With the New Year approaching, many individuals are making resolutions to change or improve their lives in 2023. One of the resolutions adults often make is going back to college to earn their degrees and advance their careers. Since taking the steps to go back to school can be daunting, especially for those who have not been to school in years, WGU Missouri has put together a list of tips to keep in mind to help with choosing the right college and degree path. The fully online, nonprofit university has also launched a new scholarship for new students who plan to enroll in 2023.
“For those seeking a fresh start in their careers, going back to school and obtaining the skills that will make them more marketable is a great option,” said Dr. Terrance Hopson, Regional Vice President of WGU Missouri. “We encourage individuals who are ready to make that leap to do their homework so they can select the college or university that’s best for them. WGU Missouri offers affordable, competency-based education programs that are a fit for many working adults, and we look forward to helping more students achieve their educational goals in the coming year and find careers they love.”
WGU Missouri recommends that those resolving to go back to school consider the following:
- Identify the type of degree that will lead to your desired career. Before choosing a college, it’s important to recognize what you’ll need to study to achieve your desired career path. Make sure the degree selected is in demand, relates to your current field and is relevant to employers. And choose a college that offers a degree program that will equip you with the skills necessary to advance your career. For those who are unsure what career path might be best, consider reaching out to potential employers to see what they value in a degree program or skillset.
- Choose a college that works with your lifestyle. Adult students often work full-time, have children or family responsibilities, or have a career plan that doesn’t allow for the full-time, on-campus university experience. Online options are driving positive enrollment trends at many traditional colleges and universities, with most now offering fully online courses and degree programs that provide students flexibility in completing coursework. Some universities have even done away with the traditional semester – instead opting for a competency-based model of learning. This approach allows students to use their prior knowledge and experience to move through courses at their own pace, often accelerating degree completion.
- Compare tuition costs and financing. A college education can be one of the most expensive investments in a student’s life. With tuition reaching $50,000 a year or more at some schools, higher education is financially inaccessible for many. Some schools are committed to making education more affordable by offering flat-rate tuition with the ability for students to accelerate degree completion without extra fees. No matter where you choose to go to school, make sure tuition costs make sense for your lifestyle and career goals. And remember, there are several ways to make higher education more affordable and accessible. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement or assistance, and there are thousands of scholarships available. Federal and private loans are also an option, but responsible borrowing is a must.
- Verify the school’s accreditation status. One of the most common mistakes for those considering different college programs is to focus on the cost of the degree instead of the value. Accreditation ensures the university you select has passed rigorous requirements from organizations that specialize in determining quality within higher education. Institutional accreditation is the gold standard of accreditation for colleges and universities, indicating the school has earned the approval of an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If the school you select is not properly accredited, your investment may not pay off because other institutions and employers may not recognize your degree or credits.
- Choose a highly rated school. Not all schools are created equal, but luckily resources exist that allow students to compare schools and see which ones best fit their needs. College Scorecard is an online platform created by the U.S. Department of Education for Americans to compare the value data of higher education institutions. The platform –located at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/ – pulls data about cost, graduation rate, employment rate, loan default rate, average amount of loans borrowed by students, enrollment, socioeconomic diversity and more. Since it’s a government program, students can use this source knowing that the information is non-biased and well researched.
To help make college more affordable for new students attending WGU in 2023, the university has launched a new Year of You Scholarship. The scholarship is open to new students enrolling in any of the university’s 80-plus undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the high-demand fields of IT, business, education, and health professions, including nursing. Each scholarship is valued at up to $2,500 per student and will be applied to WGU Missouri’s already-low, flat-rate tuition of about $3,800 per six-month term. New students can apply online at wgu.edu/nyscholarship by March 31, 2023, to be considered.
For more information about WGU Missouri and its programs or the Year of You Scholarship, visit missouri.wgu.edu.
About WGU Missouri
WGU Missouri is a competency-based, online university created to expand access to higher education for Missouri residents. The university offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. WGU Missouri faculty members serve as mentors, working one-on-one with students, offering guidance, support, and individualized instruction.
Established in 2013 through a partnership with nationally recognized Western Governors University, WGU Missouri is open to all qualified Missouri residents. The university is nonprofit and self-sustaining on flat-rate tuition of about $7,600 per year for most programs.
Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Nursing College programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE*), and the Health Informatics program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). More information is available at Missouri.wgu.edu or by calling 855.948.8493.
*Western Governors University offers nursing programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington DC 20036, 202-877-6791).
# # #
For more information, contact:
Merisa Ashbaugh
314-436-9090