Student Experiences at Western Governors University (WGU)

ahardinjr

So I know this program has been discussed on this forum before. I am also aware that it is a new program at WGU. I am considering signing up for and completing this program and would like to get some feedback from students in the program regarding their experiences and thoughts regarding the program.

I already hold an MBA with a concentration in Information Assurance & Security Management from an AACSB-accrediated university and have earned the CNSS 4011 & 4012 certifications since my MBA program is also a DHS Center of Academic Excellence. I plan on getting a Doctorate in Business Administration in about 3-5 years after I build up the required management experience to get into a good and repuatable DBA program. In the meantime, while my wife is working on her MBA, I'd like to get a second Masters degree in the IT Management to build up my resume / vita as a means to open more doors in my career in IT Mangement and make me a more marketable adjunct professor.

WGU's MS ITNM progam looks very appealing for several reasons. It is inexpensive, I can easily complete it in less than one year, and WGU is regionally accrediated. I understand the degree won't hold as much weight as a B&M degree like my current MBA - but I feel it is worth the small $6k investment to add another Masters degree to my resume to differentiate me from future competitors as I look to move up in my career.

Any comments or information on WGU's new program would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

demonfurbie

im in that program right now, i wouldnt say its easy but id say its about middle of the rode as far as difficulity

however in your situation id say skip it and get a few higher end certs or just move on to phd, it wont add that much value on return for you

Psoasman

Got my tech paper back today. Passed! 3 classes left to go. Should have Ket1 done in the next week or two...hopefully.

Reseven

KET1 task 2 completed so that class is in the books.

On to KFT1...

Actually looked at the UML stuff over the weekend. Used VP for practice. Interesting stuff. Not looking forward to task 4 at all.

DPG

Passed the BNC1 pre-assessment with a 76. Debating on whether I should go the webcam route or test center for the exam.

Psoasman

With a 76, you should be good to go. The hardest thing for me with the webcam was sitting still. I tend to talk to myself when working out problems and that's a big no-no with Kyterion.

Ivanjam

@DPG - you're doing great! Watch the webinars in the BNC1 Learning community and study these flashcards: BNC1 Organization Behavior and Leadership flashcards | Quizlet

cbolar

I finally finished my intake interview. I am more or less counting the days until I can start on January first! I am somewhat anxious so I have already started studying just to get started.

Ivanjam

@cbolar - that's the right attitude - you'll hit the ground running come January, for sure!

Krones

I just want to say that is awesome. You are doing fantastic. Congrats! 28 CUs already. You sir are not messing around.

Ivanjam wrote: »

Finally packed away my webcam - the only objective assessments I have left are with Prometric/Pearson Vue. Online proctoring was an interesting experience, to say the least, decorated with choice expletives aimed at Kryterion, WGU, Clear Wireless and the Ogdru Jahad. Not sure what the role the latter played in my trials and tribulations, but I added them for good measure.

Ivanjam

@Krones - thanks - I did all the easy stuff first - going to slow down now with Project+ and the JavaScript exam

demonfurbie

Ivanjam wrote: »

@Krones - thanks - I did all the easy stuff first - going to slow down now with Project+ and the JavaScript exam

for when ya start project+

Read-Only Flashcard Set

Ivanjam

Thanks for that info @demonfurbie!

Any tips for the JavaScript course?

demonfurbie

Ivanjam wrote: »

Thanks for that info @demonfurbie!

Any tips for the JavaScript course?

CIW JavaScript Study Notes and Tutorial

Ivanjam

Thanks @demonfurbie. Someone gave me this earlier, which might be useful to folks doing the JavaScript course: List of Videos for Beginner JavaScript

nosoup4u

Has anyone else noticed the huge wait on task stream assignments being graded and grades from proctored tests taking for ever now? I've been waiting on a few assignments for two weeks now and my stupid mta exam from last month still showing scheduled.

It's confusing my mentor as she thinks they are still open classes.... just venting.

DPG

Yeah, everything seems to be very slow right now. Maybe this is being caused by Ivanjam blowing through all of his classes.

Mike-Mike

I was actually coming here to post that it's taking forever for my failed cert score to update so I can get another voucher. My mentor said it's been taking 10 to 14 days.... weak

Ivanjam

DPG wrote: »

Maybe this is being caused by Ivanjam blowing through all of his classes.

Hey, hey, hey! @DPG - nosoup4u is doing the same thing!

