Online Educational Studies Degree – Bachelor’s Program | WGU (2024)

Bachelor of Arts

OVERVIEW

This Online,
Non-licensure Educational Studies Degree Prepares You to Make a Difference

Do you enjoy finding creative ways to share information with others? Does the career you’re interested in require skills pertaining to education, but not necessarily a teaching license? If this describes you, a bachelor's in educational studies is exactly what you've been looking for.

Put your passion to work with an education studies degree where you can make a meaningful contribution in people's lives as an educator. This online, non-licensure bachelor's education degree program gives you the skills you need to educate and care for diverse learners in a variety of fields.

Based on your career goals and interests, you can choose an educational studies program in a content area that meets your needs while working toward employment in school settings, corporate training, and instructional design—just to name a few! However, these programs do not lead to a teaching license. If you are interested in a degree program that leads to a teaching license, please visit one of our initial licensure programs,or learn the differences between BAES and an initial licensure program.WGU has 10 non-licensure BAES programs for you to choose from:

  • Elementary Education - B.A. Educational Studies
  • Elementary and Special Education - B.A. Educational Studies
  • Mild to Moderate Special Education - B.A. Educational Studies
  • Secondary Biology Science Education - B.A. Educational Studies
  • Secondary Chemistry Science Education - B.A. Educational Studies
  • Secondary Earth Science Education - B.A. Educational Studies
  • Secondary Physics Education - B.A. Educational Studies
  • Middle Grades Science Education - B.A. Educational Studies
  • Secondary Mathematics Education - B.A. Educational Studies
  • Middle Grade Mathematics Education - B.A. Educational Studies

Time to completion

Varies

Each educational studies emphasis contains different coursework and specialization, resulting in various average completion times. WGU lets you move more quickly through material you already know and advance as soon as you're ready.

Flexible Schedule

Tuition per six-month term is

$3,825

Do the math and you'll see that you're in control of the cost of your teaching degree. We charge tuition per term instead of per credit. Finish faster, pay less!

On average, students transfer

28 credits*

Your associate degree or previous college credit may waive some courses through transfer. We review your transcripts for transfer credits, helping you accelerate this bachelor's degree in education.

*WGU Internal Data

Admissions

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COURSE DETAILS

Educational Studies Courses

Online courses focused on preparation for unique educational situations and helping you become a better educator.

This online educational studies bachelor's degree program was designed and is regularly updated with input from the experts on our Education Program Council. These experts know exactly what it takes for a graduate to be a successful educator.

Some of the courses in your program may be waived through transfer from your previous college experience. The rest you will complete one at a time as you make your way through your program, working with your Program Mentor each term to build your personalized Degree Plan. You’ll work through each course as quickly as you can study and learn the material. This means that you can finish as many courses as you're able in a term at no additional cost.

You will complete your courses by studying and working independently with instruction and support from WGU faculty. You will be expected to complete a certain amount of coursework each term for on-time progress.

Consult your specific program guide for courses included in your area of emphasis:

BAES Elementary Education

BAES Elementary and Special Education

BAES Special Education (Mild to Moderate)

BAES Science Education (Secondary Biology)

BAES Science Education (Secondary Chemistry)

BAES Science Education (Secondary Earth Science)

BAES Science Education (Secondary Physics)

BAES Science Education (Middle Grades)

BAES Math Education (Middle Grades)

BAES Math Education (Secondary)

Common Courses Across All Emphasis Tracks
See Program Guide for Full Course List

General Education & General Science Education

Professional Core

General Education

Welcome to Composition: Writing with a Strategy! In this course, you will focus on three main topics: understanding purpose, context, and audience, writing strategies and techniques, and editing and revising. In addition, the first section, will offer review on core elements of the writing process, cross-cultural communication, as well as working with words and common standards and practices. Each section includes learning opportunities through readings, videos, audio, and other relevant resources. Assessment activities with feedback also provide opportunities to check your learning, practice, and show how well you understand course content. Because the course is self-paced, you may move through the material as quickly or as slowly as you need to gain proficiency in the seven competencies that will be covered in the final assessment. If you have no prior knowledge or experience, you can expect to spend 30-40 hours on the course content.

