My Version of the WGU Story....

jibtech

WGU is pretty clear about what they allow, between the transfer guidelines and partnerships. CLEP is pretty straightforward as is DSST. They accept ALEKS as ACE credits, but might be good to check ahead of time with your EC.

Straighterline is is a partnership with certain classes guaranteed to transfer, which was verified by my EC.

jibtech

Knocked out another this morning. I just passed the CIW Database Design Specialist exam (1D0-541).

I know the CIW exams are much maligned, but I can definitely say this covered databases far better than the Microsoft MTA Database Fundamentals that I passed for the first database class at WGU. Just a comparison from someone who did both.

Next step is the CIW Web Design Specialist (1D0-520). Hoping to take that one either Friday or Monday.

So that brings me to:

Completed:
Intro to Humanities - Complete (Short Fiction) - 3 credits
Intro to Geography - Complete (Intro to Psych) - 3 credits
Intro to Biology - Complete (General Biology) - 3 credits
Natural Science Lab - Complete (General Biology Lab) - 2 credits
Network and Security - Foundations - Complete (Security+) - 3 credits
Network and Security - Applications - Complete (Security+) - 4 credits
Intermediate Algebra - Complete (Aleks ACE Credit) - 3 credits
College Algebra - Complete (Aleks ACE Credit) - 4 credits
Introduction to Statistics - Complete (Aleks ACE Credit) - 3 credits
Data Management - Foundations - Complete (MS 98-364 MTA: Database Fundamentals) - 3 credits
IT Foundations - Complete (A+ Exam 220-901) - 4 credits
Organizational Behavior - Complete (StraighterLine) - 3 credits
Introduction to Communication - Complete (StraighterLine) - 3 credits
College Composition I - Complete (CLEP) - 3 credits
College Composition II - Complete (CLEP) - 3 credits
Integrated Physical Sciences - Complete (DSST Astronomy) - 3 credits
Scripting and Programming Foundations - Complete (SL Intro to Programming C++) - 3 credits
IT Applications - Complete (CompTIA A+ Exam 220-902) - 4 credits
Data Management - Applications - Complete (CIW Exam 1D0-541) - 4 credits

Pending:
Web Development Foundations - In Progress (Microsoft MTA 98-375 or CIW Exam 1D0-520) - 3 credits
Operating Systems I - In Progress (Microsoft MCTS 70-680) - 4 credits
Operating Systems II - In Progress (Microsoft MCTS 70-698 ) - 4 credits

Remaining:
Business of IT - Project Management - (Project+ PK0-003) - 4 credits
Networks - (Cisco CCENT Exam 100-105 ICDN1) - 4 credits
Fundamentals of Interconnecting Network Devices - (Cisco CCENT Exam 100-105 ICDN1) - 6 credits
Interconnecting Network Devices - (Cisco CCNA Exam 200-105 ICDN2) - 6 credits

Transferable to WGU: 92/123
Completed: 61/92
In Progress: 11/92
Remaining: 20/92

Updated cost per credit: $22.79

Dakinggamer87

Great progress keep it up!!

jdancer

jibtech wrote: »

Knocked out another this morning. I just passed the CIW Database Design Specialist exam (1D0-541).

I know the CIW exams are much maligned, but I can definitely say this covered databases far better than the Microsoft MTA Database Fundamentals that I passed for the first database class at WGU. Just a comparison from someone who did both.

This. CIW database exam is much truer to database design than other database exams at the entry level, IMO.

jibtech

jdancer wrote: »

This. CIW database exam is much truer to database design than other database exams at the entry level, IMO.

The same also appears to be true for the CIW Site Designer compared to the HTML5 App Development MTA (98-375). The CIW gets down to legitimate theory and fundamentals, where the MTA is pretty focused on code memorization. (Identify the two css values that will do... blah blah blah....)

The database was my first CIW exam. So far, I like it more than the Microsoft equivalent. Perhaps other exams may change my mind.

Evoluvin

I am also curious on how to find the classes WGU will accept as credits for their classes. I would like to get as much as I can done before starting WGU. I currently do not have any college experience. Although I have plenty work experience and a few certs. Any recommendations would be helpful!

jibtech

I would be more than happy to help. Just need to know which degree program you are looking into. The transfer evaluation guidelines are a great first resource for how to "pre-accelerate".

I will put a link up later, but right now I am delivering a boat up the Chesapeake Bay for a race starting on Friday. Little bit ugly today for much other than reading and quick replies.

In fact, when I get to shore, I will also post a link to the race and our spot Tracker for anyone interested in following.

Evoluvin

jibtech wrote: »

I would be more than happy to help. Just need to know which degree program you are looking into. The transfer evaluation guidelines are a great first resource for how to "pre-accelerate".

