Western Governors University Questions and Answers / Threads related to WGU

forza_roma

Psoasman wrote: »

I'd do the IT fundamentals 1,2,3 first. Your mentor will most likely want you to, as well. It's also wise to group up courses, so take the Network fundamentals and Networks courses together. Studying one will get you through most of the other one.

RIT1, TPV1, and MGC1 - principle of managment also go well together, overlapping on concepts. I'd save the tech writing and capstone for your last courses, but it's a good idea to have your idea in mind before you get to them.

Depending on your experience and time available, I'd say you were looking at 2 or perhaps 3 terms. Some of the courses are pretty easy if you have experience or knowledge in them. RIT1 took me 2 days to complete, just 4 papers to write, for example.

Thank you so much!!! Any other tips before starting WGU? I still have a little more than a month left. Should I study or prepare for any of the courses? I'm trying my best to finish this in two terms, so any help from the graduates would be helpful.

kgb

I actually bought a Asus Prime Tablet for my studies at WGU. It was a worthwhile investment in my mind.

I also purchased a license of: Visual CertExam Suite - Products - Avanset as well (both mobile version and desktop). I found creating my own tests (for example: using the end of chapter questions) was extremely helpful to me. Having the tablet was nice to get some reading in whenever I wasn't around my pc.

NicWhite

Does anybody know the breakdown of which certs cover/substitute for which classes? Maybe there is a chart somewhere that I can look at. Thanks in advance.

DoubleNNs

I'm not too sure where to find a link for the info, but I have the .pdf on my comp. Attached the Transfer Guidelines to this post.

DoubleNNs

Hopefully the info isn't outdated already lol

NicWhite

DoubleNNs wrote: »

I'm not too sure where to find a link for the info, but I have the .pdf on my comp. Attached the Transfer Guidelines to this post.

Thanks!

Tremie24

Sorry if this has been asked before, didn't feel like search threw 100+ pages, but whats the difference between the Microsoft MTA exams and the MCTS exams? WGU offers all MTA certs.

DoubleNNs

MTA are much easier/simpler exams than the MCTS exams. The MTAs are primarily marketed towards educational institutions as opposed to the MCTS exams, which are more geared to performing in production environments.

Might be a bad comparison, but think of the Network+ versus the CCNA.

forza_roma

forza_roma wrote: »

For those that have already graduated from WGU with a "BS in IT" no emphasis, can you please share your experiences on what courses you took first and how you planned out your degree? I have no prior IT experience. Below is a table outlining the courses I have to complete. Using the table below what would be your preference or choice on how to plan out the syllabus?

I will be starting 1st week of September. Since I already had a bachelors degree non IT related, I was able to clear 45 CU, which means 77 CU is needed to graduate? Thanks!!!




CODE
ASSESSMENT TITLE


WFV1
IT Fundamentals I


EAV1
It Fundamentals II


EBV1
It Fundamentals III


EUP1
Project in Web Development Fundamentals


EUC1
Web Development Fundamentals


CUV1
Web Tech


DHV1
Windows OS Fundamentals


D1V1
Windows Server Admin Fundamentals


CWV1
Network Fundamentals


CRV1
Networks


DJV1
Software Development Fundamentals


BOV1
Web Programming


DEV1
Security Fundamentals


CTV1
Security


TXP1
Project in Intro to Programming


TXC1
Introduction to Programming


BNC1
Organizational Behavior and Leadership


TYP1
Project in Intro to OO design and development


TYC1
Intro to OO Design and Development


R1T1
Leadership Concepts and applications


TPV1
Project Management



Principles of Management


SBT1
Technical Writing



IT Capstone Written Project

Anybody want to chime in? please help design the course, still have a month to prepare. Any tips would be helpful. thx

DoubleNNs

Do you currently have access to any of the study materials? I haven't been to WGU but if you have a month before you start, I say you leisurely start getting familiar with a wide range of the material your classes are going to be covering. That way you can see for yourself what topics you want to dive into and in what order.