In this course you will learn key critical thinking concepts and how to apply them in the analysis and evaluation of reasons and evidence. The course examines the basic components of an argument, the credibility of evidence sources, the impact of bias, and how to construct an argument that provides good support for a claim. The course consists of an introduction and four major sections. Each section includes learning opportunities through readings, videos, audio, and other relevant resources. Assessment activities with feedback also provide opportunities to check your learning, practice, and show how well you understand course content. Because the course is self-paced, you may move through the material as quickly or as slowly as you need to gain proficiency in the four competencies that will be covered in the final assessment. If you have no prior knowledge or experience, you can expect to spend 30-40 hours on the course content.

Welcome to Introduction to Communication: Connecting with Others! It may seem like common knowledge that communication skills are important, and that communicating with others is inescapable in our everyday lives. While this may appear simplistic, the study of communication is actually complex, dynamic, and multifaceted. Strong communication skills are invaluable to strengthening a multitude of aspects of life. Specifically, this course will focus on communication in the professional setting, and present material from multiple vantage points, including communicating with others in a variety of contexts, across situations, and with diverse populations. Upon completion, you will have a deeper understanding of both your own and others’ communication behaviors, and a toolbox of effective behaviors to enhance your experience in the workplace.

Welcome to Composition: Successful Self-Expression! In this course, you will focus on four main topics: professional writing for a cross-cultural audience, narrowing research topics and questions, researching for content to support a topic, and referencing research sources. Each section includes learning opportunities through readings, videos, audio, and other relevant resources. Assessment activities with feedback also provide opportunities to check your learning, practice, and show how well you understand course content. Because the course is self-paced, you may move through the material as quickly or as slowly as you need to gain proficiency in the seven competencies that will be covered in the final assessment. If you have no prior knowledge or experience, you can expect to spend 30-40 hours on the course content. You will demonstrate competency through a performance assessment. There is no prerequisite for this course and there is no specific technical knowledge needed.

Mathematics for Elementary Educators I guides preservice elementary teachers in an investigation of number systems, place value, number theory, and ratio and proportion. This is the first course in a three-course sequence.  There are no prerequisites for this course.

This is Introduction to Physical and Human Geography, a three-module course that addresses the question of what geography really is in today's complex world; how migration affects—and has been affected by—geography; and one of the biggest present problems related to geography: climate change. Because the course is self-paced, you may move through the material as quickly or as slowly as you need to, with the goal of demonstrating proficiency in the five competencies covered in the final assessment. If you have no prior knowledge of this material, you can expect to spend 30–40 hours on the course content.

​This course presents a broad survey of U.S. history from early colonization to the mid-twentieth century. The course explores how historical events and major themes in American history have affected diverse populations, influenced changes in policy an established the American definition of democracy.  This course consists of an introduction and five major sections. Each section includes learning opportunities through reading, images, videos, and other relevant resources. Assessment activities with feedback also provide opportunities to practice and check how well you understand the content. Because the course is self-paced, you may move through the material as quickly or as slowly as you need to, with the goal of demonstrating proficiency in the five competencies covered in the final assessment. If you have no prior knowledge of this material, you can expect to spend 30-40 hours on the course content.​ 

This course provides students with an overview of the basic principles and unifying ideas of the physical sciences: physics, chemistry, and earth sciences. Course materials focus on scientific reasoning and practical, everyday applications of physical science concepts to help students integrate conceptual knowledge with practical skills.

This course provides students an introduction to using the scientific method and engaging in scientific research to reach conclusions about the natural world. Students will design and carry out an experiment to investigate a hypothesis by gathering quantitative data. They will also research a specific ecosystem using academic sources and draw conclusions from their findings.

This is a Global Arts and Humanities course that contains three modules with corresponding lessons. This course is an invitation to see the world through the humanities, examine the humanities during the Information Age, and explore the global origins of music—essentially questioning what makes us human, and how people are connected across culture and time. Each module includes learning opportunities through readings, videos, audio, and other relevant resources. Assessment activities with feedback also provide opportunities to practice and check learning. With no prior knowledge or experience, a learner can expect to spend 30-40 hours on the course content.

Mathematics for Elementary Educators II engages preservice elementary school teachers in mathematical practices of algebraic reasoning. This course explores important algebraic topics such as patterns, expressions and equations, linear equations, inequalities, and functions. This is the second course in a three-course sequence. 

