Which certification would you start with if cost is a factor?

Hey guys! I am going to be attending WGU, but part of their requirements is that I need one certification before I begin.

I was going to get CompTIA A+ out of the way, but the total cost without vouchers comes in around $376.00. It is also included with WGUs' program for free. Since I am going to be paying tuition anyway, I thought there may be a more affordable Certification that is relatively easy to get. For example the Microsoft Exam 70-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring counts for the requirement and only costs around $150.00.

Is there any certification that is listed below that is inexpensive and can be completed quickly? Thanks.

Transferable Certifications:
Cisco Certifications

Transferable Certifications:
§ Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA®)
§ Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA®)
§ Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP®)
§ Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP®)
§ Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP® Voice, formerly CCVP)
§ Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT)
§ Cisco Certified Network Associate—Security (CCNA Security)
§ Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE®)
CIW Certifications

Transferable Certifications:
§ CIW v5 Foundations (CIW Exam 1D0-510)
§ CIW Server Administrator (CIW Exam 1D0-450)
§ CIW JavaScript Fundamentals (CIW Exam 1D0-435, 1D0-430, 1D0-460, or 1D0-470)
§ CIW Database Specialist (CIW Exam 1D0-441 or 1D0-541)
§ CIW Site Designer (CIW Exam 1D0-520 or 1D0-420)
§ CIW Perl Fundamentals (CIW Exam 1D0-437)
§ CIW Application Developer (CIW Exam 1D0-430)
CompTIA Certifications

Transferable Certifications:
§ CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-601 or 220-701)
§ CompTIA A+ (220-702, 220-602, 220-603, or 220-604)
§ CompTIA Project+
§ CompTIA Network+ (2009 Objectives)
§ CompTIA Security+ (2008 Objectives)
§ CompTIA Server+
§ CompTIA Linux+
§ CompTIA Convergence+
§ CompTIA DHTI+
(ISC)2 Certifications

Transferable Certifications:
§ Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
§ Certified Authorization Professional (CAP)
§ Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Microsoft Certifications

Transferable Certifications:
§ Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA)
§ Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA Messaging Program)
§ Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA Database)
§ Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD)
§ Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA)
§ Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
§ Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Administrator (MCITP Administrator)
§ Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Business Intelligence Developer (MCITP Bus Intell Dev)
§ Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Consumer (MCITP Consumer)
§ Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Consumer Support (MCITP Consumer Support)
§ Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Database Administrator (MCITP Database Admin)
§ Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Database Developer (MCITP Database Dev)
§ Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Developer (MCITP Developer)
§ Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Project Administrator (MCITP Enterprise Project Management)
§ Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Support (MCITP Enterprise Support)
§ Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD Web)
§ Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD Windows)
§ Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD Enterprise)
§ Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD)
§ Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)
§ Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
§ Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS: Active Directory, Configuring)
§ Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS: Enterprise Project Management)
§ Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS: Distributed)
§ Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS: Network Infrastructure, Configuring)
§ Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS: SQL Server)
§ Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS: Web)
§ Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS: Windows)
§ Microsoft Exam 70-270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional
§ Microsoft Exam 70-298: Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network
§ Microsoft Exam 70-620: TS: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client
§ Microsoft Exam 70-640: TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
§ Microsoft Exam 70-642: Configuring Windows Server 2008 Network
§ Microsoft Exam 70-643: TS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring
§ Microsoft Exam 70-646: Pro: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator
§ Microsoft Exam 70-647: Pro: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator
§ Microsoft Exam 70-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring
§ Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA): Software Development Fundamentals
§ Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA): Web Development Fundamentals
§ Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA): Database Administration Fundamentals
§ Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA): Windows Server Administration Fundamentals
§ Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA): Networking Fundamentals
§ Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA): Security Fundamentals
§ Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA): Windows OS Fundamentals
Project Management Institute Certifications

Transferable Certifications:
§ Project Management Professional (PMP®)
Oracle/Java Certifications

Transferable Certifications:
§ Java Exam (CX-310-019, CX-310-035, CX-310-055, or CX-310-065)
§ MySQL DBA
§ MySQL Developer
§ Oracle Linux Administrator
§ Oracle 9i Administrator
§ Oracle 10g Administrator
§ Oracle 11g Administrator
§ Sun Certified Business Component Developer (SCBCD)
§ Sun Certified Developer for Java Web Services (SCDJWS)
§ Sun Certified Enterprise Architect (SCEA)
§ Sun Certified Java Associate (SCJA)
§ Sun Certified Java Developer (SCJD)
§ Sun Certified Mobile Application Developer (SCMAD)
§ Sun Certified Network Administrator (SCNA)
§ Sun Certified Security Administrator (SCSECA)
§ Sun Certified System Administrator (SCSA)
§ Sun Certified Web Component Developer (SCWCD)
GIAC Certifications
Transferable Certifications:

§ GIAC Assessing Wireless Networks (GAWN)
§ GIAC Certified Firewall Analyst (GCFW)
§ GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA)
§ GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
§ GIAC Certified Incident Manager (GCIM)
§ GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)
§ GIAC Certified UNIX Security Administrator (GCUX)
§ GIAC Certified Windows Security Administrator (GCWN)
§ GIAC Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)
§ GIAC Information Security Professional (GISP)
§ GIAC .NET Certification (GNET)
§ GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)
§ GIAC Security Leadership Certification (GSLC)
§ GIAC Securing Oracle Certification (GSOC)

IBM Certifications
Transferable Certifications:
§ IBM U2 Certification
§ IBM DB2 Certification

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Comments

ajs1976

ciw foundations

Shdwmage

70-680 is kind of a pain in the behind. The CIW foundations should be pretty quick and simple.

NinjaBoy

lol, well you can forget about the MCA track from Microsoft as they are some of the most expensive certs/credentials out there

However the cheapest ones are the MTA exams from Microsoft (they are also the easiest track of certs to gain from MS when compared to the MCSA/MCSE, etc).

WilliamK99

Stay away from Microsoft in my opinion, the test questions are absolutely horrible, not familiar with CIW Foundations, but if multiple people are recommending it, they may be on to something. I would go for Linux+, but not sure of the cost involved.

MSP-IT

If you want to both gain valuable experience, and knock out a class that you'd otherwise have to take while you're in the program, go with the Linux+. This will also give you the LPIC and a Novell Linux certification.

B_Redd

Thanks for the advice. I have been checking everything out. It's looking like the CompTIA may still be the best option for self study. Anyone know of any good free self study options for the CIW foundations exam? I took a small practice exam for the CIW foundations received 60% with no study. It seems it would be fairly easy to pass with the right guide.

biggene

B_Redd wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. I have been checking everything out. It's looking like the CompTIA may still be the best option for self study. Anyone know of any good free self study options for the CIW foundations exam? I took a small practice exam for the CIW foundations received 60% with no study. It seems it would be fairly easy to pass with the right guide.

Here you go.
CIW Foundations Study Notes

auxiliarypriest

If you're WGU bound without an AA/AS and are in need to get a cert ASAP to be considered for enrollment, I would definitely go with a CIW cert that applies to the degree program your seeking. The tests are a joke IMO. I haven't taken CIW Foundations, but I have taken Web Design and SQL one and it literally took about 2 weeks from start to finish them and most of that was due to testing center scheduling. They may not be prestigious, but it'll serve your purpose. Also I'm pretty sure there is no maintenance fee or recertification needed on any of their exams so it'll keep the cost down. Study material is harder to find but it's "out there."