Western Governors University Questions and Answers / Threads related to WGU

CodeBlox · March 2011

Well I just thought I'd ask because I wasn't too sure if there were some lower level gen ed requirment.

kriscamaro68 · March 2011

erpadmin wrote: »

I found out within 24-48 hours, if my memory serves me correctly. I know it didn't take that long to find out.

How do you find out if you passed? Do they send an e-mail or update the student portal?

petedude · March 2011

See the Student Experiences thread....not only me, but others have posted a variety of examples of how the curriculum looks like.

Erp, that's quite a veritable Red Sea (Read See?) of data. Color's a bit tough on the eyes. Maybe better in blue or somethin'?

Hypntick · March 2011

kriscamaro68 wrote: »

How do you find out if you passed? Do they send an e-mail or update the student portal?

You'll get an email if I remember correctly, maybe 2-3 days or so.

erpadmin · March 2011

petedude wrote: »

Erp, that's quite a veritable Red Sea (Read See?) of data. Color's a bit tough on the eyes. Maybe better in blue or somethin'?

My apologies; I usually use red to bring home a point...though I probably shouldn't have done so if it was going to be more than a couple of sentences.

In any event, I'm never one to deny a reasonable request, so it got done in blue.

whotime · March 2011

anyone here use a kindle for their WGU studies?

Hypntick · March 2011

whotime wrote: »

anyone here use a kindle for their WGU studies?

I use a nook color actually. I've got it rooted however so it's closer to an android tablet than an e-reader. Helps out with ebooks and some videos etc. If you plan on getting the e versions of your books i'm sure a kindle would help out a lot.

erpadmin · March 2011

whotime wrote: »

anyone here use a kindle for their WGU studies?

Used a Kindle 2 for Security+ and Project+ (and maybe Javascript, but I want to work through the PDFs for the book WGU has me studying first). The Kindle was a Godsend for both classes, but differently.

Sec+ I was able to read through Darril Gibson's book because his writing style is very easy to follow.

Project+...I had to use Text-To-Speech (TTS). Had I not used that, I'd be reading that book still...lol.

I have other Kindle books that I read as well, but for my studies, I only used it for those classes thus far. I'm sure I'll read the Don Polson (sp?) book on Kindle for the 70-680 (it is available on Kindle).

Bottom line though, Kindle rocks....best vendor swag I ever received....

whotime · March 2011

erpadmin you have allot of knowledge about wgu, i am just starting and getting all the info i can so when i go i will know exactly what to do ( 4 classes left till AAS IT).

what i want to know is do you have a breakdown of what classes are general ed, and which corresponds with the certs. i want to look and see if i can get a rough estimate on how many classess i have to take.

thanks

erpadmin · March 2011

whotime wrote: »

erpadmin you have allot of knowledge about wgu, i am just starting and getting all the info i can so when i go i will know exactly what to do ( 4 classes left till AAS IT).

what i want to know is do you have a breakdown of what classes are general ed, and which corresponds with the certs. i want to look and see if i can get a rough estimate on how many classess i have to take.

thanks

I didn't realize you posted this as well as sent me a PM with the exact same message. PM is sent, but please do not PM/Post the same message in the future. (It's considered bad form...

)

In a nutshell though you'll want to go to the WGU.EDU website, and look at the program guides in PDF. The PDFs give a very nice breakdown.

Nobylspoon · March 2011

whotime wrote: »

anyone here use a kindle for their WGU studies?

I am planning on picking up a Xoom or similar Android 3.0 tablet for the start of my term. I'm mainly just using school as an excuse to buy one, lol.

earweed · March 2011

whotime wrote: »

erpadmin you have allot of knowledge about wgu, i am just starting and getting all the info i can so when i go i will know exactly what to do ( 4 classes left till AAS IT).

what i want to know is do you have a breakdown of what classes are general ed, and which corresponds with the certs. i want to look and see if i can get a rough estimate on how many classess i have to take.

thanks

Check out the chart in this post http://www.techexams.net/forums/jobs-degrees/64599-wgu-degree-comparison-chart.html

petedude · March 2011

Nobylspoon wrote: »

I am planning on picking up a Xoom or similar Android 3.0 tablet for the start of my term. I'm mainly just using school as an excuse to buy one, lol.

