Western Governors University Questions and Answers / Threads related to WGU

qwertyiop

veritas_libertas wrote: »

Just released!

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Indiana Online Degree | Indiana Online University | WGU Indiana

Whats the point of this? It appears to just be that same WGU only that it says Indiana.

apena7

qwertyiop wrote: »

Whats the point of this? It appears to just be that same WGU only that it says Indiana.

Maybe it's for students on the east coast that would prefer a regional accreditation a little closer to home? Other than that, I don't think it's any different.

veritas_libertas

qwertyiop wrote: »

Whats the point of this? It appears to just be that same WGU only that it says Indiana.

Dig deeper into the links, this was created as basically a state college by Governor Mitch Daniels:

New agreement forms Ind. branch of online college - chicagotribune.com

The agreement allows students to use state scholarship money toward WGU Indiana -- something not allowed before. Officials also hope the partnership spurs more adults to earn their degrees through the online program.

Birdiechic

Can I get an insight re: BSIT: Network Design and Managment vs BSIT: Security.

Why you chose that one over other ones offered?

Would I be able to get concentration classes for the other one?

Thanks

earweed

The main differences in the 2 are that with Network Design and Management you will do the CompTIA certs (all 3, A+, Net+, and Sec+) and then do a Microsoft concentration (MCITP:EA) whereas the security track you don't do all the CompTIA ( A+ and Sec+) plus the client system (Windows 7 ) and then you do Cisco concentration (CCNA,CCNA:Security)
Unfortunately you can't mix and match the different IT classes between concentrations. If you are in the Security program and you just wish to get the MCITP:EA on your own you would be eligible for the student discount to take your tests. I don't know if CompTIA or Cisco has the same student discounts as Microsoft has.
You are eligible to switch your program (ie change your major) at the start of a new term if you change your mind about which program you would like to be in.

Birdiechic

earweed wrote: »

The main differences in the 2 are that with Network Design and Management you will do the CompTIA certs (all 3, A+, Net+, and Sec+) and then do a Microsoft concentration (MCITP:EA) whereas the security track you don't do all the CompTIA ( A+ and Sec+) plus the client system (Windows 7 ) and then you do Cisco concentration (CCNA,CCNA:Security)
Unfortunately you can't mix and match the different IT classes between concentrations. If you are in the Security program and you just wish to get the MCITP:EA on your own you would be eligible for the student discount to take your tests. I don't know if CompTIA or Cisco has the same student discounts as Microsoft has.
You are eligible to switch your program (ie change your major) at the start of a new term if you change your mind about which program you would like to be in.

I start Jul 1st Can I still change it?

Thank for the info.

earweed

You should be able to. Call your enrollment counselor or your mentor (If you've been assigned one yet) and explain your situation.

petedude

earweed wrote: »

. . .
Unfortunately you can't mix and match the different IT classes between concentrations. If you are in the Security program and you just wish to get the MCITP:EA on your own you would be eligible for the student discount to take your tests. I don't know if CompTIA or . . .

How do the MS exam student discounts work? This is the first I've heard of it.

earweed

Use this link Special Offers on Training and Certifications from Microsoft right below the second shot offer is where it lists that students get a discount. The price for students is $60. It's the same price you would have to pay if you need a third try at a test. It also lists that you will need your student ID at the testing center.

SephStorm

For students who took the CIW Professional, which exam did you take, and how did you study for it?

Also, your opinion on the professional exam would be appreciated.

petedude

SephStorm wrote: »

For students who took the CIW Professional, which exam did you take, and how did you study for it?

Also, your opinion on the professional exam would be appreciated.

If you're referring to Foundations, it's not a difficult exam if you have prior networking background. If you don't, it's certainly doable, but may take you a few days as it's a broad exam covering a wide variety of IT topics (certainly a good program for IT newbies).

