Western Governors University Questions and Answers / Threads related to WGU

lelei

If you look in my signature, you will see all the tech courses that I transferred in via exams. I actually knocked off two additional MS exams before the transcript cutoff date so I could skip the programming courses as well. I had some GenEd done from community colleges, but all the tech stuff that transferred was due to certifications because my courses were too old to be transferred in. So, as far as tech credits you should be fine. I would imagine it would be the same for the straighterline exams as well, but you might want to ask your entrance adviser to double check.

I think I ended up with about 64 credits transferred in due to certs alone. I ended up with only 2 tech courses to complete- the CIW fundamentals and project+.

Ivanjam

lelei wrote: »

So, as far as tech credits you should be fine. I would imagine it would be the same for the straighterline exams as well, but you might want to ask your entrance adviser to double check.

Thanks, lelei.

djfunz

*sigh. It looks like my HHT1 essay was returned for corrections. This is my second essay (out of two taken so far) that has been returned. I go over the rubric prior to submission, but still a return both times. Oh well, math is still haunting me I guess.

Legacy User

Had a quick question I noticed people had trouble with certain classes I wanted to know what was everyones opinion on difficulty for these select classes:

CVV1 Database Fundamentals
CTV1 Security
DJV1 Software Development
TPV1 Project management

demonfurbie

im stuck in the ciw database one ... mostly because there isnt much out there but the book from ciw and its not that great

taternuts666

Anyone know how long it takes for the assessment scheduler to actually get a test scheduled? I submitted the request to schedule CLC1 at my local test center on Tuesday and haven't heard back yet. I'm getting antsy because my boss needs to know what day I need to take off next week for the test.

boredgamelad

I'd send an e-mail to your mentor and let them know it's urgent that you get it scheduled soon, for the reason you stated. My mentor knew the assessment scheduler and was able to get me scheduled the day I submitted my request.

Raidersfan81

taternuts666 wrote: »

Anyone know how long it takes for the assessment scheduler to actually get a test scheduled? I submitted the request to schedule CLC1 at my local test center on Tuesday and haven't heard back yet. I'm getting antsy because my boss needs to know what day I need to take off next week for the test.

You should hear back today for sure.

I've never had one go more than 2 days.

Psoasman

demonfurbie wrote: »

im stuck in the ciw database one ... mostly because there isnt much out there but the book from ciw and its not that great

You are right, there isn't much out there. Have you looked at the New Boston videos? He has some on MySQL. Amazon has a book from uCertify for that course.
Amazon.com: uCertify Guide for CIW Exam 1D0-541: Pass your CIW Database Design Specialist v5 Certification in first attempt (9781616910846): uCertify.com Team: Books

taternuts666

Thanks bored. I emailed her and I'll see what she says. If I don't know the scheduled date of the exam by the end of the day today I will be SOL since my boss leaves for vacation tonight.

ratchoke

How are the classes setup for WGU? What is the experience like?

I'm really debating whether or not I want to go here for a GOOD education and not just to get certs. Unfortunately, I have no other choice but to do online programs due to financial responsibilities!

Psoasman

You will get a good education at WGU, but you'll need to put the time in. WGU is not just about certs, they are a nice part of the deal, but the degree is the main goal.

The tuition is affordable, especially when combined with the scholarships and possible grants.

Classes are self-paced and you check in with a mentor once per week. I've found most of the general education classes to be easy, mainly because I've done similar classes in my AAS degree and previous coursework. The certs can be harder, but some of that is due to the administrative policies. For example, if you fail an exam, WGU policy is to wait 2 weeks, then get the course mentor's approval to retake the exam.

I know this is an enormous thread, but I can guarantee that nearly every question a person has will be answered here. I read through it before starting at WGU and it helped tremendously.

KeithC

taternuts666 wrote: »

Anyone know how long it takes for the assessment scheduler to actually get a test scheduled? I submitted the request to schedule CLC1 at my local test center on Tuesday and haven't heard back yet. I'm getting antsy because my boss needs to know what day I need to take off next week for the test.

