Need help choosing a WGU program

So my employer gives us $8000 a year tuition which can be used at WGU. I'm debating between Online IT Security Degree | Information Security Degree | WGU College of Information Technology and Bachelor Degree in IT Network Administration | WGU College of Information Technology Online

I'm leaning slightly more towards the Network Admin because it will give me Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Windows Server 2012 and Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Windows 8. I can then use the tuition I receive to get my CCNA through a separate program we have. I won't have access to a CCNA - Security class though. Conversely, I do have access to separate MCSA-Win 7; MCSA- 70 461, 70 462, 70 463. I'm not entirely sure what I want my ultimate career path to be. I think security would be very exciting, but where I am at (Chicagoland Suburbs) I don't think there will be as many opportunities.

Which do you think would be the better to get through the degree program, and then which do you think would be better to get through the separate certificate programs.

If you would like a full list of all the separate course my employer has available, please let me know. Any help or opinions will be appreciated. I have an appointment to speak to a recruiter on Saturday.

~Daax~

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Comments

srabiee

As far as certs go, one program is focused on Windows system administration and the other is focused on Cisco networking and security. Which IT career path are you most interested in?

Daax

I think that is what I'm getting stuck on. I am not sure of all the available paths that are out there. I think security would interest me the most or possibly anything to do with forensics. Besides just randomly looking for available jobs, do you have a resource to help narrow down the field?

~Daax~

techfiend

Looks like you are leaning towards security. Do you have any experience with servers or networks? If not, to help you decide you may want to try basic technet labs and gns3\packet tracer labs to see if you prefer one over the other.

I had the same issue. I was pretty sure I wanted to work on networks during my previous cisco studying, so decided on security then entered the field as desktop support/jr admin in an exclusively windows environment so switched to network admin. After looking at the study material for MCSA (CBT nuggets, video only) and a few months of sys admin work it wasn't giving me the excitement I thought it would, I switched back to security.

srabiee

In that case you should strongly consider the BS:Security degree program. Also, if you are interested in obtaining a masters degree, WGU also offers the MS:Information Security & Assurance degree.

Again, pursue what interests you the most.