The CIW Professional designation requires two CIW exams, Foundations and one other. I haven't taken the JavaScript exam yet, and that will be the likely progression for most WGU students-- Foundations, then JavaScript.

earweed

Actually Javascript doesn't get you the pro, you need foundations and the other one WGU students take for the professional is the site designer Here's the link that explains what will get you the pro designation Certified Internet Web Professional | CIW-certified.com
I think Sephstorm would be interested in security professional which would take http://www.ciw-certified.com/exams/1d0470.asp the IDO-470
You don't even get a certificate (downloadable or otherwise) for JavaScript.

earweed

I resent it. unless your email address was wrong you should have my email.
Otherwise go into CP->edit options-> check allow other members to send you email messages
This will let me send you an email through TE. You must not have this checked as I don't have the option to send you a message.

veritas_libertas

Anyone know how to get the MS Second Shot going with WGU? I failed the 70-680 and I want to be able to take it again without lowering my retry opportunities with WGU.

I guess my question is HOW do you do the Second Shot for the test that I just took?

earweed

It's too late to do the second shot thing but you can get a student discount ($60) to take it without going through WGU. Special Offers on Training and Certifications from Microsoft It talks about the student discount right below the second shot deal. It's the same thing you would pay if you go through WGU for a third try, except you would still have your WGU second try that they pay for.
If you would just rather do the second try and have WGU pay then you get to look at a NOT PASSED on your AAP until you pass the test. I went through it for Vista.
It doesn't affect your SAP as long as it doesn't take you til next term to pass.

That was an offer which wouldn't be valid with our student discount we already have. Also to have the second shot you have to have chosen to take the second shot offer before taking the test. So you can basically go through WGU and get them to pay for your retake or you can pay $60 and book it yourself.

veritas_libertas

earweed wrote: »

That was an offer which wouldn't be valid with our student discount we already have. Also to have the second shot you have to have chosen to take the second shot offer before taking the test. So you can basically go through WGU and get them to pay for your retake or you can pay $60 and book it yourself.

Actually, I just got a free voucher mailed to my WGU e-mail. I was looking in the wrong spot! So I am going to try to book it for the end of the month.

Birdiechic

I have yet another question .

Are any of you attending WGU with FAFSA? There seems to be a misunderstanding, they told me even if I have FAFSA and pell I would still have to get a loan.

any help is appreciated.

jahsoul

FAFSA is the actually form that you fill out in order to receive financial aid. If you Pell Grant doesn't cover tuition, then you would either have to pay out of pocket, scholarships, or a loan.

colemic

Who here is in the Security Masters program? Looking around I saw that you earn the following certs:

• CompTIA Network+ (2009 Objectives)
• PW0-200 Wireless LAN Security Exam
• EC-Council Disaster Recovery Professional Exam (312-76)
• EC-Council Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures (EC0-350)
• EC-Council Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (EC0-349)
• GIAC G7799 (Standards and Policies)

if you already have one (or more) of these, are those courses waived or do yo uhave to retake? Does having a CISSP count for anything?

earweed

CERTIFICATIONS ACCEPTED TO MEET REQUIREMENTS:
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Must be the exact exam or certification as indicated below. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial]Must have been taken within the last 5 years. [/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT=Palatino Linotype,Palatino][FONT=Palatino Linotype,Palatino]Systems Security / Security Planning and Management [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]CODE [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]ASSESSMENT [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]CU [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]REQUIREMENT FOR TRANSFER [/FONT][/FONT]
____________________________________________
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]GIV2 [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Network Security Fundamentals [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]3 [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]CompTIA Network+ Certification [/FONT][/FONT]
______________________________________
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]FZV2 [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Securing Wireless Networks [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]2 [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]CWSP® Wireless LAN Security (PWO-200) Certification [/FONT][/FONT]
______________________________________
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]FXV2 [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Enterprise Continuity Management [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]3 [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]EC Council Disaster Recovery Profession Exam (312-76) [/FONT][/FONT]
_______________________________________________
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]FMV2 [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Forensics and Network Intrusion [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]3 [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]EC Council Hacking Forensics Investigator CHFI Exam (312-49) [/FONT][/FONT]
___________________________________________
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]FNV2 [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Ethical Hacking [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]2 [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]EC Council Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures Exam (312-50) [/FONT][/FONT]
_____________________________________
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]FYV2 [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Security Policies and Standards Compliance [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial]and Certification [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]3 [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]GIAC Certified ISO-17799 Specialist (G7799) [/FONT][/FONT]

Formatting didn't copy but this is straight from handbook for what transfers in to the masters

vCole

How do you get a login for Books 24/7? Is my mentor slacking? Same for MSDN...

veritas_libertas

FadeToBright wrote: »

How do you get a login for Books 24/7? Is my mentor slacking? Same for MSDN...

