CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (August 1, 2013) – Chattanooga State Community College President Dr. James Catanzaro and WGU Tennessee Chancellor Dr. Kimberly Estep announced an agreement today that will make it easier for graduates of Chattanooga State to transfer to WGU to complete their bachelor’s degrees in primary and secondary education, information technology, business, and nursing. The articulation agreement, the first to be signed with a Tennessee community college, allows seamless transfer of credits and offers Chattanooga State graduates a 5 percent discount at WGU Tennessee. In addition, for the first year of the agreement, WGU Tennessee will waive the $65 application fee. Dr. Catanzaro and Dr. Estep announced the agreement today at a press conference held at Chattanooga State.

Launched by Gov. Bill Haslam last month, WGU Tennessee, http://tennessee.wgu.edu/, is an online, competency-based university aimed at expanding access to higher education for Tennesseans. Established to meet the needs of working adults who need to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree to advance their careers, WGU Tennessee offers accredited bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. WGU Tennessee was created through a partnership between the state of Tennessee and nationally recognized Western Governors University.  

WGU Tennessee uses an innovative learning model called competency-based education. Rather than earning degrees based on credit hours or time spent in class, students are required to demonstrate competency in degree subject matter. They advance by writing papers, completing assignments, and passing exams that demonstrate their knowledge of required subject matter. This allows students to move quickly through areas where they have prior work or academic experience and focus on the areas they still need to learn. Learning is individualized and guided by the one-on-one support of a faculty mentor. Degree programs are rigorous and challenging, but designed to allow students to schedule their studies to accommodate work and family obligations. Tuition is affordable, approximately $6,000 per year for most degree programs, regardless of how many courses a student completes.  

“This is a natural partnership,” said Dr. Catanzaro. “Both WGU Tennessee and Chattanooga State are strong in online learning and competency-based education. Our graduates will thrive in the WGU Tennessee environment.”  

“We’re very excited to announce this agreement today,” said Dr. Estep. “WGU Tennessee is a perfect fit for community college graduates who want to continue on to complete a bachelor’s degree. This agreement will make it easy and affordable for Chattanooga State graduates, particularly those with work and family obligations, to meet their educational goals. We are also pleased to extend the application fee waiver and 5 percent discount to Chattanooga State Community College staff members, too.”  

About Chattanooga State Community College Chattanooga State is a regionally accredited educational institution, governed by the policies and guidelines as set forth by the Tennessee Board of Regents College System. Our mission is to transform the lives of individuals and develop the capacities of the business and industrial communities through technical and postsecondary education.   Chattanooga State is nationally recognized for entrepreneurial initiatives, excellence in student support, curricular innovation, use of technology, and responsiveness to its community. The College is a leader in community, economic and workforce development, the use of advanced technologies in instruction, life-transforming support services based on a culture of care for all students and employees, and maintaining an environment of open access to learning where high academic standards and personal integrity are prized. Chattanooga State affords equal opportunity to all persons.  

About WGU Tennessee WGU Tennessee has been established by the state of Tennessee as an online, competency-based university to expand access to higher education throughout the state. Formed through a partnership with Western Governors University, WGU Tennessee is open to all qualified Tennessee residents. The university offers 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing.   Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is regionally 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 four 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, and WGU Missouri, established in February 2013.  

For more information, visit the WGU Tennessee website, http://tennessee.wgu.edu/, or call 855-948-8495.   *Western Governors University offers nursing programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington, DC 20036, 202-877-6791).