WGU BS Information Technology Software Development Program

I am considering returning to school to complete my bs degree. Western Governors University (WGU) offers a BS in Information Technology Software Development. It is designed for I/T workers who have a certification of some sort (and which they give academic credit). The program is completely competency based, meaning that there are somewhere between 12 to 19 tests in 8 domains. I won't have to take 4 of these tests because of my MCSD certification. Its also unclear if my 2 years of general college education courses taken many years ago will reduce the number of tests further.

Tuition is fairly reasonable at $2590 every 6 months. According to the enrollment advisor, the average completion time is around 2 to 2.5 years, but he claims that individuals who can devote more time or have more experience can typically accelerate the time to graduation. There are some who have completed the program in under a year. The school is regionally accredited.

Has anyone graduated from WGU, or is currently enrolled there? If so, can you tell me about your impressions and whether or not you would recommend the school.

Thanks,

Bob

 

Hi Bob12345,

I graduated from WGU's BS CIS program in 2003. I started with WGU during a growing pains period, but things seem to have stabilized quite a bit since. My experience was very good, and I would recommend WGU to anyone with experience in their field of study. Eventhough I was with WGU for over 3 years, I would say that once I got busy with doing the work and taking the assessment exams, I was done in a little over a year. Just make sure you keep in close contact with your counselor/mentor, and everything should work out fine.
BTW, if you run a search in this forum on my user name, you will see some more input.

Best of luck.

 

Hi Mauditt,

Thanks for the info. Its been many weeks since I last communicated with WGU. I have not applied yet and don't believe I ever will.

After sending my transcripts in order for my enrollment counselor to determine the exact number of assessments I will have to take to complete my degree, which was his idea, he has not contacted me since. He also had a mentor contact me. I sent this mentor an email with a few questions and he never got back to me either!

I have decided that if I'm having problems with them before I enroll, what will it be like after I enroll and they have my money? This leaves me quite unimpressed with them at this point in time.

Bob

 

Bob12345,

I understand and appreciate your situation. I had similar periods of disconnect with my first mentor. It was very frustrating, and I thought of going elsewhere, too. Subsequently, my luck changed, he quit, and I was hooked up with a fabulous mentor who helped me march through the program in short time. They key is to get a mentor who cares. The faculty at WGU need to hear your story. I can forward it on to my mentor as a note, if that's OK with you.

Regardless, best of luck to you!