WGU BSIT-Software vs. BS Software Development

Hello,

Given the choice between the BSIT - Software program or the BS Software Development program, at WGU, which would you choose and why?

TIA

Find more posts tagged with

Save $250 on 2025 certification boot camps from Infosec!

Book now with code EOY2025

Button

Comments

xXxKrisxXx

NicWhite,

Looks like they both cover the same topics (pretty much). You walk out of school looking forward to get a job programming as a career. I believe the BS IT - Software curriculum has been around longer than their BS Software development program (which was released within just the last 2 years I believe). I believe the main change between the 2 courses is that the BS Software Development program focuses less on certifications and seems to have more general computer science classes all around. The BS IT Software program has been around longer. The newer more relevant material is inside of the BS Software Development Program. If you take that you'll get Mobile Application Development, etc (Compare the 2 Program PDFs side by side):
http://www.wgu.edu/wgu/prog_guide/BSITSW.pdf
http://www.wgu.edu/wgu/prog_guide/BS_IT_SOFT.pdf

I actually plan on picking one of these within a year. They took a lot of my A.S Degree courses which I thought was nice of them. This is considering I went to a for-profit school and my employer doesn't recognize my Associates Degree enough to qualify for a measly few hundred dollars per year stipend. WGU will have you covered though. They have good accreditation and large fan base (of current students & alumni) on this board.

NicWhite

Thank you @xXxKrisxXx

I agree I like the BS software dev degree plan better.

cloudyknight

I'm currently in the software development program. I'm glad I took this path. Let me know if you have any questions.

NicWhite

cloudyknight Awesome. Thank you. What classes have you taken so far?

cloudyknight

I'm on the last month of my first semester. My AAS, A+, N+, and S+ transferred in, leaving me with 20 classes. I completed 12 in my first semester. I'm reading through operating systems for programmers now. It has so much information I may wait until next semester to enroll in it. The classes have been focused and technical or broad with lots of information. I'm on track to finish in 2 semesters, but the later classes are taking more time to get through. I have 4 more WGU exams, 3 projects , and 2 scary certifications to finish.

Transfered

C100 Introduction to Humanities Transfer
C172 Network and Security - Foundations Transfer
C178 Network and Security - Applications Transfer
C393 IT Foundations Transfer
C394 IT Applications Transfer
C480 Networks Transfer
C132 Elements of Effective Communication Requirement Satisfied
C164 Introduction to Physics Requirement Satisfied
C168 Critical Thinking and Logic Requirement Satisfied
C255 Geography Requirement Satisfied
C278 College Algebra Requirement Satisfied
C455 English Composition I Requirement Satisfied
C456 English Composition II Requirement Satisfied
C459 Introduction to Probability and Statistics

Passed

C182 Introduction to IT
C376 Web Development Fundamentals
C173 Scripting and Programming - Foundations
C169 Scripting and Programming - Applications
C175 Data Management - Foundations
C170 Data Management - Applications
C192 Data Management for Programmers
C483 Principles of Management
C484 Organizational Behavior and Leadership
C176 Business of IT - Project Management
C179 Business of IT - Applications
C189 Data Structures

Remaining

C193 Client-Server Application Development
C191 Operating Systems for Programmers
C196 Mobile Application Development
C188 Software Engineering
C482 Software I
C195 Software II - Advanced Java Concepts
C436 IT Capstone Written Project
C435 Technical Writing

NicWhite

@cloudyknight Impressive. Don't worry, you will do well.

Were you able to gain automatic credit for certain classes by taking a higher level class?

cloudyknight

NicWhite wrote: »

@cloudyknight Impressive. Don't worry, you will do well.

Were you able to gain automatic credit for certain classes by taking a higher level class?