Reseven

I submitted KET1 task 2 on Sunday night, received the grade on Tuesday. Not bad.

IWT1 was a different story. Took almost a week to get the grade for those 2 tasks.

Ivanjam

I am taking a break from Taskscream after INT1 - I will now try to knock out the CIW, MTA and CompTIA material - after that, I'll return to the eternal clicking on "Scores/Results".

Reseven

Ivanjam wrote: »

I am taking a break from Taskscream after INT1 - I will now try to knock out the CIW, MTA and CompTIA material - after that, I'll return to the eternal clicking on "Scores/Results".

CIW stuff is pretty easy. You'll knock those out in no time.

Ivanjam

Reseven wrote: »

CIW stuff is pretty easy. You'll knock those out in no time.

I hope so - the ones I have done previously seemed relatively straightforward, but I am less familiar with JavaScript and databases. On a side note, I recently filled out a job questionnaire that asked about "Certified Internet Webmaster" qualifications and, of course, I selected "No" only to find out that they were talking about CIW.

sethmo

I will be finishing up my Associates of Arts at my CC next fall. I studied for 1 year at Iowa State University for Computer Engineering, 1 year at Vatterott College(tech, not accredited), and "had" my CCNA. My CCNA expired in April of this year, will they still accept it for credits? I will be enrolling at WGU for BS:IT or BS:IT Software for the January '14 term if I finish out my Associates. I have a few questions about my current schooling and transfer cert credits:

1) Are there any other recommended certifications for either of those degrees I should get beforehand? I was an IT Consultant for a local IT Firm for ~7 years, and currently hold a Sys Admin title at a foundry for the past 3 years. I never took any of the CompTia certs, but could probably pass them pretty easily if they would count for credits.

2) Would it make sense to get my Associates first or enroll sooner? After the Spring '13 semester at my CC, I am left with 3 distributed credits and 14 elective credits remaining for my Associates, so I have completed the majority of my Gen Ed classes. If I continue with my Associates, I will be taking Pre-Calc in the summer along with an elective, and Calc I along with another elective in the Fall.

kgb

So, I got my official degree in the mail yesterday. Very cool, 19years in the making...

However, to be honest I was a little disappointed. I would've thought they would've had it in some kind of binder, like when I received my High School Diploma...

I don't want to "frame" it, but I don't want to throw it in a drawer either... Any suggestions?

demonfurbie

kgb wrote: »

I don't want to "frame" it, but I don't want to throw it in a drawer either... Any suggestions?

you could put in in a scrap book/portfoilio

ive seen that done with alot of printed certs/degrees

nosoup4u

The diploma cover is much cheaper then a frame but still costs some money.

WGU Alumni Community - Alumni

arwes

Have any of you tried the proctoring with Windows 8? I'm laptop shopping, and the one I like has Windows 8 preloaded. I'm pretty sure it comes with downgrade rights, but I'm just curious if any of you have tried it with WGU yet. My counselor told me they only officially support Windows 7 & OS X Lion at the moment.

Jasiono

That camera pisses me off. I had the guy shut mine down like 4 times because of the angle, every time. I'm never taking a test with that webcam again, unless I need to get a test out of the way ASAP.

On a good note, I have a great mentor. He really pushed for my second attempt before my jobs deadline for college reimbursement on the 17th. Took me roughly 6 days from the day I submitted my first attempt at the 70-680 exam to get everything handed in and another test scheduled.

geekoncall

Need advise from seniors. I got my evaluation of previous credits, I got 58 transferred towards Bachelor of Business. By looking at evaluation, I need to take following courses:

LAE1: Language and Communication: Essay
QBT1: Language and Communication: Research
LUT1: Language and Communication: Presentation
IWC1: Literature, Arts and the Humanities
IWT1: Literature, Arts and the Humanities: Analysis and Interpretation
INT1: Integrated Natural Sciences Applications
CLC1: Reasoning and Problem Solving
LWC1: Fundamentals of Business Law and Ethics
BNC1: Organizational Behavior and Leadership
EGC1: Fundamentals of Economics, Global Business and Quantitative Analysis
TPV1: Project Management

I am wondering if its possible to complete all above courses in one term (6 months) ? I don't have much writing experience plus I am away from studied since period of 6 years but I have full time for my degree and want to complete as soon as I can. Any advise , what is level of difficulty for above remaining courses?