WGU Network admin vs Sec vs NDM
PSouz7
Member Posts: 39 ■■□□□□□□□□
I am currently in the mist of starting WGU, I will begin March 1st
I am pretty sure that Network Admin is the major I am going to take, but just wanted to post to this forum to figure out if I am making the right decision
Network design and management seems like it would be the easiest out of the three, considering I already have net+ and wouldn't need CCNA, but it seems like CCNA would be a very helpful cert to have, and I would prefer a network admin job over designing networks
here is the hard part, network admin vs sec, security seems like a great choice, but the time it would take to get CCNA and CCNA security is kind of scaring me, and considering with the network admin degree I will still have CCNA and security+ I feel that the time taking CCNA security might not be worth it
any advice from people doing any of these majors, or enrolled at WGU would be great
thanks!
(a little background on me, I have a+,net+ and sec+. I also have about 50 CCAF credits from a networking air force tech school, I am hoping a few credits transfer to WGU, just had them sent to WGU last week, before the CCAF credits I have 35 cu's transferred in, I am hoping to finish within five 6 month terms)
I am pretty sure that Network Admin is the major I am going to take, but just wanted to post to this forum to figure out if I am making the right decision
Network design and management seems like it would be the easiest out of the three, considering I already have net+ and wouldn't need CCNA, but it seems like CCNA would be a very helpful cert to have, and I would prefer a network admin job over designing networks
here is the hard part, network admin vs sec, security seems like a great choice, but the time it would take to get CCNA and CCNA security is kind of scaring me, and considering with the network admin degree I will still have CCNA and security+ I feel that the time taking CCNA security might not be worth it
any advice from people doing any of these majors, or enrolled at WGU would be great
thanks!
(a little background on me, I have a+,net+ and sec+. I also have about 50 CCAF credits from a networking air force tech school, I am hoping a few credits transfer to WGU, just had them sent to WGU last week, before the CCAF credits I have 35 cu's transferred in, I am hoping to finish within five 6 month terms)
Comments
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CoolAsAFan
Member Posts: 239
I would say no on NDM because there are no Cisco certs, which is kind of surprising for a Network Design degree. Of the other two, I went the Security route because eventually I would like to get into infosec.
The only real differences in certs I see is that with NA you get MSCA 2008 and with Sec you get CCNA-Sec and Linux+. Don't be scared by Cisco certs! I was a bit intimidated myself but have found CCENT (passed)/CCNA (so far) to be much easier than I had anticipated. Honestly so far, Linux+ was the hardest for me as I had 0 experience going in. Since you have Net+ and Sec+, I think you are in good shape to do both CCNA and CCNA-Sec if you wanted to.
That being said, if your not interested in infosec, you should probably go the NA route. Also, CCNA > Net+, so don't think that since you have Net+ that you don't need Cisco if you want to get into networking. Cisco certs are the standard way in afaik.IvyTech - AS CINS (Completed: May, 2013)
WGU Indiana - BS IT Security (Started: August 1st, 2013)
Transferred: AGC1 CDP1 BVC1 CLC1 CVV1 DHV1 DJV1 GAC1 CIC1 CDC1 UBT1 IWC1 IWT1 TCP1 TJP1 TJC1 EBV1 WFV1 EUP1 EUC1 CJC1 UBC1 TBP1
Completed: CUV1 BOV1 DRV1 DSV1 CTV1 CJV1 COV1 CQV1 CNV1 TPV1 MGC1 TXC1 TXP1 BNC1 TYP1 TYC1
Required: SBT1 RGT1 RIT1 -
PSouz7
Member Posts: 39 ■■□□□□□□□□
Thanks, I agree, ccna>net+. And NDM doesn't make much sense
It sec needs to take Linux+? I didn't even realize that, I have no interest in taking that.
NA does seem like The better choice. MCSA seems like it would interest me more than ccna sec and Linux+
Thanks for the help -
PSouz7
Member Posts: 39 ■■□□□□□□□□
Will they allow me to just take CCNA the single test instead of having to get CCENT first? That seems like its kind of waste of time to take 2 tests instead of one
Hopefully having net+ will help my chances of being able to do that -
CoolAsAFan
Member Posts: 239
Will they allow me to just take CCNA the single test instead of having to get CCENT first? That seems like its kind of waste of time to take 2 tests instead of one
I am not sure about this, but I would guess no because they probably purchase bulk vouchers from Cisco for specifically ICND1/ICND2, and none for the combined exam. You should definitely email your mentor/EC about this though.IvyTech - AS CINS (Completed: May, 2013)
WGU Indiana - BS IT Security (Started: August 1st, 2013)
Transferred: AGC1 CDP1 BVC1 CLC1 CVV1 DHV1 DJV1 GAC1 CIC1 CDC1 UBT1 IWC1 IWT1 TCP1 TJP1 TJC1 EBV1 WFV1 EUP1 EUC1 CJC1 UBC1 TBP1
Completed: CUV1 BOV1 DRV1 DSV1 CTV1 CJV1 COV1 CQV1 CNV1 TPV1 MGC1 TXC1 TXP1 BNC1 TYP1 TYC1
Required: SBT1 RGT1 RIT1 -
edicwhun
Member Posts: 20 ■□□□□□□□□□
I can chime in here because I am going the IT NA route (starting on March 1st) and also already have my Net+ and Sec+ and have gotten my transcripts sent in and evaluated.