American Politics and the U.S. Constitution examines the evolution of representative government in the United States and the changing interpretations of the civil rights and civil liberties protected by the Constitution. This course will give candidates an understanding of the powers of the branches of the federal government, the continual tensions inherent in a federal system, the shifting relationship between state and federal governments, and the interactions between elected officials and the ever-changing electorate. This course will focus on such topics as the role of a free press in a democracy, the impact of changing demographics on American politics, and the debates over and expansion of civil rights. Upon completion of the course, candidates should be able to explain the basic functions of the federal government, describe the forces that shape American policy and politics, and be better prepared to participate in America’s civic institutions. This course has no prerequisite.

Mathematics for Elementary Educators III engages preservice elementary teachers in important concepts in geometry, measurement, data analysis and statistics, and probability. This is the third course in a three-course sequence. 

Professional Core

The School as a Community of Care is a key component of WGU's Professional Core and is a required course for all initial licensure candidates. This course prepares candidates to meet the social and emotional needs of learners, taking into account theories and philosophical perspectives on child and adolescent development and learning. Candidates learn to effectively collaborate with parents, families, caregivers, and other community stakeholders in each child's education, to build a strong foundation for academic and personal success. Emphasis is placed on family engagement as candidates gain knowledge of individual, cultural, and community assets that can be used to facilitate learner growth and development, as well as understand mental health and emotional differences among learners that may necessitate leveraging additional resources to support students' wellbeing. Issues of youth mental health, substance abuse, suicide awareness and prevention, and abuse within families will be addressed as will the importance of parent involvement. Candidates will engage in seven hours of preclinical experiences, which include visual observations of learning environments that involve parents and families in their children's' education while supporting the social and emotional learning (SEL) needs of learners and an interview with an educational professional to explore topics related to parent involvement, youth mental health issues, and professional responsibilities to ensure student wellbeing. Additionally, crosscutting themes of technology and diversity are interwoven for further development.

Educational Foundations is a key component of WGU's Professional Core and is a required course for all initial licensure candidates. The course provides candidates with early classroom experience where they observe multiple school settings at three different levels of schooling and interview an educator to learn how state standards and various legal and ethical issues affect classrooms today. The course also provides candidates with opportunities to gain foundational knowledge about what it means to be a teacher in the current educational context while exploring their future role within the larger landscape of historical and cultural influences. This course ensures candidates have a firm grasp on important issues affecting educators including state standards-based curriculum, legal and ethical requirements affecting educational opportunities, and professionalism, preparing them for subsequent coursework within the Professional Core and their content area major courses. Five preclinical hours are interwoven throughout this course, and cross-cutting themes of technology and diversity are introduced for further development throughout the candidate’s programs.

Educational Psychology and Development of Children and Adolescents is a key component of WGU’s Professional Core and is a required course for all initial licensure candidates. This course prepares candidates to support classroom practices grounded in research-validated principles from the areas of educational psychology and child/adolescent development. Candidates will be introduced to learning theories that equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to support the diverse populations of students with whom they will interact. This course addresses theories of human development, spanning early childhood through adolescence, and candidates completing this course will be able to explain and analyze the guiding perspectives on linguistic, physical, cognitive, and social development. This course will also cover appropriate instructional and assessment strategies to support student learning and development. Candidates will engage in four hours of virtual classroom observations related to issues in educational psychology and learner development. Cross-cutting themes of technology and diversity are interwoven for further development.

Fundamentals of Diverse Learners is a key component of WGU's Professional Core and is a required course for all initial licensure candidates. This course prepares candidates to consider and address the wide range of learning needs in the classrooms of today. This course teaches candidates to identify and support the needs of diverse populations of learners, including, for example, students with disabilities (Including Dyslexia), students who are English language learners, and students who are gifted and talented. Practical strategies for differentiating instruction while creating a safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive learning environment are explored. This course helps candidates develop skills for partnering with parents and advocating for all students, particularly those impacted by provisions of IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Multitiered systems of support are addressed to prepare candidates for their future classrooms as they seek to select appropriate instructional practices and interventions to best serve their students. Candidates will engage in four hours of preclinical experiences that include a simulated teaching experience in which skills learned can be applied. Cross-cutting themes of technology and diversity are interwoven for further development.

