WGU added a bunch of MTA certs in IT degree plans

coty24

I recently went to the WGU information page and on their degree plan pdf's a bunch of MTA certs is now required study. What do you guys think about that? I think it's filler to be honest.

veritas_libertas

It's not 'filler', per se, their reason for adding MTA exams is because many IT students are struggling with the MCTS exams. Think of the MTA exams as 101, and MCTS exams as 102.

erpadmin

veritas_libertas wrote: »

Think of the MTA exams as 101, and MCTS exams as 102.

More like the MCTS are 201....otherwise, I agree with this.

The foundation exams are gonna be just like WFV1 (CIW 1D0-510)....even if you have a MCITP:EA already, you will have to take them.

I doubt the foundation exams would have helped me out in my current 70-643 dilemma, but I don't think they're a bad thing.

veritas_libertas

erpadmin wrote: »

More like the MCTS are 201....otherwise, I agree with this.

The foundation exams are gonna be just like WFV1 (CIW 1D0-510)....even if you have a MCITP:EA already, you will have to take them.

I doubt the foundation exams would have helped me out in my current 70-643 dilemma, but I don't think they're a bad thing.

I can't argue with you on that. I've never taken an MTA exam before, but I think it will help the n00bs at WGU who have minimal IT experience.

ptilsen

erpadmin wrote: »

The foundation exams are gonna be just like WFV1 (CIW 1D0-510)....even if you have a MCITP:EA already, you will have to take them.

I've been thinking of enrolling early next year, but this is very disappointing to read. Not having to do crap like that is half the point of going to WGU. At least it would be easy, I guess.

erpadmin

ptilsen wrote: »

I've been thinking of enrolling early next year, but this is very disappointing to read. Not having to do crap like that is half the point of going to WGU. At least it would be easy, I guess.

I felt the same way about CIW Foundations.

If this were me, all of those MS foundations courses would have been taken 1st term. For IT pros (especially with the certs you have), you can probably just breathe and pass (just like CIW 510.)

demonfurbie

erpadmin wrote: »

More like the MCTS are 201....otherwise, I agree with this. The foundation exams are gonna be just like WFV1 (CIW 1D0-510)....even if you have a MCITP:EA already, you will have to take them. I doubt the foundation exams would have helped me out in my current 70-643 dilemma, but I don't think they're a bad thing.

So I'm not the only one having issues with the mcitp exams.I already out a request to switch to the normal IT degree and post wgu ill get the certs I want

erpadmin

demonfurbie wrote: »

So I'm not the only one having issues with the mcitp exams.I already out a request to switch to the normal IT degree and post wgu ill get the certs I want

Unfortunately, I do not have that option; as I've completed Capstone/Tech Writing for this program, plus having done 3/5th of the EA program. Not to mention, if I were to do that, I'll have (at least) one failure on my transcript.

I have to keep going, even if it means doing it 4 or 5 times as others have done. 643 is definitely a beast.

Psoasman

ptilsen wrote: »

I've been thinking of enrolling early next year, but this is very disappointing to read. Not having to do crap like that is half the point of going to WGU. At least it would be easy, I guess.

You should be able to clear some of the fundamentals. The OS fundamentals can be cleared with an MCSA/E. 620, 680, etc.
Network fundamentals with any cisco, MCSA/E, Network+.
Security Fundamentals with security+, MCSA/E, GIAC, GSEC, etc.

I just had my transcripts reviewed 2 weeks ago and my certs cleared those for me.

coty24

Crap, haven't checked this thread in a while. Like ptilsen said, my reasons for going to WGU in the first place was the cut the nonsensical classes. About the whole beginner certs for noobs, I can see that. But isn't that what A+ is for?

erpadmin

coty24 wrote: »

Crap, haven't checked this thread in a while. Like ptilsen said, my reasons for going to WGU in the first place was the cut the nonsensical classes. About the whole beginner certs for noobs, I can see that. But isn't that what A+ is for?

A+ is NOT going to prepare "noobs" (I really hate that word btw, but when in Rome, I guess...) for the MCTS exams.

Also, the people who are failing out of WGU are those who have had no prior experience in IT to begin with (and also, in most cases, a lack of aptitude for IT.) Then when it gets hard they bail and go into something else. These folks essentially ruined it for everyone else.

Psoasman

erpadmin wrote: »

A+ is NOT going to prepare "noobs" (I really hate that word btw, but when in Rome, I guess...) for the MCTS exams.

Also, the people who are failing out of WGU are those who have had no prior experience in IT to begin with (and also, in most cases, a lack of aptitude for IT.) Then when it gets hard they bail and go into something else. These folks essentially ruined it for everyone else.

