List of Competency-Based Degrees at WGU 2026

Western Governors University was built from the ground up as a competency-based institution, and it remains the only university in the country where every bachelor's and master's degree is competency-based. Its model — flat-rate tuition, self-paced learning, and progress tied to demonstrated mastery rather than time spent in class — has made it a landmark institution in the CBE landscape and a reference point for how competency-based education works at scale.

This article covers the full range of CBE programs currently available at WGU, organized by college and field, along with how the model works, what it costs, who it's designed for, and what to expect when applying. Whether you're comparing WGU to other schools with CBE options or are ready to explore enrollment, you'll find everything you need here.

Does WGU Offer Competency-Based Degrees?

WGU doesn't just offer competency-based degrees; it is a competency-based university. Every degree program across all four of its colleges uses the same CBE model: students advance by demonstrating mastery of course competencies through assessments, not by attending lectures or logging class hours. There are no scheduled class sessions, no grades in the traditional sense, and no limit on how many courses a student can complete within a six-month term. 

What distinguishes WGU's CBE model from some other institutions is that it uses a course-based competency structure rather than pure direct assessment. Students still move through named courses, each tied to a defined set of competencies, but those courses have no fixed duration. A student can complete a course in days if they already know the material, or take weeks if they're building new knowledge from the ground up. 

This hybrid approach makes WGU's transcripts readable in a familiar format while preserving all the flexibility benefits of true CBE. WGU holds institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and is the only university to have held regional accreditation from four regional accrediting commissions simultaneously.

Competency-Based Degrees Available at WGU

WGU organizes its programs across four colleges: the College of Business, the School of Education, the School of Technology, and the Leavitt School of Health. Every program in each college is competency-based. The list below reflects WGU's current program catalog; students should confirm availability and any new program additions directly with WGU, as the catalog is updated regularly.

College of Business

WGU's College of Business offers one of the most comprehensive CBE business portfolios in the country, with programs spanning core business functions, healthcare administration, accounting, and marketing at both the bachelor's and master's levels. Business programs hold ACBSP accreditation.

Bachelor's Degrees

• Business Management – BS
• Accounting – BS
• Finance – BS
• Marketing – BS
• Human Resource Management – BS
• Project Management – BS
• Supply Chain and Operations Management – BS
• IT Management – BS
• Communications – BS
• User Experience Design – BS
• Healthcare Administration – BS

Master's Degrees

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• MBA – IT Management
• MBA – Healthcare Administration
• Management and Leadership – MS
• Accounting – MS
• Marketing – MS
• Human Resource Management – MS
• Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)

School of Education

WGU's School of Education, accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), offers more than 30 bachelor's and master's degree programs designed to prepare teachers for licensure in all 50 states, along with non-licensure education leadership programs. Endorsement and post-baccalaureate programs are also available for licensed teachers adding subject-area credentials.

Bachelor's Degrees

• Elementary Education – BA
• Special Education – BA
• Special Education and Elementary Education (Dual Licensure) – BA
• Educational Studies – BA (non-licensure)
• Biology Education – BS
• Chemistry Education – BS
• Earth Science Education – BS
• Mathematics Education – BS
• Physics Education – BS

Master's Degrees

• Elementary Education – MA
• English Education – MA
• English Language Learning – MA
• Mathematics Education – MA
• Social Studies Education – MA
• Science Education – MA
• Biology Education – MS
• Chemistry Education – MS
• Earth Science Education – MS
• Physics Education – MS
• Special Education – MS
• Curriculum and Instruction – MS
• Educational Leadership – MS
• Education Technology and Instructional Design – MEd

School of Technology

WGU's School of Technology covers the major domains of the modern IT field, with bachelor's programs that include industry certifications at no additional cost and master's programs in the most in-demand technical specializations. The BS in Computer Science holds ABET accreditation from the Computing Accreditation Commission.

Bachelor's Degrees

• AI Engineering – BS
• Cloud and Network Engineering – BS
• Computer Science – BS
• Cybersecurity and Information Assurance – BS
• Data Analytics – BS
• Information Technology – BS
• Software Engineering – BS

Master's Degrees

• Computer Science – MS
• Cybersecurity and Information Assurance – MS
• Data Analytics – MS
• Information Technology – MS
• Information Technology – MS (Product Management)
• Software Engineering – MS

Leavitt School of Health

WGU's Leavitt School of Health offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in nursing and health professions, with nursing programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). MSN programs are available in both BSN-to-MSN and RN-to-MSN pathways, and the school also offers a Family Nurse Practitioner program for nurses seeking advanced practice credentials.