If you are in the degree plan tab within the student portal, under assessment status click on the submitted for scheduling link, under Status and Scheduler Information is the contact for the direct person to speak with although anybody that answers the phone should be able to help you out.

lifehaggar

Is there a major difference in the eyes of potential employers between a IT Software degree from WGU and a Computer Science degree? I am interested in working as a programmer, and would like to have a relevant degree for getting employment or possibly getting a Masters in CS.

taternuts666

Finally got it scheduled. Contacted my mentor and she got the ball rolling. Apparently there was an issue at the testing center though because they are upgrading their computers. I have to call an hour before my test time to make sure they are up and running and if not I have to reschedule.... Kinda defeats the point of scheduling it I suppose. Not WGU's fault though...

lifehaggar

Also, it looks like part of completing the degree includes passing 3rd party certification exams. Are the cost of these exams included in the tuition, or are they separate?

Raidersfan81

lifehaggar wrote: »

Also, it looks like part of completing the degree includes passing 3rd party certification exams. Are the cost of these exams included in the tuition, or are they separate?

Most definitely included.

You get 2 attempts which WGU pays for and then you pay for any remaining attempts it takes you to pass a certain Cert.

kgb

lifehaggar wrote: »

Is there a major difference in the eyes of potential employers between a IT Software degree from WGU and a Computer Science degree? I am interested in working as a programmer, and would like to have a relevant degree for getting employment or possibly getting a Masters in CS.

A majority of employers will no doubt prefer a CS degree over an IT degree for a programmer. You have some employers that don't care about a degree at all as well. So, in a nutshell, it will vary between employers and the market in which you are trying to get into. For example, the Government Contracting world of the Northrop's, General Dynamics, etc, they value degrees and certs a lot (I'm sure there's managers and such within the companies that don't, but as an organization they do).

I'm going to WGU for IT-Software to be a programmer. If there was a choice of an online, self-paced, affordable CS degree I would do that instead of WGU. The problem is, no such program exists yet.

Legacy User

Had a quick question I noticed people had trouble with certain classes I wanted to know what was everyones opinion on difficulty for these select classes:

CVV1 Database Fundamentals*
CTV1 Security
DJV1 Software Development
TPV1 Project management

Also, how are the other leadership classes?

petedude

demonfurbie wrote: »

im stuck in the ciw database one ... mostly because there isnt much out there but the book from ciw and its not that great

Look for books on database design focusing on MySQL. They're out there.

Nemowolf

Hello and thank you so much for creating this thread. I found this on a google search for WGU reviews and am VERY happy to see this thread contains so much information. I have read about 20 pages so far.

I originally looked at WGU a couple of years ago but life took me another route and now i am back in a place where i need to get my education back on track. I have an AA in Creative Writing and A+ under my belt so i won't be going in with as much as some folks who are looking to do their BS. I do have 6 years of IT experience though.

On to the question ...

Should i look at doing any MS, Cisco, etc certs prior to getting started so i can bring those in or just take them during the process of school?

Again thank you!!!

XeeN

Nemowolf wrote: »

Should i look at doing any MS, Cisco, etc certs prior to getting started so i can bring those in or just take them during the process of school?

I dove in without doing any certs and I recommend that you do so as well. Now that I've completed a number of certs at WGU I can say that I like the added pressure and wealth of resources that I can immediately begin using at WGU. Before I began I did find out what book the school was going to use for my CompTIA A+ cert and I bought that so I could begin reading it while waiting for my first term to begin. I was eager and excited to start.

I recommend that once you enroll and begin preparing for your first cert test, benchmark how quickly you can read and retain information from the material, buffer in some extra study/review/rest days, and then schedule your test. It's amazing how much that looming deadline helps keep me motivated.