Managing Engaging Learning Environments is a key component of WGU's Professional Core and is a required course for all initial licensure candidates. This course prepares candidates to establish and contribute to safe and productive learning environments that support the success of all learners by ensuring student engagement and motivation for learning. Candidates will learn strategies, such as incorporating consistent routines and expectations, to provide positive behavior supports, increase learner motivation, promote active learning and self-direction, and ensure a safe and productive classroom setting that fosters a sense of community through collaborative educational practices. The course will culminate in evidence-based, practical application of current strategies, theories, or philosophical perspectives related to motivating and engaging all students in a learning community. Candidates will engage in seven hours of preclinical experiences that include both virtual observations of classroom settings and time in a simulated classroom environment where theory can be put into practice. Cross-cutting themes of technology and diversity are interwoven for further development.

Introduction to Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment is a key component of WGU's Professional Core and is a required course for all initial licensure candidates. This course provides candidates with the knowledge and skills necessary to create engaging and standards-aligned lessons that meet the needs of all learners. Candidates will learn to analyze learner needs based on a variety of inputs, including their state P–12 standards, assessment results, and knowledge of learner differences. This course will help candidates design, deliver, and modify instruction in accordance to needs and educational requirements. Candidates will engage in three hours of preclinical experiences that include virtual classroom observations. They also will record a short teaching segment, allowing for authentic teaching experience. Crosscutting themes of technology and diversity are interwoven for continued development.

Assessing Impact on Student Learning is a key component of WGU's Professional Core and is a required course for all initial licensure candidates. This course equips candidates to evaluate student learning and their own professional practice, ensuring candidates are prepared to ensure all learners' success. In this course, candidates learn multiple methods of assessment to ensure they are able to implement a balanced approach to assessment while monitoring their students’ progress. Assessments types such as formative, summative, standardized, and common assessments are addressed so candidates understand their purposes and can apply them within the context of a lesson to determine impact on learning. Data literacy skills are taught to ensure candidates interpret and analyze individual and classroom data and apply their knowledge in ways that support academic success. Candidates will engage in three hours of preclinical experiences that include virtual classroom observations. Cross-cutting themes of technology and diversity are interwoven for further development.

Educational Technology for Teaching and Learning is a key component of WGU's professional core and is a required course for all initial licensure candidates. This course prepares candidates to incorporate technology into their classroom practices in ways that improve teaching and learning. The ISTE standards will form the basis for their practice. The material will teach candidates to critically evaluate software and hardware options that may positively impact the classroom environment, while also increasing their awareness of ethical usage and considerations related to equity, access to technology, and appropriate use of technology by P–12 students. Assistive technologies to meet the needs of a diverse learner population also will be taught in this course. Candidates will engage in three hours of preclinical experience including virtual observations of classroom practices incorporating technology in order to achieve educational goals. Crosscutting themes of technology and diversity are interwoven for further development.

General Science Content

This course is a foundational introduction to the biological sciences. The overarching theories of life from biological research are explored as well as the fundamental concepts and principles of the study of living organisms and their interaction with the environment. Key concepts include how living organisms use and produce energy; how life grows, develops, and reproduces; how life responds to the environment to maintain internal stability; and how life evolves and adapts to the environment.

Number of Courses Varies by Program

The number of courses in your program will depend on the emphasis area you select.

At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.

Skills For Your Résumé

As part of this program, you will develop a range of valuable skills that employers are looking for.

  • Lesson Planning: Created effective lesson plans for optimal instrucitonal delivery.
  • Teaching: Established positive and meaningful relationships with students, fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
  • Classroom Management: Developed and implemented organizational routines and norms for classroom discourse and student work, fostering an environment conducive to effective learning and collaboration.
  • Research:Expertly evaluated research evidence, identifying weaknesses, inconsistencies, biases, and other issues to ensure the reliability of information.
  • Writen Communication:Communicated ideas with clarity and precision through written communication techniques.
  • Communication:Delivered messages through tailored communication methods, ensuring resonance with diverse audiences.

“After completing my degree, my husband also completed his degree at WGU and went back to pursue his master's degree at WGU. It is not unreasonable for our family to say that WGU changed our lives.”

