Western Governors University Questions and Answers / Threads related to WGU

infield13

Thinking about WGU.

I will have two AAS degrees. One in Network Administration and one in Cybersecurity.
I currently have Network+, CCENT, and CEH knocked out. Will complete CCNA and Security+ prior to enrolling for classes at WGU.

My question is how many credits will having to AAS degrees and Net+, CCNA, and Security+ knock out?

I am hoping to complete the BS in IT Security in 6 months.

Thank you for any insight you can provide.

TomkoTech

infield it will depend hwever it should knock out a large chunk. For example if you choose the security track:

C480 Networks+ - 4
C246 ICND 1 - 6
C247 ICND 2 - 6
C199 CCNA Security - 6

Then it's a case by case based on your courses from your AAS. Just apply and get them to run the audit. Don't take it at face value though. I had about 6 additional courses they didn't give me initial credit for. I read the course descriptions on the PDF and requested reconsideration on them and was granted credit for it.

infield13

Tomko thanks for the reply!

Are you currently attending WGU or did you complete your degree their?

How did it compare to a "conventional" college?

TomkoTech

I started in 2014 June of 2014, but stopped after 1 term due to work/life obligations not affording me enough time for my studies. I knocked out like 6 courses I think. I am starting back up June 1st. I was initially doing the Network track but am switching to the Security track now.

So far it's a lot better than conventional college in my perspective. To give you some insight, I went to a local community college for a semester and then transferred to a state school for a few semesters. The courses I took were a lot of "read this" and then you'd sit in class and they would just go over exactly what you were told to read. I ended up skipping a lot of classes and just showing up to turn in assignments and do exams.

WGU is more to my liking because you study at your own pace and then just "show up for the exams and assignments". Works well for me.

3mack

@infield13 I would recommend you speak with them about what you would have left to pursue the BS. Honestly, I doubt it would be much. Also, I wouldn't be too worried about what doesn't "transfer in". The reason being is unlike the traditional college, you can go right through it.

I will be starting their Business, ITM BS so I can finally get something completed. I have had to stop/go throughout the years and I'm looking at a heavy haul, but I honestly feel the main thing that will hold me back is waiting for proctoring. I was one of the first students at Capella University and unfortunately it was a very slow process, which the course mentors held you back by not being available. After finding this site, I was able to see how many people had successfully graduated from WGU so I figured I'd transfer and give it a shot.

wolvmarine

demonfurbie wrote: »

normally just the end work nothing to turn in weekly

To demonfurbie and any other BS IT managers. I had originally decided on BITM for the average compensation I have been seeing online. I have a friend that has an MIS from VA TECH but after speaking to him he wished he had some certs under his belt to make him more competitive. I have regularly get asked my head-hunters for certs and I don't have any currently.

So I wanted to pose the question. Should I move my focus to one of the IT degrees that has 7 certs included or go for IT management? It seems that BITM is rare in this forum. Also, security seems to be the highest compensated as well. Is there any reason not to go towards to BS IT security vs the other 2?

Thanks

Adam

wolvmarine

The other one that I have seen is getting the BS IT at WGU and getting the MS at a B&M to negate the online naw-sayers.

EnderWiggin

My suggestion would be to go for one the bachelor's degrees that comes with a a bunch of certs, and then do your master's in IT Management. You'll get the best of both worlds that way.

wolvmarine

Yeah I think that's the way I'm leaning now. Now I have to figure which IT option to go with any feelings on that?

markulous

Just base it off of which certs you like better. I went with Security route because I thought those certs would be the most beneficial.

EnderWiggin

It all just depends on which certs you want. The master's will trump whatever your bachelor's is in anyways, so that won't have much of an effect.

wolvmarine

I'm thinking the security field would have the better compensation at least from my research. It seems that is really the main difference between the 3 IT BS's. The BS IT without a "focus" seems to be more for web design since it has CIW Web Design Specialist & CIW JavaScript Specialist. Yet, web design / front-end seems to be on the lower rungs when it comes to compensation in the IT field.

PC_Load_Letter

Is there anyone that goes to WGU for a Masters in Security in the Military using TA only? I want to chat about what is really out of pocket if any? I have called the VA folks there but there seems to be some strangeness to their answer so I just wanted to talk to an actual student that would be in my situation.

Magnicious

PC_Load_Letter wrote: »

Is there anyone that goes to WGU for a Masters in Security in the Military using TA only? I want to chat about what is really out of pocket if any? I have called the VA folks there but there seems to be some strangeness to their answer so I just wanted to talk to an actual student that would be in my situation.

