WGU, St. Vincent Form Partnership
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowWGU Indiana has added St. Vincent Hospital and Health Care Center Inc. as a corporate partner. St. Vincent employees are now eligible for a five percent tuition discount for the online university's programs in its colleges of business, health care and information technology. November 14, 2013
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS (November 14, 2013)— WGU Indiana has signed its newest partnership with Indianapolis-based St. Vincent Hospital and Health Care Center, Inc. This corporate partnership serves to promote continuing education for adults in the workplace with an affordable, flexible model that suits their busy lifestyles.
“We are excited to provide this educational opportunity to our employees. WGU Indiana’s innovative, competency-based model is an affordable approach that truly focuses on helping working adults achieve their educational goals,” Darcy Burthay, chief operating officer at St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital, said.
Under the terms of the partnership, St. Vincent employees will receive a five percent tuition discount at WGU Indiana. Included in the agreement is not only St. Vincent’s Indianapolis Hospital, but also St. Vincent Women’s and Children’s Hospital, St. Vincent Stress Center, St. Vincent Home Health and Hospice and Seton Specialty Hospital. Employees can choose from over 50 accredited bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the colleges of IT, Business, Teachers and Healthcare, including nursing. Tuition for WGU Indiana has remained at $6,000 a year since the university opened its doors in 2010.
“Our unique, online model allows students to accelerate in their degree path. This suits St. Vincent employees perfectly as many of them are balancing work, school and family responsibilities,” Chancellor Allison Barber said. “This partnership furthers both WGU Indiana and St. Vincent Health’s commitment to the advancement of hard-working Hoosiers.”
WGU Indiana introduces a new learning model in its competency-based education. Students are able to accelerate in their degree paths based on prior knowledge of the subject matter. They are paired with a student mentor who is a specialist in their field of study to provide guidance throughout the student’s time at the university. Course mentors teach courses completely online via e-textbooks and webinars. Students are eligible for federal and state aid, as well as a number of university-sponsored scholarships. Each of the four colleges – IT, Business, Healthcare and Teachers – are accredited by regional standards.
About WGU Indiana
WGU Indiana is the state’s nonprofit, online university established by the State of Indiana to expand access to higher education for Indiana residents. Using a competency-based model that allows students to proceed at their own pace and curriculum developed with input from leading employers, WGU Indiana offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Business, Education, Information Technology and Healthcare Professions, including Nursing. In 2012, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education recognized WGU Indiana in its Reaching Higher, Achieving More agenda for its excellence in academic quality. The university was also recognized as one of Fast Company’s 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2013.Source: WGU Indiana