Western Governors University Questions and Answers / Threads related to WGU

Cert Poor

Danielm7 wrote: »

Are you concerned about someone asking to see your transcripts after you graduate?

Yep. That's probably the main reason. I'd rather not have to explain multiple schools from years ago (I will if I have to) but was just curious what the WGU transcript looks like and how detailed it is on past schools.

Danielm7

I've never been asked for a transcript, nor seen anyone else need one either. You have a diploma, who cares where your past grades are from?

Blucodex

Danielm7 wrote: »

I've never been asked for a transcript, nor seen anyone else need one either. You have a diploma, who cares where your past grades are from?

Yup. I agree 100%

Cert Poor

Danielm7 wrote: »

I've never been asked for a transcript, nor seen anyone else need one either. You have a diploma, who cares where your past grades are from?

For grad schools, mostly. I agree it's rare for an employer to ask for transcripts. Anyways, would appreciate if anyone familiar with WGU could say what transfer credit looks like on the WGU transcript.

PC_Load_Letter

I can say that any respectable grad school will ask for all your past transcripts. Even if you have a degree they will see the transfer of credits to that degree and want you to submit all schools. You will get a chance to explain yourself. I was similar and flopped a lot when I was younger.

jmhio

This post is invaluable as someone who's looking to go to WGU. I had quite a few reservations about doing something online but I have quite a bit more confidence from reading people's interactions with this institution.

By the way, the WGUStudentHall link is no longer valid.

plopbangcrash

There are a few different way grades show on the transcripts. For IT purposes, a completed Associate degree covers most general education requirements (such as science, language, etc) and shows the same as taking a cert on your own time after enrolling. These courses will appear on the transcript as "Requirement Satisfied". Individual courses from degrees less than five years old that fulfill the requirement for a WGU course will appear on the transcript as "Transfer". All other courses taken and completed through WGU appear as "Pass" or "Fail". There is no indication on the transcript as to where the transferred in credits or requirements met came from.

disip

What's the best way to do well on PAs?

roninkai

So I'm T- 1.5 hours from my oral defense presentation, then the MSISA will be mine! The prospectus and capstone report were beasts. 24,000 words, 70 pages. Both were accepted on first submissions, so I'm hopeful its now smooth sailing. Mentally exhausted, but it's gonna feel go to have this behind me. I may do a lessons learned post for anyone doing the MSISA (when I have time that is)

devilbones

dragonsden wrote: »

So I'm T- 1.5 hours from my oral defense presentation, then the MSISA will be mine! The prospectus and capstone report were beasts. 24,000 words, 70 pages. Both were accepted on first submissions, so I'm hopeful its now smooth sailing. Mentally exhausted, but it's gonna feel go to have this behind me. I may do a lessons learned post for anyone doing the MSISA (when I have time that is)

You got this. I start July 1st. Cant wait.

roninkai

Victory! It's all now in the review mirror. Can't believe it's done. What am I gonna do with this new found free time? (certs?)...I'm taking a nice long break for all of it, hang w/ the family and binge out on Vikings. Finally, pressure is gone!

ck86

I'm a little confused on how the GI bill works here. I see that 18cu is required to be considered full term. But considering this is self paced, how does that work? If I get through 18cu in 2 months will I receive full benefits for the remainder of the term?


Also, is there any way to attend anything locally that will give the location-based BAH rate rather than the reduced online only BAH?

devilbones

ck86 wrote: »

I'm a little confused on how the GI bill works here. I see that 18cu is required to be considered full term. But considering this is self paced, how does that work? If I get through 18cu in 2 months will I receive full benefits for the remainder of the term?


Also, is there any way to attend anything locally that will give the location-based BAH rate rather than the reduced online only BAH?

When you attend WGU you are enrolled as full-time, no problems there. As far as the locality pay for BAH, not sure how you would do that. You can take a blend of online and in person classes and rate it, but not sure about different schools. Good luck and welcome. I had a great time.

Verruckt

devilbones wrote: »

When you attend WGU you are enrolled as full-time, no problems there. As far as the locality pay for BAH, not sure how you would do that. You can take a blend of online and in person classes and rate it, but not sure about different schools. Good luck and welcome. I had a great time.

Don't think you can enroll at two schools full time with the GI Bill though...

The gist with WGU is you will get the reduced online only BAH but it does increase in August of this year.

Networking_Student

CISSPorBust wrote: »

Which is better to get Bachelor of Science Cybersecurity and Information Assurance or Bachelor of Science Information Technolog - Security?

One is more geared towards being a network administrator role, while the other is more cyber security analyst.

m y w g u

The WGU tag isn't working: wgu.html - TechExams.net IT Certification Forums

NoNameNoob

I'm enrolled to start Network Operations and Security on November 1st. I completed my CCNP R&S recently which puts me at about 18% completion. I'm planning to ideally put around 5 hours a night minimum towards study. Do you think it would be plausible to complete the content in a year or am I overshooting? Thanks in adv.

mikey88

Just out of curiosity, if I were to go for BS IT Sec.. how long would it take me and how much would it cost?

