WGU or Franklin University?

gunbunnysoulja

Hello all! I am having trouble deciding between WGU and Franklin University. I am currenty attending a local Community College and I'm going to graduate in May for Computer Information Systems. It has an alliance program with Franklin (3+1) that will transfer all my current credits towards the Information Technology degree at Franklin. I will pay tuition costs for the 3rd year at the Community College rate, and the 4th year at Franklin University's rate.

I guess I'm just having difficulty deciding what would be the better path for me, and what I'd enjoy more. I definitely plan on doing certifications regardless of what school I go to. I know WGU includes the certification costs in with tuition, but my employer covers them anyways.

Anyone here going to Franklin University for Information Technology?

Decisions decision....

petedude

Sophomore year school at junior college rates sounds like a good deal by any stretch of the imagination. Franklin's regular tuition seems reasonable, too.

I'd say unless you have some compelling reason NOT to, finish up at Franklin.

jmasterj206

My school had an alliance with Franklin too and I did look into it. I figured why not get credit for getting certifications from WGU? When I talked to them you also had to follow their semester system as well and that didn't work for me. I have been at WGU for a semester and I have been more than happy, but I do think Franklin offers a good program it just wasn't for me.

EDIT: If I do remember I think Franklin offers credit for professional experience as well.

Bl8ckr0uter

***The following my opinion only I apologize in advance to those it may offend***

My school has an agreement with them as well as if I some problem comes up with my chosen 4 year school (If I have to move basically) then I will go to Franklin University. Here in Ohio, Franklin is relatively well known and does offer a Computer Science program. IMO I am going to school for more than just a quick piece of paper. I want education and I want a challenge. IMO I think that I truly want to learn the science behind computing, even if I never become a programmer. I think it will make me a better InfoSec pro. IMO a program that is based around certifications, even if the program does have a gen ed component does not meet that need to me. It has been said that an overly technical degree can leave you less than lacking in terms of business knowledge. The particular CS program has a "concentration" in Business to help out with that stigma.

That being said when it comes down to dollar and sense, WGU is a very good option. For people who are very experience and need to quickly get a degree or for those starting out who are going to go after certs anyway, WGU seems like an excellent choice for you. I guess it comes down to what college means to you and what you are trying to get out of it.

veritas_libertas

Interesting. My college in Michigan had a transfer agreement with Franklin University as well. I didn't realize that Franklin University was well known outside of the Great Lakes area.

Bl8ckr0uter

veritas_libertas wrote: »

Interesting. My college in Michigan had a transfer agreement with Franklin University as well. I didn't realize that Franklin University was well known outside of the Great Lakes area.

I didn't realize Franklin was known by many outside of Ohio. That's very good to hear since it is very likely that I could go there, depending on if I really feel like showing my face in a classroom again lol

veritas_libertas

Bl8ckr0uter wrote: »

I didn't realize Franklin was known by many outside of Ohio. That's very good to hear since it is very likely that I could go there, depending on if I really feel like showing my face in a classroom again lol

I know the feeling. In my case it's learners that I don't want to be with. Most of my classmates seemed unmotivated when it came to classes that would make or break them in their IT careers: networking, advanced networking, etc. The last thing I want to do is be stuck in a classroom again with people that don't care.

Bl8ckr0uter

veritas_libertas wrote: »

I know the feeling. In my case it's learners that I don't want to be with. Most of my classmates seemed unmotivated when it came to classes that would make or break them in their IT careers: networking, advanced networking, etc. The last thing I want to do is be stuck in a classroom again with people that don't care.

That's funny. I get unmotivated by classes that aren't IT/CS oriented or are IT/CS oriented but aren't taught by IT/CS people.

veritas_libertas

Bl8ckr0uter wrote: »

That's funny. I get unmotivated by classes that aren't IT/CS oriented or are IT/CS oriented but aren't taught by IT/CS people.

Tell me about it...

jmasterj206

Uh Oh, now you did it blackrouter. It does seem that a Computer Science degree has a more prestigious standing. One thing you do have to consider is WGU's degrees are in Information Technology and Franklin's are Computer Science. There is a difference between the two.

veritas_libertas

jmasterj206 wrote: »

Uh Oh, now you did it blackrouter. It does seem that a Computer Science degree has a more prestigious standing. One thing you do have to consider is WGU's degrees are in Information Technology and Franklin's are Computer Science. There is a difference between the two.

I realize there is more to a Computer Science degree but in my mind:

CS: Lots of programming

IT: Networking/Servers

Of course YMMV, and I have even seen IT degrees that look identical to CS degrees (Virginia Tech for instance.)

gunbunnysoulja

jmasterj206 wrote: »

Uh Oh, now you did it blackrouter. It does seem that a Computer Science degree has a more prestigious standing. One thing you do have to consider is WGU's degrees are in Information Technology and Franklin's are Computer Science. There is a difference between the two.

The one I would be taking @ Franklin would be Information Technoogy, as that's what my A.S. would transfer to.

jmasterj206

I didn't realize they had an information technology degree. I guess it really comes down to what works best for you.

