Master's programs admission made simpler with WGU and community, technical college agreement
OLYMPIA, Wash. — WGU Washington and the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) recently agreed to extend benefits to applied bachelor's degree-holders interested in pursuing master's degree programs through WGU. The agreement formalizes the nonprofit, online university’s position that graduates with applied bachelor's degrees from the state’s community and technical college system indeed meet the admission requirements for most of WGU Washington's graduate-level programs.
"This is a great opportunity for community and technical college alumni who want to advance their personal and professional goals," said Marty Brown, executive director of SBCTC. "WGU Washington's online competency-based approach is appealing to many — especially students who are working, have families and other obligations. They don't have to turn their lives upside down to continue their education."
Students with applied bachelor’s degrees who are starting master's degree programs will receive a 5 percent tuition discount for up to four academic terms, the same as students with an associate degree transferring to WGU Washington to complete their bachelor's degree. In addition, all community and technical college graduates are eligible for fee waivers and exclusive scholarship opportunities.
“For WGU Washington, the intention of this agreement is threefold,” said Rich Cummins, chancellor of WGU Washington. “It recognizes the high quality of applied bachelor’s degree programs offered by our state’s community and technical colleges. It strengthens the excellent partnership the university shares with the SBCTC and its member institutions. Lastly, it smooths the pathway for more college graduates to pursue respected, in-demand master’s-level credentials. WGU Washington is thrilled to collaborate with the SBCTC on this agreement.”
More information about graduate-level programs at and transferring to WGU Washington can be found at WGU Washington's Community and Technical College Students, Graduates and Employees web page.
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About the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges is led by a Governor-appointed board and provides leadership, advocacy, and coordination for Washington’s system of 34 public community and technical colleges. Each year, about 381,000 students train for the workforce, prepare to transfer to a university, gain basic math and English skills, or pursue continuing education. Visit our website at SBCTC.edu.
About WGU Washington
WGU Washington was established by the State Legislature in 2011 in partnership with
nationally recognized and accredited Western Governors University to expand access
to higher education for Washington residents.
The state-endorsed, online university offers more than 50 bachelor’s and master’s
degree programs in Business, Information Technology, Teacher Education and Health
Professions, including Nursing. WGU Washington’s competency-based learning model is
designed to meet the needs of working adults by providing an affordable, flexible
option for earning an accredited, respected college degree. It’s non-profit and receives
no money from the state.
Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which
is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
(NWCCU). Teachers College programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation
of Teacher Education (NCATE) and Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission
on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE*).
The university has earned the support of more than 20 leading corporations and foundations.
They include institutions such as AT&T, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lilly Endowment,
HCA, Hewlett-Packard, Lumina Foundation, Microsoft, Oracle, SunGard Higher Education
and Zions Bank.
* One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington DC 20036, 202-877-6791