I will put a link up later, but right now I am delivering a boat up the Chesapeake Bay for a race starting on Friday. Little bit ugly today for much other than reading and quick replies.

In fact, when I get to shore, I will also post a link to the race and our spot Tracker for anyone interested in following.

I am thinking of going with BS IT Security or BS Cybersecurity.

I will try to find and take a look at the transfer evaluation guidelines! Thank you for the help! I have been putting a degree off for a while now. The company I work for offers 10k a year in reimbursement. Although the position I am currently in and have been in for the past 2.5 years, "requires" a Bachelors AND 8+ years experience. Needless to say, when I started I had 3-4 years experience and no Bachelors. I got lucky. But the industry looks for degrees and certifications. I know my CEH, Sec+ and ITIL have to help with covering some credits. Thanks again for the help!

Also, where up the Chesapeake are you delivering the boat and what race? I travel to Ocean City, MD most weekends in the Spring/Summer and will be heading there Thursday for the MDW. If I remember correctly, I believe there is a yearly MDW boat race in Cambridge Maryland. I could be mistaken. Nonetheless, hope it is a safe trip!

jibtech

I race on a 41 foot Tripp sailboat. We are based out of Portsmouth, and tend to race offshore up and down the east coast. This race is from Annapolis to Hampton. Next Friday, we will be racing from Annapolis to Newport, RI.

Right now, I am passing the Calvert Cliffs power plant near Solomons, MD.

The link for the IT eval guidelines is:
https://cm.wgu.edu/t5/Admission/Transfer-Credit-Evaluation-Guidelines-for-Information-Technology/ta-p/155

This thread is for the BSITSec, so it may also help. Feel free to reach out with any questions. The people here are extremely knowledgeable and friendly!

Evoluvin

jibtech wrote: »

I race on a 41 foot Tripp sailboat. We are based out of Portsmouth, and tend to race offshore up and down the east coast. This race is from Annapolis to Hampton. Next Friday, we will be racing from Annapolis to Newport, RI.

Right now, I am passing the Calvert Cliffs power plant near Solomons, MD.

The link for the IT eval guidelines is:
https://cm.wgu.edu/t5/Admission/Transfer-Credit-Evaluation-Guidelines-for-Information-Technology/ta-p/155

This thread is for the BSITSec, so it may also help. Feel free to reach out with any questions. The people here are extremely knowledgeable and friendly!

Thats awesome! I'm about 15 minutes from Annapolis. Good town, Main st. is a hot spot! A lot of good restaurants etc.

The link you provided appears to show exactly what I need. I'll be following along with your updates closely.
Along with specifically seeing what sites you're using to complete some of the classes to get a head start.

Thanks again! Good luck with the race!

jibtech

For the math classes, ALEKS is hard to beat. For the other general education classes, I have been pleased with StraighterLine. If you have the knowledge in place, CLEP and DANTES/DSST are hard to beat. After that, it is pretty much certifications.

StraighterLine and WGU have a partnership and StraighterLine lists out the classes that are guaranteed to transfer over:
WGU - College of Information Technology Course Equivalency Guide | StraighterLine

Also, if you transfer 4 or more classes from SL, WGU deducts $50 per class from your first term tuition.

Thanks for the good wishes. Next to Thomas Point now, and looking forward to some warm, dry sleep. This weather sucks.

nachodba

Wow this is making me want to give WGU another go.

jdancer

For those wanting to test out of more gen-ed courses there is https://modernstates.org and Study.com | Take Online Courses. Earn College Credit. Research Schools, Degrees & Careers

Thepro21us

Great progress and great information. I wanted to go back to school but didn't want to spend 4 years doing it. Thanks again for this info and keep up the good work.

jibtech

Whew. Its been a while. Let's see.... the past three weeks....

Raced sailboat from Annapolis, MD to Hampton, VA...

Crashed car while driving back to Annapolis...

Raced sailboat from Annapolis, MD to Newport, RI.

Replaced front end of crashed car.

Replaced airbag and clockspring on crashed car.

Sent airbag module off to be reprogrammed.

Completed transfer evaluation issues.

Completed intake interview for July 1 enrollment.

As of now, I am a July 1 student at WGU, for the BSITSec. I thought about pushing a few more certs through, but at this point, it is just delay. Thank you all for the support, and I will be posting here throughout the process.

On a side note.... three interviews today. Finally, my luck is starting to change. If I had known a car accident would have changed everything, I would have burned the house down months ago!

shimasensei

jibtech wrote: »

Whew. Its been a while. Let's see.... the past three weeks....

Raced sailboat from Annapolis, MD to Hampton, VA...

Crashed car while driving back to Annapolis...

Raced sailboat from Annapolis, MD to Newport, RI.

