Power Leveling Through Basics and WGU CS & IA

fabostrong

So I've decided to get the Cybersecurity & Information Assurance degree from WGU. The goal is to complete it in one term/as fast as possible.

A bit of information about myself...I didn't get my first job in IT until February 2016. I did a couple desktop roles. Last October I started working in a SOC as a Security Analyst.

Certs that I currently possess:
-GCIH
-CEH
-MCSA: Windows 10
-A+
-Server+
-Mobility+
-MTA Networking Fundamentals
-MTA Server Administration Fundamentals
-MTA Security Fundamentals

A couple of those should knock off a couple of classes for me. I looked at the document that says which ones but I haven't actually started the enrollment process or had a transcript evaluated yet. I plan to get a few more certs before enrolling in WGU.

A couple of weeks ago, Dec 30, I signed up at Straighterline to get my basics done. My current progress is below

-Western Civilization 1: Done
-Introduction to Statistics: Done
-College Algebra: Final Exam is left
-General Chemistry: Final Exam is left
-English Comp 1: All quizzes are done. A few writing assignments left
-Introduction to Communication: One quiz done. 4 quizzes, 3 videos, and the final is left

I've seen a few threads on here that have really motivated me, especially Jibtech's. I get a lot of down time at my job so I've been lucky enough to do just about all of my course work at work. We'll see how this goes.

stryder144

Good luck and I look forward to reading about your progress.

fabostrong

stryder144 wrote: »

Good luck and I look forward to reading about your progress.

Thanks, man. I'm appreciate it. Hoping I don't die lol.

cholland89

It's important to note that they only accept CompTIA certifications from within the last two years.

fabostrong

cholland89 wrote: »

It's important to note that they only accept CompTIA certifications from within the last two years.

Well that sucks. What happened to five years?

cholland89

Oh, looks like you might be right.

https://www.wgu.edu/admissions/it_certifications

I'd ask the enrollment counselor to be sure. I had an older lifetime A+ that would not have been accepted if not for having been renewed to an A+ CE when I got the Net+ and Sec+ a few months before enrolling.

yoba222

CompTIA Certifications

Transferable Certifications:

CompTIA A+
CompTIA Project+
CompTIA Network+ (2009 Objectives)
CompTIA Security+ (2008 Objectives)
CompTIA Linux+

Some of those sure sound older than 5 years to me.

jdancer

I suggest you test out of your gen ed requirements by taking AP/CLEP/DSST exams.

fabostrong

jdancer wrote: »

I suggest you test out of your gen ed requirements by taking AP/CLEP/DSST exams.

I thought about that but didn't think it'd be the best route for me. Definitely quicker but wasn't sure if I'd be able to pass the tests.

stryder144

Check out saylor.org. They have materials that will line up, for the most part, with the various CLEPs. Completely free to use. Not to mention, they have an agreement with WGU to accept credits, so check that out as well.

fabostrong

stryder144 wrote: »

Check out saylor.org. They have materials that will line up, for the most part, with the various CLEPs. Completely free to use. Not to mention, they have an agreement with WGU to accept credits, so check that out as well.

Okay cool. I'll check it out. Thanks.

fabostrong

It's been a while since my last post. Here's an update.

Since the last time I posted, I've completed the following from Straighterline:

- College Algebra
- English I & II
- Introduction to Programming, C++ - Had to take this one twice

The following are certs that I completed since I last posted:

- CIW Web Design Specialist
- CIW Database Design Specialist - This one was no joke
- CIW Web Security Associate

Got all of those done in a week. It wasn't easy nor do I advise it. $150 per test so a failure isn't cheap.

The following courses I started at Straighterline but haven't complete:

- Introduction to Communication - Just waiting for everything to be graded
- Chemistry - Did not go well at all lol, will take the WGU science requirement
- Biology Lab - Most of it done,

On another note, I requested all of my transcripts from Straighterline today. Ran into an issue. They're saying that when I took my College Algebra final that the proctor U person put it down as my Introduction to Algebra final which doesn't even give ACE credit for WGU. Straighterline said I might have to take the Algebra final again but as of now, they're trying to get it sorted out. I'm gonna be very unhappy if I have to take the Algebra final again. The class was very difficult for me. They're also saying that something may be wrong with my statistics final. Again, something that proctor U messed up. If I have to take that again, no biggie....but the Algebra...We'll see.

If the Algebra is good to go, I'm gonna go ahead and just get the rest of this to WGU. Today is the last day to submit everything to them. I'm okay with taking Communications, Science, and lab at WGU if I have to. I'm using my military benefits and the money from that will really help me out so I don't wanna push my start date back if possible.

I received my transcript from WGU for all of my certs. They gave me 33 credits for the following certs:

- GCIH
- A+
- MTA Networking Fundamentals
- MTA Server Administration Fundamentals
- MTA Security Fundamentals
- CIW Web Design Specialist
- CIW Database Design Specialist - This one was no joke
- CIW Web Security Associate

It's unfortunate that CEH, Server+, and MCSA Win 10 don't count for anything but oh well. At this point, I'll only have to take 12 tech classes. I'll let you guys know when I get more updates.

fabostrong

Okay so after calling Straighterline again and going back and forth with them and them going back and forth with Proctor U, Proctor U admitted that they messed up. So I'm good to go with Algebra and Introduction to Statistics.

Below are the courses/certs I'm transferring into WGU and have gotten credit for.

