I graduated with my Associate of the Arts in Teaching from Collin College in August of 2011. I am attending Bellevue College in Washington State, to finish general education requirements that are specific to Washington. I applied to Western Washington University at Bellingham, Western Washington University at Everett, the University of Washington at Bothell, and Western Governor’s University- Washington.
I was accepted to the Special Education and Elementary Education programs at Western Washington University Bellingham, but my boyfriend and I decided to remain in Redmond (because he works at Microsoft, which is across the street from us). Moving to Bellingham alone is not an option, because I would lose my health insurance that I have as a result of being his opposite sex domestic partner, through his work. I declined my admission to the Belingham program after we decided not to relocate midway to Bellingham.
I was accepted to UW-Bothell to the Society, Ethics, and Human Behavior studies program. They do not have an undergraduate teacher initial licensure program. I would have to earn my BA, earn a post-bac Elementary Education certification, and then continue on to a Master’s degree for my certification in Special Education. I declined admission to UW Bothell when I was still waiting to hear from WWU-Everett. I was overconfident that I would get into Everett because of my admission to WWU-Bellingham.
I just discovered that my application for admission to Everett was rejected. I have emailed and called Bothell to see if I can get a spot in the transfer fall 2012 class, but there is only a slim chance that they would approve it.
My transcripts have been sent to Western Governor’s University- Washington. I am waiting to hear back about my transcript evaluation. I am not sure about pursuing this option. Have other WGU-Washington graduates been able to find a job after graduating with a duel degree in Special Education and Elementary Education? Does anyone have studying advice for me? I have taken online courses before through my community college, but I understand that with WGU, students are almost entirely on their own to learn the concepts. Has anyone applied to summer internships with their local universities, or to graduate school with a degree from WGU? If you have issues with your essays through taskstream, can you discuss them with your mentors? Has anyone had issues with acquiring a student teaching placement? Can you complete an both an elementary school and a special education teaching placement? Has anyone tried to complete practicia or volunteer as a classroom helper/assistant teacher while studying for their BAE?
If you miss a weekly call from your mentor, can you have them email you instead (my reception for my cell phone in my apartment is terrible). Does WGU offer scholarships?
Should I pursue this, or wait and try to reapply to UW or WWU-Everett? Will my degree and experience be respected by graduate schools and school districts?
Update: I have been reaccepted into UW but upon re-assessing my situation, I have realized that UWB is too expensive, as a non-resident (I do live in Washington, but the residency rules state that without working 30+ hours per week, dropping out of school for a year, or taking only 6 credit hours I cannot be a resident). Given my financial situation, I have decided to enroll at Western Governors University, complete volunteer work in the local school districts, and enroll in graduate school afterwards if necissary.
I am still concerned about whether or not I will be granted credit for my transfer course work. Has anyone had experience with this? They are suppose to be evaluating my transcripts this week to assess completion of competencies. I understand that the maximum competencies that can be “transferred” is 40 units. If I have taken Calculus 408 K (Differential), do I still have to take College Mathematics? If I have taken Government 1301 and 1302, do I still have to take The US Government and Constitution? If I have taken US History and CLEPed out of US History 1302, will I still have to take US History and World History? I am sort-of dreading the thought of having to take more general education classes (having taken over 100 credits in such already, due to a lot of complicated issues with my family, my health, moving, a major change (or two), and my finances). Does anyone have any advice, concerning getting through these quickly (with minimal stress), if I must take further general education classes?
Can you connect with other WGU students in your major, and region (IM, Discussion Boards, etc.)? Do you take one course at a time, or multiple courses at once? How quickly can textbooks be sent to you? When do you take your West-E exams? Where can I mail my Praxis I and West-B scores to? Do you arrange your own demonstration teaching? If you finish a course early can you add another?
What are the requirements for joining the National Educators’ Honor Society through Western Governor’s University?
How soon are assignments, through taskstream returned with results and comments? Does WGU have a writing center?
Does WGU take holidays (like Christmas) into consideration while students are completing their work?
I am also signing up at WGU. Many of the questions you ask are answered on their website. Others are easily answered by asking your enrollment counselor. I love the way they are there to answer questions, and yet are not pushing me.
Some things I understand: You take one class at a time. You go at your own speed, but of course you pay for six months. Do as little or as much as you like, but the more you do, the less expensive your education. So if you want to take Christmas off, there should not be a problem.
I’m wanting to get this done ASAP, so I asked how fast do they grade things and get back to you so you can move on. They said it is pretty fast. I read elsewhere online of one person complaining it was too slow. One person only, does not make me think it is a common problem. You can connect with other students online.
As far as retaking classes you CLEPed–WGU is competency based. That means if you can demonstrate your competency you don’t have to study that again.
Okay, I need to amend my statement do as little as you like! They do require that you make reasonable progress. This is a federal requirement if you receive federal student aid as well.
Thanks! I completed my intake interview last week, and I was able to ask my enrollment counselor some of my questions. Many of my courses transferred, I just have a few general education courses remaining. My plan is to teach myself as much material as possible within six month terms.
We usually go to see family in other states during the holidays. Even through I can take my work with me, I am unsure of how much time I will be able to dedicate to focusing on my studies during these periods.
I have heard that the Taskstream might be an issue (from reading reviews), but I am going to try to go into it with an “open mind.” I will do all of my preparation readings, and assignments, read the rubrics, and do the best work that I can on my assignments.
For financial aid, I know that I need to complete at minimum 12 competency units in 6 months.
Hi there, I know this is an old post but I’m hoping you get this message. I am currently looking into applying at WGU to get my Masters and Teaching Cert. I’m wondering how you’re liking it and if you’ve found out more information about how employers view degrees from this school and finding student teaching, etc. Any information you could give me would be great. Thanks in advance!
I know this is an old post but I actually attended and received my ELL endorsement from WGU and I have to say that it is a very good school. I was completely prepared to take the Praxis exam and passed it on my first try, unlike several people I know that had attended other universities and took the Praxis 2 to 4 times before they passed. The assignments are very challenging and it literally took me days sometimes to figure out what was wanted, but they make sure that what you are learning is applied so that you truly absorb what you’ve learned. I think you’ll be very happy with this school and Task Stream wasn’t bad at all.
I’m glad to hear from other WGU students. I start June 1st & am pretty excited about the ability to work faster than a brick & mortar university.
I’d love to hear from current students as to their experience with WGU & how their degrees have been accepted in the workplace. Have any of you applied to traditional grad school elsewhere and how well-received were your applications??
Has anyone transferred from WGU to another college or university before finishing at WGU?? If so, how did your credits transfer & why did you chose another school??
Thanks!
Hi Carimama,
How is your experience with WGU so far? It’s been a year since you started school. Are you still currently enrolled? I am very interested to get your feedback and experience as I am currently applying for a Masters degree program.