Student Experiences at Western Governors University (WGU)

This thread is intended for students to write about their experiences at Western Governors University.

Please keep it civil, and do not spend your time bashing the school, and its policies. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if you have a problem you need to take it up with your professor or mentor. Please no Flaming on this thread.

You can ask for help with a referral (used to avoid paying the application fee) on the following thread: http://www.techexams.net/forums/jobs-degrees/55634-wgu-refer-friend-thread-those-seeking-referral.html

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eric281

At some point I saw a list of grad schools that accept WGU undergrad degrees. I can't find it now. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

22306

may be this WGU Alumni Community - Educational Paths ?

*Institutions where WGU graduates have reported admission for a doctorate degree.

Alabama University*
Alaska Pacific University
Amberton University
American College of Education
American Military University
American Public University
Antioch University
Argosy University*
Arizona State University
Arkansas State University
Ashford University
Aspen University
Baker University
Baylor University
Boise State University
Boston University
Bowling Green State University
Brigham Young University
SUNY Buffalo Law School
California State University
California InterContinental University*
Capella University*
Central Methodist University
Central Michigan University
College of Staten Island
Charlotte School of Law
Colorado Technical University
Columbia University*
Concord Law School- Kaplan University
Cornell University
Crown College
Dallas Baptist University
Devry University
Drexel University
Emery & Henry College
Fairfield University*
Fontbonne University
Fresno Pacific University
George Mason University
The George Washington University
Georgia State University*
Georgetown University
Gonzaga University
Graceland University
Grand Canyon University

Heritage University
Idaho State University
Indiana Wesleyan University
Indiana State University*
John Hopkins University
Kansas State University
Keller Graduate School of Management
Lamar University
Lewis & Clark
Liberty University*
Lindenwood University
Loyola University New Orleans
National University
North Central University*
Northeastern State University
Northeastern University
Northern Illinois University
Norwich University
Nova Southeastern University
Oklahoma State University
Old Dominion University
Oregon State University
Portland State University
Southern Utah University
St. Norbert College
Strayer University
The John Marshall Law School
The University of Alabama
Trevecca Nazarene University
University of Alaska Anchorage
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Union Institute & University
University of Houston
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota
University of New England
University of New Mexico
University of Northern Colorado
University of Phoenix*
University of Redlands
University of St. Louis
University of South Alabama
University of South Dakota*
University of Southern Mississippi
University of the Cumberlands
University of the Pacific - McGeorge School of Law

University of Utah*
University of Virginia
University of Washington Tacoma
Utah State University*
Valapariso Law School
Vanderbilt University*
Villanova University
Virginia Commonwealth University*
Virginia Tech
Walden University*
Warner Pacific College
Washington State University
Weber State University
West Virginia University
Western Illinois University
Western New Mexico University
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Youngstown State University

eric281 wrote: »

At some point I saw a list of grad schools that accept WGU undergrad degrees. I can't find it now. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

TheChameleon

I answered this previously, the MCITP certification is not being retired. There are a few old exams that were replaced as part of the MCITP that are being retired. There is no end date for the MCITP according to the Microsoft representative I spoke with.

Itrimble

Congrats Eric. What certs did you have when you started at WGU ?

RIP_Leroi

Thanks to all the well-wishers, and I'm glad to see so many people have either finished recently, or are getting close. Good luck to you all.

NOLAJ

Anyone else notice the change on Taskstream? Shows the number your paper is in the queue. Pretty cool.

Somnipotent

Finished my capstone but can't submit because task stream hasn't loaded the assessment for submission... Sooooooooo close to graduation!

Chadius

First post.

I start at WGU on August 1st. (BSIT-Security) Transferred in an associates degree, worth 41 cu's. (some older IT classes weren't allowed because they were taken past the 5 year mark.

Any advice from anyone on what to expect? How many cu's can I do a term, with about 15 hours a week available for studying? I have been doing labs on packet tracer and learning Python on the side. (and a few other things)

markulous

How long does it take for a second voucher to get released if you failed a cert? I failed it on Saturday (by ONE question) and I am really hoping I can take it again this Saturday.

22306

im hoping to start the same date as you with the same program

Chadius wrote: »

First post.

