RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif., Aug. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The demand for higher education far exceeds existing classroom space and teacher capacity at traditional institutions, and skyrocketing tuition and loan rates further prevent students from accessing their desired courses and degree programs. World Education University (WEU, pronounced "We-You" www.theweu.com) was established to address this crisis in education with an innovative e-learning platform, first going online with a diverse course list in February 2013. More than 50 courses have been launched to date, and 500 others are in development. As of August 1, a complete Associate's Degree in General Studies is available from WEU at no cost to students. Tuition is free, and there are zero costs or fees for materials, exams, or other course-related matters.

"I started World Education University because I believe that education is a human right, and that education should be free," says Founder and CEO Curtis Pickering. "Technology allows us to deliver high quality education to anyone seeking it, on-demand, and compatible with an infinite range of lifestyle and location realities. We want to pitch a really big tent and make higher education accessible to everyone."

WEU's General Studies Associate's Degree curriculum requires a total of 60 credits and 20 courses. Subject matter spans Communications and Writing, Mathematics, Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, and a slate of electives covering topics including Criminal Law, Digital Media, Visual and Audio Design, and Women's Literature. WEU is working on necessary recommendations that will aid students in transferring these credits to other colleges.

WEU is currently building a wide range of other programs, ranging from certificates to graduate degrees, all free of charge. One major focus for WEU is to span the education gap between traditional colleges and today's job market, offering programs that are responsive to industry-defined competencies and skill sets so that students will be in the best possible position to secure employment upon graduation.

All of WEU's 100% tuition free curricula is available 24/7 to students worldwide. Enrollment at WEU is continual, and there are no course or program completion deadlines. Exclusive educational alliances will be announced in the near future.

WEU President Dr. Jim Waddell earned two degrees at Duke University including a D.Phil., and he also studied at Oxford University. "I've worked my whole academic life to lower barricades to higher education," says Waddell. "By making college education completely free, WEU is neutralizing the main barrier of cost. A revolution is taking place."

For more information or to register: http://www.theweu.com/

SOURCE World Education University