FAQ on WGU and their pass/fail grading, and transcripts

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

This is a question that comes up frequently, so I thought I would address it in its own thread. Please understand that this is in reference to the RN-BSN/MSN programs. I have no personal experience with the pre-licensure BSN program and I do not know if they do that differently.

WGU is competency based, and as such, does not award letter grades. All of their grading is pass/not pass, wherein they state that a "pass" is equivalent to a B. Many people wonder what this translates to, in terms of what a transcript looks like.

The transcript lists the classes taken, then it states "passed" or "not passed" and then it lists the number of credits the class is worth.

After the transcript itself, it gives a "transcript key" that explains the transcript. On it, it explains "Pass" means "successful completion of a course of study. Student has demonstrated the required competencies by passing the final assessment with a grade equivalent of a B or better or 3.0 grade points on a 4.0 scale."

It then goes on to say "Not passed" means "Student failed to complete a course of study in the time allotted. To meet program requirements, the student generally re-enrolls in the course of study in a subsequent term."

Hope that helps clarify things a bit.

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Thank you so much.

Yes that is exactly what was explained to me about the Pre-Licensing BSN by my enrollment counselor at WGU.

So it applies to all the nursing programs.

Thank you so much Klone for posting and thread about it. You are awesome!!!!

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Specializes in PCCU, tele, Med/Surg, ED, Psych.

I completed my MSN-Ed at WGU in two years. You have to be self motivated to stay on track, but it is well worth it! And economical, but well respected.

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Specializes in CVICU.

So can you go to graduate school even when not given a point GPA? I am interested in going to WGU but I also want to go to CRNA school. Will they take me? I've heard that they require a GPA, sounds Ike you kinda have one based on their "pass/fail" grading system but will graduate programs accept someone with that??

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I am interested in an Accelerated BSN program that does P = 4.0 and NP = 0.0 on the transcript. However, my end goal is to become a FNP and I'm worried that this will negatively influence my chances. Any insight?

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