WGU IT Network Operations and Security Degree Plan
Note[edit | edit source]
WGU has updated their degree and it appears that Network Operations and Security has been replaced with Network Engineering and Security with an optional Cisco Track.
Degree Plan[edit | edit source]
Here is a Degree plan for Western Governors University (WGU) as of approximately June of 2022. Please make sure that the suggestions are still valid before beginning to follow this plan.
The alternative credit courses were handpicked using experience from previous students as to what courses will be the easiest and quickest courses to take. In places with multiple courses listed, the first course is assumed to be the fastest/easiest course to take.
Doing Certifications at WGU vs Transferring Them In[edit | edit source]
Certifications are free at WGU, so it's optional if you want to pay the fees to transfer in certifications.
You would want to do certifications outside WGU if:
- You wanted to maximize the 90 credits of transfer credits
- You were trying to do a WGU degree in 1 term or few terms as possible
Use this It Certification Exams Equivalent Guide to find certifications that will transfer to this degree program.
Tips on Order in Which to Complete Courses[edit | edit source]
Start with Sophia, do English Composition first. Unfortunately, Sophia only allows 2 courses open at one time, so after you start English Comp, do a course that doesn't have any touchstones (written assignments). Once done with Sophia, start doing Study.com courses.
How Long Will It Take To Complete This Degree Once I Finish All the Alterative Credits?[edit | edit source]
How long to complete depends on various factors such as experience, time commitment, the efficiency of studying, etc. However, considering you spend at least 20 hours a week on your studies, completing this degree should take 1-2 terms.
Source of Credit[edit | edit source]
This degree plan was made using this source to map out all the alternative credits.
General Education Requirements[edit | edit source]
| Course | Competency
Units Value |
Course
Provider |
Course Name | WGU Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Composition I | 3 | Sophia | Foundations of English Composition, English Composition I | 3 |
| English Composition II | 3 | Study.com
or Sophia |
English 105: English Comp II
Note: Sophia English Comp II takes 2 months to grade which is why it's not recommended. |
3 |
| Technical Communication | 3 | Study.com | English 305: Advanced Technical Writing | 3 |
| Introduction to Communication | 3 | Sophia | Pubic Speaking | 3 |
| Introduction to Humanities | 3 | Sophia | Visual Communications
(Lots of other options from Sophia) |
3 |
| Ethics in Technology | 3 | |||
| American Politics and the US Constitution | 3 | Study.com | Political Science 102: American Government | 3 |
| Introduction to Geography | 3 | Sophia | US History II
(Lots of other options from Sophia) |
3 |
| Applied Algebra | 3 | Sophia | College Algebra | 3 |
| Applied Probability and Statistics | 3 | Sophia | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| Introduction to Biology | 3 | Study.com | Biology 101L | 3 |
| Integrated Physical Sciences | 3 | Sophia | Environmental Science | 3 |
| Natural Science Lab | 2 | Study.com | Biology 101L | 2 |
| Totals | 38 | 35 |
Core Courses[edit | edit source]
| Course | Competency
Units Value |
Course
Provider |
Course Name | WGU Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to IT | 4 | Sophia | Introduction to Information Technology | 4 |
| Data Management - Foundations | 3 | Study.com or Sophia | Computer Science 107: Database Fundamentals,
Introduction to Relational Databases |
3 |
| Network and Security - Foundations | 3 | Study.com or Cisco | Computer Science 108: Introduction to Networking
or CCNA, CCNP, CCIE |
3 |
| Scripting and Programming - Foundations | 3 | Study.com | Computer Science 109: Introduction to Programming, or
Computer Science 115: Programming in Java, |
3 |
| Web Development Foundations | 3 | Sophia | Introduction to Web Development | 3 |
| Business of IT - Applications | 4 | |||
| Totals | 20 | 16 |
Additional Courses[edit | edit source]
| Course | Competency
Units Value |
Course
Provider |
Course Name | WGU Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Programming in Python | 3 | Study.com | Computer Science 113: Python | 3 |
| Linux Foundations | 3 | Study.com | Computer Science 106: Linux | 3 |
| Business of IT - Project Management | 4 | Sophia | Project Management | 4 |
| Cloud Foundations | 3 | Note: AWS Cloud Practitioner is cheap and fast to get. | ||
| Spreadsheets | 3 | |||
| Introduction to Cryptography | 4 | |||
| Managing Cloud Security | 4 | |||
| Organizational Behavior and Leadership | 3 | Study.com | Business 107 | |
| Principles of Management | 4 | Sophia | Principles of Management | 4 |
| Emerging Technologies | 2 | Study.com | Computer Science 310 or Computer Science 311 | 2 |
| Cloud Deployment and Operations | 3 | |||
| Implementing and Administering Networking Solutions | 6 | Cisco | CCNA, CCNP, CCIE | 6 |
| Networks | 4 | Cisco | CCNA, CCNP, CCIE | 4 |
| Network and Security - Applications | 4 | Cisco | CCNA, CCNP, CCIE | 4 |
| IT Foundations | 4 | CompTIA | CompTIA A+ | 4 |
| IT Applications | 4 | CompTIA | CompTIA A+ | 4 |
| Total | 58 | 38 |
Non-Transferable Courses[edit | edit source]
| Course | Competency
Units Value |
Course
Provider |
Course Name | WGU Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT Capstone | 4 | |||
| Totals | 4 | 0 |
Total Transfer Credit[edit | edit source]
| Course | Competency
Units Value |
Course
Provider |
Course Name | WGU
Transfer Credit (Max 90cr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 38 | 35 | ||
| Core Courses | 20 | 16 | ||
| Additional Courses | 58 | 38 | ||
| Non-Transferable Courses | 4 | 0 | ||
| Total | 120 | 89 |
*To copy this degree plan, hold down left mouse button, drag to select tables, then copy/paste (CTR+C/CTR+P) to Sheets or Excel.