Bachelor's Degrees

• Nursing – BS (RN-to-BSN)
• Nursing – BS (Prelicensure, available in select states)
• Health Information Management – BS
• Health and Human Services – BS
• Health Science – BS
• Psychology – BS

Master's Degrees

• Nursing – Education (BSN-to-MSN) – MS
• Nursing – Leadership and Management (BSN-to-MSN) – MS
• Nursing – Nursing Informatics (BSN-to-MSN) – MS
• Nursing – Education (RN-to-MSN) – MS
• Nursing – Leadership and Management (RN-to-MSN) – MS
• Nursing – Nursing Informatics (RN-to-MSN) – MS
• Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN-to-MSN) – MS
• Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)

How Competency-Based Learning Works at WGU

WGU's CBE model centers on a six-month flat-rate term during which students complete as many courses as they can by demonstrating mastery of each course's competencies. Courses are self-paced and asynchronous: no scheduled class times, no weekly deadlines, and no required attendance. 

Each student begins every term with a personalized Degree Plan developed in collaboration with their Program Mentor, a dedicated faculty member who stays with the student from enrollment through graduation and checks in regularly throughout each term to guide progress and help troubleshoot challenges. Separate Course Instructors are available within each course for subject-matter questions and support.

Assessments at WGU take two forms: objective assessments (typically proctored exams testing knowledge of specific competencies) and performance assessments (projects, papers, and applied tasks graded by independent evaluators using detailed rubrics). Performance assessments are evaluated blind, with evaluators having no information about the student's background, and students can revise and resubmit until they demonstrate mastery.

How Much Do Competency-Based Degrees Cost at WGU?

WGU charges a flat rate per six-month term regardless of how many courses a student completes in that period. Most undergraduate programs currently run approximately $4,210 per term, and most graduate programs run approximately $4,428 per term. The flat-rate model means that students who move efficiently through their coursework reduce their total cost proportionally.

WGU also includes course materials and resources in the tuition cost for most programs, and many technology programs include industry certification exam vouchers at no additional charge. There are no hidden fees for submitting assessments or working with mentors. Students should confirm current tuition rates directly with WGU at enrollment, as rates are updated periodically, and specific programs such as the Prelicensure Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner programs may have different tuition structures than the standard flat-rate model.

Financial Aid for Competency-Based Degrees at WGU

WGU is a nonprofit university accredited by NWCCU, making it eligible for the full range of federal financial aid programs. WGU also maintains an active scholarship program and offers specific benefits for military-affiliated students.

• Federal financial aid: WGU participates fully in Title IV federal financial aid programs, including Pell Grants for qualifying undergraduates, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Graduate PLUS Loans for graduate students. Students apply through FAFSA, and WGU's financial aid team helps students understand how aid disburses within the six-month term structure.
• Scholarships: WGU offers more than 75 institutional scholarships across its four colleges, including awards for women in technology, returning military members, first-generation students, and students in specific degree fields. Scholarship amounts range from $500 to $5,000 or more.
• Employer tuition assistance: WGU has formal employer partnership agreements with hundreds of organizations, including Amazon, McDonald's through the Archways to Opportunity program, and the KFC Foundation, which fully covers tuition for eligible employees. Students employed by partner organizations should verify their specific benefits before enrolling.
• Military benefits: All WGU degree programs are approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for GI Bill benefits and military tuition assistance. WGU has a dedicated Military Student Experience team that supports active-duty service members, veterans, National Guard members, reservists, and their dependents through the enrollment process and throughout their program.

Who Should Consider Competency-Based Degrees at WGU?

WGU was built for working adults, and that focus is embedded in everything from the program structure to the pricing model. Professionals who are already employed and need to fit education around a demanding schedule benefit most from the flat-rate, self-paced format, which lets them study at any hour, skip scheduled class sessions, and move as fast or as gradually as their workload allows. Students who bring significant professional experience in their chosen field can often move through relevant competencies quickly.

Military service members and veterans are among the strongest fits for WGU, both because of the scheduling flexibility the format offers and because of WGU's deep investment in military student support infrastructure. Transfer students with substantial prior college credit are also well-positioned, since WGU's generous transfer credit policy can significantly reduce the number of courses remaining and the number of terms required to complete the degree.

