Western Governors University Questions and Answers / Threads related to WGU

Nemowolf

brianray14 wrote: »

Just stumbled upon this forum yesterday and read quite a few threads. Lots of bright and articulate folks were talking about WGU so I started looking into it and it sounds pretty awesome but of course a few questions popped into mind and was hoping to gain more insight into this endeavor.

A brief background on me is I'm 35 years old living in FL, going to sit for my A+ in two days, have zero IT work experience and have an associates degree unrelated to IT (radiography). I'm looking into gaining my net+ and sec+ before enrolling into the BS-IT sec (or net admin) program. Now to the questions:

1. Approx how much writing is required? Is a thesis or dissertation required before graduation? Are there any presentations/speeches required?

Yes there is a capstone, its all online so no real presentations or speeches. The capstone can be about 20-30 pages though.

2. For folks that have graduated from WGU, how well is that university received by interviewers/recruiters? Have you guys/gals found it difficult to obtain employment after graduation with WGU on your resume?

Entirely depends on the employer, hiring manager. Many folks have found success with their degree here.

3. I read somewhere here that some certs are only being offered in-house. Is this true or can most or all be taken at any pearsonVue testing
center?

In-House? The certification courses that are listed on the program guide online are with third part vendors. Classes MAY be offered that do not have a certificate that do have an in-house completion though.

4. How many gen ed classes have most of you had to take before/during taking cores? Would it be advisable to get those out of the way at the local comm college?

Most will recommend that you check out straightliner? to do your general ed. So will WGU now.

5. I wasn't too bright in my late 20's and got not only one but two dui's. Last one was in 2010. In your opinion, would it be a waste of time, energy and money for me to go after a BSIT degree? Would WGU turn me away? This is the main determiner that is holding me back from pulling the trigger on advancing my education (aside from not wanting to take on any more student loan debt). The last thing I want to do is waste all that time only to find that I'd never get a job with those infractions looming over head.

That's all i can think of ATM that I haven't seen a definitive answer on so thanks for reading and a HUGE thanks to those who offer their opinions.

Cheers.

NOLAJ

TheChameleon wrote: »

This may change things for me and puts starting at WGU more in reach for me based on certs I already completed.

How long did it take you to get through the first three exams which is the MCSA?

So comparing MCSA-3 exams to CompTIA(A+, Network+ and Linux+) - 4 exams it seems like MCSA is the way to go unless it is 2-3 times as hard? So far none of the CompTIA exams were a walk in the park either.

In the end I think there may be more value with an MCSA than those three certs and it would give more credit. Also If I decide one day then I could just continue on to the MCITP since it requires the same three cert/exams.

The first MS exam will be the toughest, simply because of the nature in which they present questions is something that can't really be prepared for until you've experienced it. I never came across a practice exam that represented the true nature of a MS exam. Once you're past that, you can actually focus on the content of the exams.

The MCSA route is definitely 2-3 times harder than the CompTIA route. If the CompTIA exams were difficult, my suggestion would be to step back and truly work on absorbing the MS information at a high level starting yesterday. If you're just looking to satisfy some of the requirements prior to starting, CompTIA is the way to go.

Again, this is all just my opinion based on my own personal experiences.

TheChameleon

@NOLAJ. Thanks for the input, after gauging some responses I found elsewhere around the first exam, I gathered that it was the hardest since some failed 2-3 times. Yes I'm now on the fence about MCSA but it would give the most credits and I essentially could only have general ed to do at WGU. The CompTIA is still a lot of material to study given A+ 2 exams, Linux+ 2, and Network+.

I wouldn't say CompTIA was "difficult" as opposed to like any exam, time consuming and putting your brain into it. I think I did 850 on the Security+ (seems so long ago now) after a couple weeks of study. I'm hearing that 70-640 could be knocked out in the same amount of time but I'm concerned about the volume of information to absorb and condense down to x number of questions on the test. I actually did migrate a domain from 2003-2008 but I know MS covers a lot of detail.

What I'll do is at least go for the first exam. I will have some time to dedicate and focus over the next couple of weeks. I will be using Skillsoft, itfreetraining videos and MS MCITP Self Training kit. Years ago I did the CNE, hopefully MS doesn't have SIMs that require you to do things in just the right order or click the right item the first time or you fail like the CNE did.

Blu3

Can this be verified?

