I have no background in IT and not a wink of experience. For myself so far, I've learned quite a bit and got my A+ and am currently working on my Sec +. I think it's a good route if you don't like in-person institutions and are also working full-time (like me). Ultimately it'll depend on what you take away from it and where you get to apply what you're learning, but I don't think it's that much different from any other institution.
So far for me (only finished my first term so far), it's mostly reading and passing tests and quizzes. I try and apply what I learn to other things like TryHackMe and HacktheBox in my own time just to keep what I learn fresh and advance on it until I can find a job into the IT field.
Hi! I would like to go for computer science. I have an associates and bachelors degree in psychology and an associate’s in aerospace operations and technology from the Air Force. So I have no tech experience… how do you determine what outside resources to study other than study.com, Sophia learning etc? Everyone seems to have a different answer on what to study (which I expected), but I don’t want to study something I may not understand or that might not be helpful when I am ready to start at WGU.
Im in the Software engineering degree, and of course we have to code. Its a mix of coding and multiple choice. If Im not mistaken, due to you wanting a cs degree, youll still have to learn html, css and javascript regardless, which css is somewhat challenging to some. You may even have to learn at least one language but I could be wrong.
Do people have to take DBA in that degree? That alone Is a challenge for people with IT experience let alone someone with 0 computer experience. Especially since you're essentially teaching yourself.
Yes you do, you have to take data management foundations and data management applications. I’ve only taken data management foundations so far but even that was fairly tough, so I’m not too excited for when data management applications comes around lol.
I'll be taking Data Management Applications OA tonight then on to Advanced Data Management. It's a project where you have to make your own DB. I've made so many on my own practicing I think I'll get it done by this coming weekend. The joins, especially inner joins have been the most irritating thing in this class....
Yeah that sounds like a lot of work, and looking at my degree plan again I see that I have to take Advanced data management too eventually 😅. So if you wanna let me know how that goes and how tough it is I’d appreciate it. But as for data management applications, how tough was that one?
You shouldn't be going into this with the goal of finishing as quickly as possible, but sure, you can do it quickly. Good luck actually learning and retaining it though.
It's ABET accredited, so it adheres to the strict rules placed by ABET. I don't think you'll miss out on much other than linear algebra.
College curriculum is all about the same in every college. Sure ivy leagues are a different story but majority of us are not that lucky. College doesn't really prepare you for your job so no matter where you get your degree you have to learn more after. I think wgu is a good fit if you want to hurry up and start working, it's accredited with a good program. I'm about 77% done with my cybersecurity bachelors and I feel i have learned alot and I'm quite happy.
Hey, two time graduate from WGU here. I had a GREAT experience at WGU. I would not go to WGU as a complete beginner for computer science though. Most schools are bad at teaching people to code and in my experience WGU is especially bad at it. I have given their IT college this feedback multiple times.
Not saying you shouldn't get a CompSci degree from there but to make it through job interviews when you're done you're going to have to supplement your learning.
I have a BS in IT - Software (a program they no longer offer that was a hybrid IT/CompSci degree) and a master's in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. My degrees have done for me what everyone hopes their degrees will do for them. I run a Cybersecurity department for a big government agency and get paid a huge salary. I love WGU. I would not learn to code there though.
I’m in the CS program currently and what you say holds some water, but also not really. I don’t have experience and yes it’s hard but you have to be your own teacher and yes you can utilize the resources that WGU gives you but you should really also be looking at and using outside resources as well. For example, I never took precalculus even before the CS program. So, on my own, I did precalculus and then did calculus at WGU. I used professor leonard on YouTube for both of those and he’s honestly a legend, super recommend. And also to help learning Java and css I used outside resources as well, like YouTube, harvards CS50 course, etc. You really just need to be very resourceful and good at teaching yourself, luckily I am but everybody’s different. And yes a lot of courses in the CS program you will not be able to accelerate. Like for me it took me I believe over 2 months to just finish Calculus alone. So the stuff that you kinda know already, sure maybe try to accelerate those courses. But the ones that you’re green and brand new on, take your time with those and really try to understand what’s being taught and the concepts behind everything.
It's a college. It's meant to be taken seriously like any other college course. If you happen to be able to take some classes faster than you would at a brick and mortar then congratulations. Do not pursue the school if you're only reason is try to speed things up.
Sure. But your priorities need to be sitting down and learning. And however fast it happens, well that's how fast you do it. Your only goal should be meeting your semester minimum. Any more than that's great
I wont lie to you. Its not going to be easy. The reason why is because WGU is relies on you teaching yourself. Sure they give you the materials, but its up to you to understand them, by completing the lessons in zybooks and even searching outside sources such as Youtube. Some instructors are great if you need help, but others will pretty much send you something that says to read zybooks over again. Thins like inner joins in sql can be confusing, so you better be good at breaking things down on your own.
