Is it anybody starting the Master of Science, Cybersecurity and Information Assurance program on 1 January?
Either way. I am just honestly doing this to check a box and for fun. The other more prestigious university I applied to must have sent me an acceptance letter that got lost in the mail.
So, I will track my progress here and also give advice....starting now......
Several things have to be done prior to you being cleared to start:
1. Talk to enrollment counselor.
2. Submit transcripts and have them reviewed and updated as received on your student portal.
3. Meet Eligibility Requirements. -
4. Intake Interview.
5. Financial Aid/Payment Plan set up.
6. Orientation
Most of the requirements have to be done in some sort of order. Without the first few being done a lot of the other options were grayed out. The university updating my profile to reflect my transcripts was the longest part of the entire process. I had all of my transcripts sent overnight, so believe me I know when they were delivered. I think I sent an email or two and the next day my profile was updated with the transcripts I know they received.
You'll be given a course mentor, which is basically someone who is giving you mental/educational support and pep talks. My mentor seems cool, kind. But, I still think it's pointless to have one. I wrote him an email asking for more classes to be approved my first semester. He avoided that question and asked me a question. So, I emailed him again today. He has about 72hrs before I request a mentor change.
Now to the meat and potatoes.
Once you have completed steps 1-6, which took me about 2 weeks you'll be cleared to start. Once cleared to start you can access the classes that are required. You can also see what assignments must be completed. What's so good about that you ask? You can also start writing those assignments. You can't turn the assignment in now, but you can go ahead and get the writing of said assignments out of the way. I literally have completed 3 classes so far and school hasn't even started yet. I will go over each assignment once more, modifying it to cater to the rubric before final submission.
So, my first piece of advice is to complete all of the requirements prior to the 1st of the month (which is mandatory already) and start working on the writing assignments. It's a lot of writing, but I am also positive that I wrote more in my undergrad than is requested for this WGU graduate level degree. I think I wrote more in one class at another university than a few classes at WGU. Keep in mind *hint hint* they are asking for papers on X, Y, Z. They don't say it has to be 20 pages. If you can get your point across in 5 pages write it in 5 pages. If you want to explain yourself in 45 pages do that. This isn't high school where you are given extra credit points. Nor does WGU have a GPA scale. Either you passed the class or you didn't (another topic). In traditional school you can be a .5 away from a B or an A. With WGU, either you passed the class or your didn't. So, traditional school tactics don't apply to WGU whatsoeverrrrrrrrr.
I did the pre assessment for Secure Network Design C700 and passed. I had not read one page of anything, nor am I going to after I realized how easy it was.
What I will say is experience, "Security" certifications and my recent graduate level cyber security courses have helped. A lot of this stuff is just refreshers.
The course only requires two certifications: CEH and CHFI. No graduate level courses are transferred in. I repeat, no graduate level courses are transferred in. The only thing that'll help you eliminate a course is either of the above certifications.
I've done three courses and school hasn't even started yet. I am sure I'll be at least MORE than half way done with my classes before 1 January. I am saving the CHFI training course for second to last before the Capstone. People say going so quick you don't learn anything. You are right IF the majority of this isn't new to you. A lot of this stuff is refresher and I was just in an graduate level course not long ago, that didn't transfer. Just remember I said this is a check the box degree. Keep that in mind. This wasn't exactly my first pick. It's just the cheapest /easiest alternative.
I am sure I can be done in 30 days (If I take the CHFI serious, which I don't). It might take 60-90 days because I have no desire to obtain the CHFI certification and I might fail the exam the first time and have to wait for a retake.
Either way, I'll keep you posted.