Kinda sorta what I did.

Bought a cheap Android tablet as primarily an E-reader, as it will get me all three major booksellers (Amazon, B&N, Borders) as opposed to being locked into only one of them. And as cool as iPads are, the math just doesn't hold up to buy one at the moment.

NickDog · March 2011

I bought a 1st generation Ipad when the 2nd one came out. Best money I have spent. Very convientent when reading books and not drag a laptop around.

NickDog · March 2011

So here is a question, I found out that all of my gen ed classes will transfer and they only classes to take are my core and a few humanities classes. My question is this, I was looking over the material and for WSV1 (CIW Web Design Specialist) it says to have previous web design experience. I have none. Will the course material still prepare me for this exam? Thanks All.

NickDog · March 2011

One more question, What books do you recommend for the classes. I'm mostly talking about the core classes. So if you took them, throw out your suggestions. I'm interested in seeing what worked for everybody. Since erpadmin has a lot of insight I would love to see what he used or can recommend. I'm sure everybody appreciates his thoughts, info, and input!

sheckler · March 2011

NickDog wrote: »

So here is a question, I found out that all of my gen ed classes will transfer and they only classes to take are my core and a few humanities classes. My question is this, I was looking over the material and for WSV1 (CIW Web Design Specialist) it says to have previous web design experience. I have none. Will the course material still prepare me for this exam? Thanks All.

Yes, you'll be fine.

For books, use this one for security+.

erpadmin · March 2011

NickDog wrote: »

Since erpadmin has a lot of insight I would love to see what he used or can recommend. I'm sure everybody appreciates his thoughts, info, and input!

NickDog · March 2011

As always erpadmin a gentleman and shall I say a scholar (soon to be)? Thanks for the insight!

Sheckler, already ahead of ya. I already went through the LabSim and I am almost done with Gibson's E-book (best 10 bucks Ive spent). I am going to take the test first thing through WGU since the tuition covers the cost of the exam.

NickDog · April 2011

Alright, so I am in the process of going through EWB, and I think sheckler answered this but with WSV1 it states that it is recommended to take the foundations cert first since I honestly have no web design experience. Will the material for WSV1 still prepare me for what I will need to learn? After looking around in the communities it seems like the foundation course (WFV1?) is pretty much a very broad look at IT and most said the A+ was harder. Any comments or suggestions?

erpadmin · April 2011

NickDog wrote: »

Alright, so I in the process of going through EWB, and I think sheckler answered this but with WSV1 it says that it is recommended to take the foundations cert first since I honestly have no web design experience. Will the material for WSV1 still prepare me for what I will need to learn? After looking around in the communities it seems like the foundation course (WFV1?) is pretty much a very broad look at IT and most said the A+ was harder. Any comments or suggestions?

Do WFV1 first. A+ was definitely "harder" (if you can call it that). After that, the materials you need for WSV1 should make more sense.

I can tell you that the CIW materials, if you go through them will, in fact, help you pass their exams. If you knew nothing about IT, then going through the materials for WFV1 would do more than help you pass. However, many of us have already learned that stuff which is why you hear from folks who have passed it that it is a joke.

WSV1, I'd imagine is the same deal with the CIW materials. I'm currently reviewing the Javascript materials from CIW and it seems detailed enough. Hopefully I'll be done before end of April. WSV1 isn't in my emphasis, but I know it's CIW.

In short, knock out WFV1 first, then work on WSV1.

NickDog · April 2011

Well I guess there lies the problem. WFV1 is not part of my AAP.

I amy post on the community and see if its an absolute or if I can do my own research to brush up on what I may be missing. I currently have my A+ and Network+ and am ready to sit the Sec+. Btw, if anybody is interested add me as a contact or what not on WGU, hope to see you there!

sheckler · April 2011

Which emphasis/track are you doing?

