Press Release

ELL/ESL Scholarships Offered by Western Governors University Teachers College

Salt Lake City-(May 24, 2007) The Teachers College at Western Governors University (www.wgu.edu) is offering as many as fifty scholarships to help current teachers earn an online master’s degree as well as a recognized endorsement in English language learning (ELL) or English as a second language (ESL). The $5,000 Scholarships for Effective ELL Educators are for already-licensed teachers pursuing an M.A. in English Language Learning at WGU that will also earn an endorsement in ELL or ESL.   

The M.A. in English Language Learning prepares K-12 educators to teach effectively in ELL or ESL settings in any subject area and to provide curricular leadership in their schools and school systems. Teachers with endorsements in ELL or ESL are in high demand.

WGU is the nation’s only NCATE-accredited online institution and has a mission to help U.S. school districts fill their high-need areas such as ELL, mathematics, and science with highly-qualified teachers who meet the requirements of the No Child Left Behind regulations. The WGU Teachers College currently serves over 4,000 students.

With the increasing diversity of student populations in America’s schools, the Scholarships for Effective ELL Educators are very timely. Getting an ESL degree online with WGU’s online, competency-based academic model provides the flexibility and convenience that working teachers need to obtain a master’s while continuing to teach.

Each scholarship is valued up to $5,000 and will be applied at the rate of $1,000 per six-month term for up to five terms. Although WGU’s competency-based model makes it possible for students to accelerate their learning schedule, the scholarships are based on a reasonable experience of five six-month terms to complete the master’s program. The actual time to completion will depend on the individual student’s prior experience, background and time commitment to studying. This scholarship is competitive. For more information and eligibility requirements, go to www.wgu.edu/ellscholarship or call 1-866-225-5948.

About Western Governors University (WGU)

WGU is the only accredited university in the U.S. offering online competency-based degree programs. The private non-profit university was founded and is supported by 19 governors, as well as more than 20 leading corporations and foundations.  WGU offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, information technology, teacher education and health professions, with students in all 50 states and 10 foreign countries. More information is available at www.wgu.edu.