WGU Studies Are Slated For June 1st, 2012

After much deliberation, I've decided to begin my Bachelor's degree studies. I've realized to remain competitive in this ever changing market, the degree is paramount. I'm excited to have been informed through this board of such a great option for studies for IT students.

I was worried about the math assessment exam that one must pass for enrollment, but I was able to rack up about 100,000 points through a great website called Khan Academy. Studied on and off for about two weeks since I hadn't touched math for about 12 years. I've also passed all the assessment exams and completed all the financial aid and transcript requirements.

My original intention was to enroll in the Network Admin program, but after some further reading here decided against it based on the focus on gaining MCITP certification. I mentioned I'd rather enroll in the basic IT program to my Enrollment Counselor, and she later suggested I opt for the Security program because I already have my CCNA certification.

The only major difference between the basic IT and Security programs are:

I would have to take

CCNA: Security
MCTS: Windows 7, Configuration

I wouldn't have to take:

CompTIA: Network +
MTA: Windows Server Admin Fundamentals
MTA: Networking Fundamentals
MTA: Security Fundamentals

I would also be able to transfer:

CompTIA: A +
Cisco: CCNA

All in all, it seems like she may have a point. I have my 30 minute call scheduled with my enrollment counselor tomorrow.
I'm just looking for some personalized advice from some of the WGU veterans here or individuals that may have already taken and passed the MCTS: Windows 7 or CCNA: Security certs to gauge if this is a plausible option or if I should just stick to the basic IT program to make it easier. Thanks in advance.

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Comments

fendral

djfunz wrote: »

I'm just looking for some personalized advice from some of the WGU veterans here or individuals that may have already taken and passed the MCTS: Windows 7 or CCNA: Security certs to gauge if this is a plausible option or if I should just stick to the basic IT program to make it easier. Thanks in advance.

I have recently taken the CCNA:Security exam right before starting at WGU, I took the

640-553 IINS v1 which is only given until September, I am unsure which version WGU is currently requiring, but if you wouldn't be taking it until after the cutoff date it wouldn't matter anyway. I have no personal experience with 640-554 IINS v2.

640-553 IINS was a MUCH easier exam than ICND1 or ICND2 for the CCNA, it only took me a few days of study, and others I have talked to that have taken the exam agree. I can't see them making huge difficulty changes between the v1 and v2 of the exam, but being Cisco you never really know.

I also was looking at different degree paths before I started, and chose the security as it had the most overlap with the certs and work that I had already done.

Good luck with your studies, and don't let some of the WGU haters get you down.

djfunz

Thanks for the reply fendral. After having the intake interview with the enrollment counselor, I opted for the general IT program. Since I'm not transferring any fundamental courses, I feel I'll be spending the majority of my first 2-3 terms on those anyway.

Oddly enough, it turns out that the CCNA only transfers 6 CU's for the Security focus and 7 CU's for the IT focus. Plus, I feel that knocking out a couple of MCT exams will be much easier than having to hammer out CCNA:Security and MCTS: Windows 7 Configuration.

It looks like my orientation will be on May 15th, where I'll begin my Education Without Boundaries course.

Still can't believe this is actually happening. I'm already studying up for my CIW Foundations exam since I've never touched HTML in my life.