Western Governors University Questions and Answers / Threads related to WGU

TomkoTech

If you have a windows 7/8 machine just plug it in. It should auto load the drivers.

TurK-FX

Did anybody here took the Linux cert? What linux distro I should install on my laptop? I found a cheap laptop. It will be dedicated linux machine through out the study.

DoubleNNs

I've been using CentOS 7 on my laptop.
I like Mint on the desktop.

berad

Hello, my fellow IT friends!

I'm fairly new to this forum, but that being said this community has provided a great deal of information for me. It also turned me on to Western Governors University which I didn't even know about until strolling through all the great threads.

I plan on enrolling for 2015. I thought I would run some question buy you guys. The first one: when I call the enrollment info line I don't get a dial tone # "18662255984" I tried another number "18012743280" I did get a automated system so I will try again tomorrow. Is calling or emailing better for the enrollment process?

I already have a two year degree, and all my general education out of the way. So I'm hoping that I can finish in two to two 1/2 years. The degree I'm interested in is network security BS. I have about eight strong years in PC repair, mainly Windows OS.

Does the school get FASFA funding?

If I complete 12 to 15 units per 6 month term would this be considered full time enrollment?

With the network security BS what are some of the more challenging courses? "I have looked through the course descriptions" I'm just wondering what the general consensus is for the more challenging courses .

I also saw enrollment requirements, being that I have my general eduction done do I still need to test into the program?

Please feel free to include in advice you would like to add.

Regards,

Berad

Danielm7

berad wrote: »

Does the school get FASFA funding?

If I complete 12 to 15 units per 6 month term would this be considered full time enrollment?

With the network security BS what are some of the more challenging courses? "I have looked through the course descriptions" I'm just wondering what the general consensus is for the more challenging courses .

I also saw enrollment requirements, being that I have my general eduction done do I still need to test into the program?

Yes, fill out your FAFSA first and see what you get.

12 is full time.

Challenging courses is all relative. Some people might breeze through the linux stuff if they've been using it for years, for me it was new so that was harder. I had an old/expired CCNA so a lot of that material was older review where for others it was very hard, etc. It's all about what you bring to the table.

As far as I understand everyone had to test into the school, it isn't difficult. Basic math, writing, etc.

the_emu

I just wanted to mention that I've been following these threads for almost seven months now (this month I started my second term at WGU in BS-IT program). Geez, what help it's been, motivation-wise. If anyone is considering the school or this program and has doubts or needs motivation, keep chatting. Also, although some of these certifications in BSIT (CIW, namely) aren't really well-known, I've gotten very positive feedback from hiring managers, because the appreciation is toward an employee who cares enough to keep learning and keep taking industry exams.

TurK-FX

TurK-FX wrote: »

Did anybody here took the Linux cert? What linux distro I should install on my laptop? I found a cheap laptop. It will be dedicated linux machine through out the study.

Alright, changed my mind to get a new laptop for linux. Got a VirtualBox. Installed 5 different flavor of Linux and 2 Win7 copy. I could not make CCP work on my windows 8.1 desktop. So install it to Vbox win 7 and works flawlessly. I am waiting my transkript to be evaluated. I should start January or February 1st. Now studying CCNA: Sec. So I will knock it off out of the way immediately.

I just wanted to mention, this is an amazing community here. I got a lot of good information. I am looking to pass these information to new comers.

TurK-FX

berad wrote: »

Hello, my fellow IT friends!

I'm fairly new to this forum, but that being said this community has provided a great deal of information for me. It also turned me on to Western Governors University which I didn't even know about until strolling through all the great threads.

I plan on enrolling for 2015. I thought I would run some question buy you guys. The first one: when I call the enrollment info line I don't get a dial tone # "18662255984" I tried another number "18012743280" I did get a automated system so I will try again tomorrow. Is calling or emailing better for the enrollment process?

I already have a two year degree, and all my general education out of the way. So I'm hoping that I can finish in two to two 1/2 years. The degree I'm interested in is network security BS. I have about eight strong years in PC repair, mainly Windows OS.

Does the school get FASFA funding?

If I complete 12 to 15 units per 6 month term would this be considered full time enrollment?

With the network security BS what are some of the more challenging courses? "I have looked through the course descriptions" I'm just wondering what the general consensus is for the more challenging courses .

I also saw enrollment requirements, being that I have my general eduction done do I still need to test into the program?

Please feel free to include in advice you would like to add.

Regards,

Berad

If you have a degree from different college, once you pass the transcript evaluation, you do not need to do any test. My enrollment consular said even MY CCNA take cares that part.

berad

Danielm7 wrote: »

Yes, fill out your FAFSA first and see what you get.

12 is full time.

Challenging courses is all relative. Some people might breeze through the linux stuff if they've been using it for years, for me it was new so that was harder. I had an old/expired CCNA so a lot of that material was older review where for others it was very hard, etc. It's all about what you bring to the table.

