Thoughts on WGU's new MS IT Network Management

Western Governors University has a new MS in IT Network Management program that they just released this year. It does not require any industry certifications like it's MS in Information Security & Assurance program, but requires a capstone project and oral defense instead.

I have read on TechExams.net that if can be completed in under a year if you are dedicated at a total cost of around $6k. WGU is a RA school and this might be a good alternative and affordable program for people. I am considering getting it if it is feasible to knock out in under a year.

Does anybody here have experience with WGU and their graduate programs or thoughts on this program?

Link to Detailed Program Guide: http://www.wgu.edu/wgu/prog_guide/MSITNM.pdf
Link to Program Web Page: Online IT Network Degree | MS in Network Management

 

I have no experience with Western Governors University, but I have been a huge fan in term of low cost education. Anyway, the program seems to be solid; however, it surprises me that the program does not line up with any IT certifications (ie. CCNP or CCIE), or PMP. The program looks great, but lack of name recognition. Though you cannot expect with that kind of tuition.

 

I agree. It is interesting that it doesn't align with any IT Industry certifications, especially because several of there other programs do. However, it appears that it is more management focused that IT operations focused so that is probably why.

I agree, you cannot beat the cost. It is a non-profit school established by 19 governors in the Western States and is considered a state school in several states (Texas, Indiana, etc) aimed at providing a low-cost alternative distance-based college degree.

 

I'm late to the game with this post as I've been focused on a new job recently. However, I do believe I have something to offer in reply due to my history as a WGU alum in the undergrad Network Management program and current student in the MSISA.

1. I am inclined to support the WGU programs to a point. I am after all, an alum.
2. I am not inclined to recommend WGU unless you already have IT experience.

Why: It's not a place where people should go if they are learning IT for the first time, and isn't a place where the eventual degree will matter much if you don't have certs and experience coming out. It is a place where if you have certs and experience the degree will round out the resume and provide a decent experience for a low cost.

So if there's a masters program that offers a degree but doesn't provide certs and you don't have certs already, regardless of cost, you're not getting value unless you have significant experience.

If it's a program that's focused on IT Operations alone, you're better off getting a MBA and getting certs. While IT Ops is a solid discipline, unless you're aiming at a big company it's not a landed enough discipline that it's going to be hired for explicitly. You need a reasonably large IT department to have them value a pure IT Ops manager.

So overall, WGU is an ok school. It's gotten worse, not better since I went undergrad in 2005 and if I wasn't a CISSP and CISA already with significant experience, I wouldn't have gone back for the MSISA. Same could be said if the MSISA didn't have the CEH, Cisco and other certs attached.

WGU falls in the category of "good enough and meets the basics". It's regionally accredited and growing. The tuition is right and you can check a few resume boxes by going there. People are nice. I do believe that the grading has been outsourced to India regardless of claims otherwise (grades delivered on US national holidays, errors in comprehension native English speakers wouldn't make, etc.) but nothing's bad enough that I would tell people to stay away..

Just make sure you go for the right reasons with the right expectations.