I agree that the MCTS exams are difficult, especially if you are new to IT. I think the MTA exams will help people in the long run, who are starting the program get some of the basics down. Working on the 640 exam, I've found the hardest concepts for me at least, are the AD RMS / FS. They are harder to lab, so I'm hitting technet and reading through as many sources as possible.

coty24

Psoasman wrote: »

I agree that the MCTS exams are difficult, especially if you are new to IT. I think the MTA exams will help people in the long run, who are starting the program get some of the basics down. Working on the 640 exam, I've found the hardest concepts for me at least, are the AD RMS / FS. They are harder to lab, so I'm hitting technet and reading through as many sources as possible.

When I was studying the 70-640, CS was the hardest one for me and it showed the first time I took the exam.

@erpadmin- "Noob" was the word that was used in this discussion so I continued it. Good arguement btw, I never thought of it like that, although the WGU IT program from what I assume was for individuals already in the field that needed a degree to match experience. "The already in the field" selling point that WGU makes about the IT programs was the basis my discussion.

veritas_libertas

coty24 wrote: »

When I was studying the 70-640, CS was the hardest one for me and it showed the first time I took the exam.

@erpadmin- "Noob" was the word that was used in this discussion so I continued it. Good arguement btw, I never thought of it like that, although the WGU IT program from what I assume was for individuals already in the field that needed a degree to match experience. "The already in the field" selling point that WGU makes about the IT programs was the basis my discussion.

I plead guilty...

erpadmin

coty24 wrote: »

"The already in the field" selling point that WGU makes about the IT programs was the basis my discussion.

It was only recently that WGU pushed more students who were already in the field, as opposed to not having prior experience. Unfortunately, it was too little too late. You gotta remember that at WGU, you can go fast or slow. You have a lot of students that started awhile ago (like 2-3 years back) that are still attending WGU. (In fact there are students who STILL are under MCSX 2003 programs....)

BTW, my hatred of the word "noob" wasn't directed at you (or Veritas), per se. It was just a general feeling of how I feel about it. Most of the times we don't even mean "noob", we mean "wannabe" (which at WGU is a more accurate term....) A noob, neophyte, FNG, whatever, will at least stop being one with time and experience. Many wannabes continue to just wanting-to-be and never aspire to the next level.

pram

I think if they're going to require these then they need to **** the CIW certs, there's just way too much redundancy.

pram

Wow look at the no emphasis IT degree

• CIW Web Foundations Associate
• CIW Web Design Specialist
• CIW JavaScript Specialist
• CIW Database Design Specialist
• CompTIA A+
• CompTIA Networks+
• CompTIA Project+
• CompTIA Security+
• Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Windows OS Fundamentals
• Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Windows Server Admin Fundamentals
• Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Networking Fundamentals
• Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Security Fundamentals
• Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Web Development Fundamentals
• Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Software Development Fundamentals
• Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Database Administration Fundamentals

bryanthetechie

@Pram

Wow, that's very... basic. Still though, a BSIT degree is worth something overall even if the certs aren't particularly useful.

petedude

bryanthetechie wrote: »

@Pram

Wow, that's very... basic. Still though, a BSIT degree is worth something overall even if the certs aren't particularly useful.

The thing I like about the general IT program is that it gives a good overview of IT. You don't necessarily have to go into a lot of depth or walk away with engineer certs to get a good overview.

bryanthetechie

Yep, absolutely. That's what I meant... earning the BSIT degree is greater than the sum of its parts. If I were hiring someone with that list of certs, I would take these things into account in this order:

1) They put the time and effort in to getting a degree in this field
2) They were able to study for and pass all of these certs on their own
3) They have a general overview of IT as a field

Somebody with this degree may not be qualified to step into a middle-tier role in an IT department, but they are very much qualified for an entry-level position over many other entry-level folks with less certifications or without a degree.

Hypntick

Psoasman wrote: »

I agree that the MCTS exams are difficult, especially if you are new to IT. I think the MTA exams will help people in the long run, who are starting the program get some of the basics down. Working on the 640 exam, I've found the hardest concepts for me at least, are the AD RMS / FS. They are harder to lab, so I'm hitting technet and reading through as many sources as possible.

Heck the MCTS exams are difficult in general, not just if you're new to IT. I've only done the 642 thus far and i'll say my slightly over 700ish score felt hard fought for. The 640 is seeming easier, but i'm not gonna underestimate one of these things again. Now on to the thread topic, I don't know if the MTA exams would have helped me in any capacity.