Replaced front end of crashed car.

Replaced airbag and clockspring on crashed car.

Sent airbag module off to be reprogrammed.

Completed transfer evaluation issues.

Completed intake interview for July 1 enrollment.

As of now, I am a July 1 student at WGU, for the BSITSec. I thought about pushing a few more certs through, but at this point, it is just delay. Thank you all for the support, and I will be posting here throughout the process.

On a side note.... three interviews today. Finally, my luck is starting to change. If I had known a car accident would have changed everything, I would have burned the house down months ago!

Great update, when is your targeted completion date for the BSIT?

jibtech

One session, without question.

Ideally, finished mid-October, but definitely by 1/1/2018.

Tjaljew

Sorry about your car; i hope you are okay
wish you all the best in WGU.
Keep us updated

jibtech

Tjaljew, thanks for the concern. I am okay from the accident, and am well on the way to having the care rebuilt. It should be on the road and happy by Tuesday.

Quick update. As of around noon today, I am officially admitted and cleared to start! I finished Orientation (ORA1) about 30 minutes ago. Given my break for lunch (love me some Popeye's...), it took about 3 hours to complete.

I finished organizing my courses in the Degree Plan tab, and I am now going through the details on each of them. Introduction to IT (C182) will be first, along with Critical Thinking and Logic (C16. I resisted the temptation to put everything into the first term, though that is clearly my plan. I will wait to do so, until I have a mentor assigned.

Here we go! Let the journey begin!

shimasensei

jibtech wrote: »

(love me some Popeye's...)

Don't forget the freshly brewed sweet tea + cajun fries!

jibtech

My personal weaknesses are red beans and rice, along with mashed potatoes with cajun gravy.

So much yum.

jibtech

Not sure what the normal protocols are, but I found that Intro to IT (C182) was activated for me today.

I have knocked out the pre-assessment, and am currently working through the modules, until I get a course monitor assigned, so I can take the actual assessment on 7/1.

Is it fairly normal to have access to the pre-assessments and all of the course modules, once orientation is completed?

Rylee1246

Yes. You should have full access to your entire degree plan. I was able to spend the second half of December prepping that class then took the final in the first or second week once school officially started on Jan 1st. Take advantage of the time!

jibtech

Rylee1246 wrote: »

Yes. You should have full access to your entire degree plan. I was able to spend the second half of December prepping that class then took the final in the first or second week once school officially started on Jan 1st. Take advantage of the time!

Doing exactly that. Just got the notification that I passed Orientation, and I got a mentor assigned. I should be through all of the modules for Intro to IT today, and will start working on the next class. It would be nice to line up assessments in the first week.

InCryptable

With your Security+ cert, in the Hampton Roads area (with all the DoD contractors), I would think you'd be an easy hire as the DoD contractors have to fill seats to meet their contract requirements. I've seen quite a few contractors just put people in seats (who had certs)...just because they met the DoD 8570 requirement but did not fully understand the job requirements - and then they'd be trained up quickly.

Looking at job sites such as Indeed, Glassdoor, etc....Security+ jobs are all over the Hampton Roads/Tidewater area - Is the degree holding you back that much?

jibtech

Three months of effort, and no luck in the DoD or private sector. The bigger holdup is the lack of a clearance. Degree, CISSP and clearance. At least two are required.

jibtech

6/18 update...

I finished working through Intro to IT (C182), and started working my way through Critical Thinking and Logic. After a few hours, it seemed like a great deal of common sense, aside from some vocabulary pieces. This afternoon, I decided to try the pre-assessment, and just see where I landed.

Yeah, I'm fine.

So, here is where we are:

Completed:
Orientation (ORA1)

Waiting for Assessment:
Introduction to IT (C182)
Critical Thinking and Logic ( C168 )

Working on:
Spreadsheets ( C268 )
Web Development Foundations (C779)

Next up:
Business of IT Applications (C179)

Now that I have some exposure, I am feeling pretty confident. I think my biggest challenge will be the CCNA and CCNA:Security stuff. I am pushing everything else hard, to give myself plenty of time for those.

Quick note: I was already studying for the CIW test for Web Development Foundations, before getting access. I still have a few things I want to review prior to the test, but it is pretty much waiting for the assessment as well. I will say that the Web Development Foundations covers a LOT of material. Not sure how the assessment will be structured, but the material is a lot to cover.

disip

Really interested in how accelerating the CCNA stuff goes. LMK

jibtech

disip wrote: »

Really interested in how accelerating the CCNA stuff goes. LMK

I think that will be the most interesting part. I don't know that the CCNA will accelerate well. Instead, I am accelerating everything else, to give the CCNA as much time as possible.

disip

Definitely. Still curious how long it ends up taking!