As far as I understand everyone had to test into the school, it isn't difficult. Basic math, writing, etc.

Thanks for all your responses. I have the enrollment process under way.

I spoke with a counselor, and she mention the math portion was college algebra. Ive taken this course as well as statistics, but its been four years. What type of math are talking because college level algebra is no walk in the park. Any advice on what to study? What can I expect on the math portion.

Thanks in advanced

Kawuta

Hello everyone,

I am new here and i want help/advice on which path i should thread on.
I am from Sierra Leone working in a small bank for 4yrs now after university, and have a BSc degree in computer science from one of our universities here.

My senior brother stays in the USA(Louisiana,Shreveport) and wants me to relocate next year, its a good idea but am thinking about my age(26yrs) and also thinking of getting a good job there.I know it will be very hard to get one with my local degree and no certification.I will love to earn a CISSP certification but really don't know where to start from and also want to get a good pay there.

Please colleagues advise me on the necessary certification i may need as a beginner to earn a CISSP certification and how long will it take me to earn that if i move over.At home here i don't think anyone earns that kind of certification and if i plan on returning i will be an Information security giant in my home country.

Thank you.

techfiend

Kuwata, this is the WGU thread and would be better in it's own thread but maybe A+ -> Network+ -> CCENT -> CCNA -> Security+ -> CCNA: Security is a good route. The A+ can be skipped if you can get experience without it, it's a pretty common requirement for entry level IT positions but teaches very little to IT enthusiasts and it's relatively expensive.

For those that are currently enrolled or completed the unavailable IT design track, what Cisco and Microsoft certs were in the degree?

deanofpledges

TomkoTech wrote: »

You have to decide what degree is best for you. There is a world of difference from designing software/programming and Security/Networking. You can ignore the certs you don't care about. Look at the core classes. You mention the CCNA as something you have put off. That is part of the Security track. You mention a vmware cert. That tells me that either the network admin or security tracks would suit your current skills. But if you have the desire to learn Java and become a programmer then by all means go for software development.

As for being punished for traveling. I completely blew off my first term at WGU. I waited 3 months before even starting any of the courses. I did the 3 classes for the CIW and A+ in the 4th and 5th month. And waited literally until the last week to do the Microsoft Windows 7 and Principles of Management classes. Just be honest with your mentor and ensure them you can get done what needs to and no one give syou **** about anything.

As for the CCNA. If you know the material get it before. If you don't then just make sure it's in your first term. They use CBT Nuggets, Transcender, and other resources that will all be included with your tuition. And they pay for your first 2 attempts at the cert.

CCNA is also part of the Network track as well. I was formerly in the Network Admin track, but I was in the home stretch for my degree because I had about 8 or 9 classes left. At that point I just wanted a degree as fast as possible, and my mentor suggested I switch to the general IT track, which did away with the CCNA classes. I graduated in October.

Now I was looking at going to grad school for the MS - Security, and of course the CCNA is one of the requirements, so now I'm kicking myself lol. In the end though, like he said just choose what track is best for you. I've decided to go ahead and pursue my MBA in IT for now, and then I'll circle back and get the Masters in Security

berad

Hello,

I started my AA on Jan 2008 finished in June 2012 with both an AA and all my lower division courses done. I read that WGU only transfers courses that have been taken within 5 years of degree completion. Will they allow class from 2008?

FYI, I took WGU math entrance test it is by no means college algebra. some basic percentages, pre algebra, and 1 or 2 questions that were maybe intermediate algebra. One graphing question...

Thanks for any help.

TurK-FX

berad wrote: »

Hello,

I started my AA on Jan 2008 finished in June 2012 with both an AA and all my lower division courses done. I read that WGU only transfers courses that have been taken within 5 years of degree completion. Will they allow class from 2008?

FYI, I took WGU math entrance test it is by no means college algebra. some basic percentages, pre algebra, and 1 or 2 questions that were maybe intermediate algebra. One graphing question...

Thanks for any help.

No they can transfer the certificate that taken in past 5 years. You can transfer your credit, even before 5 years. Speak to enrollment consultant for more information.

swattz101

deanofpledges wrote: »

CCNA is also part of the Network track as well. I was formerly in the Network Admin track, but I was in the home stretch for my degree because I had about 8 or 9 classes left. At that point I just wanted a degree as fast as possible, and my mentor suggested I switch to the general IT track, which did away with the CCNA classes. I graduated in October.

Now I was looking at going to grad school for the MS - Security, and of course the CCNA is one of the requirements, so now I'm kicking myself lol. In the end though, like he said just choose what track is best for you. I've decided to go ahead and pursue my MBA in IT for now, and then I'll circle back and get the Masters in Security

CCNA has been dropped from the Network Track. It is now the only track that has MCSA Windows 8 and MCSA Server 2012. It should probably be called a Sys Admin Track instead. Security track is the only one that still has CCNA in it.

