DISTANCE EDUCATION AND RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

DISTANCE EDUCATION + OPTIONAL RESIDENTIAL COMPONENTS

The Wright Graduate University learning experience takes place through a hybrid model, which includes both distance education and optional on-campus (residential) learning. Distance education components --  weekly assigned readings, discussion posts, replies to your classmates, and weekend learning sessions -- can be completed from anywhere with a computer and an internet connection. 

Monthly Weekend Learning Sessions: In Residence or Online

Monthly weekend learning sessions occur monthly at our Elkhorn, Wisconsin, campus. Students participate real-time, either in residence on campus or online.

(Note, as a result of continuing conditions of the COVID-19, weekend learning sessions are being conducted online only for the quarter beginning July 28, 2022. The university continues to monitor local conditions and will post updates on its home page.) 

The schedule for these sessions is published annually in the Appendix of the catalog and in the online calendar.

Attendance at weekend learning sessions, either online or optionally in-residence, is a graded requirement of every WGU course. In-person attendance is strongly encouraged for those who are able. 

A student who is unable to attend real-time (either in person or online) may review audio/ video after the weekend learning session and demonstrate understanding of the content for a maximum of two weekend learning sessions per quarter. Students must attend at least one weekend learning session synchronously (real-time) per course in order to pass the course. Failure to participate in or review any weekend will result in a lowered grade for the course, as indicated in each syllabus. 

Weekend learning sessions begin Saturday mornings at 7am with a monthly conference call as students attending in residence make their way to campus. By 9am students convene on campus and by online meeting. Classes run from 9:15am to 6:30pm on Saturday including a lunch break, with dinner time and a movie to follow, which will be discussed the following morning from the perspective of the core disciplines of the University. Sunday's classes run from from 7:00am to 3:00pm, again including lunch and a community meeting, and from 3:00 to 3:30pm all students participate in returning the campus to order before departing.  

COMPUTER REQUIREMENT

Students are required to have access to a laptop computer and the Internet for all coursework, and for in-person class attendance. The computer must meet the following specifications:

• Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 or a Mac with a currently supported operating system
• Internet capability
• Soundcard & speakers
• Current Internet web browser: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge (only available to Windows 10 users)

Lodging

WGU provides on-campus housing for in-person participants of the monthly weekend learning sessions.  The cost of on-campus accommodations is included with the course tuition and fees. If students choose to stay off campus during weekend learning sessions, they are responsible for the expenses incurred. No refund of tuition is provided to students choosing not to stay on campus.

On-campus lodging is dormitory style with a variety of configurations, from a room with one double bed, to rooms with a set of bunk beds, to open dormitory-style rooms with bunk beds and/or mattresses on the floor. Men and women are housed in separate facilities. Shower and restroom facilities are shared in common areas of these separate facilities.

Transportation

Students are responsible for transportation to and from the campus. Arriving prior to 8am Saturday and staying past 4:00 pm Sunday unless by appointment is prohibited. As the campus is not in operation on Friday evenings, there is no lodging provided prior to the Saturday morning session start. Many students carpool to campus from the Chicago area; the admission office can assist with introductions for ride purposes.

Food

Students are also responsible for their  meals for the weekend. A commercial kitchen with refrigeration, stove, and microwave are provided for students who wish to bring and prepare their own meals. Additionally, students have the option to order catered lunches and dinners from local restaurants through an online payment system the school provides. Breakfasts are not provided.

Campus Behavior

Rules and regulations that govern the weekend learning sessions are distributed to students upon enrollment. Students that violate the rules and regulations of the campus be required to leave the campus and will not receive academic credit for attending. Students are expected to know the policies and procedures in the University catalog and the safety and security guidelines in the annual consumer information publication to help maintain a positive and uplifting environment where all are free to learn.