Question for WGU Graduates of the BS in IT program

whatthehell

I have seen posts on TE regarding grad schools that have accepted WGU's BS in IT, but I wanted to ask the following:

Of those of you who have graduated from WGU with a BS in IT and have moved onto a grad degreee --- do any of you have recommendations for schools? Primarily online schools?

I have also seen the posts on TE regarding a list of B&M schools that offer online programs. What I am basically looking for is recommendations on programs to attend and what some of the WGU grads have to say about them. Would you go there again if you had a choice? What did you hate or love about that particular program?

I am looking to eventually go for more of a grad degree on the application, not theory side, of IT (so more in MSIS, not MSCS). Still interested to hear from all parties, and thanks for the feedback in advance!

petedude

You're in Cali? Attend a Cali-based school with an online program for your master's.

For IT, I'd recommend Cal State Fullerton.

I'll pipe in later with recommendations for other programs outside IT but relevant to business/IT.

hiddenknight821

Before we get ahead of ourselves, I have to ask you this first. Are you even currently enrolled in WGU? Your signature implies you are done with a BS.

whatthehell

I have a BS in CIS. Thinking about going to WGU for another BS in Info Sec, along the way getting more certs. Seems redundant, but it is material I would be learning, and should be able to accomplish pretty quickly. Then thinking of WGU for MS, or a different B&M school for online or ground MS.

Thanks for the replies!

hiddenknight821

To be honest, as a WGU graduate, I find your initial post insulting after reading your last post. I would understand your curiosity if you did not have a bachelor as some may think they can't admit into graduate programs they desire with a bachelor degree from WGU. I am assuming you got your bachelor at a B&M school. If that's true, then I don't see the reason for pursuing another bachelor at WGU when a master is going to teach you a lot of things. What bothers me here is that you didn't think the BS degree you already have will help you get into grad school. Are there more reasons why you are specifically asking WGU graduates? Did your school lose accreditation? There are graduates from other schools on this forum that can answer your question.

erpadmin

Hiddenknight, I've read whatthehell's original post and I couldn't find anything "insulting."

To the OP, while I am truly not sure why hiddenknight is taking offense to what you wrote, hopefully you read this post before you respond. I do agree with HK insofar as you not needing a degree from WGU if you already have a BS in CIS. As long as the school you got it from is regionally accredited, you should have no problem getting a MS from any online program you wish (even WGU.) As someone who has earned the majority of certifications through WGU, I still find a MS to be more valuable than certifications (at least for me...because I have a lot of years in IT as it is.) The only certification I'm gunning for at this point is PMP, but that's only because it complements the PM experience I have with implementing an ERP. If you want security, then you should look at a CISSP or SSCP.

To be honest with you, I'd have been ok with continuing my MS at WGU, but I wanted to do a B&M program (whether it was in state, or out...but I wanted a B&M program.) I used the thread you spoke of, plus www.geteducated.com and I finally decided to stay home and deal with NJIT. In that respect, petedude hit the nail on the head. But if I were you, I wouldn't waste my time going for a second BS (at WGU OR anywhere) for the simple fact that it is redundant. Only reason I'd say gun for a second BS is if it was in a completely different field (like Art History, or something...) Otherwise, start work on your MS.

Many people don't realize that a lot of schools offer graduate certificate programs. You can do those programs without formally matriculating and then once you get the certificate, you can matriculate and bypass GMAT requirements if you met certain criteria (like getting Bs or above in your classes.) But I would start looks at MS programs, and not BS...you already did that...and it would be a waste of time, IMHO.

JayTheCracker

just going for the MSc. would be great , isn't it ?

hiddenknight821

erpadmin wrote: »

Hiddenknight, I've read whatthehell's original post and I couldn't find anything "insulting."

