Major changes to Western Governors University (WGU) -- IT Degrees

I just got off the phone with my enrollment counselor and received some exciting news (at least to me.) Cisco and MCITP are going to be added to degree options.

CCNA: Security for the Security degree (i.e. CCNA --> CCNA:S)
MCITP:EA for the Network Design and Management

I realize many won't care but I found it interesting...

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SephStorm

My counselor told me they were getting rid of the Vista configuration for the Network admin degree.

*looks at website*

Strange, they have added MCITP:NA, but VC is still on the list. Hopefully they will remove that before I start my degree.

Oh and they've added MS 70-298 to the Security degree, maybe they meant that instead of CCNA:S?

veritas_libertas

SephStorm wrote: »

My counselor told me they were getting rid of the Vista configuration for the Network admin degree.

*looks at website*

Strange, they have added MCITP:NA, but VC is still on the list. Hopefully they will remove that before I start my degree.

Oh and they've added MS 70-298 to the Security degree, maybe they meant that instead of CCNA:S?

No, the new path will not be released till March. They will probably take down the web site for a day, and then bring it back up the next. According to my counselor they were surprised by how quickly Cisco came to an agreement with WGU. Originally they didn't think anything would happen till the fall of this year. I also asked again about the NSA endorsement for the Master degree program and they said they hope to get it before the end of the year. They are still trying to move to 100% compliance, and right now are at 95%

RouteThisWay

veritas_libertas wrote: »

They are still trying to move to 100% compliance, and right now are at 95%

Don't you know? Every project in IT is 95% done

That last 5% is seems to take so much longer than the first 95 hehe.

bwcarty

I've been wondering how long it would take for them to change the ND&M track from MCSE to MCITP:EA. Luckily, I'm already enrolled, and I've already completed everything from the ND&M specific courses.

One semester down, two to go before I finally have my BS degree!

VAHokie56

WGU is a complete online school, correct?

veritas_libertas

VAHokie56 wrote: »

WGU is a complete online school, correct?

Correct

Western Governors University

VAHokie56

Ahh I see. How is the job market in Greenville? I am currently in Richmond VA but hope to move to Charlotte or close to it after I finish my degree and a few certs.

veritas_libertas

VAHokie56 wrote: »

Ahh I see. How is the job market in Greenville? I am currently in Richmond VA but hope to move to Charlotte or close to it after I finish my degree and a few certs.

I haven't been around long enough to really tell. There is usually a few new IT job postings each week.

It is much better than when I was in Michigan though

apena7

Pretty dang exciting that Cisco will become involved with WGU.
MCITP:EA also looks interesting....

As for the Vista Configuration exam -- I'm glad I was able to take the Windows XP: 70-270 exam before they switched over to Vista.

veritas_libertas

apena7 wrote: »

Pretty dang exciting that Cisco will become involved with WGU.
MCITP:EA also looks interesting....

As for the Vista Configuration exam -- I'm glad I was able to take the Windows XP: 70-270 exam before they switched over to Vista.

I am sure that will be replaced with the Win7 certification path. I will ask them when I talk to them next.

VAHokie56

Thanks sounds good. I ment chareslton SC btw

qwertyiop

veritas_libertas wrote: »

I just got off the phone with my enrollment counselor and received some exciting news (at least to me.) Cisco and MCITP are going to be added to degree options.

CCNA: Security for the Security degree (i.e. CCNA --> CCNA:S)
MCITP:EA for the Network Design and Management

I realize many won't care but I found it interesting...

If I wernt about to start my last term id definitely go for the CCNA: Security but im already done with my technical courses so I just have to finish a few gen ed coursed and complete my capstone project.

SephStorm

Are they persuing NSA Certification for the Security Bachelors degree program? If so I might decide to do Security.

veritas_libertas

SephStorm wrote: »

Are they persuing NSA Certification for the Security Bachelors degree program? If so I might decide to do Security.

Interesting thought, I have know idea.

veritas_libertas

I love dealing with WGU, I just sent my enrollment counselor an e-mail and two minutes later he sent me a response to that question.

At this time we are only pursuing NSA for the Masters Degree. They may consider the BS degree later.

Hyper-Me

Sweet, I've been waiting on this.

Some enrollment guy had told me that my MCITP EA would be accepted in leui of the MCSE anyway, but im glad to see they are officially moving this direction.

I'm going to try and enroll later this month.

veritas_libertas

Hyper-Me wrote: »

Sweet, I've been waiting on this.

Some enrollment guy had told me that my MCITP EA would be accepted in leui of the MCSE anyway, but im glad to see they are officially moving this direction.

I'm going to try and enroll later this month.

Yeah, I saw you on WGU's Student Hall the other day

Hyper-Me

veritas_libertas wrote: »

Yeah, I saw you on WGU's Student Hall the other day

Hey do you know if they list on their website which certs they will count as credit to fill another certs spot?

For example, replacing A+ with Server+ or something like that.

Bl8ckr0uter

Is there anyway you can get out of doing the CIW certs....

msteinhilber

I'm going to have to check into any possible changes with the Master's program. I was slated to start January, however my former school has decided it wasn't yet done causing trouble for me and botched up my transcripts and is being fairly uncooperative so my start date had to be delayed to February at the earliest now assuming I get the problems worked out with the place I earned my Bachelor's.

