WGU, Palm Beach State College Partner to Eliminate Transfer Barriers for Students Who Seek Four-Year Degrees

SALT LAKE CITY – Western Governors University (WGU) has announced a partnership with Palm Beach State College (PBSC) to implement WGU’s “Onward With Learning” initiative – better known as the OWL Transfer Program—to support students who seek bachelor’s degrees after completing their associate degrees. While WGU and PBSC have partnered together in the past, this new program, launched this month, is designed to remove common transfer barriers through early engagement with students and sustained support during their academic journey at PBSC.

“WGU is committed to helping PBSC’s students further their educational achievements by removing barriers to transfer,” said Spencer Stewart, WGU’s vice president of Partnerships. “PBSC’s high-quality programs will prepare them for a four-year degree program at WGU, and by engaging students early and often, we can make sure they streamline their academic journey – saving them time and tuition costs.”

Benefits to students participating in the OWL Transfer Program include:

• Guaranteed admission at WGU for PBSC graduates participating in the OWL program.
• Eligibility to earn a scholarship of $900 per six-month term, for up to two years.
• Regular email communications through the OWL Nurture Program to keep students on track for success and graduation.
• Free online transfer success courses and co-advising from WGU staff to ensure credit transfer maximization.
• Access to social-emotional learning course—the Program for Academic and Career Advancement (PACA)—that helps develop students’ confidence, communication skills, help-seeking skills, and planning, time management, and study habits.

WGU—the nation’s largest online, nonprofit university—introduced the OWL Transfer Program this month to 21 community colleges across the country to serve thousands of students who are newly enrolled or who have completed less than 50 percent of their associate degree programs (30 credits), and who are interested in one of 13 bachelor’s degree programs from WGU’s College of Business, College of Information Technology, or Teachers College.

“We are pleased to expand our relationship with WGU to give our graduates an additional opportunity to continue their education,” said Dr. Roger Yohe, PBSC's vice president of Academic Innovation and Strategy. “WGU’s OWL Transfer Program provides excellent options for students who seek affordable and flexible degrees that can help them be successful in an evolving economy.”

More information about the OWL Transfer Program, including a full list of eligible WGU degree programs and a sign-up form for interested students, is available at www.wgu.edu/owltransferprogram.