TheChameleon wrote: »

Thanks, I found this on another board but the course numbers may not all be up to date but I believe it still applies:

bittw

hougeek wrote: »

I was able to bring in quite a bit due to certifications - only some basics and capstone were needed:





PT
WFV1
IT Fundamentals I
3

Objective Assessment
Transfer




PT
AXV1
IT Fundamentals II
4

Objective Assessment
Transfer




PT
CPV1
IT Fundamentals III
4

Objective Assessment
Transfer




PT
CUV1
Web Technologies
4

Objective Assessment
Transfer




PT
CSV1
Operating Systems
4

Objective Assessment
Transfer




PT
CRV1
Networks
4

Objective Assessment
Transfer




PT
CTV1
Security
4

Objective Assessment
Transfer




PT
TPV1
Project Management
6

Objective Assessment
Transfer




PT
AHV1
Directory Services
6

Objective Assessment
Transfer




PT
AIV1
Network Design and Management
6

Objective Assessment
Transfer




PT
BHV1
Configuring Applications Infrastructure
6

Objective Assessment
Transfer




PT
BIV1
Enterprise Administration
6

Objective Assessment
Transfer




1
BOV1
Web Programming
4

Objective Assessment
Transfer




PT
DFV1
Web Development Fundamentals
3

Objective Assessment
Requirement Satisfied




PT
DHV1
Windows OS Fundamentals
3

Objective Assessment
Requirement Satisfied




PT
CWV1
Network Fundamentals
3

Objective Assessment
Requirement Satisfied




PT
DEV1
Security Fundamentals
3

Objective Assessment
Requirement Satisfied




PT
BVC1
Geography
3
Preassessment
Objective Assessment
Requirement Satisfied

I see you have A+, N+, S+. MCITP 2008 SA, WIN XP, WIN 7, Project Svr 2007.. Do you mind sharing which ones transferred BOV1, CUV1, and WFV1?

dbzrfl

Can anyone tell me what is the CUV1 Web Technologies? and where I will be taking the exam?

taternuts666

I'm currently studying for the CUV1 and will be taking it next week. It can be taken at any Pearson Vue or Prometric testing center. It has a pretty broad spectrum of information. It spans from web development project management, to basic html, xml, javascript, to knowing some about dreamweaver and expressions, and web site development best practices.... This is just a small bit. You'll need to know alot about CSS, HTML standards, and different types of graphics used in web development. There's a lot to study but the information that WGU gives you is straight from CIW. If you master that I think you (and I) will pass.

markulous

I'm hoping to get a voucher for CUV1 today or tomorrow and take it this weekend. It doesn't seem too crazy hard. Kind of an irrelevant cert though. I'm not sure I list it on my resume.

Cisc0kidd

It's pretty easy if you are good at test taking.

markulous

Cisc0kidd wrote: »

It's pretty easy if you are good at test taking.

Do you mean that the answers can be deciphered easily based on the questions? Because that's how the practice test seemed.

dbzrfl

I do not know jack about anything you just mentioned. Can you message me taternuts666 after you take the exam and let me know how it went?

I have no desire for java or web design, my only desire is earning my bachelors

how do you guys like WGU so far?

Cisc0kidd

There are usually 2 answers that are clearly wrong. 1 question that is close to the right one. And only one question that is truly correct. If you can identify the first 2 you have a good chance of guessing the correct answer even on questions you are somewhat unfamiliar with.

Cisc0kidd

dbzrfl wrote: »

I do not know jack about anything you just mentioned. Can you message me taternuts666 after you take the exam and let me know how it went?

I have no desire for java or web design, my only desire is earning my bachelors

how do you guys like WGU so far?

Part of what a Bachelor's degree is about is getting a well rounded education. You have to be able to motivate yourself on some courses that aren't your central focus. If you can't do that enrolling in WGU is probably a bad idea.

NOLAJ

Cisc0kidd wrote: »

Part of what a Bachelor's degree is about is getting a well rounded education. You have to be able to motivate yourself on some courses that aren't your central focus. If you can't do that enrolling in WGU is probably a bad idea.

Agreed!