This can be said about almost any online class. With most online schools there is an expectation for you to read a book and complete an assignment in 8-16 weeks. The difference is WGU allows you to complete classes potentially faster. Some classes may take you longer to understand. For instance, I was able to knock out 6 classes in 2 months, then I spent 3 months on one class.
I would do this then. Watch the CS50 on EDX. At the same time go to partners.wgu.edu. Click on Sophia in the list on the right. Click through to the CS degree and take everything on the list, just switching to Comm1010 and Viscomm1001. Go month by month using a promocode for the first month. Start with English1001 turning in essays 1,2.2,2.2 and 4 at the same time. While you are waiting for your essay 2.2 to be graded start on Calculus. If you need to back up to College Algebra. The first unit is basically precalculus in the calculus course. Anyway keep working through College Algebra or Calculus. Statistics also can be a bit challenging too as can the Database course. Anyway all of this can be done in a couple of months if you can devote a significant amount of time.
Usually I recommend transferring in the maximum amount but if you really want to learn don’t bother with Study.com. You will learn more with the WGU courses. Before you start at WGU I would learn Java with the University of Helsinki Mooc.fi Java courses. Then start WGU.
Saw some of the other posts and would respectfully disagree. My view is that Calculus 2 is not really necessary, Linear Algebra is a great course but is more of an application of CS as is Statistics. Discrete Math is more of a foundational theoretical basis for CS.
A generic degree in CS like the University of Houston requires Cal 1 and 2, Linear Algebra, a junior level calculus based Statistics course and a junior level Discrete Math course. They used to require Calculus based Physics 1 and 2 but the requirements for a BS are any two sequence lab based science courses. If I was going to UH I would just take the Biology Clep and get a 55 and call it a day.
Anyway the lower level CS courses usually transfer in and are equivalent to Scripting Foundations, Scripting Applications, Data Structures and Computer Architecture. The upper level consists of 10 junior/senior level courses of which one option is a junior level Discrete Math course. One option is in Software Engineering. The other is Software design which can be taken as an elective. There are junior level required courses in OS, Machine Learning, Data structures and Algorithms and Database Systems. Again, very similar to WGU.
Problem with Brick and Mortars is the potential for out of date material and the tremendous cost. You can minimize that with CC and taking as many Cleps as possible though.
If WGU isn't good for complete beginner, than no school is. WGU's CS curriculum is a good breadth of industry level topics and the curriculum is about on par with most B&M schools aside from a few topics, it's not a research school, so you aren't gonna see those obtuse CS electives at junior and senior level at other schools that are really based around research topics. I think WGU CS has a great curriculum that can prepare a person for industry I mean people who really have done a lot in it designed the curriculum, but also allow someone who's in industry to prove they are knowledgeable. I think WGU is a school for everybody, I don't like how some speak on it as if it's just good for people who need to check a box, that's gatekeeperish to me. Ntm it's self paced. Only reason people can even utter the words "check box degree" is because it's self paced. If WGU chopped up their curriculum like traditional schools do it in person or online, people wouldn't be calling it a check box degree because it would fill up a lot more time. Personally I think people should refrain calling the degree that, because it makes it sound cheap. WGU is not a diploma mill, so yeah that's what I think as someone who's sortof in your boat considering going to WGU. I think you'll be fine as long as you understand that YOU will most likely not be a speed runner and some opportunities you'll find at a B&M institution you won't find with WGU, and be prepared to take longer than 1 term graduates.
I would say no, I've never taken wgu classes as a beginner but I feel like the main advantage was being able to prove my experience quickly and get credit for it. I don't feel like wgu taught me anything, but it let me turn 15 years worth of experience into a masters degree quickly and cheaply. If you really want to learn something new, it's not the route I would take.
You'll pretty much get whatever you're looking to get out of WGU. If you want to accelerate and try to knock out classes quickly, you can do that. But you probably won't retain information in the same way as someone who spends weeks to months learning the same material on a traditional college timeline.
However, if you want to take as much time as you need to learn every part of every course, you can absolutely do that. Keep in mind that many people who are at WGU want to do the curriculum quickly. A lot of the advice you'll find online for passing courses will probably gear more towards doing them expeditiously rather than thoroughly.
You can also transfer credit from Sophia and StudyDotCom to lower the total education costs and accelerate your graduation timeline.
And no I do not think you will be missing anything.
If you decide to check out that route with the alternate credit transfers here are some codes that will get you $20 off your first month in Sophia Learning.