I start at WGU on August 1st. (BSIT-Security) Transferred in an associates degree, worth 41 cu's. (some older IT classes weren't allowed because they were taken past the 5 year mark.

Any advice from anyone on what to expect? How many cu's can I do a term, with about 15 hours a week available for studying? I have been doing labs on packet tracer and learning Python on the side. (and a few other things)

Shdwmage

I am hoping to start the BSIT - Software emphasis. Question though, has anyone transferred in the 70-680? If so what course / courses does it over ride?

NOLAJ

Somnipotent wrote: »

Finished my capstone but can't submit because task stream hasn't loaded the assessment for submission... Sooooooooo close to graduation!

Congrats!!

Chadius

I still need to talk to a mentor and get my class schedule setup. I'm thinking I can do 31-35 cu's the first term. Good luck on your start date!

aspiringsoul

I'm starting the MS:ISA at WGU soon. I'll post updates on my experience...

DPG

Submitted technical writing two days ago and it passed. Submitted capstone last night and it passed today.
I literally finished within hours of my final term ending.

aspiringsoul

Congrats!

arwes

Passed Project + last week. 5 classes and then I am DONE! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel lol.

Nemowolf

arwes wrote: »

Passed Project + last week. 5 classes and then I am DONE! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel lol.

I have that this term, how was the material and test?

arwes

Dry and boring. The practice tests you have to do might be a bit overkill IMO. The IT Project Management: On Track from Start to Finish book is vastly superior to the default text, mainly because the author tends to inject some humor in the mix. The test itself, you have to move quickly since it's 100 questions in 90 minutes. I would skim, and if I knew the answer immediately I'd mark it and go. If I was unsure, I'd pick my best guess, flag it and go. On the multiple choice, there was always two obviously wrong answers and two that you could do a coin flip on. I was a bit shocked that I ended up with a 871 (out of 900), but a lot of it you can pretty much guess. For the most part the whole test is a vocabulary test, with a very small amount of math thrown in.

Nemowolf

arwes wrote: »

Dry and boring. The practice tests you have to do might be a bit overkill IMO. The IT Project Management: On Track from Start to Finish book is vastly superior to the default text, mainly because the author tends to inject some humor in the mix. The test itself, you have to move quickly since it's 100 questions in 90 minutes. I would skim, and if I knew the answer immediately I'd mark it and go. If I was unsure, I'd pick my best guess, flag it and go. On the multiple choice, there was always two obviously wrong answers and two that you could do a coin flip on. I was a bit shocked that I ended up with a 871 (out of 900), but a lot of it you can pretty much guess. For the most part the whole test is a vocabulary test, with a very small amount of math thrown in.

THANK YOU! I wish my mentor could give me this kind of information when i ask about the test. If it is mostly terms then i should be good, I try to memorize as much as I can for these tests.

TheChameleon

+1 it is very dry and really painful to get through since it can be boring. Trying to steer clear of the NDA (no actual test material or test prep material being provided here, just advice), there may be concepts and not just terminology. I would say like most CompTIA exams, they may offer some responses that are not valid which you should be able to rule-out if you've studied the concepts but sometimes this is not the case. I was a little shocked that I passed (89%) since I rushed through this one after a week or so of study but I wanted to knock it out quick and not go for 100%. It did help that I had done the ITIL before this.

Most of the difficulty is that you have to study the material and it is boring. I think 100 questions is overkill and you'll wish the exam was over when you get to 60. The tips ARWES provided would apply but make sure you have time to review the flagged questions and re-review all questions, only change your answer if you know it.

Make sure you read the question entirely, since many could be long. You would want to review the exam objects. You probably would want to review formulas and know how/when they are used and know what roles do what. Review the official sample questions to get a sense of the type/length of questions.

Nemowolf wrote: »

THANK YOU! I wish my mentor could give me this kind of information when i ask about the test. If it is mostly terms then i should be good, I try to memorize as much as I can for these tests.

mokaiba

Just posting to add this:

Page 50, whitehouse mentions WGU.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/skills_report.pdf

Nemowolf

We all got the email from WGU … Dig that they are leading the way, just wish they had more competition so they could start to innovate more as a school.

srabiee

I'd like to see them add more IT Masters programs. Not enough options IMO.