I would contact your mentor about books 24/7, the MSDN would be your IT mentor. Talk to them and they should be able to hook you up...

Look under IT Program Community, but I believe it would Dr. Paddock.

vCole

veritas_libertas wrote: »

I would contact your mentor about books 24/7, the MSDN would be your IT mentor. Talk to them and they should be able to hook you up...

Also - even the books for our Lib. Arts classes (science, math, etc) should be on Books 24/7, correct?

earweed

Do you have a skillsoft account yet? That's where you find Books 24x7.
The link is http://wgu.skillport.com/skillportfe/login.action and you would use your WGU log in information initially.
They have been autoenrolling people in MSDN , you may need to talk to your mentor or contact Dr. Paddock.

Did you follow the link I gave (edited it in) Registration/Login Form and use your original WGU login info like username fadetobright pw - WGU password. Use your original password, not the new one you had to make for the gmail changeover.

Also a little trick I found about 24x7. If you go to Books 24x7 and bookmark that page, when you come back straight to 24x7 you don't have to log in. It's a glitch of some kind. I have 24x7 on my favorites bar and access my 24x7 account with one click.

cablegod

A bit of advice to current students who have not yet taken the technical writing or capstone classes:

For your technical writing class: This is simply a proposal for something that you will later implement and document during the capstone project class. Basically you state and build the business case for something. Make sure you pick something that you are ABLE to actually do and finish during that class time frame. If it relates to your employer or job, you have to get written permission from them first. There is a form for that in the taskstream area for the class. Make sure you narrow the scope of it down as much as possible. When they say that the capstone will allow you to put all of the skills you learned to use, they mean it. Make sure what you pick will allow you to demonstrate skills in each area of study from your program such as: Leadership & Professionalism, Management Principles, Collegiate level Reasoning & Problem Solving, Language & Communication, Quantitative Literacy, and at least one or more domains from your specific area of study such as Network Systems Engineering, Databases, Security, Software Development, etc. You have to actually fully document HOW you demonstrated mastery in each of those areas. You can't fluff it. You really can't fluff anything at all during the program, but this work is scrutinized very closely, even more so than the regular work that you do. Basically, it has to be very close to being exemplary. I am working on those two classes now, and I am rather enjoying it. I just wanted to give a bit of advice about these to anyone else here who will be doing these in the future. Good luck!

mikej412

cablegod wrote: »

I just wanted to give a bit of advice about these to anyone else here who will be doing these in the future. Good luck!

Thanks -- I had been wondering about the Capstone Project that had been mentioned.

WGU seems like a good fit for the self-motivated & self-studying TE crowd that needs to work on a degree while working in real life. But the more I hear, it sounds like a reasonable on-line educational alternative -- without being one of those "everyone pays, everyone graduates" schools. And the fact that you aren't paying through the nose like some of those for-profit schools makes it even better.

cablegod

mikej412 wrote: »

Thanks -- I had been wondering about the Capstone Project that had been mentioned.

WGU seems like a good fit for the self-motivated & self-studying TE crowd that needs to work on a degree while working in real life. But the more I hear, it sounds like a reasonable on-line educational alternative -- without being one of those "everyone pays, everyone graduates" schools. And the fact that you aren't paying through the nose like some of those for-profit schools makes it even better.

I know what you mean. Look who the advisory board is made up of. If they were shady, I highly doubt that the likes of Google, Dell, HP, AT&T, Sun, Oracle, etc. would be associated with them. Well, AT&T, maybe not so much...... Haha, I'll leave it at that. I went into it very skeptical in the beginning. I can easily say that my doubts were quickly erased after turning in my first few assignments into TaskStream. Those graders do not let ANYTHING slide. They are relentless, and I am glad for it. I think that is part of the reason why the Dept. of Education shows them with lower than 60% of all enrolling students actually completing their program of study and graduating. I think the vast majority of those that drop out go in thinking that they can fluff their way through it and get a degree. Haha, I can now safely say that will never happen. They hold the integrity of the program to a very high level.

