WGU MSISA Admissions

tprice5

I've known I've always wanted to get my masters, and because of coworkers and TE, I've known I wanted it through WGU. After continually being delayed about my current contract, and being put off time and again with a new employer overseas, I decided I wasn't going to sit around waiting on external factors and just go for it.
I had applied and taken the assessment some time ago so all I had to do was schedule the enrollment interview, or so I thought.
Upon speaking with a gentleman named Marcus, who was nice, I was told that neither my B.S. in Computer Science nor certifications (MCITPx2, MCSA, Security+) would satisfy their requirements for admissions and would need to submit a detailed resume to prove a minimum of 3 years experience in dealing with the pillars/principles of CISSP. While I am confident my current job meets those requirements, I have been here under two years. Thus, I am going to have to be somewhat liberal with the wording of my previous position.
I am at odds with this because while I can certainly understand their reluctance to admit a seemingly new professional into a self-study program, their are several B&M institutions, arguable more "prestigious", that would find my credentials perfectly acceptable.
Just thought I would share this with you guys. In the event my resume is rejected and I am not allowed to start on October 1st I will either work on one of the acceptable certifications or wait out my 3 years a little further.

Also, the CASP, which I am sitting in the next week or so, is not recognized as an acceptable cert.

emerald_octane

I can understand your issue with the admission process but it's really got nothing to do with prestige or anything to take personally. The easiest "in" is the CCNA. Not easy by any means, but since the cirriculum includes CCENT, they assume that you can hack the rest of the program if you have it.

From looking at the coursework, things are much easier if you have day to day experience in the field because you're somewhat thrown into the deep end.

srabiee

I've been going back and forth over the past couple of months trying to decide between the MSIT: ISA and the MSIT: NM degrees. I plan to begin immediately after finishing my BSIT: ND&M. I didn't realize that the ISA degree had such strict acceptance requirements. I don't have a CCNA nor do I have 3 years of experience in CISSP principles. I think I'm going to go the NM route after all.

tprice, have you looked into the MSIT: Network Management degree? The requirement for acceptance isn't nearly as strict.

colemic

I am in the MSISA program, and I definitely don't recall it being difficult to get in when I started (July 2011.) But, I already had CISSP at that point.

I would suspect that because of the technical certs involved, they have a high number of people 'wash out' or at a minimum struggle, who can't pass the certification exams, and have accordingly implemented a tighten-up admissions policy.

tprice5

While I do want to learn networking and acquire some Cisco certs, I don't have enough experience to gauge whether or not I would enjoy networking enough to get a masters in it. I do know I enjoy IA,especially as it pertains to government contract work, so I am going to push for that.
Btw, I am sitting the CASP tomorrow. Might start another thread for that. Probably not though ha.

@srabiee I believe they accept Networking degrees/concentrations as well so I think you'd be able to gain acceptance based on your bachelors.

mike+

When I spoke with a counselor about the program, they said I would need the experience, CISSP, or an undergrad in security.

coffeeluvr

Wow, sounds like they have made the admissions into the MSISA program a lot stricter since I started in 2012. I think they only required the Sec+ when I applied.

aspiringsoul

These are the admission requirements listed on their site:

[h=3]WGU Admission Process[/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 IT security or IT networking that covers at least two CISSP CBK domains. (You can find the domains listed here.)
  • Hold a CISSP, CCIE, CCNP, CCNA, or GCWN certification that was 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.

So as long as you have a bachelor degree, and a CCNA (at least), then you should qualify. At least, that is my impression.

Master Information Security Degree Program | WGU College of Information Technology

srabiee

coffeeluvr wrote: »

Wow, sounds like they have made the admissions into the MSISA program a lot stricter since I started in 2012. I think they only required the Sec+ when I applied.

They must have had a high drop-out of failure rate for the MSISA and decided to try and filter certain people out.

da_vato

I can't remember who it was that called me but when I was accepted into the program two months ago, someone called me just to congratulate on being accepted. He mentioned that it was not an easy program to be accepted into... I thought he was just doing the normal sales pitch.