Kai123

Does the WGU matter much in the UK/EU job market? I bet this has been asked before but I cant find anything here or via google.

I might take go with WGU to get the points required to take another course at a local college, bypassing 2 years of working full time while doing a part-time higher-cert.

techfiend

Kai123: Are BS degrees and certs in demand in UK?

In every interview I've been asked about WGU and what it is since they haven't heard about it, come on wgu marketing. After telling them it's a regionally accredited online self-study university that uses cert tests as finals they seem content with it. I think 'nationally accredited' is often misinterpreted by HR to be a higher level then 'regionally accredited'. I've been asked about what regionally accredited is in interviews and basically said it's the highest level of accreditation, it's received some strange looks. Nationally is often used in advertisements, before WGU I hadn't heard of regionally accredited. Maybe from now on I should just say accredited university.

I feel I've learned more relevant information studying for them as opposed to my AS degree at a community college. Interviewers seem to ask more about my degree then certs but there isn't much to ask about A+, I think it's common knowledge in the field that it's a broad overview of IT.

TurK-FX

Kai123 wrote: »

Does the WGU matter much in the UK/EU job market? I bet this has been asked before but I cant find anything here or via google.

I might take go with WGU to get the points required to take another course at a local college, bypassing 2 years of working full time while doing a part-time higher-cert.

If you are residing in outside of US, you wont be able to enroll to WGU.

International Students

Thank you for your interest in WGU. At the present time, WGU is only accepting applications from individuals living in the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as from U.S. military personnel and their families at overseas installations. WGU is also now accepting applications from Canadian residents in certain select geographic areas. (An Enrollment Counselor has more information about which areas are eligible to submit applications.)
Unfortunately, we have discovered that we cannot always guarantee that the educational experience for students living outside the United States will meet our high standards for quality and convenience. It is our expectation that these issues will be resolved in future years. We wish you well in your educational pursuits and regret that we cannot help you at this time.

Kai123

Thanks for that, should of been a bit more diligent in FAQ reading.

Back to the local college for me! I work full time 9pm to 6pm. The course is Monday, Wednesday and Friday 6pm to 10pm, luckily I work across from the college so its not so bad.

This would of been hell for me not long ago, but then again I'd never thought I would be chasing a Bach either! Good times ahead.

Codyy

Anyone know what happens when you enroll in an extra class and are unable to complete it? I've completed 16 credits this term and decided to add INC1 which is worth 4. I have an opportunity to get a free CASP voucher at work but it expires on the 31st. There's no way I can study and pass both of these before the 31st. Thanks.

TurK-FX

I think you will have to complete it next term.

isual

hello,

I'm interested in pursuing the masters in IT management. I haven't sifted through this whole thread since there's a ton of pages, but has anyone experienced getting this masters degree from WGU ?

minor edit: would the network plus cert help in passing the admissions requirement for this program's advanced IT networking?

bwillford

Hey guys, just finished my associates this week. Unfortunately the college told me it will be 6-8 weeks before everything is official. I was wanting to start WGU asap, any way to get everything transfered in or do I need to wait for my associates to be official?

Thanks

crboone

If accepted into WGU, I am debating between the IT, Software Dev vs the IT Management programs. Does anyone have any opinions/experience/info on these 2 tracks?

Danielm7

Are you trying to get into software development or management?

crboone

I could go either way. They seem to appeal to me equally so I was just wondering if there would be anything that would weigh one way or another. I'll probably just have to pick one. I assume they are both about equally intensive in their respective areas.

TurK-FX

crboone wrote: »

If accepted into WGU, I am debating between the IT, Software Dev vs the IT Management programs. Does anyone have any opinions/experience/info on these 2 tracks?

Depend on your prior work experience and interest. IT would benefit you, if you have experience in IT related jobs or prior experience. If you have experiment on Software development, that would benefit you. I would only recommend IT management, if you have prior management and IT experience. Because no one will hire you, if you do not have management role experience and coming from IT back ground.

crboone

That makes sense. That's where it's complicated for me. I have some supervisory experience, and I do work in IT as an interface developer. So I suppose I just need to pick what interests me most (even though I'm on the fence).

techfiend

bwillford: You don't have a chance to get in January and February is pretty much full according to my enrollment counselor. You can start the process whenever you want but they will wait for your transcripts. You need a certificate to get in. Unless they allow more students to start each month or fewer students enroll aim for April and consider yourself lucky if you start in March. Their enrollment has increased a lot over the past few months.

PJ_Sneakers

Quick question: does WGU accept any certifications that are NOT on their list of transferrable certifications? I know I can submit transcripts for evaluation, but I'm asking if anyone has had certs accepted that weren't on the list.