed and guided by WGU administrators working through several councils comprised of academicians and industry experts in the various fields of knowledge. Each programmatic area (e.g., undergraduate nursing, initial licensure for teaching) has a program council which is the faculty governing body for the degree or nondegree program. Program councils, along with the program coordinator, are responsible for overseeing the development of the curriculum (including competence descriptions, subdomains, and domains), overseeing all assessments, and updating the curriculum. In addition to program councils, an Assessment Council is responsible for working with program leaders, assessment development vendors, and WGU assessment staff to ensure that WGU’s assessments are appropriate tests of the competencies identified by the program leaders. For a listing of members of each Council, see Faculty Composition WGU employs a disaggregated faculty model across the university. The aggregated roles and tasks performed by traditional university professors (e.g., meeting with and advising students, course or curriculum design, instruction, assessment) are distributed among faculty members. Consequently, the jobs of individual WGU faculty members focus on single aspects of the academic experience, and students are supported by a team of faculty. Within WGU, there are several faculty roles and associated tasks: Assessment Faculty – An individual with expertise in assessment theory and practice who is responsible for the design, development, and continuous improvement of assessments that support a competency-based curriculum in accordance with industry best practices. Curriculum Faculty – An individual with expertise in curriculum theory and practice who is responsible for the design, development, and evaluation of competency-based curricula to provide relevant, robust learning experiences. Clinical Faculty – Professional experts who provide clinical instruction and evaluation to students in individual or group settings to support students in meeting the practice requirements for licensure. Instructors – Subject-matter experts who provide direct instruction to students in individual and/or group settings, and who are responsible for providing course-specific student support that is effective, engaging, and appropriately personalized. Program Mentors – An individual wi