No, all the classes I passed I actually went through. I don't have a programming background so I didn't want to leave any gaps. I work as a DBA so I know how to query in SQL. The programming is teaching me how to automate tasks.

it.nv_la

What did you use to study for the Database Foundation class? Any pointers with the class?

cloudyknight wrote: »

I'm on the last month of my first semester. My AAS, A+, N+, and S+ transferred in, leaving me with 20 classes. I completed 12 in my first semester. I'm reading through operating systems for programmers now. It has so much information I may wait until next semester to enroll in it. The classes have been focused and technical or broad with lots of information. I'm on track to finish in 2 semesters, but the later classes are taking more time to get through. I have 4 more WGU exams, 3 projects , and 2 scary certifications to finish.

Transfered

C100 Introduction to Humanities Transfer
C172 Network and Security - Foundations Transfer
C178 Network and Security - Applications Transfer
C393 IT Foundations Transfer
C394 IT Applications Transfer
C480 Networks Transfer
C132 Elements of Effective Communication Requirement Satisfied
C164 Introduction to Physics Requirement Satisfied
C168 Critical Thinking and Logic Requirement Satisfied
C255 Geography Requirement Satisfied
C278 College Algebra Requirement Satisfied
C455 English Composition I Requirement Satisfied
C456 English Composition II Requirement Satisfied
C459 Introduction to Probability and Statistics

Passed

C182 Introduction to IT
C376 Web Development Fundamentals
C173 Scripting and Programming - Foundations
C169 Scripting and Programming - Applications
C175 Data Management - Foundations
C170 Data Management - Applications
C192 Data Management for Programmers
C483 Principles of Management
C484 Organizational Behavior and Leadership
C176 Business of IT - Project Management
C179 Business of IT - Applications
C189 Data Structures

Remaining

C193 Client-Server Application Development
C191 Operating Systems for Programmers
C196 Mobile Application Development
C188 Software Engineering
C482 Software I
C195 Software II - Advanced Java Concepts
C436 IT Capstone Written Project
C435 Technical Writing

cloudyknight

it.nv_la wrote: »

What did you use to study for the Database Foundation class? Any pointers with the class?

Are you working on that now?

The included materials were fine for me. If you need SQL practice SQL zoo is good. SQLZOO

Make sure you know every which way data can be normalized. Don't worry about over studying. The more time you put in here the less time C170 will take.

Caiyenne

I had to decide between the two and choose to take Software Emphasis over Software Development because when I compared the courses I realized that I would get credit for more classes that way and they would pay for the Net+ and Sec+ certs.

Transferred:

Introduction to IT
Elements of Effective Communication
Foundations of College Mathematics
English Composition I
English Composition II
Critical Thinking and Logic
IT Foundations
IT Applications
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
Integrated Natural Science
Introduction to Humanities
Introduction to Geography
Finite Mathematics
Network and Security - Foundations
College Algebra
Data Management - Foundations
Introduction to Physics
Scripting and Programming - Foundations
Scripting and Programming - Applications
Business of IT - Applications
Web Development Fundamentals

Passed:

Networks (Network+ Certified)
Network and Security - Applications (Security+ Certified)

Remaining:

Data Management - Applications
Principles of Management
Business of IT - Project Management
Organizational Behavior and Leadership
Web Programming
Software I
Software II - Advanced Java Concepts
Technical Writing
IT Capstone Written Project

it.nv_la

I was able to pass it finally. On to Database Applications any tips on this course?

cloudyknight wrote: »

Are you working on that now?

The included materials were fine for me. If you need SQL practice SQL zoo is good. SQLZOO

Make sure you know every which way data can be normalized. Don't worry about over studying. The more time you put in here the less time C170 will take.

TYLERW6

My enrollment counselor is telling me C195 is the same for both software emphasis and software development. She claims they are updating the pdfs now due to my insight. Can somebody verify. I was looking forward to not taking ocp Programmer 2

cloudyknight

it.nv_la wrote: »

I was able to pass it finally. On to Database Applications any tips on this course?

Database Applications was easier than Database Foundations for me. Although I am a DBA. It builds on the previous class but it is more SQL focused. Get your SQL down and be very specific on the descriptions for the project.