Maybe insulting isn't the best word to describe here, but I was just irritated that he was specifically asking WGU graduates when we had nothing to do with it at all after he mentioned he got a bachelor. It would be understandable if he didn't have a bachelor. That's why I asked the follow-up question, and the whole thread turned out to be a waste. When I read his post, I was under the impression that he was questioning the value of WGU degree and wanted to know which master program will accept their degree. His original question didn't matter anymore since his BS degree can get him anywhere. I guess I'm the only one that's getting this here, but don't mind me. Let's just forget this thing. You answered his question adequately.

whatthehell

Thank you all for the great replies.
I am not really following how I have insulted hiddenknight, but everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Explaining a little further --- I was going to start the application process with WGU for the MS in Info Sec, but the counselors said I didn't qualify with my current BS in IS and I didn't have enough specific Security experience. So they said I had to apply to the BS in Info Sec, transfer everything over, finish that degree, then go for the MS in Info Sec.

I respect WGU and I think is a fantastic school, especially for he price and the competency program (accepting certs, etc.).
The whole point of this post was to ask where previous alumni of the WGU BS in IT programs have gotten accepted to, in terms of grad school. It doesn't seem like my current BS in IS is worth much, for some odd reason, so I am trying to figure out where I could go after getting a BS in IT from WGU, or if I should just get another BS from WGU and see the MS in Info Sec through at WGU.

Anyway, again don't see how I insulted anyone and don't really want to start some kinda flame war based on a misunderstanding. Thanks again everyone for the responses.

erpadmin

whatthehell, I think the only mistake you made was taking no for an answer.

Have you gone for the application process with WGU already (meaning, someone referred you, etc) and you formally applied to the MSISA program? If not, then you should do so. You can PM me, or even perhaps hiddenknight so that he can make proper amends to you for a WGU referral so you don't have to pay the $65.

Trust me, WGU's enrollment people are terribly overworked (and that's me being polite.) After reading what's below this, I can't see why WGU would not accept you straight into their MS program without wasting your time on a WGU BS (which I am saying is a waste of time for you as a WGU alumnus).

[h=3]A Simple Admission Process: What’s Needed[/h]To be admitted into this online IT degree program, you must:

• Apply for admission.
• Possess a bachelor’s degree from a regionally or DETC-accredited institution.
• Demonstrate IT security experience through at least one of the following three methods:
  • Have earned a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology with an emphasis or coursework in advanced IT networking or IT security that covers at least two CISSP CBK domains. (You can find the domains listed here.)
  • Hold a CISSP or CCNA certification earned within the last five years.
  • Submit a resume for review showing recent significant IT security experience, of at least three years, which demonstrates at least two CISSP CBK domains.
• You will also be required to take and pass the WGU Readiness Assessment—a short, three-part online admissions test that helps determine the likelihood of success in a WGU program.

I'm sure you currently work in IT. Almost every IT professional (should be able to) demonstrate something in two CISSP domains. If you're a desktop support guy, you've had to configure NTFS permissions on some level. Another domain might be maybe you've worked on SSL certificates (cryptography.) Trust me, you don't have to get that deep for them to get enrolled in this program.

I am curious, where did you earn your BS in CIS at? I'm sure whatever it was, the school was regionally accredited.

Trust me, if all you want to do is get accepted to the MSISA program at WGU, I will do my best to assist you in that endeavor...without you having to complete a second BS in IT at WGU (provided of course your school wasn't a diploma mill, but I'm doubting that... )

hiddenknight821

whatthehell wrote: »

I am not really following how I have insulted hiddenknight, but everyone is entitled to their opinion.

First, I am going to be a brave man here to make amend in public for causing this one big misunderstanding here. I must have been in a bad mood lately, and unconsciously brought my problem to this forum. I realized the word "insult" started this whole misunderstanding as you didn't exactly say anything offensive. It was the fact that you disclosed less information than we needed to know in your original post was one of my pet peeves. That's why I was asking questions, but you didn't explain further the second time other than just having a BS degree. My bad mood took the best of me, and the next thing I know is that I started accusing you and immediately made assumptions that you knew better not to ask such questions. I was left to assume you already knew how WGU process works as you have been on this forum long enough. But now I know you have some knowledge gaps about the process, and I apologized about the accusation I made.

I would had no problem if you had told us your problems with the BS you earned, which answered why you were particularly asking WGU graduates as you were actually thinking about attending there for a BS. This makes complete sense, but like erpadmin said, you need to go back to enrollment with a fight given that your BS is still in good standing.