NickDog · April 2011

BA in IT-Security

erpadmin · April 2011

NickDog, get this for WSV1...uCertify is really good for test prep:

1D0-520: CIW Site Designer v5 for CIW Professional certification -uCertify

petedude · April 2011

erpadmin wrote: »

NickDog, get this for WSV1...uCertify is really good for test prep:

1D0-520: CIW Site Designer v5 for CIW Professional certification -uCertify

Between uCertify, the Foundations books and Google, I never had to crack open the Site Designer texts.

Shecky · April 2011

Hey guys!

Been planning on jumping the bandwagon here and working towards my BS in IT Security. I've graduated from ITT-Tech's Computer Network Systems class a few years ago with my Associates. Wondering how many units I'll be able to transfer out to WGU?

Do my certs help as well? I'll list 'em right here:

MCITP EA: Microsoft Certified I.T. Professional: Enterprise Administrator
MCITP SA: Microsoft Certified I.T. Professional: System Administrator
MCSE S: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security
MCSA S: Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Security
MCTS: Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
CompTIA Security+ (2008 Objectives)

I have about 5 years of experience as a Systems Administrator.

Also, do I have to take the A+ exam? I mean, does my experience wave off any of the certs that I would be earning if I went to WGU?

What You’ll Earn — IT Certifications:

CIW Web Design Specialist
CIW JavaScript Specialist
CIW Database Design Specialist
CompTIA A+
CompTIA Project+
Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT)
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA®)
Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA® Security)

P.S. I want to transfer AS MANY units as I can before I head into WGU so I can save on tuition money and not spend an extra semester if I don't have to.

Thanks so much!

kriscamaro68 · April 2011

Shecky wrote: »

Hey guys!

Been planning on jumping the bandwagon here and working towards my BS in IT Security. I've graduated from ITT-Tech's Computer Network Systems class a few years ago with my Associates. Wondering how many units I'll be able to transfer out to WGU?

Do my certs help as well? I'll list 'em right here:

MCITP EA: Microsoft Certified I.T. Professional: Enterprise Administrator
MCITP SA: Microsoft Certified I.T. Professional: System Administrator
MCSE S: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security
MCSA S: Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Security
MCTS: Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
CompTIA Security+ (2008 Objectives)

I have about 5 years of experience as a Systems Administrator.

Also, do I have to take the A+ exam? I mean, does my experience wave off any of the certs that I would be earning if I went to WGU?

What You’ll Earn — IT Certifications:

CIW Web Design Specialist
CIW JavaScript Specialist
CIW Database Design Specialist
CompTIA A+
CompTIA Project+
Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT)
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA®)
Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA® Security)

P.S. I want to transfer AS MANY units as I can before I head into WGU so I can save on tuition money and not spend an extra semester if I don't have to.

Thanks so much!

If you want as many credits tranferred over then I would do the network design & management degree as it would take care of the most credits with your certs. Plus with the degree its still just a bs in i.t. not in security so it looks the same to anyone hiring. I would go for a masters in information assurance after the bs in i.t. but thats me. As for the a+ I think you will still have to take it from what was told to me a few days ago when I asked a question like that about my certs. You basically take the practice test for it to see if you can pass it without studying then if you do they will let you take it without studying. Atleast thats what I was told.

Pishof · April 2011

Nice list of certs. I just started in mar after being out of ITT for a few years and I had many classes transfer including A+, Network+, CCENT and 70-680. With your certs there will be very few classes for you to take including capstone and tech writing most likely you will only need humanities and the several project and leadership type courses.

NickDog · April 2011

Shecky, I did the same program from ITT and am in the same program you are contemplating at WGU, As far as the degree you can expect all of your gen-ed and most of the non technical classes to transfer in. out of 34 classes I only have to take 19 and only 6 of those are non technical. Good luck!

Western Governors University Questions and Answers / Threads related to WGU

Comments