The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County has approved a letter of agreement with WGU Tennessee, the online, nonprofit university brought to the state as part of Gov. Bill Haslam’s Drive to 55 initiative. Resolution 198 creates an official partnership whereby WGU Tennessee will offer tuition discounts to Nashville’s more than 9,200 Metropolitan Government employees should they choose to enroll.
“This partnership with WGU Tennessee offers Metro employees a great opportunity to get their first or second degree in a learning environment that works around their schedule,” said Mayor Megan Barry. “We appreciate WGU Tennessee’s commitment to providing a high-quality education program that gives credit to the work and life experience of our dedicated Metro workforce.”
Metropolitan Government employees will receive a 5 percent discount for up to four academic terms. This is a substantial reduction, since WGU Tennessee’s tuition is already only $3,000 per six-month term.
“We are delighted to be working so closely with Metro Government,” said Dr. Kimberly K. Estep, chancellor of WGU Tennessee. “Its commitment to the betterment of its employees is commendable, and we’re honored to be a part of what Metro Government is trying to do for the prosperity of this city.”
WGU Tennessee offers more than 50 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in four fields: health care, business, education, and information technology.
It earlier signed a similar agreement with the city of Memphis.
(Click here to read the full agreement.)
WGU Tennessee is an online, nonprofit, competency-based university established to expand Tennesseans’ access to higher education throughout the state. Formed through a partnership between the state of Tennessee and nationally recognized Western Governors University, WGU Tennessee is open to all qualified Tennessee residents. The university offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the high-demand career fields of business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing.
Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Teachers College programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).*
In addition to WGU Tennessee, there are five other WGU state-based, state-endorsed universities: WGU Indiana, established in June 2010; WGU Washington, established in April 2011; WGU Texas, established in August 2011; WGU Missouri, established in February 2013; and WGU Nevada, established in June 2015.
For more information, visit the WGU Tennessee website, tennessee.wgu.edu, or call 855-948-8495.