—Amanda Rogers
B.A. Elementary Education

WGU vs. Traditional Universities
Compare the Difference

Traditional Universities

Online Educational Studies Degree – Bachelor’s Program | WGU (1)

TUITION STRUCTURE

Per credit hour

Flat rate per 6-month term

SUPPORT

Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors

Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one

EXAMS

Scheduled time

Whenever you feel ready

SCHEDULE

Professor led lectures at a certain time and place

Courses available anytime, from anywhere

TIME TO FINISH

Approximately 4 years, minimal acceleration options

As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years

TRANSFER CREDITS

Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses

A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation

Traditional Universities

Online Educational Studies Degree – Bachelor’s Program | WGU (2)

TUITION STRUCTURE

Per credit hour

TUITION STRUCTURE

Flat rate per 6-month term

SUPPORT

Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors

SUPPORT

Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one

EXAMS

Scheduled time

EXAMS

Whenever you feel ready

SCHEDULE

Professor led lectures at a certain time and place

SCHEDULE

Courses available anytime, from anywhere

TIME TO FINISH

Approximately 4 years, minimal acceleration options

TIME TO FINISH

As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 3 years

TRANSFER CREDITS

Few accepted, based on certain schools and specific courses

TRANSFER CREDITS

A generous transfer policy that is based on your specific situation

Why WGU?

You Aren't On Your Own

WGU has Program Mentors who work with you from the day you start, all the way through graduation. They help you chart your courses, answer your questions, and ensure you can go through your program. You're not alone when you choose an online degree at WGU.

HOW WE DO IT

Flexibility You Need

Students choose WGU for their online degree program because of its flexibility. Whether you already have a full-time job, have responsibilities as a parent, or just have a busy schedule, WGU can work for you.

A FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE

Strong Alumni Network

When you enroll in an online bachelor's degree program at WGU, you join an impressive network of teachers.

CAREER OUTLOOK

Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™

One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.

COST & TIME

An Affordable Educational Studies Degree Program

By charging per six-month term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. The faster you complete your program, the less you pay for your degree.

Tuition Calculator

Pay less by completing your program faster

TOTAL COST:

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Online Educational Studies Degree – Bachelor’s Program | WGU (3)

Online Educational Studies Degree – Bachelor’s Program | WGU (4)

YEARS

A College Degree Within Reach

There is help available to make paying for school possible for you:

The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2022 (among those who borrowed) was less than half* the national average.

Responsible Borrowing Initiative

Most WGU students qualify for financial aid, and WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits.

Financial Aid

Many scholarship opportunities are available. Find out what you might be eligible for.

Scholarships

*WGU undergraduate students have approximately half the debt at graduation compared to the national average, according to theInstitute for College Access and Success (2022).

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE

A Different Way to Learn: Degree Programs Designed to Fit Your Life—and All the Demands on Your Time

Professional responsibilities. Family obligations. Personal commitments. At WGU, we understand schedules are tight and often unpredictable for adult students. That’s why we offer a flexible, personalized approach to how education should be. No rigid class schedules. Just a solid, career-focused principal preparation program that meshes with your current lifestyle. You'll be challenged. You'll work hard.But if you commit yourself and put in the hours needed, WGU makes it possible for you to earn a highly respected degree as a busy working adult.

REQUEST MORE INFO

"Getting my degree from WGU helped me achieve the career I always dreamed of having. It opened doors for me to become a lifelong learner and go to a job everyday that I love!”

—Sarah Hyde
M.A. Elementary Education

Online Educational Studies Degree – Bachelor’s Program | WGU (5)

CAREER OUTLOOK

Earn A Degree in Education Studies Online and Make a Difference

The educational studies degree is a non-licensure program that sets the foundation for teaching in a variety of settings. Often, those who earn a bachelor’s degree in educational studies work as tutors, trainers, community outreach partners, or in any position where they teach others and encourage learning and improvement. In addition, this program can serve as a foundation for future graduate work in fields such as sociology, counseling, or instructional design. While this non-licensure program does not lead to a professional license, it can prepare you to pursue that route later.

MORE ABOUT CAREERS

Return on Your Investment

On average, WGU graduates see an increase in income post-graduation

Average income increase from all degrees in annual salary vs. pre-enrollment salary. Source:2023 Harris Poll Surveyof 1,655 WGU graduates.

Survey was sent to a representative sample of WGU graduates from all colleges. Respondents received at least one WGU degree since 2017.

7%

Employment in education, training, and library occupations is projected to grow7% from 2021 to 2031.

—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Extensive Career Possibilities

Graduating with a degree in educational studies opens the doors to many career possibilities, including:

  • Instructional support
  • Community outreach
  • Training
  • Education staff (museums, learning centers, etc.)
  • K-12 opportunities that do not require a teaching license

Impressive Class of Graduates

Graduates of the WGU Teachers College include recipients of many professional honors, including:

  • Gates Millennium Scholars
  • Intel Grant for Mathematics and Technology
  • Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction Award
  • Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award
  • Association of Public Charter Schools Educator of the Year Award

ADMISSIONS

Bachelor of Educational Studies Admission Requirements

For educational studies programs, there are currently no additional admission requirements beyond the general admission requirements.