- College Algebra - 3 credits
- Western Civilization I - 3 credits
- Introduction to Statistics - 3 credits
- English I - 3 credits
- English II - 3 credits
- Introduction to Programming in C++ - 3 credits/Scripting and Programming Foundations (WGU)
- IT Foundations - 4 credits - A+
- IT Applications - 4 credits - A+
- Web Development Foundations - 3 credits - CIW Web Design Specialist
- Network and Security Foundations - 3 credits - MTA Networking Fundamentals/98-366
- Data Management Foundations - 3 credits - CIW Database Design Specialist
- Network and Security Applications - 4 credits - GCIH
- Data Management Applications - 4 credits - CIW Database Design Specialist
- Managing Web Security - 4 credits - CIW Web Security Associate
- Cyber Defense and Countermeasures - 4 credits - GCIH

Below are the classes I will have to take at WGU.

- Introduction to Communication
- Technical Communication
- Intermediate Algebra
- Integrated Physical Sciences
- Natural Science Lab
- Critical Thinking and Logic
- Introduction to IT
- Business of IT Applications
- Information Systems Security
- Networks
- Business of IT Project Management
- Fundamentals of Information Security
- Managing Cloud Security
- Introduction to Cryptography
- Digital Forensics in Cybersecurity
- Legal Issues in Information Security
- Managing Information Security
- Emerging Technologies in Cybersecurity
- IT Capstone Written Project

The goal is to knock all of this out in one term. From the looks of the above list, it's a tall order lol. Gonna do my best. I'm good and grinding **** out.

Does anyone have any ideas of recommendations of what order I should do the classes in? Maybe easiest to hardest? Certs first?

Thanks!

fabostrong

Okay so I ended up having to transfer my military transcript to WGU. That knocked out the Introduction To Communication course and College Algebra from Straighterline knocked out Intermediate Algebra. So now the following courses are what I have left.

- Technical Communication
- Integrated Physical Sciences
- Natural Science Lab
- Critical Thinking and Logic
- Introduction to IT
- Business of IT Applications
- Information Systems Security
- Networks
- Business of IT Project Management
- Fundamentals of Information Security
- Managing Cloud Security
- Introduction to Cryptography
- Digital Forensics in Cybersecurity
- Legal Issues in Information Security
- Managing Information Security
- Emerging Technologies in Cybersecurity
- IT Capstone Written Project

The following are the first 4 classes that I'm taking.

- Introduction to IT - C182
- Critical Thinking and Logic - C168
- Fundamentals of Information Security - C836
- Business of IT - Applications - C846

I've already passed the pre-assessments for C182, C168, and C836. That was without any studying. Still gonna go over them a bit and try to test out of at least those three classes on the day school starts which is May 1st.

NewbBrandon

Looking forward to reading your progress man. Good Luck!!!!

fabostrong

NewbBrandon wrote: »

Looking forward to reading your progress man. Good Luck!!!!

Thanks, man. I'm gonna need it.

fabostrong

My first day was May 1st. Since then I've passed the following classes:

- Introduction to IT - C182
- Critical Thinking and Logic - C168
- Fundamentals of Information Security - C836

Now to focus on Business of IT - Applications - C846. It's the ITIL Foundations cert.

NewbBrandon

fabostrong wrote: »

My first day was May 1st. Since then I've passed the following classes:

- Introduction to IT - C182
- Critical Thinking and Logic - C168
- Fundamentals of Information Security - C836

Now to focus on Business of IT - Applications - C846. It's the ITIL Foundations cert.

Holy cow you did 3 classes in 5 days? How is that possible. Oh well. lol. I just got off the phone with my EC and I will be starting in September. Keep up the good work man.

fabostrong

NewbBrandon wrote: »

Holy cow you did 3 classes in 5 days? How is that possible. Oh well. lol. I just got off the phone with my EC and I will be starting in September. Keep up the good work man.

Thanks. The Intro to IT and Fundamentals of Information Security were kind of beginner classes. Having my certs and.the experience that I do made me be able to pass though. That's all. Thanks for the words man.

fabostrong

Passed the ITIL cert/Business of IT Applications - C846 tonight.

Next up:
Integrated Physical Sciences - C165
Natural Science Lab - C683

fabostrong

Passed the final for Integrated Physical Sciences - C165. Now to figure out the Natural Science Lab.

TLeTourneau

Congrats on the progress and good luck.

fabostrong

Passed Network+/C480 today. It was N10-006. I just knew I was gonna fail. I had already accepted that I was going to fail it during the test lol. The minimum passing grade was 720 and I passed with a 731.

On to Introduction to Cryptography C839.

fabostrong

This encryption class is stressing me lol. There's just so much information. Trying to find out where to focus my studies is pretty hard.

fabostrong

Yesterday I passed the Introduction to Cryptography C839/Certified Encryption Specialist exam. It had me extra nervous but I passed.

Now on to Information Systems Security/SSCP. I took the preassessment without looking at any materials and passed with a 70 so I’m gonna go over the domains I didn’t do so well on and take a few more practice tests and see how I feel.

fabostrong

Just passed SSCP/Information Systems Security – C845. I wouldn't say it was hard but there weren't very many questions where I felt like I 100% knew the correct answer. I was pretty unsure about most of the questions. Extra happy that I passed. Now the plan is to tackle CCSP next.

I'm officially done with over half of my courses now and I haven't hit the halfway mark in my term yet.