Currently in the process of enrolling at WGU, which program has more valuable certs?

usaftyler

Hello all,

After a short bit of going back and forth between WGU and NAU, I have decided with the input of you all and some redditors to choose WGU. I am a server admin on year two of a six year hitch in the USAF. When I get out of active duty, I am looking to continue my career in server administration and eventually try to get into security, if I am unable to immediately after the service. I am interested in the security track slightly more than the network administration track (and am currently projected to enter that program), however the NA track will benefit me more immediately than the security track, due to my current position. I am wondering which program has more valuable certs for what I am trying to eventually do, the network admin route-

Bachelor Degree in IT Network Administration | WGU College of Information Technology Online


or the security route- Online IT Security Degree | Information Security Degree | WGU College of Information Technology

Thank you!

Danielm7

If you want to continue to be a server admin in the shorter term I'd go with the network admin track and get the MCSA. If you decide to get into security later then pickup something security focused for certs, you'll already have the S+, the only extra one you'll get in the security track is the CCNA Security, which is nice, but not really a huge deal in the security field from what I've seen.

NicWhite

I think you should educate yourself for where you want to be. Go for the security track. The only benefit of the network administration track is the MCSA server 2012 cert, which can always get on your own.

markulous

For a network admin I'd think the Security route would be better. MCSA is good knowledge to have and a good cert but I think the certs in the other degree would help more.

redworld

Ironically the Security track is more networking focused than the Networking track. That one is geared for sysadmin certifications.

I personally find more fundamental value in CCNA/CCNA:S knowledge than MCSA. What has more real-world value is up to you and what you want to accomplish though.

bpenn

I feel like the Security is going to give you the most ROI, regardless of career path. Having a fundamental understanding of how networks work is crucial in any systems role.

EnderWiggin

With Server 2016 coming out later this year, MCSA Server 2012 might not be that valuable in the near future. Although WGU may update their courses to replace 2012 with 2016, but that's a bit of a gamble.