Net+ will cover:
CWV1 Network Fundamentals
Sec+ will cover:
CTV1 Security
DEV1 Security Fundamentals
That's it, neither one touches anything Cisco related at all and we'll have to take both exams. -
PSouz7
Member Posts: 39 ■■□□□□□□□□
that would make sense if they didn't have the vouchers for it, that's a bummer.
Kind of makes me thing I should take it before starting, but, I feel like the structure of only have 6 months to do the scheduled classes will keep me more focused -
edicwhun
Member Posts: 20 ■□□□□□□□□□
I'm very excited to get started. It's long overdue for me to go after my degree and the added bonus of the certs that we'll obtain along the way are that much more incentive. I agree, it does seem like a good degree and with all the research I've done on this school and everything I've read on this site about them, I'm amped. I've always wanted to obtain my CCNA but was always a little too scared to do it on my own so this will give me the kick in the butt to do it.
Can't wait! -
PSouz7
Member Posts: 39 ■■□□□□□□□□
yeah, needing the certifications to get the degree is really great, forces me to get them in a timely mannerI'm very excited to get started. It's long overdue for me to go after my degree and the added bonus of the certs that we'll obtain along the way are that much more incentive. I agree, it does seem like a good degree and with all the research I've done on this school and everything I've read on this site about them, I'm amped. I've always wanted to obtain my CCNA but was always a little too scared to do it on my own so this will give me the kick in the butt to do it.
Can't wait!
were you able to transfer many credits in?
before they evaluated my 48 CCAF credits I have 35 CUs, I'm hoping to get a few more and start off with 40/45 CUs
in order to get full time benefits from the GI Bill I have to take 18 CU every 6 months at least, I am hoping to finish my remaining 80ish CUs in 2 years -
mokaiba
Member Posts: 162 ■■■□□□□□□□
I would do BSIT Security.
For anyone reading this that do not have the comptia certs PSouz7 has, I recommend the following:
Start with BSIT with no concentration. Depending on how many gen eds you have to do and are able to crank out, you should be able to complete the all the MTAs, A+, and Network+ (security does not offer Network+) before the term ends. For your second term, change to the BSIT security concentration and finish out the degree. When you finish the BSIT Security, you'll have several MTAs (good info), several CIWs, A+, Network+, Security+, Linux+, Project+, CCENT, CCNA, and CCNA Security. Immediately after finishing the security degree, study for and take the CISSP and GSEC within six months then study for and take the C|EH or alternatively take the MS in Information Security and Assurance at WGU, which has you take the C|EH and C|HFI.
The end result of the above pathway:
BSIT Security
MS in Information Security and Assurance
C|EH
C|HFI
A+
Network+
Security+
Linux+
Project+
CCENT
CCNA
CCNA Security
CISSP
GSEC
Some MTAs
Some CIWs
Should be enough to get a decent job. -
mokaiba
Member Posts: 162 ■■■□□□□□□□
I can chime in here because I am going the IT NA route (starting on March 1st) and also already have my Net+ and Sec+ and have gotten my transcripts sent in and evaluated.
Net+ will cover:
CWV1 Network Fundamentals
Sec+ will cover:
CTV1 Security
DEV1 Security Fundamentals
That's it, neither one touches anything Cisco related at all and we'll have to take both exams.
The course names WGU uses do not match the certification you will be taking. For example, IT Fundamentals II and III are for Part 1 and 2 of the A+. You need to read the exam description part of the course to know what exam the course is having you study for.
Be sure to only take the certification courses as some are not certification courses and count towards as having taken the certification material without giving you the certification.
--> The higher level courses serve no purpose to your resume or potential employer whereas the MTA courses are actual MS certifications (albeit low level ones) that can be easily looked up as to what they covered.
