Western Governors University is also featured in our ranking Top 25 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Accounting.
Online Bachelor of Science in Accounting at Western Governors University
The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting at Western Governors University (WGU) teaches students how to use journals, ledgers, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to perform tasks related to financial liabilities and assets for individuals and businesses. The degree is also the first step toward gaining Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification. Continuing education to earn the Master of Accounting degree will help students meet the 150 semester hours required in order to take the CPA exam in most states.
Students are required to take an orientation course that focuses on acquainting them with WGU’s technology, distance education, competency-based model, and other tools and resources available for students. Those attending will also utilize the WGU course and program communities, get to know other students, and participate in activities. Students must complete the orientation course before they can start their first term at WGU and begin their journey toward the BS in Accounting degree.
Throughout the competency-based program, students can expect to take classes in core subject areas such as sociology, communication, humanities, probability and statistics, English composition, college algebra, and intermediate algebra. Key subject areas that are specific to the fields of accounting and business include taxation, intermediate accounting, managerial accounting, principles of accounting, organizational behavior, spreadsheets, and business strategy, ethics, and communication.
Competency units are assigned to each course in order to measure students’ academic progress. Undergraduates are expected to enroll in at least 12 competency units each term. Each class is typically three competency units, so the standard bath for the BS in Accounting is approximately four courses per term. However, students may take more classes and progress faster, but their pace will be determined by their time commitment, the extent of their transfer credits, and their determination to proceed at a faster rate.
The BS in Accounting degree culminates in an accounting capstone course, which is the final assessment of the accounting curriculum and requires students to apply accounting skills and synthesize core knowledge from across the degree program in order to benefit an organization. Students will be asked to work with case students to identify a current accounting challenge and then propose a solution to this problem. The program, offered by the WGU College of Business, is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
About Western Governors University
Western Governors University (WGU) is a nonprofit, private, online university based in Salt Lake City, Utah. At a 1995 meeting of the Western Governors Association, 19 governors formulated the idea to develop the institution, and in 1997, their vision became a reality. WGU uses a competency-based learning model, allowing students to earn a degree entirely online. In addition to being founded by a group of governors, several states have affiliated online schools, including North Carolina, Nevada, Tennessee, MIssouri, Texas, Washington, and Indiana.
The online campuses WGU operates offer the same curricula and programs as the national WGU institution, and accreditation is through WGU. WGU operates four schools: the College of Health Professions, the College of Information Technology, Teachers College, and the College of Business. Students can choose from more than 25 online bachelor’s degrees and more than 35 online master’s degrees.
Western Governors University Accreditation Details
Western Governors University (WGU) is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) to award doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s degrees. Although the NWCCU is considered WGU’s home accrediting body, WGU is the only school in the U.S. to receive regional accreditation from four accrediting commissions at the same time. This was mainly due to the founding of the school by governors from 19 states, which encompass a large geographic region. Regional accreditation is particularly important because credits are more likely to be transferable to other institutions, and accreditation serves as proof that outside evaluators have carefully reviewed a school’s policies and programs. In addition, a degree earned from an accredited university is more likely to be recognized by employers and other colleges as a legitimate credential. The Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Western Governors University Application Requirements
Undergraduate students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Western Governors University (WGU) must complete an online application and pay a $65 nonrefundable application fee. Next, applicants will need to arrange for their official transcripts sent directly to WGU from the institution(s) they attended. Prospective students are required to complete the WGU Readiness Assessment, a multi-part online test designed to determine a student’s likelihood of success at WGU. Once admitted into an undergraduate program, students will also need to complete a 20- to 30-minute intake interview to finalize enrollment and official establish their program start date. Since WGU is a competency-based school, it does not award degrees based on credits but rather competency. However, students who have completed college coursework at other institutions or who have earned an industry certification may be entitled to transfer one or more of these credits into the degree.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Western Governors University (WGU) charges a flat tuition rate every six months. Since WGU is a nonprofit institution, the tuition is approximately half of what comparable institutions charge and covers all of the coursework a student can complete in that time. Unlike other schools, students are not charged per credit or per course, so if students are able to take an accelerated schedule, they can save time and money. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the WGU College of Business can expect to pay $3,190 in tuition and a $145 resource fee per six-month term. There are no program fees for this degree, and the tuition covers all course materials and e-textbooks as well as 24/7 access via the WGU student portal. The majority of WGU students are adults supporting their families and themselves, so financial aid makes the completion of a degree possible. Undergraduate students may be entitled to one or more types of financial aid, including scholarships, student loans, federal grants, corporate reimbursement, veterans’ benefits, and military tuition assistance. To determine eligibility, Western Governors University requires applicants to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
