I'm going to try to attend WGU for an IT degree

Before today, I had never heard of WGU or this website. While searching for info on IT certifications and online degrees, I stumbled upon this site. Everything I've read here, makes WGU sound like a perfect match for me (assuming I can get in). I'm 45, and have been working in IT since I dropped out of college 25 years ago. I've taken various IT courses from different colleges around the USA, but I've never completed a degree. During my career, I've always made about 30% less than my degreed coworkers, and have only found jobs through people that already knew me. I'm hoping a degree will increase my earning power, and enable me to qualify for more jobs. I also hope to learn a lot. I am mostly self-taught, but it would be good to get an organized education.

I will try to start a progress thread here (if that's appropriate), and let people know how it goes. Thanks for all the info posted here, it was very helpful!

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Comments

Ivanjam

@bhoops - it could very well be a good match - also check out threads about other schools here on TE. Good luck in your endeavors!

bhoops

@Ivan, thanks! I need a degree, and I need certifications, so WGU seems to offer them both for the same price. Used certs as the IT curriculum seems like a great idea. I also tend to be self-taught, so I like the fact that I can take classes as quickly as I can pass them. Is there another self-paced school?

srabiee

I started WGU on June 1st. So far, so good. After I finish my BS I'm hoping to get my MS from WG as well.

bhoops

srabiee wrote: »

I started WGU on June 1st. So far, so good. After I finish my BS I'm hoping to get my MS from WG as well.

Hi Srabiee, I was having trouble determining the difference between the IT specializations - they seem very similar. For example, the "Software" specialty seems identical to the normal BSIT, with these 3 classes added:

Oracle Certified Professional Java SE 6 Programmer
CIW Perl Specialist
CIW Web Development Professional

I wasn't sure which degree to go for, but since they said you should pursue one you are already doing, I went with the normal BSIT. I've programmed for two decades, so perhaps I should get the "BSIT Software" degree. I see that you are getting Network & Management, is that because you are already doing that kind of work? I wouldn't mind getting in to that, but I didn't choose it since I wasn't already doing it.

I might get the Masters in InfoSec, that sounds really fun.

bhoops

At WGU, are you encourage to take the classes in a specific order, or can you take them in any order? I might want to take the IT classes first, and take the Math, Biology, Chemistry classes at end. I would immediately benefit from taking the IT classes.

milieu

I was able to skip all of the general education due to a previous degree, so I don't know about things like Math and Biology. They may want you to take those first.

As far as the IT courses, there is an default order to the program, but you can usually get your mentor to let you take things out of order. Some of the courses are a two-course sequence, i.e. Database Fundamentals is followed by Databases 1, so those have to be done in order.

As you noticed, all of the programs are very similar. Each emphasis has a few different courses, and then the final project is different. For instance, the Software program has a couple more programming courses,and the final project is a programming assignment, while the final project in the other programs is more networking or security based.

If you are interested in the MS in infosec, you might think about taking the Security emphasis. That might give you a better background for the MS infosec work.

srabiee

bhoops wrote: »

Hi Srabiee, I was having trouble determining the difference between the IT specializations - they seem very similar. For example, the "Software" specialty seems identical to the normal BSIT, with these 3 classes added:

Oracle Certified Professional Java SE 6 Programmer
CIW Perl Specialist
CIW Web Development Professional

I wasn't sure which degree to go for, but since they said you should pursue one you are already doing, I went with the normal BSIT. I've programmed for two decades, so perhaps I should get the "BSIT Software" degree. I see that you are getting Network & Management, is that because you are already doing that kind of work? I wouldn't mind getting in to that, but I didn't choose it since I wasn't already doing it.

I might get the Masters in InfoSec, that sounds really fun.

It really depends on what you're interested in and what you want to do with your degree. I went with the ND&M option because it is more Microsoft-centric, and I'm currently a Sysadmin working with Microsoft servers and desktops daily.

The BSIT with no concentration has some programming courses in it that didn't interest me, so I steered clear of that one.

Go with the one that interests you the most and/or will benefit your chosen career path the most.

Your student mentor will work with you regarding which order to take the courses.

Bundiman

Since on your diploma it just going to say Information Technology the specialty does not really matter that much. I would pick the one you have most interest in and go for it. I started on April 1st of this year and have gotten through 37 CU. I have jumped around and picked what I wanted to take when I want.

SteveLord

Note that the general BSIT one is generally faster to accomplish. The others with additional Microsoft courses will likely extend the amount of time it takes you to complete....like a lot.

You can always bang out the degree and then seek those individual certs afterward on your home time, without the pressure of another $3000 payment on the horizon for another term.

Something to think about.

Ivanjam

bhoops wrote: »

Is there another self-paced school?

None that I am familiar with.

SteveLord wrote: »

Note that the general BSIT one is generally faster to accomplish.

That's what I thought too but now I need some of those certs and I am slowing down my WGU progress to get them.