I'm mostly hoping for them to finalize and meet the NSA Information Assurance Certification. I think they incorporate a decent number of certifications that work well with the curriculum for their Master's program perhaps with the exception of just one (Network+) which I feel is partly out of line with the program - I would consider that more of a foundation level knowledge one should already have entering the program.

Hyper-Me

knwminus wrote: »

Is there anyway you can get out of doing the CIW certs....

There are certs that override other certs if you already have them.

For instance I believe a MS SQL cert will override the CIW Database cert. CCNA overrides Network+, etc.

I just cant find the list

Bl8ckr0uter

Hyper-Me wrote: »

There are certs that override other certs if you already have them.

For instance I believe a MS SQL cert will override the CIW Database cert. CCNA overrides Network+, etc.

I just cant find the list

Interesting. I would go ( I am no longer against doing any MS certs) but I refuse to do CIW, I don't even think CIW knows about CIWs certs, let alone any employer.

That list would be awesome

Hyper-Me

I mainly look at the CIW stuff as things that i'll be able to breeze through in a few days time. I seriously doubt id even put them on my resume.

Bl8ckr0uter

Hyper-Me wrote: »

I mainly look at the CIW stuff as things that i'll be able to breeze through in a few days time. I seriously doubt id even put them on my resume.

I am not trying to ***** or anything but isn't is a bit odd that they would basically force their students to get these certs that aren't very popular. I wouldn't be surprised if CIW was giving them a kick back or something. CIW benefits by hyper inflating the amount of "ciw certified pros" making it seem more popular than it really is. Employers will eventually take notice of that and CIW may seem important.

I think the school should be more of a frame work (think the MCSE) where there are a few core exams but there are a broad number of options you can choose from to get the degree. Maybe I am thinking to progressively or my ideas are unrealistic. I know that traditional schools aren't like that.

msteinhilber

You're only realistically looking at two CIW exams through the B.S. program. The foundations exam which yields the CIW Associate designation and the database design specialist exam which yields in conjunction with the foundations exam the CIW Professional designation as well as the CIW Database Design Specialist designation.

I can see how they would fit the curriculum as basic knowledge from a variety of areas are covered in a foundational level in the Associate designation and the database design specialist is a good foundation for understanding of databases which is arguably important for a well rounded administrator.

I don't see much of a reason to get too upset over it, if anything be thankful you are earning certifications despite how much demand they may have rather than taking similar coursework (I've been through very similar course work in my program for technology management at another school) and only taking traditional final examinations that you yield no certification for.

veritas_libertas

knwminus wrote: »

I am not trying to ***** or anything but isn't is a bit odd that they would basically force their students to get these certs that aren't very popular. I wouldn't be surprised if CIW was giving them a kick back or something. CIW benefits by hyper inflating the amount of "ciw certified pros" making it seem more popular than it really is. Employers will eventually take notice of that and CIW may seem important.

I think the school should be more of a frame work (think the MCSE) where there are a few core exams but there are a broad number of options you can choose from to get the degree. Maybe I am thinking to progressively or my ideas are unrealistic. I know that traditional schools aren't like that.

I think it has more to do with the fact that they are using it as an assessment method. Kick backs? I highly doubt that...

SephStorm

WGU is one of the last school that would be getting kick backs. That I would expect from private for profit universities.

IAC, I have no interest in databases, -Wait.. did I just see what I think I saw on TV?! Brit Hume...

Bl8ckr0uter

msteinhilber wrote: »

I don't see much of a reason to get too upset over it, if anything be thankful you are earning certifications despite how much demand they may have rather than taking similar coursework (I've been through very similar course work in my program for technology management at another school) and only taking traditional final examinations that you yield no certification for.

I am not upset at all. I am just saying that it seems odd to me. I guess I just feel like my time/money spent on certs/degrees is important and I would't want to do anything that won't help me, especially when it comes to certs. There is simply no need to waste the effort IMO.

veritas_libertas wrote: »

I think it has more to do with the fact that they are using it as an assessment method. Kick backs? I highly doubt that...

SephStorm wrote: »

WGU is one of the last school that would be getting kick backs. That I would expect from private for profit universities.

Non profit doesn't mean they aren't concerned with money at all.

kalebksp

The CIW Foundations is pretty much testing you on whether you know what a web browser is and understand HTML (from what I remember of it), really really basic stuff. I scored 78/85 (passing score was 54) with zero studying. I would venture to guess that all but the very beginners on this forum could easily pass it.

Although I did feel as though requiring someone with my background and certifications to do an certification even more entry level than A+ was a little silly, but half a hour on a mind numbing exam was still worth it to get through the class. Since WGU doesn't charge per credit and the materials and voucher are included in the tuition it essentially didn't cost me anything but a little time.

Bl8ckr0uter

kalebksp wrote: »

The CIW Foundations is pretty much testing you on whether you know what a web browser is and understand HTML (from what I remember of it), really really basic stuff. I scored 78/85 (passing score was 54) with zero studying. I would venture to guess that all but the very beginners on this forum could easily pass it.

Although I did feel as though requiring someone with my background and certifications to do an certification even more entry level than A+ was a little silly, but half a hour on a mind numbing exam was still worth it to get through the class. Since WGU doesn't charge per credit and the materials and voucher are included in the tuition it essentially didn't cost me anything but a little time.

It is the little time that I am worried about...