Diary of a Mad Editor

Online degree programs have become a more acceptable alternative for many people dealing with a shaky economy and rapidly changing life-circumstances. In the past, finding a good online university was difficult, because most of these outfits weren’t accredited and offered little with regard to job placement and employer validation. Western Governors University is one of the exceptions and is part of the larger trend of the growing acceptance and expansion of online learning.

Founded by 19 governors to help ease the burden of a rapidly changing economy exerting pressure on an unprepared workforce, this online learning center offers a number of accredited programs in keys areas:

Education

•Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8) •Bachelor of Early Childhood Education •Bachelor of Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12) •Bachelor of Science (5-9) •Bachelor of Science (Chemistry, 5-12) •Bachelor of Science (Physics, 5-12) •Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences, 5-12) •Bachelor of Science (Geosciences, 5-12) •Bachelor of Social Science (5-12) •Bachelor of Special Education (PK-12) •Master of Teaching (K-8) •Master of Teaching, Mathematics •Master of Teaching, Science •Master of Teaching, Social Science •Master of Special Education (PK-12) •Master of Educational Leadership •Master of ELL/ESL (PK-12) •Master of Science Education (5-9) •Master of Science Education (Chemistry, 5-12) •Master of Science Education (Physics, 5-12) •Master of Science Education (Biological Sciences, 5-12) •Master of Science (Geosciences, 5-12) •Master of Instructional Design •Master of Learning and Technology •Master of Measurement and Evaluation

WGU also offers a post-baccalaureate teacher preparation program for those who already have a degree, but want to get into teaching.

Business

•Bachelor of Business Management •Bachelor of Human Resources Management •Bachelor of Information Technology Management •Bachelor of Marketing Management •Master of Business Administration (MBA) •M.B.A. Information Technology Management •M.B.A. Healthcare Management

(Many companies will even pay their employees to attain an online MBA)

Nursing and Healthcare

•Bachelor of Nursing (RN to BSN) •Bachelor of Nursing (Prelicensure) •Bachelor of Health Informatics •Master of Nursing – Education •Master of Nursing – Leadership and Management •Master of Nursing – Education (RN to MSN option) •Master of Nursing – Leadership and Management (RN to MSN option) •M.B.A. Healthcare Management

Information Technologies

•Bachelor of Information Technology •Bachelor of IT – Networks Administration •Bachelor of IT – Networks Design and Management •Bachelor of IT – Databases •Bachelor of IT – Security •Bachelor of IT – Software •Bachelor of Health Informatics •Master of Information Security and Assurance •M.B.A. Information Technology Management