WGU North Carolina Signs Partnership Agreement with Johnston Community College

SMITHFIELD — WGU North Carolina, an affiliate of national online nonprofit Western Governors University, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreement with Johnston Community College that will ease the transition for graduates to pursue bachelor’s degrees offered by WGU, provide tuition discounts, and provide access to scholarship funds.

The MOU establishes the principles that all articulated associate degrees at JCC will transfer to WGU, thus facilitating a seamless process for graduates who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree. WGU is fully accredited and offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degrees in the high-demand fields of business, information technology, education, and healthcare, including nursing. 

In addition, JCC graduates, faculty, and staff will receive a 5 percent discount on WGU’s already cost-effective tuition of around $3,225 per six-month term for most undergraduate programs. They will also be eligible to apply for scholarships through the WGU Community College Partnerships Scholarship program, which provides each recipient with tuition credit of $2,000, awarded over four terms at $500 each term. WGU will provide webinar training to JCC faculty and staff to ensure understanding of the partnership and articulation pathways.

“Johnston Community College is proud to provide another avenue for students to obtain their bachelor’s degree through transfer to a nationally acclaimed university, WGU,” stated Dr. David Johnson, president of Johnston Community College. “Working with WGU to create and implement this articulation agreement has not only been a joy, but it supports our deep-rooted philosophy of student success. Thank you, WGU!”

“As a teacher in the Johnston County School District many years ago, I always appreciated the work that JCC did to further higher education in the community,” said WGU North Carolina Chancellor Catherine Truitt. “I am thrilled that this partnership will help prepare Johnston County residents to meet North Carolina’s future workforce needs.”

WGU North Carolina officially launched in October 2017 through a partnership between the state and nationally recognized Western Governors University. More than 3,700 North Carolina residents are currently enrolled at WGU, and more than 4,000 alumni live in North Carolina. 

For more information about WGU North Carolina, visit nc.wgu.edu. To learn more about Johnston Community College, visit www.johnstoncc.edu.