Overview
OWL is a transfer program between Western Governors University and several community colleges across the country. This partnership provides seamless academic pathways for students to complete their associate degree and guarantees admission into specific majors at WGU to promote timely bachelor's degree graduation.
OWL focuses on early engagement and preparation to ensure students are ready to succeed at WGU when they enroll. By opting into the OWL program, you will receive regular communication from WGU that will support you in your pursuit of an associate degree.
Who is the OWL Program For?
The OWL program is for current community college students who have at least 2 semesters remaining in community college. See a list of community colleges that participate.
OWL Benefits
Students who enroll in the OWL program will:
- Receive regular communication from WGU during their time at community college
- Connect with an Enrollment Specialist
- Seamless transfer articulation pathways to maximize transfer credits
- Guaranteed transfer with an associate degree into select WGU bachelor degree programs (see admissions requirements for programs)
- Access to WGU OWL Transfer Scholarship for all student who opt into the OWL program via our landing page and graduate with their associate degree prior to transfer. *Scholarship award is based on the availability of funds
Guaranteed Admission to a WGU Bachelor's Degree Program
If you’re pursuing an associate degree, WGU could be the perfect next step for you in your educational journey. The WGU OWL program offers guaranteed admission to WGU when you transfer a qualifying associate degree into one of the following WGU programs:
BUSINESS
- B.S. Business Administration, Management
- B.S. Business Administration, Healthcare Administration
- B.S. Business Administration, Human Resources
- B.S. Business Administration, Information Technology
- B.S. Business Administration, Marketing
- B.S. Business Administration, Accounting
- B.S. Finance
- B.S. Supply Chain and Operations Management
- B.S. Communications
- B.S. User Experience Design
How It Works:
WGU’s OWL program provides transfer pathways for students on courses to help maximize their transfer credits from their associate degree for a seamless transfer to WGU. This means that students in the OWL program will have just 60 credits remaining to complete their bachelor’s degree when they transfer. With WGU’s competency-based education, this means you could earn your bachelor’s degree in 18 months or less, depending on your pace of mastering course material.
Sign Up Today to Opt Into the OWL Program
By completing this form, you are agreeing to join the OWL Transfer Program and receive weekly email communications from WGU to support you in your goal of transferring to a four-year university.
Participating Institutions:
Click on the link below to assist you in selecting the courses that will maximize your transfer credits to WGU. By following these pathways, you will increase your transfer credits while decreasing the time to complete your bachelor’s degree and the cost.
Arizona
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Estrella Mountain Community College
Gateway Community College
Glendale Community College
Mesa Community College
Paradise Valley Community College
Phoenix Community College
Scottsdale Community College
South Mountain Community College
Rio Salado College
Florida
Palm Beach State College
Idaho
College of Southern Idaho
Illinois
City College of Chicago – Harold Washington College
City College of Chicago – Harry S Truman College
City College of Chicago – Kennedy-King College
City College of Chicago – Malcolm X College
City College of Chicago – Olive-Harvey College
City College of Chicago – Richard J Daley College
City College of Chicago – Wilbur Wright College
Indiana
Ivy Tech Community College
Missouri
Metropolitan Community College, Kansas City
Texas
Austin Community College
Lone Star College System
Tarrant County College
Utah
Salt Lake Community College
Washington
Lower Columbia College
If your community college is not on this transfer list, you still have options to transfer courses or a degree to WGU. Learn more about transfer options.
OWL FAQs
- Why should I choose WGU’s OWL program?
- Am I eligible for the OWL program?
- Which WGU degrees can I earn through the OWL program?
By enrolling in OWL, students will have a seamless transition to WGU. Degree pathways were designed to ensure that courses completed for their associate degree will apply towards a WGU bachelor's degree. The OWL program gives students a direct, efficient pathway from community college to WGU.
If you are enrolled, or plan to enroll, at one of our OWL partner community colleges and plan to earn your bachelor’s degree in one of the degree programs listed on this page, then you are eligible to enroll in the OWL program once you are enrolled at the community college.
The following degrees are currently available in the OWL transfer program:
- B.S. Business Administration, Management
- B.S. Business Administration, Healthcare Management
- B.S. Business Administration, Human Resources
- B.S. Business Administration, Information Technology
- B.S. Business Administration, Marketing
- B.S. Business Administration, Accounting
- B.S. Finance
- B.S. Supply Chain and Operations Management
- B.S. Cybersecurity & Information Assurance
- B.S. Information Technology
- B.S. Data Management/Data Analytics
- B.S. Software Engineering
- B.S. Cloud Computing
- B.S. Computer Science
- B.S. Network Operations and Security
- B.A. Elementary Education
- B.A. Special Education, Elementary Education
- B.A. Special Education, Mild to Moderate
- B.S. Nursing (RN-to-BSN)
- B.S. Health Information Management
- B.S. Health Services Coordination