I'm new to the forums but I can answer your question. I am currently utilizing Air Force tuition assistance right now for the Master's in Cyber Security & Information Assurance. Here's what's tricky, the tuition rate is the same theoretically as the Bachelor's degree. However, what's lame is that the Air Force (I'm going to assume it's the same for all branches TA) only pays $250/credit hour. Well, when they draft up the Bachelor's degree to submit to your military TA office they still have to bill it by credit hour. This is irregardless of how many credits you complete in a term. Even though it's flat rate billing the military still must have a hard number of credit hours billed to them on a TA form. Thus, since you're only taking a total of about 5-7 credits to ensure that they still receive their tuition they bill it at a higher rate. To break it down in more sensible terms in the Bachelor's degree they will bill it at $222.30/credit hour. They will bill it up to the $2889.98 flat rate tuition cost which is around 13 credits. Therefore they will put enough credits "billed" on your TA degree plan so it will add to that price. This is totally fine since it stays under the $250 credit hour cap. The Master's degree program on the other hand has way less classes and full-time status has a lower amount of credits. Therefore, for them to reach the perfect harmony amount of $2889.98 they must bill $361.25/credit hour. That leaves $111.25/credit hour worth of fees you must unfortunately eat. Thus they will bill you for 8 credit hours which will equal the $2889.98 flat rate however since they get to that number by charging at a higher credit hour rate it ends up costing you out of pocket around $890 not including the resource fee as well. I know it sucks but just put as much energy as you can into accelerating through the program so you can get it for the cheapest possible. It's entirely possible to finish in two terms. I hope this explanation helps.

PC_Load_Letter

That does help and is way different than the way the school described it. Thanks for the break down.

GSXR750K2

wolvmarine wrote: »

I had originally decided on BITM for the average compensation I have been seeing online. I have a friend that has an MIS from VA TECH but after speaking to him he wished he had some certs under his belt to make him more competitive. I have regularly get asked my head-hunters for certs and I don't have any currently.

So I wanted to pose the question. Should I move my focus to one of the IT degrees that has 7 certs included or go for IT management? It seems that BITM is rare in this forum. Also, security seems to be the highest compensated as well. Is there any reason not to go towards to BS IT security vs the other 2?

Thanks

Adam

I wrestled with that when starting at WGU as well, and you are correct in that management degrees show up less often than security degrees in the forum. In my personal opinion, and I'm sure there are some that will get cranky for me saying so, a bachelor's in IT Management isn't as marketable at the moment as a bachelor's in IT Security. That being said, in my personal opinion again, I feel that a master's in security may reduce the scope of SOME positions in the future...being too focused in one thing can have its drawbacks if you want to branch out in 10 years or so. Just depends on what you want to do.

I did the BS IT-Security mainly because I went in to WGU with my Microsoft and Cisco certs already (except for the CCDA), so I satisfied more of the course requirements on that track. I've since started the MS ITM program. Anything with "master's" and "management" generally permits more diverse opportunities later on, and the security on the BS will serve as a good backing. All those MSCIA people need someone to manage them, am I right?

For the third time, just my personal opinion on things. I'm know there are many examples to the contrary...it all depends on your situation. Certs are good boosters and some companies require them for various reasons, but choose the program that's right for what you want, not what you think the industry wants.

taternuts666

If anyone needs a referral to waive the WGU application fee please PM me!

PJ_Sneakers

FYI, WGU has a DB track now if anyone is feeling brave.

Khohezion

1. I have a bachelors degree in computer science but I have no certifications or real experience other than a call center I am currently working at... may I get your opinions on in the case I want to enroll in WGU if I should apply for their Bachelor's program or their masters program?


2. I saw that I can also replace classes with my transcripts as well is it safe to assume that because I already have a degree if I were to take one of their Bachelor courses I would not have to take as many classes?

3. Lastly it would be the certifications do I take their tests via a portal they provide? I would assume so but I Want to be sure...

I would look towards taking their DB class or their IT security Degree.

I am trying to decide on going to WGU or BU- Metro college

Thank you in advance I know you guys probably answered questions like these already so I apologize for making you repeat.

PJ_Sneakers

Yes they'll accept prior credit for classes and certs earned within the last 5 years.

I don't think another bachelor's would be worth it. Maybe look towards some technical certifications?

JamesKurtovich

If you have a BS in Comp Sci, I don't think you have any need for WGU unless you're going for your Master's.

Khohezion

Thanks for the replies guys, I will look into the Masters programs and certs to possibly get

ratbuddy

If you already have a legit BSCS, forget WGU and look at the Georgia Tech MSCS.

https://www.omscs.gatech.edu/

paddywack

LOL I'm curious as to why you say this, PJ_Sneakers.

PJ_Sneakers

paddywack wrote: »

LOL I'm curious as to why you say this, PJ_Sneakers.

Say what?

paddywack

PJ_Sneakers wrote: »

Say what?

PJ_Sneakers wrote: »

FYI, WGU has a DB track now if anyone is feeling brave.

Sorry. I thought I had included the quote.

PJ_Sneakers

Oh. When I was enrolled in the BS, I felt that the database class I had to take was the second-weakest class I went through. (With the first-weakest being their introductory Java class.)

I got very poor support from the course mentor, and my project was returned twice for not doing something that was not required. The course was simple enough. I knew enough about SQL to pass it going into it, but I felt that it was poorly managed.

paddywack

PJ_Sneakers wrote: »

Oh. When I was enrolled in the BS, I felt that the database class I had to take was the second-weakest class I went through. (With the first-weakest being their introductory Java class.)

I got very poor support from the course mentor, and my project was returned twice for not doing something that was not required. The course was simple enough. I knew enough about SQL to pass it going into it, but I felt that it was poorly managed.

Thanks for the input.

PJ_Sneakers

Please don't let that turn you away from WGU. It was one experience from one student. I complain about it, but overall I think WGU was the best educational experience I have ever had.

paddywack

Oh, definitely not. I'm not that easily influenced. LOL I'm ready to start now, but we're shooting for an Aug 1 start date in the DMDA program. I'm super excited!