WGU entrance certification

So I have been looking at certs and the costs associated with them and the Software Development program at WGU...

I have 3 choices.

1) Obtain A+ to knock out 2 classes (8 CUs) and cost $370 - start WGU in 2/15
2) Obtain CIW 1d0-635, knock out 1 class (3 CUs), and either buy the materials from CIW or risk it with Codecademy class - start WGU 2/15
3) Obtain OCA Java SE 7, knock out 5 classes (17 CUs), and cost $250 - start WGU MAYBE 2/15 depending on how long it takes me to learn Java and pass the exam

Before I was interested mostly in just getting the cheapest entrance cert to get into the program so WGU could pay for the other certs but now I am leaning towards option 3 because then I will know how to program Java and that will give me a HUGE advantage. Plus there are a TON of more study materials available for options 1 & 3 than for 2. I already have the books for 1 & 3, though.

What do you think would be the best option?

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Comments

TomkoTech

Depends on a variety of factors. If you are paying for the schooling out of your own pocket I would suggest the Comptia A+ route. You can usually find vouchers for the exams cheaper than the $370 you have listed.

But my main reason is I believe there is a Comptia Scholarship at WGU. If you have a current Comptia certification you can get a $500 per term scholarship up to $2000. So four terms where you paid $500 less for the already inexpensive tuition.

moe12

The scholarship does not apply to the software development degree, or at least listed on the site.
WGU Offers New Scholarship for CompTIA Certification Holders, 2/18/14

TomkoTech

moe12 wrote: »

The scholarship does not apply to the software development degree, or at least listed on the site.
WGU Offers New Scholarship for CompTIA Certification Holders, 2/18/14

It's worth checking in to. With that degree being so new it might just have been an overlooked update. It covers the old Software one, so I don't know why it wouldn't cover the new.

moe12

^^ I agree.

Cisc0kidd

Yes, I would be surprised if the scholarship doesn't apply to all IT degree programs.

ratbuddy

Per the WGU rep on reddit, the CompTIA scholarship program ended a while back, but they forgot to remove it from the site.

selenityhyperion

This is unfortunate. I am now leaning towards the OCA because the A+ isn't required to take the higher CompTIA exams, right? I have studied it quite a bit and could more than likely take the test but the price is what I am trying to keep down. Maximizing my money.

TomkoTech

Seriously call WGU and ask about the scholarship. Im no sure what "a while back" is, but I have a coworker in his second month of his first term that is using the scholarship.

ksijur

I'm to start WGU on 11/1/14 and when I seen this post, I asked about the CompTIA scholarship. They told me it was available in Feb. and ran out shortly after and it is no longer available. Bummer.

selenityhyperion

Yeah, major bummer. That would have made me definitely go A+ route. Onwards to OCA, I guess. I bought a few courses off Udemy because they are having a Top 200 sale and I spent $53 to have Complete C# course, Complete Web Developer Course, and Programming Java for beginners.

Just gotta get my house all straightened up, my T25 done, and get supper in the crock pot and I can start working on OCA!

Any recommendations on resources for learning Java?

TomkoTech

selenityhyperion wrote: »

Any recommendations on resources for learning Java?

Practice practice practice.

I took my java class at a traditional brick and mortar. None of the reading materials helped. I just had to keep programming to get it right. Pastebin is your friend when asking someone for help figuring out what you are doing wrong.

selenityhyperion

I have signed up for Pastebin. I have saved as resources: Udemy, CaveofProgramming, Oracle site. I bought a couple books to read when I am out on the farm overnight without electricity. Figured it was better than nothing at that time lol

Thanks for the advice, everyone! Time to get to coding