asurania

Hey;

Questions:

1. For the technical course how long long does it take to get a voucher, from the time you enroll...if i know the material from the start...example : CIW foundition
2. How long does the Technical Writing & Capstone take on average...
3. Is anyone doing additional microsoft cert in addition to the degree: example, SCCM, SCOM, Hyper-v, Exchange

I find that a lot of employer really value those knowledge and cert. Almost all job desciption i see mentions those skills, especiall SCCM, SCOM (wish it was part of the degree for Network Design & Managment)

cablegod

asurania wrote: »

Hey;

Questions:

1. For the technical course how long long does it take to get a voucher, from the time you enroll...if i know the material from the start...example : CIW foundition
2. How long does the Technical Writing & Capstone take on average...
3. Is anyone doing additional microsoft cert in addition to the degree: example, SCCM, SCOM, Hyper-v, Exchange

I find that a lot of employer really value those knowledge and cert. Almost all job desciption i see mentions those skills, especiall SCCM, SCOM (wish it was part of the degree for Network Design & Managment)

I'll answer your questions in order:

1.) I got my vouchers within a few days of requesting them. You have to schedule the exams at for least two-weeks away from the day you register. For instance, you get your voucher today, and login to schedule you exam, you have to pick a date at least two-weeks away from today.

2.) This varies WIDELY from student to student, and it depends on your skill level & experience, and your time available to work on it. It's VERY wise to pick a subject that you are WELL versed in because you will be writing quite a lot about it. I started on my tech writing paper on Tuesday. I am over 50% done with it right now at 20 pages.

3.) I am not. I don't have the spare time to study anything else at the moment. I'm plenty busy at work, and at home with family. I've got a lot of momentum behind me right now and I am taking full advantage of it to push through these last two classes. I only work on school-related stuff between the hours of 8:30pm and 1:00am during the week, and more of course during the weekends.

earweed

asurania wrote: »

Hey;

Questions:

1. For the technical course how long long does it take to get a voucher, from the time you enroll...if i know the material from the start...example : CIW foundition
2. How long does the Technical Writing & Capstone take on average...
3. Is anyone doing additional microsoft cert in addition to the degree: example, SCCM, SCOM, Hyper-v, Exchange

I find that a lot of employer really value those knowledge and cert. Almost all job desciption i see mentions those skills, especiall SCCM, SCOM (wish it was part of the degree for Network Design & Managment)

Those are all really good questions. It's mostlt dependent on how much time the individual has to put in.

1) For courses like Founadations, if your experience level is high and you already have EARNED a lot of other certs then when you take the preassessment your mentor may have you refer for the assessment right away. You first go to your AAP and request to refer for the exam, your mentor has to approve this. When you refer for the assessment you do a kind of prescheduling as was mentioned by cablegod in which you specify your testing center and 3 date/times at least 2 weeks away. It then takes a day or 2 ( depends upon your assessment scheduler) to get your voucher info. You then schedule your exam with prometric or Pearson-vue and this date doesn't necessarilly have to be the same date you pre-scheduled or even the same testing facility but does have to be the same testing provider (prometric/pearson-vue).
Others who have the MCITP:EA have done the Foundations course in less than 2 weeks total. This is just due to their knowledge and experience level.
2) Most people take at least a couple of months on it. I'm already working on the Technical writing phase but I'm not taking the actual course until next term (starts Sep 2010) and plan to knock it out quickly after I officially enroll. The biggest part about the tech writing/project classes is that you need to be organized, thorough, original, and write good well stuctured papers.
3) People who have time do work on other certs. I've been working on learning Linux well enough to get the Linux+ but may or may not actually go for the cert. I'm also studying for the Windows 7 cert although I may not actually take the test (haven't decided yet).
Those other certs you mentioned would be a really good idea to get and if you were to pursue them as a WGU student MS has a student discount where the test is only $60.
I'd personally like to see WGU add elective IT courses to the Network Design and Management curriculum and have SCCM, SCOM, Hyper-V, and Exchange as electives. Perhaps if WGU were to have a General IT Masters or a NDM masters program these could be incorporated into that.