I'm sure your 1st few classes are going to be determined by your counselor/mentor. However, you'll probably start working on the IT fundamentals classes - they're pretty much the A+ material I'm sure. If possible, get your hands on the Mike Meyers A+ book and/or the A+ Exam Cram and start reading. Then try to get an old computer you can take apart to get acquainted w/ the hardware.

Or even easier, go to professermesser.com and start watching his videos. If you watch them on VLC player you can even accelerate the playback speed so it takes less time to digest the material.

If you get familiar w/ the material now, you'll get thru the first few classes faster and easier when you start.

Danielm7

The class order has a lot to do with your skill set and what you think you can handle. I took IT Fund II and III first just to knock out the A+ then took IT Fund I and Windows OS Fund (Win7 MTA exam). I'm in the security track so mine is a little different than yours but in general I'd go for what you're most comfortable with first just to get it out of the way first. Your mentor should also be able to give you a hand in structuring most of them.

My biggest concern on mine is getting the programming courses in the right order since I really don't have any experience in that area that each class can build on the one before and I don't end up wasting too much time.

forza_roma

DoubleNNs wrote: »

Do you currently have access to any of the study materials? I haven't been to WGU but if you have a month before you start, I say you leisurely start getting familiar with a wide range of the material your classes are going to be covering. That way you can see for yourself what topics you want to dive into and in what order.

I'm sure your 1st few classes are going to be determined by your counselor/mentor. However, you'll probably start working on the IT fundamentals classes - they're pretty much the A+ material I'm sure. If possible, get your hands on the Mike Meyers A+ book and/or the A+ Exam Cram and start reading. Then try to get an old computer you can take apart to get acquainted w/ the hardware.

Or even easier, go to professermesser.com and start watching his videos. If you watch them on VLC player you can even accelerate the playback speed so it takes less time to digest the material.

If you get familiar w/ the material now, you'll get thru the first few classes faster and easier when you start.

Unfortunately I don't have access to any of the study materials. I'm starting my first term, starting September. That is exactly what I'm currently doing -- studying/preparing for CompTIA A+ (801/802) using Prof Messer videos on youtube. So looks like IT fundamentals (ComptiaA) is generally the first courses to clear. Thank you so much, I'll use the month left to cover all topics to help prepare for CompTia A+.

Appreciate your help. thank you!!!

forza_roma

Danielm7 wrote: »

The class order has a lot to do with your skill set and what you think you can handle. I took IT Fund II and III first just to knock out the A+ then took IT Fund I and Windows OS Fund (Win7 MTA exam). I'm in the security track so mine is a little different than yours but in general I'd go for what you're most comfortable with first just to get it out of the way first. Your mentor should also be able to give you a hand in structuring most of them.

My biggest concern on mine is getting the programming courses in the right order since I really don't have any experience in that area that each class can build on the one before and I don't end up wasting too much time.

Thank you so much!!! Looks like I'll continue preparing for the CompTIA A+ using Prof Messer videos and try to clear IT Fundamentals in the first Term.

Any reason you didn't start off with IT fund I?

Danielm7

forza_roma wrote: »

Thank you so much!!! Looks like I'll continue preparing for the CompTIA A+ using Prof Messer videos and try to clear IT Fundamentals in the first Term.

Any reason you didn't start off with IT fund I?

Kind of random really. I was pretty familiar with hardware having a lot of IT experience so I thought I could do the A+ fairly quickly so I wanted to get a running start.

EngRob

Shinjin wrote: »

Hey guys,

I'm starting my BSIT: Sec track this coming August 1st. Any immediate tips/guidelines to jump start my semester? I want to hit the ground running. I know pre-assessments are a sure way to accelerate, but is there anything else that comes to mind? Do you guys generally read all your material on your PC screens or have some of you invested in some kind of tablet/mobile device? If so, what size/brands/models come to mind?

Thanks!

Hey Shinjin,
Starting Sept 1st on same course, best of luck to you!

I read a tip that someone posted for a course that really wasn't very interesting (I believe it was Project Management) where they used a text to speech app to listen to the ebook.

