page_title: Western Governors University
section_title: Governance
hierarchical_section_title: Western Governors University / Governance
caption_attribution_description: English: Flag in Salt Lake City Utah Celebrating 15 years of Western Governors University.
context_page_description: Western Governors University is a private, nonprofit online university based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The university uses an online competency-based learning model as opposed to the traditional, cohort-based class model present at most universities. The university was founded by 19 U.S. governors in 1997 after the idea was formulated at a 1995 meeting of the Western Governors Association to expand education offerings to the internet. WGU degree programs are accredited by regional and national accreditation bodies such as the NWCCU, ACBSP, CAEP, CAHIIM, CCNE, and the NCATE.
context_section_description: WGU is governed by its board of trustees and numerous state governors.
  The university's National Advisory Board consists of leaders from private corporations and foundations which support the university. Current members include Google, Microsoft, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and AT&T among many others. Each state-affiliate school also has a local Chancellor and Advisory board from within the state. Course competencies are defined with input from third-party councils made up of business, academic, and industry leaders, who guide the university in determining what a successful graduate in any given degree program must know to be a valuable employee.
  The university has no physical campus and does not participate in intercollegiate sports.
caption: Flag in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah celebrating WGU's 15th anniversary
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