College is Now Free

At least at WEU.
By S.Z. Berg ,

NEW YORK (MainStreet)—A new online university has opened up its virtual doors to anyone, anywhere—and it's free, including textbooks. Not only that, no one is turned down for admission, and there's no application fee.

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World Education University (WEU) is currently offering degrees in business, computer science and information technology, hospitality, tourism, and retail, health sciences, and general education. New courses are under development, and there are plans for expansion.

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"WEU will offer associates through doctoral degrees in an extensive range of disciplines," says Jim Waddell, president of WEU.

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Courses are self-paced and are designed to be independent studies. Discussions are led by either a facilitator or peer.

The bill is footed by online advertisers and sponsorship revenue. Students must sign a pay-it-forward pledge to give back to their community. Students who want to take courses and get credit for them at another college may be able to do so. "WEU has a partnership with regionally accredited Excelsior College that enables students to take examinations in some courses that can be granted credit through the [c]ollege," Waddell says.

WEU is not an accredited university, although it is pursuing accreditation with various entities.

Whether or not employers will accept the degree remains to be seen, but regardless, students around the world will have the opportunity to learn.

--Written by S.Z. Berg, author of College on the Cheap, for MainStreet

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