How To Apply to WGU's Competency-Based Programs

WGU's admissions process is designed to be accessible and relatively quick from initial inquiry to enrollment start date. Here's how it works.

1. Connect With an Enrollment Counselor

Your first step is speaking with a WGU Enrollment Counselor, who will walk you through your program options, discuss your background and goals, and help you understand what to expect. Enrollment Counselors are available by phone, email, or chat, and there's no commitment involved in having an initial conversation.

2. Submit Your Application

WGU's online application includes a $65 application fee and covers basic personal, educational, and professional background information. Most programs do not require standardized test scores, essays, or letters of recommendation, though some Leavitt School of Health programs have specific additional requirements. You can apply online at any time, as WGU accepts new students on the first of every month.

3. Submit Official Transcripts

Submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities. WGU's team will evaluate your prior coursework to determine which competencies may be waived through transfer credit, which has a direct impact on your projected timeline and total cost.

4. Complete the Readiness Assessment

Some programs require a WGU Readiness Assessment, a brief evaluation of your academic preparedness for the program you've chosen. Results help ensure you're entering a program where you're set up for success, and your Enrollment Counselor will let you know if this step applies to your specific program.

5. Apply for Financial Aid

Complete the FAFSA and work with WGU's financial aid team to understand what aid you qualify for and how it will apply to your six-month terms. If you're using employer tuition assistance, military benefits, or a WGU scholarship, your counselor can help you coordinate those alongside any federal aid.

6. Finalize Your Start Date

WGU enrolls new students on the first of each month, every month of the year, so you won't need to wait for a fall or spring enrollment window. Once your application is accepted, transcripts are reviewed, and financial aid is arranged, you'll confirm a start date and receive your initial Degree Plan from your Program Mentor before your first term begins.

FAQs About Competency-Based Degrees at WGU

WGU's model is different enough from traditional universities that prospective students often have specific questions before committing. These answers address what people most commonly want to know.

Does WGU Offer Competency-Based Bachelor's Degrees?

Every bachelor's degree at WGU is competency-based, across all four colleges. Programs span business, accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, technology, education, nursing, health sciences, and psychology, with more than 30 bachelor's programs currently available. There are no traditional bachelor's programs at WGU; the competency-based model is the only format the university uses.

Are WGU's Competency-Based Degrees Accredited?

WGU holds institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), one of the seven U.S. regional accreditors recognized by the Department of Education. Beyond institutional accreditation, WGU's programs hold significant specialized accreditations: CAEP for education, CCNE for nursing, ACBSP for business, and ABET's Computing Accreditation Commission for the BS in Computer Science, among others. These accreditations are held at the program level and apply to the same degrees regardless of the CBE format.

Can You Finish Faster at WGU?

Yes, and many students do. WGU reports that on average, students complete bachelor's degrees in about three years and master's degrees in about 18 months — both faster than traditional timelines — and motivated students with strong professional backgrounds or substantial transfer credit have finished programs in a single term or two. Because the flat-rate model means faster completion equals lower total cost, the financial incentive to move efficiently is built directly into the tuition structure.

Does WGU Accept Transfer Credits?

Yes, and WGU's transfer credit policy is one of the more generous in the CBE space. Most undergraduate programs accept up to 90 transfer credit hours from prior college coursework at accredited institutions, and most graduate programs accept up to 12 credit hours of relevant graduate-level work. Transfer credit is evaluated during the admissions process, and students receive a detailed assessment of how their prior coursework maps to their program before they commit to enrollment.

Are WGU's Competency-Based Degrees Worth It?

For working adults who are self-directed, bring relevant professional experience, and need a format that accommodates a demanding schedule, WGU consistently delivers strong value. Its tuition is well below the national average for comparable accredited degrees, the flat-rate model rewards efficiency, and the credential carries the institutional accreditation and specialized programmatic accreditation that employers and graduate programs recognize. 

Whether it's "worth it" for any individual depends on fit. Students who need scheduled structure or frequent in-person interaction may find a different format more effective, but for the student WGU was designed for, it's one of the strongest options in the country.

Explore Competency-Based Degrees at WGU

WGU's depth and breadth of CBE programs are unmatched among accredited universities in the United States. Use Learn.org to compare WGU programs alongside other CBE options and connect with an enrollment advisor to find out which program and school fit your specific goals and background.