REQUIREMENTS MET CROSS WALK TABLE
MTA COURSES
HIGHER LEVEL COURSE
Course Code
Course Title
Course Code
Course Title
CWV1
Network Fundamentals
CRV1
Networks
DEV1
Security Fundamentals
CTV1
Security
DFV1
Web Development Fundamentals (not EUP1 or EUC1)
CUV1
Web Technologies
DJV1
Software Development Fundamentals
KET1
Introduction to Programming (not TXP1, TXC1, TYP1 or TYC1)
CVV1
Database Fundamentals
WDV1/CJV1
Database I
DHV1
Windows OS Fundamentals
ABV1/CSV1
Operating Systems
DIV1
Windows Server Admin Fundamentals
ABV1/CSV1
Operating Systems
-
edicwhun
Member Posts: 20 ■□□□□□□□□□
yeah, needing the certifications to get the degree is really great, forces me to get them in a timely manner
were you able to transfer many credits in?
before they evaluated my 48 CCAF credits I have 35 CUs, I'm hoping to get a few more and start off with 40/45 CUs
in order to get full time benefits from the GI Bill I have to take 18 CU every 6 months at least, I am hoping to finish my remaining 80ish CUs in 2 years
I'm only able to transfer in 29 CUs from the certs I have and the few classes I've taken in CC. 2 years would be great timing for a BS degree (and certs) - good luck man! I don't know how long it's going to take me but I do have time on my side as I'll have a good chunk of time throughout the day to study, so I'm hoping to hammer it out as quickly as possible while actually learning the material as well. -
edicwhun
Member Posts: 20 ■□□□□□□□□□
The course names WGU uses do not match the certification you will be taking. For example, IT Fundamentals II and III are for Part 1 and 2 of the A+. You need to read the exam description part of the course to know what exam the course is having you study for.
Be sure to only take the certification courses as some are not certification courses and count towards as having taken the certification material without giving you the certification.
--> The higher level courses serve no purpose to your resume or potential employer whereas the MTA courses are actual MS certifications (albeit low level ones) that can be easily looked up as to what they covered.
REQUIREMENTS MET CROSS WALK TABLE
MTA COURSES
HIGHER LEVEL COURSE
Course Code
Course Title
Course Code
Course Title
CWV1
Network Fundamentals
CRV1
Networks
DEV1
Security Fundamentals
CTV1
Security
DFV1
Web Development Fundamentals (not EUP1 or EUC1)
CUV1
Web Technologies
DJV1
Software Development Fundamentals
KET1
Introduction to Programming (not TXP1, TXC1, TYP1 or TYC1)
CVV1
Database Fundamentals
WDV1/CJV1
Database I
DHV1
Windows OS Fundamentals
ABV1/CSV1
Operating Systems
DIV1
Windows Server Admin Fundamentals
ABV1/CSV1
Operating Systems
Great info to know, thank you! I think the only question I'm still not entirely clear on with WGU is whether I can request what class I want to take or if they are just assigned to me by my mentor. I guess I'll find out soon enough! -
Danielm7
Member Posts: 2,310 ■■■■■■■■□□
Great info to know, thank you! I think the only question I'm still not entirely clear on with WGU is whether I can request what class I want to take or if they are just assigned to me by my mentor. I guess I'll find out soon enough!
You can tell them what classes you want to take, they don't know your background or your strengths. -
Bossk
Member Posts: 33 ■■■□□□□□□□
I was told specifically that no CCNA classes would be approved at the start. That was within the last few days...I officially start February 1. -
Danielm7
Member Posts: 2,310 ■■■■■■■■□□
Sure, I had non-IT classes I had to take and I took both the CCENT, CCNA and the CCNA Security before I took the non-IT classes. -
markulous
Member Posts: 2,394 ■■■■■■■■□□
I would do BSIT Security.
For anyone reading this that do not have the comptia certs PSouz7 has, I recommend the following:
Start with BSIT with no concentration. Depending on how many gen eds you have to do and are able to crank out, you should be able to complete the all the MTAs, A+, and Network+ (security does not offer Network+) before the term ends. For your second term, change to the BSIT security concentration and finish out the degree. When you finish the BSIT Security, you'll have several MTAs (good info), several CIWs, A+, Network+, Security+, Linux+, Project+, CCENT, CCNA, and CCNA Security. Immediately after finishing the security degree, study for and take the CISSP and GSEC within six months then study for and take the C|EH or alternatively take the MS in Information Security and Assurance at WGU, which has you take the C|EH and C|HFI.
The end result of the above pathway:
BSIT Security
MS in Information Security and Assurance
C|EH
C|HFI
A+
Network+
Security+
Linux+
Project+
CCENT
CCNA
CCNA Security
CISSP
GSEC
Some MTAs
Some CIWs
Should be enough to get a decent job.
Are the MTA's worth it? I'm thinking I may just get the Network+ on my own (this next job I should get will pay for it) and then I just stick with the Security degree. -
PSouz7
Member Posts: 39 ■■□□□□□□□□
I can't say if the MTA's are worth it, but I do know that Network+ will waive the network fundamentals MTAAre the MTA's worth it? I'm thinking I may just get the Network+ on my own (this next job I should get will pay for it) and then I just stick with the Security degree.
I actually had a OS college class transfer for MTA OS Fundamentals and Security+ covers MTA security essentials
I don't think I will be getting any MTA's with my NA track