Heracles004

So it took me long enough but I am officially starting WGU on 01 SEP for the Security BS. That said I am looking for some advice on the courses left for me to take. I Had 76 transfer in and have 46 left to take. My goal is to complete all 46 in a single term. the courses I have left are:

AGC1-Foundations of College Mathematics
CLC1-Reasoning and Problem Solving
CJC1-Introduction to probability and Statistics
C132-Elements of Effective Communication
C277- Finite Mathematics
C278-College Algebra
INC1-Integrated Natural Sciences
C164-Introduction to Physics
IWC1-Literature,Arts and the Humanities
IWC2-Literature,Arts and the Humanities:analysis and interpretation
DJV1-Software Development Fundamentals
BNC1-Organizational Behavior and leadership
SBT1-Technical Writing
RGT1-IT-Security Capstone Written Project

Any information on study material (as far as whats good and whats not) or important focus points for each class would be appreciated. Also any guidance on recommended order or level of relative difficulty that I could use as a reference point would be a huge help.

parttimetechie

Can someone describe how this helps in getting a job? I am looking to start the BSIT track in October, but want to make sure the college is legit and well accredited, as well as make sure I won't get laughed out of an interview because I have a degree from this school. Read some online reviews which said it wasn't a very good school, but you guys seem to think that the classes are ok? Are the classes study and take a test or is there a lot of busy work thrown in? I've got my A+, Net+, Sec+ and 70-680 done

srabiee

It's regionally accredited, which is the highest accreditation obtainable.

There are plenty of people on these forums who graduated from WGU and are making $70k+ per year. Some are even making $100k+.

If anyone in an interview asks about WGU, you only need to tell them it's a state school in Utah. I doubt they will grill you on the intricacies of the degree, but the bottom line is it's regionally accredited. It's a good school. The White House recently released a press statement talking about a lot of positive things about WGU.

http://tennessee.wgu.edu/about_WGU_tennessee/white_house_praises_WGU_7-29-14

TheChameleon

+1, just say it is a regionally accredited Private college. There are literally thousands of no-name schools that are fully accredited and thousands that are not accredited. Not everyone goes to a known State or Private University or even an accredited one. Different states make up different accreditation regions. WGU is part of the NorthWest region:

Here is WGU's confirmation of NorthWest Accreditation.
NWCCU Institutions W - Z

Northwest Commission on Colleges & Universities – accredits institutions in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. http://www.nwccu.org

srabiee wrote: »

It's regionally accredited, which is the highest accreditation obtainable.

Nemowolf

parttimetechie wrote: »

q1.Can someone describe how this helps in getting a job?

q2.I am looking to start the BSIT track in October, but want to make sure the college is legit and well accredited, as well as make sure I won't get laughed out of an interview because I have a degree from this school. Read some online reviews which said it wasn't a very good school, but you guys seem to think that the classes are ok?

q3.Are the classes study and take a test or is there a lot of busy work thrown in? I've got my A+, Net+, Sec+ and 70-680 done

Okay, so i broke out your post into three distinct questions.

q1. Having a bachelors degree can open MANY doors as employers will look for this as a minimum entry point for many jobs, especially ones in highly competitive areas like Silicon Valley. Specifically with WGU, your going to be earning MANY industry certifications in addition to the bachelors degree and that can really separate you from the crowd.

q2. They already answered that its accredited and the article about the White House saying its legit and an example school of how higher education should be done. MANY threads here back up folks pushing through and getting their education AND then getting jobs as already mentioned as well.

q3. Your classes are industry material specifically tailored to the class; for instance you will get an eletronic copy of a book and then lab simulators to get you the functional experience needed to understand and pass the certification test, which is your final. So your essentially on your own to absorb the material but as you already have certs under your belt, you know what you needed to do to pass those already. This is just a constant stream of additional coursework, not really busy work unless you need it to learn the material.

Does that help?

parttimetechie

Yes, very much so. Nice to know its legit and the degree will help. So basically sounds like I can take these certs and get the BS or take the certs on my own and get credit towards the BS..Is 15 hours / week really required?