I saw some recent press about Western Governor's which prompted me to take a look at their online graduate programs in IT. Looks like a very innovative program for both the MBA in Tech Management and M.S. in Information Assurance (seems to prep for CISSP as well as providing CNSS certs, and being on the NSA courseware list). Does anyone have any experience with WGU that they'd like to share? The price and schedule/curriculum are also very impressive. So what's the catch here???
I was given the following advise: The # of transfer credit to masters degree is limited but it is much cheaper to do the certifications before enrolling at WGU. I was told that you will pay more maybe 10 times what you will pay wif you earn certs outse. Then transfer them in to the program and go for it.
No catch that I know of, except they say they do not accept credit transfer at the graduate level (they do for undergrad). One of my former classmates is almost done with the WGU MS-ISA, and he is pleased with the program as far as I can tell. I am considering starting the same program after I complete my MS in Space Studies at AMU.
WGU Alum here. Finished a BSIT there and I look at their grad programs constantly. I chose a different school for my MBA. Cost wasn't an issue for me due to tuition reimbursement and at the time the program was sketchy. Not so much now, but you need to ask yourself if you'd be happy if your terminal degree was from a WGU instead of say a UConn or UMass. In terms of their Masters programs in IT, I think those are likely a good deal, as there's far less of a stigma for IT degrees earned online. That said, if you can put the price of the program aside (which in my opinion is the largest draw - and the only reason to go there) really evaluate the curriculum and determine if it's right for you. A lot of people just aren't able to hack being their own professor. If you get a crappy mentor (I had a great one but it's a crap shoot) you're screwed. .. and whomever said it's cheaper to get certs outside the program, I sort of agree. I had all of mine before going into the program. However, I paid just as much for them as I'd have paid for a semester of the program at the time all costs considered (books, lab equipment, etc) mileage may vary. So mark me down as being really happy with my undergrad from WGU due to price, the fact I had all my certs, had a great mentor, already had another undergrad from a B&M, and had no intention of creating a situation where WGU would be the school providing my terminal degree. I would not go to their grad programs, unless a similar situation presented itself. I'd need to have another masters from a B&M, and be aiming at a Doctorate, before I'd go back. Still, I should end on a good note. WGU is establishing quite a name for itself as a quality provider of education and is probably one of the places that will end up being very credible in the long term.
I'm going to use ITJD's comments as a jumping off point, but not necessarily respond to them directly. Working on their BSIT now, hope to be done in a few months. I had other plans for a bachelor's prior, but certain work/life demands started to push me for a program that I could complete more quickly. Their associate's degree transfer policy was very helpful in that regard. In other words, a regionally-accredited local B&M school will still trump most DL programs, especially for-profit DETC and online-only schools. I get that. I think the tide is shifting, though, as many others point out here almost continually. In fact, search DETC school names in LinkedIn. . . you may find quite a few of their graduates are doing well. Back to WGU. . . I think the self-paced nature is also a big plus for IT folks, and should not be ignored. Most master's programs in other schools are decidedly NOT self-paced. I've been looking at such programs a lot lately. You could conceivably complete WGU's master's in a year-and-a-half, maybe even a year if you're a machine (or a masochist). It's difficult to find reasonably priced RA master's programs you could complete that quickly. Depends on the certs, I think. Not done yet, but a similar sentiment here. I see increasing numbers of alumni going back for their master's there, so maybe it's becoming worthwhile to do. My current thinking is they'd have to offer me a substantial scholarship to get me to go back for a master's-- it would have to be cheaper than Amberton's to outweigh the other programs out there. Additionally, I think they have work to do to strengthen the credibility of the Certified MBA exam for that program. They've continued to refine the quality of their programs, and are developing a reputation in some circles. Recent advancements like acceptance of Straighterline credit and the alliance with the Indiana college system should continue to bolster their credibility. As they improve, I think word of mouth will drive enrollments as well.
Agreed on all of your comments Petedude. I will also state that my evaluation had everything to do with my inputs only. IT people will love WGU in general.. but as you did with my comments, I'd like to address the one comment above that I noted out of your set. WGU needs to immediately rebuke all ownership rights they have in the Certified MBA exam before I'd consider the MBA program. It used to be that the exam was a required part of the curriculum and when I did some deep dives on a credential I'd not seen before, guess who owned it. These days it's not required, but it's still a big ethical question mark. Regardless, good school.. bordering on great school and no issues with me.