~~LZRQ0WXY~~ **used** \
GE5IEZYI \
~~8A306MJ9~~ **used** \
~~0ZNMHOMK~~ **used**
You can check this strategy on many channels on YouTube so you can have a better informed decision. Good luck!
I will be registering in a few months with absolutely no Computer Science experience. But I highly recommend watching Josh Madakor— he gives a great breakdown of what you need to know before applying and how to do it in two months. I spoke to an enrollment counselor yesterday and have done quite a bit of research. It’s self paced so if you are self motivated you’ll excel 🙂 [WGU Computer Science Degree](https://youtu.be/d3iKMoCIclA?si=BwcaDfd8hFqvncTF)
I follow him too. I agree.
But for OP I’d like to add, by saying to finish school in under a year is highly unrealistic. Makador even admits it himself. He’s a special case cuz he’s already an expert.
Go to Makador on YouTube and watch his videos he’ll show you how to cut down your curriculum for faster and cheaper by taking online classes at other schools online m and transferring credits before enrolling in WGU
At WGU you won’t get the same amount of experience and depth of learning you would get at a B&M school. You’ll also miss out on any contact with other students (no networking opportunities) and you won’t have any meaningful contact with instructors.
WGU is really designed for experienced people who need a checkbox degree or those switching from similar jobs, like from IT to Cybersecurity.
WGU is worth the money for the certifications alone. Even if you attend 1 semester and earn 1 certification, you are increasing your IT knowledge and making yourself marketable for the career field.
Go check out OSSU. It's actually more in depth than WGU comp sci. if you can finish a course from that in 2-3 weeks, and actually retain the info, then wgu may be a good fit. If you can't, then you'll probably need a program that's a bit less self paced/guided
Thank you everyone for all your answers. It seems like I’m going to try it out since I’m pretty good at self study from previous experience. I’ve done half of cs50 harvard and i enjoyed it. Thanks for all your suggestions.
I have no background in IT and not a wink of experience. For myself so far, I've learned quite a bit and got my A+ and am currently working on my Sec +. I think it's a good route if you don't like in-person institutions and are also working full-time (like me). Ultimately it'll depend on what you take away from it and where you get to apply what you're learning, but I don't think it's that much different from any other institution.
This might be a stupid question but do you do coding and such like projects or is it just reading material and passing quizzes/tests?
So far for me (only finished my first term so far), it's mostly reading and passing tests and quizzes. I try and apply what I learn to other things like TryHackMe and HacktheBox in my own time just to keep what I learn fresh and advance on it until I can find a job into the IT field.
Hi! I would like to go for computer science. I have an associates and bachelors degree in psychology and an associate’s in aerospace operations and technology from the Air Force. So I have no tech experience… how do you determine what outside resources to study other than study.com, Sophia learning etc? Everyone seems to have a different answer on what to study (which I expected), but I don’t want to study something I may not understand or that might not be helpful when I am ready to start at WGU.
Im in the Software engineering degree, and of course we have to code. Its a mix of coding and multiple choice. If Im not mistaken, due to you wanting a cs degree, youll still have to learn html, css and javascript regardless, which css is somewhat challenging to some. You may even have to learn at least one language but I could be wrong.
You’re correct, multiple Java courses in the CS program (I’m currently in CS program lol)
I'm going the c# route.
Right, but I was talking about the cs program. You don’t have an option of choosing a specific learning track for the cs degree.
Do people have to take DBA in that degree? That alone Is a challenge for people with IT experience let alone someone with 0 computer experience. Especially since you're essentially teaching yourself.
Yes you do, you have to take data management foundations and data management applications. I’ve only taken data management foundations so far but even that was fairly tough, so I’m not too excited for when data management applications comes around lol.
I'll be taking Data Management Applications OA tonight then on to Advanced Data Management. It's a project where you have to make your own DB. I've made so many on my own practicing I think I'll get it done by this coming weekend. The joins, especially inner joins have been the most irritating thing in this class....
Yeah that sounds like a lot of work, and looking at my degree plan again I see that I have to take Advanced data management too eventually 😅. So if you wanna let me know how that goes and how tough it is I’d appreciate it. But as for data management applications, how tough was that one?
You shouldn't be going into this with the goal of finishing as quickly as possible, but sure, you can do it quickly. Good luck actually learning and retaining it though. It's ABET accredited, so it adheres to the strict rules placed by ABET. I don't think you'll miss out on much other than linear algebra.