Rell24

Starting WGU Sept 1st and have a few questions. I'm transferring in these credits into BSIT Network Admin. I'm wondering what higher level classes will allow me to complete the lower level classes. Also does it make more sense to do BSIT Security since I got no credit for my CCNA, almost none from my college experience and none from my 6 years in the Army.
AGC1
TBP1
EAV1
EBV1
BVC1
CRV1
CDC1
CDP1

dbzrfl

Yes that is my motivating factor my degree plan. Since I don't know, I have to learn to know. I only need 13 classes for my bachelors degree.
I am going to plan this CUV1 class so that I have more time to study. I m working my schedule to where this will be the only class left, and I can study 5 months straight. I know it sounds extreme but, I am beginner on a subject that I am just learning about.
That is what brings me here. My job allows me for the most part to work on class material while at work. so if 40 hours a week studying is not enough time the I must bad off.
Since I start Aug 1st, I don't have a mentor yet to talk to. I am looking for insight on my schedule here is the classes I need what s a a good order to start from?


Web Technologies - CUV1

Literature, Arts and the Humanities - IWC1

Literature, Arts and the Humanities: Analysis and Interpretation - IWT1

Security - CTV1
Operating Systems - C183

Operating Systems Management Policies - C184


Web Programming - C298

Network Policies and Services Management - C185

Principles of Management - MGC1

Server Administration - C186
Project Management - TPV1

Network Reliability and Fault Tolerance - C187

Organizational Behavior and Leadership - BNC1

Technical Writing - SBT1

Network Administration Capstone Written Project - RBT1

tom_dub

WGU Rejected my admission due to not satisfying the pre reqs, kind of expected that but oh well.

I have 2 years of professional IT experience with no certifications.

All of the general ed courses were met due to having 80 college creds (no AS degree).

I'm assuming my lack of certs and experience was the reason for rejection. I figure the easiest route at this point would be to get a cert? Can anyone recommend a relatively easy cert that they might accept my enrollment with?

anoeljr

tom_dub wrote: »

WGU Rejected my admission due to not satisfying the pre reqs, kind of expected that but oh well.

I have 2 years of professional IT experience with no certifications.

All of the general ed courses were met due to having 80 college creds (no AS degree).

I'm assuming my lack of certs and experience was the reason for rejection. I figure the easiest route at this point would be to get a cert? Can anyone recommend a relatively easy cert that they might accept my enrollment with?

The easiest cert to get is the CIW Web Foundations. Get that one and you'll get in.

markulous

anoeljr wrote: »

The easiest cert to get is the CIW Web Foundations. Get that one and you'll get in.

I'm assuming that's different than the Web Design Specialist?

anoeljr

markulous wrote: »

I'm assuming that's different than the Web Design Specialist?

Yes, the Web Foundations is just a basic overview of IT (networking, security, ecommerce, web design, etc) and the passing score is just 63.

markulous

anoeljr wrote: »

Yes, the Web Foundations is just a basic overview of IT (networking, security, ecommerce, web design, etc) and the passing score is just 63.

Going off the description on website, and the fact that they need only a 63% to pass, it seems even easier than the MTA I got.

anoeljr

markulous wrote: »

Going off the description on website, and the fact that they need only a 63% to pass, it seems even easier than the MTA I got.

Yea it's probably the easiest cert you need for WGU. You just have to make sure you pick the answers that CIW wants.

tom_dub

anoeljr wrote: »

The easiest cert to get is the CIW Web Foundations. Get that one and you'll get in.

Any official study guide for this? Not seeing many options doing a Google search.

anoeljr

tom_dub wrote: »

Any official study guide for this? Not seeing many options doing a Google search.

Try this site. It's not an official study guide from CIW, but the info looks on par with what CIW uses.

CIW Web Foundations

keitaro

If I apply now, can I choose when my term starts? (I'm thinking Oct 1). I'm trying to get my Security+ done before enrolling but wanted to apply first so that I can have all of my financial aid and transcripts done.

Cisc0kidd

You need to finish all certs and classes before you apply. They won't accept any after. You could study for it and take it after you officially start.

swattz101

@keitaro - you can start the application process now, but you need to have all of your transcripts in by at least the 15th of the month before you start. Better off having them a month before. Once you are accepted and start your course of study, you can't add any more transcripts / certificates.

TheChameleon

Did WGU pull the Network Design and Management degree? I don't see it on their site?

anoeljr

TheChameleon wrote: »

Did WGU pull the Network Design and Management degree? I don't see it on their site?

Wow I just looked on their site and I don't see it either. Maybe they're updating the course of study?

typfromdaco

Has anyone noticed the MS IT Management degree has changed, and the revision date on the PDF is August 6, 2014. I can't tell what the changes are, does anyone have a list of the original document?