StevenP2013

I remember talking to a recruiter around December of 2010. He said they required a Bachelor in an IT related field or a Bachelor in anything and the security+. That was about it. At that time the program had Network+, CWNP204, CEH, CHFI, EDRP, and GIAC 7799. I think its good that they made the acceptance requirements a lot tougher. It will bring more credibility to the degree program and the school.

tprice5

Not to hijack my own thread but I don't want to start another one so here goes...

PASSED THE CASP! I got it for the DoD 8570 to satisfy my conditional offer letter for a position in Kuwait. So hopefully everything goes through okay and I can get a ship date.

Also I think this may help with my admittance into the program if I so choose. I am a little weary of starting a program and a new job at the same time so in the event I am admitted I will likely hold off on starting for a few months until I settle in and get comfortable. The offer letter states that the work week is anticipated to be 56 hours so.. yeah haha.

Will keep you guys posted.

da_vato

Congrats on the pass but from experience WGU doesn't know or care what CASP is so focus on getting the required experience. It makes easier if you already have one of the certs that aspiringsoul listed.

tprice5

Yeah I understand it doesn't meet the criteria as a stand alone certification but to say they don't know about it would be short sighted, I think. I just meant that having it on my resume may lend some credibility is all.

cw3k

The program seem tough to get in. My counsel got back to me and have me to redo the resume.

Hypntick

Wasn't rough for me, however I did my undergrad through WGU and had my CCENT already. I think it is nice that they're beefing up the requirements, they want to be sure they set students up for success.

tprice5

Yeah, after thinking about it and cooling off for a few days I decided I am glad that not just anyone can walk in and start the program, even if that makes things a little more difficult for myself. I REALLY like the fact that they don't require an overpriced standardized test such as the GMAT or GRE. So if that's what it takes to avoid the standardized tests then I'm all for it.

colemic

I wouldn't be surprised to see that in the future, especially for those without a lot of practical job experience the field.

tprice5

After bringing the certification to their attention they are now accepting it for admissions. When they plan to make the public knowledge is beyond me but it's pretty cool to be a catalyst of change.

da_vato

Congrats on being accepted. So WGU is going to add the CASP to their approved Cert listing for acceptance?

tprice5

Yes, that is what I have been told.

da_vato

That must mean that the CASP is starting to gain visibility.

Nobylspoon

srabiee wrote: »

I've been going back and forth over the past couple of months trying to decide between the MSIT: ISA and the MSIT: NM degrees. I plan to begin immediately after finishing my BSIT: ND&M. I didn't realize that the ISA degree had such strict acceptance requirements. I don't have a CCNA nor do I have 3 years of experience in CISSP principles. I think I'm going to go the NM route after all.

tprice, have you looked into the MSIT: Network Management degree? The requirement for acceptance isn't nearly as strict.

Just an FYI, WGU recently changed the MSISA admission requirements to include the BS:IT ND&M degree.

srabiee

Nobylspoon wrote: »

Just an FYI, WGU recently changed the MSISA admission requirements to include the BS:IT ND&M degree.

Thanks for the info. I didn't know about this.

Nobylspoon

srabiee wrote: »

Thanks for the info. I didn't know about this.

Neither did my enrollment councilor. She had to call someone else to confirm. I believe the change just went into effect.

ghawkguy

I used my CISSP to get admission to WGU for the MSISA because my BS is in IT with a focus in networking. I was one of the last to have to take the G2700, now the CASP is replacing it. Luckily, I have only 5 classes left then I'm done with the program (that includes the capstone).

da_vato

Do you by chance know when this is taking place?

spiderjericho

ghawkguy wrote: »

I used my CISSP to get admission to WGU for the MSISA because my BS is in IT with a focus in networking. I was one of the last to have to take the G2700, now the CASP is replacing it. Luckily, I have only 5 classes left then I'm done with the program (that includes the capstone).

Thats great news. I'll apply for the program then since I have my CCNA, CISSP, CASP and CEH. The less useless certs the better.