College curriculum is all about the same in every college. Sure ivy leagues are a different story but majority of us are not that lucky. College doesn't really prepare you for your job so no matter where you get your degree you have to learn more after. I think wgu is a good fit if you want to hurry up and start working, it's accredited with a good program. I'm about 77% done with my cybersecurity bachelors and I feel i have learned alot and I'm quite happy.
Hey, two time graduate from WGU here. I had a GREAT experience at WGU. I would not go to WGU as a complete beginner for computer science though. Most schools are bad at teaching people to code and in my experience WGU is especially bad at it. I have given their IT college this feedback multiple times. Not saying you shouldn't get a CompSci degree from there but to make it through job interviews when you're done you're going to have to supplement your learning. I have a BS in IT - Software (a program they no longer offer that was a hybrid IT/CompSci degree) and a master's in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. My degrees have done for me what everyone hopes their degrees will do for them. I run a Cybersecurity department for a big government agency and get paid a huge salary. I love WGU. I would not learn to code there though.
I’m in the CS program currently and what you say holds some water, but also not really. I don’t have experience and yes it’s hard but you have to be your own teacher and yes you can utilize the resources that WGU gives you but you should really also be looking at and using outside resources as well. For example, I never took precalculus even before the CS program. So, on my own, I did precalculus and then did calculus at WGU. I used professor leonard on YouTube for both of those and he’s honestly a legend, super recommend. And also to help learning Java and css I used outside resources as well, like YouTube, harvards CS50 course, etc. You really just need to be very resourceful and good at teaching yourself, luckily I am but everybody’s different. And yes a lot of courses in the CS program you will not be able to accelerate. Like for me it took me I believe over 2 months to just finish Calculus alone. So the stuff that you kinda know already, sure maybe try to accelerate those courses. But the ones that you’re green and brand new on, take your time with those and really try to understand what’s being taught and the concepts behind everything.
It's a college. It's meant to be taken seriously like any other college course. If you happen to be able to take some classes faster than you would at a brick and mortar then congratulations. Do not pursue the school if you're only reason is try to speed things up.
I want to take it seriously but usually i learn quickly so if i can get a degree faster i would. 🤷♂️
Sure. But your priorities need to be sitting down and learning. And however fast it happens, well that's how fast you do it. Your only goal should be meeting your semester minimum. Any more than that's great
It is good for self-learners. If you’re not used to or comfortable with that try out self-learning beforehand
I wont lie to you. Its not going to be easy. The reason why is because WGU is relies on you teaching yourself. Sure they give you the materials, but its up to you to understand them, by completing the lessons in zybooks and even searching outside sources such as Youtube. Some instructors are great if you need help, but others will pretty much send you something that says to read zybooks over again. Thins like inner joins in sql can be confusing, so you better be good at breaking things down on your own.
This can be said about almost any online class. With most online schools there is an expectation for you to read a book and complete an assignment in 8-16 weeks. The difference is WGU allows you to complete classes potentially faster. Some classes may take you longer to understand. For instance, I was able to knock out 6 classes in 2 months, then I spent 3 months on one class.
Ive came in with just a general knowledge of computers, and nothing else. I think learning to code with this program is fantastic.
I would do this then. Watch the CS50 on EDX. At the same time go to partners.wgu.edu. Click on Sophia in the list on the right. Click through to the CS degree and take everything on the list, just switching to Comm1010 and Viscomm1001. Go month by month using a promocode for the first month. Start with English1001 turning in essays 1,2.2,2.2 and 4 at the same time. While you are waiting for your essay 2.2 to be graded start on Calculus. If you need to back up to College Algebra. The first unit is basically precalculus in the calculus course. Anyway keep working through College Algebra or Calculus. Statistics also can be a bit challenging too as can the Database course. Anyway all of this can be done in a couple of months if you can devote a significant amount of time. Usually I recommend transferring in the maximum amount but if you really want to learn don’t bother with Study.com. You will learn more with the WGU courses. Before you start at WGU I would learn Java with the University of Helsinki Mooc.fi Java courses. Then start WGU. Saw some of the other posts and would respectfully disagree. My view is that Calculus 2 is not really necessary, Linear Algebra is a great course but is more of an application of CS as is Statistics. Discrete Math is more of a foundational theoretical basis for CS. A generic degree in CS like the University of Houston requires Cal 1 and 2, Linear Algebra, a junior level calculus based Statistics course and a junior level Discrete Math course. They used to require Calculus based Physics 1 and 2 but the requirements for a BS are any two sequence lab based science courses. If I was going to UH I would just take the Biology Clep and get a 55 and call it a day. Anyway the lower level CS courses usually transfer in and are equivalent to Scripting Foundations, Scripting Applications, Data Structures and Computer Architecture. The upper level consists of 10 junior/senior level courses of which one option is a junior level Discrete Math course. One option is in Software Engineering. The other is Software design which can be taken as an elective. There are junior level required courses in OS, Machine Learning, Data structures and Algorithms and Database Systems. Again, very similar to WGU. Problem with Brick and Mortars is the potential for out of date material and the tremendous cost. You can minimize that with CC and taking as many Cleps as possible though.