I took community college courses for an Associates program like 7years back. I completed all the computer courses (had about 100 credits) minus a few math classes needed for AAS. I have current Sec+/Net+/Serv+

kohr-ah

Figure it is going to cost you $3000 every 6 months and how long it takes depends on how much time you put into it and how quickly you grasp the material. Assume high. Assume it will take you 3 years (So $18,000) and then work it down. That gives you an idea and a goal. Then hit the ground running and see how fast you can grasp the material.

If you do well that may go down to 2 years.. then 1 year. And then you save in the end.

Datcyde

I'm starting classes on Nov 1st at WGU and wanted to know if I can take the ITIL and network + test right away once I start. I been studying for these test for about 2 months now and will be ready to pass them in November. So will they let me do that?

devilbones

Datcyde wrote: »

I'm starting classes on Nov 1st at WGU and wanted to know if I can take the ITIL and network + test right away once I start. I been studying for these test for about 2 months now and will be ready to pass them in November. So will they let me do that?

Normally they have some requirement that you pass a practice test with a score over 80% or something like that. Other classes you need to complete all of the course material before they will issue you a voucher.

denis92

The WGU websites states that one of the way to meet requirements for admission is to receive a "High level certificate", Is the A+ enough?

"Hold high-level IT certification in network, security, programming, data management, operating systems, or hardware management earned within the last five years."

jibtech

denis92 wrote: »

The WGU websites states that one of the way to meet requirements for admission is to receive a "High level certificate", Is the A+ enough?

"Hold high-level IT certification in network, security, programming, data management, operating systems, or hardware management earned within the last five years."

I am pretty sure they use the same list as the certifications that can transfer into WGU:
https://www.wgu.edu/admissions/it_certifications#Microsoft_Certifications

In which case, A+ is an option. I would strongly suggest verifying that with an Enrollment Counselor though.

ksilvey

Want to begin the MBA:ITM at WGU soon, but am concerned about the lack of AACSB accreditation. Has anyone noticed this as a hindrance? I currently work in IT support in academic healthcare.

coreyb80

NoNameNoob wrote: »

I'm enrolled to start Network Operations and Security on November 1st. I completed my CCNP R&S recently which puts me at about 18% completion. I'm planning to ideally put around 5 hours a night minimum towards study. Do you think it would be plausible to complete the content in a year or am I overshooting? Thanks in adv.

If you commit yourself to it then sure it's possible.

LarryTR

5 questions. I am only on page 88 of this infinite thread and I just have to ask at this point. I feel I'll never get done reading

1. I have a BS in a business major from the mid/late 90's from a RA University. Most of my Gen Ed classes were taken as far back as 1994.

Does WGU have an age limit on Gen Ed courses? I have found mixed answers all over the web. Some say no age limit, some say 20 years.


2. When you take a class with a cert attached to it, is the cert exam the final exam for the class or do you have a separate final exam to take as well as the cert exam?


3. I read some posts on the WGU subreddit that made me think that WGU pushes it's students to complete a certain amount of classes every term and if you do not you get booted from the university.

Is this true? If so, what is the minimum amount courses do they expect you to complete per term?


4. Concerning Gen Ed science labs: if a WGU degree requires a Science course with a Lab unit, but I only took science course with no lab, how does that work? Does WGU transfer the class credits and make me take the lab through WGU or do they not transfer the class at all and make me take both the science class AND the lab through WGU?


5. When I was at University, they did not have "Eng Comp I" and "Eng Comp II" as it seems 99% of the colleges/univs do these days. They required:
-Eng Rhetoric & Composition (3cr) (assuming your SAT scores were good enough)
-Speech Communication (3cr)
-Eng - Business writing (3cr)
-A "Writing Across the Curriculum" upper level (4xxW) course, which is a writing-intensive course within your major (3cr).

Do you think all these will all transfer into WGU to knock-out both Eng Comp I & II or might I still have to take one or even both?

I know no one can answer transfer question for certain, I'm just looking for what others have experienced.

That's it..for now

jibtech

1. I transferred GenEd this year from 1996. That is at least 21 years.

2. The cert is the exam.

3. You are expected to completed the equivalent of 12 credits each term. You won't get booted, but may end up on the equivalent of academic probation. Do it enough, you might get booted.

4. No idea.

5. They will evaluate the course content for equivalency. Might be through ACE, might be a review of the syllabus, etc.

As always, my situation isn't your situation. Definitely talk to an enrollment counselor.

LarryTR

How do they get a syllabus from a course offered 15+ years ago? I certainly can't produce it for them

jibtech

LarryTR wrote: »

How do they get a syllabus from a course offered 15+ years ago? I certainly can't produce it for them

You will be amazed at what the school has. They were able to pull my syllabus from a Biology class in Summer 1996.

LarryTR

That's great to hear! I never knew syllabi were something they archived.

Now I hope they don't have a dossier on that time I went to a frat party and...oh...never mind.