NOTE: You do not need to take the ACT or SAT to be admitted to this program.Learn why we don't require these tests.

GENERAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Get Your Enrollment Checklist

Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.

VIEW CHECKLIST

Get Your Questions Answered

Talk to an WGU Enrollment Counselor.

CONTACT AN ENROLLMENT COUNSELOR

Transfer Credits

TRANSFER INFORMATION

Get Added Support and Flexibility as You Start Your Degree
Take a course or two at your pace before committing to a full degree program. Strengthen your study habits, gain essential learning skills and, best of all, each completed course counts toward your degree requirements.

Learn More about Pathways to Starting

More about the B.A. in Educational Studies

  1. More About This Degree

  2. Transfers

No. The Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies does not lead to a teaching license. For teaching degrees that lead to licensure, click here.

A bachelor’s degree in educational studies prepares graduates to learn about education for different levels and groups. Our 10 educational studies programs provide general knowledge and skills in areas including special education, science, and math. You can be prepared to become a preschool teacher, a classroom assistant, a tutor, and more.

A degree in educational studies helps you gain education skills that can be used inside or outside of the traditional classroom. Educational studies degree earners may opt to teach daycare, support community outreach efforts, or do private tutoring. Graduates of the educational studies alsoprepares learners for K-12 settings, including the potential to complete a WGU Master of Arts in Teaching program

Traditionally, earning a bachelor’s degree in educational studies takes around four years. However, WGU's competency-based education model allows you to accelerate your study and earn your degree more quickly. Many of our students earn their degree in less than two or three years.

Yes. Transcripts are used by your program mentor to help develop your personalized degree plan. WGU requires that official transcripts of previous academic work completed at other colleges or graduate schools be submitted for evaluation. It is your obligation to request official transcripts from the institutions you have attended when applying for admission. At the present time, we don't require a minimum grade point average (GPA) or SAT/ACT scores for admission.

Yes. Students applying to a graduate degree program must send bachelor's degree official transcripts verifying their receipt of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally or DETC-accredited institution. The Records and Admissions Departments should receive the official transcripts by the 1st of the month prior to the start of your program. WGU acceptslimitedcollege transfer credits at the graduate (master’s) level inonly a few programs: M.S. Nursing and Master of Health Leadership. Transfer credit isnot acceptedin all other master's programs. For all other graduate-level programs, requirements are not cleared through transfer because of prior graduate school study. However, competencies obtained through prior study will help students to accelerate toward degree completion.

Your official transcripts will be evaluated by a member of the Transcripts Department. The time it takes to review your transcripts and report which subject areas (domains) are cleared will vary. We will inform you via email when your transcripts arrive, and we endeavor to report transfer decisions through yourEnrollment Counselorwithin two weeks of that date.

Because your mentor will use your transcripts to help develop your personalized Degree Plan, it is important we receive official transcripts directly from all the colleges and universities you have previously attended no later than the 1st of the month prior to your intended start date. WGU will not award transfer credit based upon the work identified by transcripts received after your start date.

If you have questions about your transcripts prior to submission of your official transcripts, you maycontact your Enrollment Counselorto discuss the Transfer Evaluation Guidelines for your intended degree program.

Yes. If you’re applying for a bachelor’s degree program and have completed college coursework at another institution, you may have your transcripts evaluated and may be able to have some or all of the requirements for lower-division courses cleared through transfer credits. In some programs, professional certifications may clear additional requirements.

Many students transfer into a WGU degree program already having accumulated many credit hours or having earned an associate’s degree. Transcripts are evaluated on a course-by-course basis according to the following general guidelines:

  • If you hold an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree from an institution that is recognized as nationally or regionally accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, you should clear all or many of the lower-division requirements for a bachelor’s degree in Business or Information Technology. For Health Professions and Teachers College programs, a course-by-course evaluation is typically required. Only an official transcript evaluation can determine how many requirements you may be able to waive.
  • If you earned an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) or other applied associate’s degree, you may be able to clear a significant portion of WGU's lower-division degree requirements.
  • If you have completed college courses but have not earned a degree of any type, you may also be able to have some degree requirements cleared through a course-by-course transcript evaluation.
  • WGU acceptslimitedcollege transfer credits at the graduate (master’s) level inonly a few programs: M.S. Nursing and Master of Health Leadership. Transfer credit into the M.S. Nursing and Master of Health Leadership programs will only be considered for new students beginning their program on February 1, 2021, and beyond. Transfer credit isnot acceptedin all other master's programs. For all other graduate-level programs, requirements are not cleared through transfer because of prior graduate school study. However, competencies obtained through prior study will help students to accelerate toward degree completion.

