WGU MBA /Master's - better to have some certification before applying for school?

My husband got a BSBA in Comp. Info. Mgmt. Sys. last December and researching about this program. He doesn't have any certification yet.
I read many posts about this school here but didn't find answer to this question. Is it more cost effective, faster to finish school if he has some certifications first? If so, what certification do you recommend? I hear only certain cert. count toward CU at WGU. Could you tell me which ones?
With his current major, which of 3 Master's program will help him finish the school fast?
I read many folks transfer credits from lower level courses to get Bachelor's but didn't see any info on Master's program and if you can transfer any credits (or how it work)?
Thank you for advice.

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Comments

Polynomial

You really don't need technical certifications if your goal is MBA style business administration. Maybe if the goal is hands on/technical IT director roles though.

TKKJL

Husband is interested in MBA -Information Technology Mgmt.
With MS- ISA, MS- ITNM - how about these? What kind of certification will help with these two?

Polynomial

TKKJL wrote: »

Husband is interested in MBA -Information Technology Mgmt.
With MS- ISA, MS- ITNM - how about these? What kind of certification will help with these two?

I feel a little awkward advising someone with as much work experience as how old I am lol.

I really dislike how much emphasis this board puts on certification. It makes it seems like they're end all be all. Its about picking up RELEVANT certification and coupling them with education and work experience in the direction you want to go in.

I truly have no idea how pertinent certifications are for someone with that much experience like your husband.

hiddenknight821

Let me ask you (TKKJL) a straightforward question to save us all from headaches. True or false. All Masters program under College of IT at WGU offer certifications? If false, then please list the program(s) that offer them.

ptilsen

Look on WGU's web site for specific certifications. I don't think any count towards the MBA, but I don't know and there's no reason to speculate. It's right there on the site for every degree.

Certifications will not count towards probably any other accredited master's degree in the country, period. Admission to graduate programs is generally based on undergraduate grades and courses and/or GMAT or GRE scores. Some professional master's programs look at work experience or specific licensure, but I don't think there are any outside of WGU that would evaluate IT certifications.

I'm also not aware of any master's degrees taking credits for undergraduate as transfer credits. Many master's degrees require having taken specific undergraduate courses and will evaluate those courses for meeting prerequisites, but I've never heard of a graduate program that used undergraduate credits in its core curriculum.

I could be wrong on this, but ultimately I don't think there's any reason to be looking at IT certifications as a way to get credits for any master's credits other than possibly WGU.

veritas_libertas

The MSISA is the only IT master degree that requires passing certifications: Online IT Degree | MS in Information Security and Assurance

The certifications that would be taken are:

Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT)
EC-Council Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures (EC0-350)
EC-Council Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (EC0-349)
GIAC G2700 (Standards and Policies)

veritas_libertas

Polynomial wrote: »

I really dislike how much emphasis this board puts on certification

TechExams is a certification forum

hiddenknight821

Go figure. I had to quiz the OP to see if she was actually doing her homework. We answered some of her questions she repeated here in the other thread open not too long ago.

Polynomial

veritas_libertas wrote: »

TechExams is a certification forum

You totally got me there

I know plenty of successful people from State St. to startups that have only Bachelor's and no certification. Everyone's case and situation is unique.

ptilsen

Also, because TE is a cert form many of us talk about certifications a lot, which may make us appear to improperly value them. I think most regular/frequent posters do not view certifications as necessarily more important than degrees, and most of us hold the view that neither is truly necessary to succeed. I think few of us are guilty of actually putting too much focus or value on certifications -- we just talk about them the most, for that obvious reason.

Polynomial

Excellent point. I was 1/2 way through CCNA material before my Master degree classes started up. As soon as they end I'll bang out the rest. For the resume I'm trying to build I do want certain specific certifications that I think will help me develop a technical manager resume as opposed to just checking off a potpourri of assorted buzzword certifications.

I just like to stress the point of how important soft skills are too.

paul78

Polynomial wrote: »

I just like to stress the point of how important soft skills are too.

I would second that comment... In any interview process for a job, that is perhaps the most important factor. And after someone gets the job, how you integrate into the work culture and present yourself and your character will be a factor in of how sucessful someone will become.

ptilsen wrote:

I think most regular/frequent posters do not view certifications as necessarily more important than degrees, and most of us hold the view that neither is truly necessary to succeed.

Also very true. I do realize this is a certification forum but most people do challenge a certification for the reason to gauge their skill. I know that most of the regular readers also know that my own background didn't include any certifications or degrees. Not that I would advocate my own path but I having a degree and/or certification is a measure of someone's knowledge (but you are right, not necesarily of their ability).

@OP - I see you started a few new threads on this subject, as @hiddenknight821 implied, most of the forum members are generally very helpful if we can. And we can also be an opinionated bunch

I do sincerely hope that your husband can find a path that works for him. I only caution that trying to gain certifications and degrees is not a silver bullet. It's a good stepping stone and it can help fill skills/knowledge gaps. But if your husband's goal is to get into IT management, there a lot of other intrinsic skills and talents required. I interview a lot of people for management positions and I have to be honest, I do not care one ounce what degrees or certifications that individual has earned. I may glance at it in the resume, but I focus on the accomplishments and experience. In an interview, I care more about how the candidate will react to different scenarios that I may pose and that individuals ability to carry a substantitive conversation. I watch for body language, general appearance, and their intrinsic ability to be a leader.

N2IT

@ Poly I agree, I don't like how much emphasis is put on certs either.

A few reasons why:

First of all you spent 2 - 3 months on a certification spend your hard earned money and time (usually) and pass or fail the exam. Then you are congratulated eventually and asked what's next. How about enjoy that win and leverage that knowledge in the workplace or in the job market. This microwave cert after cert is stupid and I do not condone of it.

You land 680 or the CCNA you did a GREAT job, those certs can last you YEARS. That is something to be extremely proud of. My biggest concern is people are concerned about quantity and not quality. That used to be my game, but it got me no where. Tactifully placing a few well hard earned certs has done much better for me in the job market than word soup.

JMHO