Nemowolf

XeeN wrote: »

I dove in without doing any certs and I recommend that you do so as well. Now that I've completed a number of certs at WGU I can say that I like the added pressure and wealth of resources that I can immediately begin using at WGU. Before I began I did find out what book the school was going to use for my CompTIA A+ cert and I bought that so I could begin reading it while waiting for my first term to begin. I was eager and excited to start.

I recommend that once you enroll and begin preparing for your first cert test, benchmark how quickly you can read and retain information from the material, buffer in some extra study/review/rest days, and then schedule your test. It's amazing how much that looming deadline helps keep me motivated.

I will have to admit that maybe i have a bad enrollment person but despite sending an email reply to the automated first email that i wont be available until thursday. I have gotten three phone calls, two from the enrollment person and one from her assistant. I have also received two additional emails after the calls asking me if i am still interested. I then received an email from the senior program manager for the IT department. Honestly, I am instantly turned off from going to school here after sending two emails that i am not available until tomorrow and still getting contacted left and right.

Has anyone else experienced this? I am honestly tempted to tell the enrollment person that i don't want to talk to her and want a new person to talk too.

XeeN

Nemowolf wrote: »

I will have to admit that maybe i have a bad enrollment person but despite sending an email reply to the automated first email that i wont be available until thursday. I have gotten three phone calls, two from the enrollment person and one from her assistant. I have also received two additional emails after the calls asking me if i am still interested. I then received an email from the senior program manager for the IT department. Honestly, I am instantly turned off from going to school here after sending two emails that i am not available until tomorrow and still getting contacted left and right.

Has anyone else experienced this? I am honestly tempted to tell the enrollment person that i don't want to talk to her and want a new person to talk too.

I didn't have a schedule issue like you so I was glad they reached out to me quickly. They're good about that sort of thing, which is better than a lack of contact. In any case, I'd reach out to one of them and make sure you speak to them on the phone. Just ask them to note in your file that you won't be available until a certain day and time. They keep good records from what I can tell, so if you do that, anyone tasked with calling people who expressed interest should hold off. I dunno.

Jasiono

Ok, I just started a week ago and scheduled a test for Tuesday, a proctored one using my webcam.

Do you get to see yourself while taking the test and do you get to see the person watching you? I feel creeped out thinking about someone watching me while taking the exam like that.

XeeN

Jasiono wrote: »

Ok, I just started a week ago and scheduled a test for Tuesday, a proctored one using my webcam.

Do you get to see yourself while taking the test and do you get to see the person watching you? I feel creeped out thinking about someone watching me while taking the exam like that.

During the webcam setup portion you can see what things will look like, but once you start you can't see yourself or anyone else. I believe that they are monitoring large quantities of people at the same time, and watching for any signals of someone cheating or something like that. During one of my webcam proctored exams they had to stop it because they lost a connection to my webcam. I clicked a few buttons on the site to restart the test and I might have had to call in, but within 5 minutes I was back up and running and continuing the test.

Jasiono

Couldn't someone have a massive white board behind their computer screen with notes on it though?

Can't wait to take it and get it over with. How many questions are on the mgc1 exam? Are the preassessments very similar to the real deal?

hiddenknight821

A massive white board isn't cheap, so there is no way a broke college student can ****. I have been considering buying one myself when I have a place of my own.

As for the MGC1, it's much alike the assessment, but with more questions. It can be done in 30 mins or less. I can't remember any of the details because of how simple. So don't worry. By the way, I never use the webcam. Took the test at my local university, which isn't a problem for me.

Hypntick

They could have a white board behind their screen. However, you start looking a bit to long in a spot that doesn't look like it's your monitor, they'll stop your test. I had my TV remote sitting on my desk just inside of view and my test was stopped. It's pretty strict actually.

XeeN

Jasiono wrote: »

Couldn't someone have a massive white board behind their computer screen with notes on it though?

It would not be difficult to ****. You're better than that, though.