WGU and Snow College Establish Partnership to Expand Access to Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees
Agreement provides special benefits to Snow College grads and employees
Snow College graduates and employees are expected to benefit from the institution’s new partnership with Western Governors University (WGU). The two schools announced an agreement establishing a generous transfer credit policy to Snow College alumni choosing to enroll at WGU. That means more of their hard work at Snow College will be recognized, saving them time and money on their way to in-demand bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Additionally, Snow College graduates and employees will be eligible to apply for the WGU Community College Partnership Scholarship, valued at up to $2,500.
“For generations, Snow College has been a launchpad for residents of central Utah to achieve great things,” said Stacee Yardley McIff, interim president at Snow College. “Our new partnership with WGU continues that tradition of increasing access to accredited university degree programs. We look forward to the opportunities this will provide for Snow College graduates.”
Headquartered in Salt Lake City, WGU is an online, nonprofit university serving students across Utah and nationwide. WGU offers more than 60 bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, IT, teacher education, and health professions, including nursing. The university’s innovative competency-based model allows students to gain in-demand knowledge and skills on their own time and at a pace that fits their lifestyles.
“Snow College has an outstanding track record of preparing its grads for success at four-year schools, but we know traditional university learning environments don’t fit the needs of every student,” said Ismar Vallecillos, WGU’s director of operations in Utah and the Northwest Region. “WGU’s online, competency-based model is an excellent option for busy people who are pursuing degrees while also working and raising families, as well as individuals who live in remote communities far from brick-and-mortar campuses.”
Currently, nearly 250 WGU students and more than 600 graduates live in the six-county area served by Snow College (Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier and Wayne Counties). Across Utah, more than 8,300 individuals are enrolled at WGU, while nearly 22,000 have already earned degrees from the online university.
WGU is well-suited for busy, working adults and traditionally underserved student populations. The university provides students with individualized experiences and personalized guidance from dedicated faculty mentors and course instructors – from the time they enroll until they graduate. WGU is also committed to keeping tuition costs low. Students pay about half as much as their counterparts at similar institutions with tuition for most WGU degree programs at approximately $7,000 per year.