NicWhite

Hi All,

I just wanted to share some random information. For those that do not have much college credit. WGU accepts CLEP exams as college credit. Look at their requirements like say "College Algebra", there are CLEP exams that can cover that requirement and the tests are $80 each. For people that would like to get rid of classes while you're waiting for your start date should check this out. https://clep.collegeboard.org/started

Shinjin

kgb wrote: »

I actually bought a Asus Prime Tablet for my studies at WGU. It was a worthwhile investment in my mind.

I also purchased a license of: Visual CertExam Suite - Products - Avanset as well (both mobile version and desktop). I found creating my own tests (for example: using the end of chapter questions) was extremely helpful to me. Having the tablet was nice to get some reading in whenever I wasn't around my pc.

Great info here - thanks for the heads up. I've been on the fence about picking up a tablet because I've found smaller screens to be straining on the eyes following long periods of reading, but it may just be something I need to get used to.

Also, for $29.99 that license seems like a worthwhile investment.

EngRob wrote: »

Hey Shinjin,
Starting Sept 1st on same course, best of luck to you!

I read a tip that someone posted for a course that really wasn't very interesting (I believe it was Project Management) where they used a text to speech app to listen to the ebook.

Thanks! Good luck to you too. Though judging from your current certifications you should be getting that degree done in no time. I only managed to transfer in 30~ CU's.

Any idea what the name of the app was called?

gunbunnysoulja

I'm sure this has been answered before, but on my COS, for MGC1 it says "Enter three different potential dates with the times you can take the assessment. Note: The dates must be at least two weeks from the day you request the assessment."

...Do you really need to wait two weeks to take an assessment?

gunbunnysoulja

Another question I have is regarding the Start/End dates per class. I understand needing to finish x amount of CU's per term, but is it also equally bad if you are late in meeting the proposed end dates per class?

Psoasman

@gunbunny - It used to be 5 days out, picking 3 times on 3 different days. They must have gotten busier. I know there is a 2 week wait period to retake an exam.

The proposed dates are just that, proposed. I had classes I finished up 2-3 weeks later.

gunbunnysoulja

Awesome, thanks for the info!

Ronikaw0826

Currently applying!

ajs1976

I know there is an age limit on certifications WGU excepts, but is there an age limit on college courses?

kgb

ajs1976 wrote: »

I know there is an age limit on certifications WGU excepts, but is there an age limit on college courses?

I had college classes from 1993 transfer in.

EngRob

Shinjin wrote: »

Thanks! Good luck to you too. Though judging from your current certifications you should be getting that degree done in no time. I only managed to transfer in 30~ CU's.

Any idea what the name of the app was called?

My Certs are unfortunately older than the 5 year deadline so none will transfer in. I likely will transfer in much less than 30 CU from my previous college.....ugh. Oh well, still hoping to get done within 12-18 months.

As for the name of the app, the person didn't give a name. I saw someone mention it on swild's 'finish in one term' thread. I tried adobe readers built in read out loud feature and it's great if you enjoy listening to a fast talking robot, lol.

If you find an app feel free to share, only one i've found (in my extremely brief search) that has half decent reviews costs around $80 - IVONA Text-to-Speech Voices | TTS Voices | Text To Voice

NicWhite

Question: Does the Network + transfer in for any classes if I want to do the Network Admin Track?

Danielm7

NicWhite wrote: »

Question: Does the Network + transfer in for any classes if I want to do the Network Admin Track?

Transferable IT Certifications

I don't see Network+ on the network admin track, just give WGU a call they can give you the most accurate answer.

ajs1976

kgb wrote: »

I had college classes from 1993 transfer in.

thanks for the reply

DoubleNNs

NicWhite wrote: »

Question: Does the Network + transfer in for any classes if I want to do the Network Admin Track?

Unfortunately, no. But it will make the CCENT/CCNA in the Net Admin track easier.

Edit - nvm. According to the document it does. For the CWV1 - Network Fundamentals

NicWhite

DoubleNNs wrote: »

Unfortunately, no. But it will make the CCENT/CCNA in the Net Admin track easier.

Edit - nvm. According to the document it does. For the CWV1 - Network Fundamentals

Thanks. Just wanted to make sure.