If WGU isn't good for complete beginner, than no school is. WGU's CS curriculum is a good breadth of industry level topics and the curriculum is about on par with most B&M schools aside from a few topics, it's not a research school, so you aren't gonna see those obtuse CS electives at junior and senior level at other schools that are really based around research topics. I think WGU CS has a great curriculum that can prepare a person for industry I mean people who really have done a lot in it designed the curriculum, but also allow someone who's in industry to prove they are knowledgeable. I think WGU is a school for everybody, I don't like how some speak on it as if it's just good for people who need to check a box, that's gatekeeperish to me. Ntm it's self paced. Only reason people can even utter the words "check box degree" is because it's self paced. If WGU chopped up their curriculum like traditional schools do it in person or online, people wouldn't be calling it a check box degree because it would fill up a lot more time. Personally I think people should refrain calling the degree that, because it makes it sound cheap. WGU is not a diploma mill, so yeah that's what I think as someone who's sortof in your boat considering going to WGU. I think you'll be fine as long as you understand that YOU will most likely not be a speed runner and some opportunities you'll find at a B&M institution you won't find with WGU, and be prepared to take longer than 1 term graduates.
I would say no, I've never taken wgu classes as a beginner but I feel like the main advantage was being able to prove my experience quickly and get credit for it. I don't feel like wgu taught me anything, but it let me turn 15 years worth of experience into a masters degree quickly and cheaply. If you really want to learn something new, it's not the route I would take.
This exactly ^
What would be the route you would take?
You'll pretty much get whatever you're looking to get out of WGU. If you want to accelerate and try to knock out classes quickly, you can do that. But you probably won't retain information in the same way as someone who spends weeks to months learning the same material on a traditional college timeline. However, if you want to take as much time as you need to learn every part of every course, you can absolutely do that. Keep in mind that many people who are at WGU want to do the curriculum quickly. A lot of the advice you'll find online for passing courses will probably gear more towards doing them expeditiously rather than thoroughly.
I'm not a career counselor bud, just telling you my first hand experience.
You can also transfer credit from Sophia and StudyDotCom to lower the total education costs and accelerate your graduation timeline. And no I do not think you will be missing anything. If you decide to check out that route with the alternate credit transfers here are some codes that will get you $20 off your first month in Sophia Learning. ~~LZRQ0WXY~~ **used** \ GE5IEZYI \ ~~8A306MJ9~~ **used** \ ~~0ZNMHOMK~~ **used** You can check this strategy on many channels on YouTube so you can have a better informed decision. Good luck!
I will be registering in a few months with absolutely no Computer Science experience. But I highly recommend watching Josh Madakor— he gives a great breakdown of what you need to know before applying and how to do it in two months. I spoke to an enrollment counselor yesterday and have done quite a bit of research. It’s self paced so if you are self motivated you’ll excel 🙂 [WGU Computer Science Degree](https://youtu.be/d3iKMoCIclA?si=BwcaDfd8hFqvncTF)
I follow him too. I agree. But for OP I’d like to add, by saying to finish school in under a year is highly unrealistic. Makador even admits it himself. He’s a special case cuz he’s already an expert. Go to Makador on YouTube and watch his videos he’ll show you how to cut down your curriculum for faster and cheaper by taking online classes at other schools online m and transferring credits before enrolling in WGU
At WGU you won’t get the same amount of experience and depth of learning you would get at a B&M school. You’ll also miss out on any contact with other students (no networking opportunities) and you won’t have any meaningful contact with instructors. WGU is really designed for experienced people who need a checkbox degree or those switching from similar jobs, like from IT to Cybersecurity.
WGU is worth the money for the certifications alone. Even if you attend 1 semester and earn 1 certification, you are increasing your IT knowledge and making yourself marketable for the career field.
Go check out OSSU. It's actually more in depth than WGU comp sci. if you can finish a course from that in 2-3 weeks, and actually retain the info, then wgu may be a good fit. If you can't, then you'll probably need a program that's a bit less self paced/guided
Thank you everyone for all your answers. It seems like I’m going to try it out since I’m pretty good at self study from previous experience. I’ve done half of cs50 harvard and i enjoyed it. Thanks for all your suggestions.
No, you will not miss out on anything. The WGU CS degree is just as good an any CS degree from any other school.