It depends on how well the courses you’ve already taken match the competencies in the WGU degree program you’re applying for.

Each WGU degree program specifies the competencies you must possess and demonstrate mastery of in order to receive your degree; having accumulated credits isn’t sufficient proof that you have mastered the competencies.

Prior courses must be relevant. If your prior coursework directly matches the requirements for your WGU bachelor’s degree, you may be able to clear one or more required lower-division courses. However, if your coursework was in subject areas that don’t match WGU's degree requirements, the amount of transfer credit you receive may be limited.

Ready to Start Your WGU Journey?

Online Educational Studies Degree – Bachelor’s Program | WGU (2024)

FAQs

Is an educational studies degree worth it? ›

An education studies degree will allow you to teach in a charter school setting and will prepare you for educating any grade. The average yearly salary of a charter school teacher is $38,974.

Can you teach in North Carolina without a teaching degree? ›

Many programs combine a teaching license with a bachelor's degree, so you can get licensed while you finish your undergraduate coursework. If you have vocational experience, you may also be able to teach a Career & Technical Education subject without a degree.

What is a bachelor of science in educational studies? ›

The major is designed for those with an interest in such areas as educational policy, curriculum development, educational research, educational psychology, and educational programming and assessment. This degree is also a good fit for students desiring advanced degrees in education or education-related fields.

What is the fastest you can get a teaching degree? ›

How fast can I get a teaching degree? A teaching degree can be earned in less than two years. USD's MEd program offers courses exclusively online and delivered in an asynchronous format for maximum flexibility. It takes 20 months to complete.

How fast can I finish a bachelor's degree online? ›

An online bachelor's degree typically takes 4 years to complete. Many online schools allow the student to work at their own pace. Some schools offer credit for work experience, meaning you could complete your degree in fewer than 4 years.

Is there a teacher shortage in NC? ›

At the beginning of the last school year, North Carolina faced an unprecedented teacher shortage. On the fortieth day of the 2022-23 school year, 5,095 classrooms were vacant. In other words, nearly one in every 18 classrooms lacked an appropriately licensed teacher.

What degree is needed to be a teacher in NC? ›

Students who have earned at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 may be offered employment to teach if certain additional criteria are met.

How much do lateral entry teachers make in NC? ›

$25-$39/hr Lateral Entry Teaching Jobs in North Carolina.

What is the difference between a BA in education and a BS in education? ›

BA vs. BS degrees: What's the difference? The main difference between the BA and the BS is the subject matter. BA degree coursework tends to focus on critical thinking, communication, and holistic learning, whereas BS degree coursework tends to focus on logic, reasoning, and quantitative skills.

What is the BA in education sciences? ›

The major in Education Sciences provides a foundation for the interdisciplinary nature of education, focused on five domains. These include (a) human development, (b) learning, (c) social structures and stratification, (d) policymaking in education and (e) schools as organizations.

What does Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education mean? ›

A BS in Elementary Education is a bachelor's-level education degree focused on the knowledge and teaching strategies needed to succeed as a teacher. Some BS in Elementary Education programs, like the one offered at Walden University, even feature a curriculum designed to prepare you for teacher certification.

Is getting an education degree worth it? ›

During the 2020-2021 academic year, teachers at public schools who had earned their master's degree made an average base salary of $66,960 — 22% more than teachers who earned less than a bachelor's degree but 18% less than the average master's degree holder in the U.S.

Is an education specialist degree worth it? ›

The Ed. S. degree is ideal for educators who wish to develop expertise in a specific area of education or move into leadership roles, such as curriculum specialists, instructional coaches, school psychologists, or administrators. Or those who want to deepen their knowledge and skills without pursuing a doctoral degree.

Should I pursue a degree in education? ›

However, education majors are valuable in many workplaces. Education majors often thrive in workplaces which require strong interpersonal skills, effective communication and organization. You can also pursue additional licensures or graduate degrees following graduation or after a few years of teaching.

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