I hear you on programming Veritas.

erpadmin

Computer Science: Theoretical
Information Technology [what many of us do in our jobs]: Practical

Unless you guys are going to be programming code/designing complex systems, then it's Information Technology you're gonna want to be focusing on. There is some programming involved in IT degrees...just like in the regular IT degree at WGU for Java (which is taught in a lot of CS programs as well as C).

That "quick piece of paper" will hopefully get me in a good Masters program...when it does, TE will be the first to hear about it...

Bl8ckr0uter

erpadmin wrote: »

Computer Science: Theoretical
Information Technology [what many of us do in our jobs]: Practical

Unless you guys are going to be programming code/designing complex systems, then it's Information Technology you're gonna want to be focusing on. There is some programming involved in IT degrees...just like in the regular IT degree at WGU for Java (which is taught in a lot of CS programs as well as C).

That "quick piece of paper" will hopefully get me in a good Masters program...when it does, TE will be the first to hear about it...

I think that depends on the CS degree. The Franklin CS programs covers Unix, Security and Web Development.

erpadmin

Bl8ckr0uter wrote: »

I think that depends on the CS degree. The Franklin CS programs covers Unix, Security and Web Development.

I believe you are confusing the IT program with the CS one.

Computer Science Bachelor's Degree Requirements

http://www.franklin.edu/degree-programs/undergraduate-majors/information-technology/information-technology-bachelor-s-degree-requirements.html

The IT program will have those l33t courses you talked about. The CS program is more/less in line with other CS programs...as well as proves my original point of CS programs being more academic/theoretical in nature. Whereas IT programs would focus on practical. There are CS programs that will teach Unix but they tend to be more foundational then anything else.

powerfool

Franklin University has been making a big push lately to expand. Here in Indiana, we have a very well establishing Brick 'n' Mortar university called Franklin College, and they were trying to limit Franklin U's ability to use that name in Indiana. It didn't work, but for those in Indiana, there certainly is confusion.

Mike-Mike

i am in KY and I have never heard of Franklin... not that my hearing of it means anything.. just saying

gunbunnysoulja

Mike-Mike wrote: »

i am in KY and I have never heard of Franklin... not that my hearing of it means anything.. just saying

The only reason why I heard of it or even considered it is due to the Community College Alliance.

How intensive is the math curriculum at WGU for the IT B.S. track? Math is definitely my weak point.

Bl8ckr0uter

erpadmin wrote: »

I believe you are confusing the IT program with the CS one.

Computer Science Bachelor's Degree Requirements

Information Technology Bachelor's Degree Requirements

The IT program will have those l33t courses you talked about. The CS program is more/less in line with other CS programs...as well as proves my original point of CS programs being more academic/theoretical in nature. Whereas IT programs would focus on practical. There are CS programs that will teach Unix but they tend to be more foundational then anything else.

I should have said that the Unix class is an elective so you can choose it if you want. On your link if you look at the bottom and see MIS 484, that is the security class I am talking about. IF you look at the class COMP 107 that is the web dev class I am talking about.

Now here is the school I really want to do to is the BSCS from Wright State w/ a concentration in Business:
Computer Science & Engineering: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

There is a pdf showing all of the program requirements. Also on the right they have a link to show the electives. Computer Networks, cryptography and internet security interest me.

The way I see it, if you understand the theory behind something then it should be pretty easy to translate into the practical.

erpadmin

Bl8ckr0uter wrote: »

The way I see it, if you understand the theory behind something then it should be pretty easy to translate into the practical.

You would think...

You should talk to my help desk buddies about how many calls they get from Ph.Ds in the CS department over the most ridiculous of calls....ones that would merit being in the off-topic thread about idiotic calls. Those aren't my stories though, but I am not surprised by them....there's a reason why PhDs are Piled-up-High and Deep.....

Bl8ckr0uter

erpadmin wrote: »

You would think...

You should talk to my help desk buddies about how many calls they get from Ph.Ds in the CS department over the most ridiculous of calls....ones that would merit being in the off-topic thread about idiotic calls. Those aren't my stories though, but I am not surprised by them....there's a reason why PhDs are Piled-up-High and Deep.....

Yea I have had to deal with those types lol

gunbunnysoulja

Thanks for the help everyone. I decided to go the Franklin University route. I did an evaluation of my credits today so it seems like it will be a smooth transfer. I only have 2 course left to get my associates degree, so I already added 2 more courses to my current semester (psychology and anthropology) that will transfer towards the B.S.

Bl8ckr0uter

gunbunnysoulja wrote: »

Thanks for the help everyone. I decided to go the Franklin University route. I did an evaluation of my credits today so it seems like it will be a smooth transfer. I only have 2 course left to get my associates degree, so I already added 2 more courses to my current semester (psychology and anthropology) that will transfer towards the B.S.

How long will you have until you get your BS?

gunbunnysoulja

Bl8ckr0uter wrote: »

How long will you have until you get your BS?

If I do 5 courses per semester, and do summer semester this year, I should graduate next May according to my Completion Guide. I started Fall 09. I didn't expect that to be possible, but according to the classes I need to take, that's what it looks like. I have to do 10 classes at Franklin University's rate. I should be able to start that this fall for their course work. Luckily, my GI Bill will cover me

Bl8ckr0uter

That's awesome. Good.