WGU IT Cybersecurity Degree Plan: Difference between revisions

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Created page with "== Software Development Degree Plan == Here is a Software Development Degree plan for Western Governors University (WGU) as of approximately November of 2021. 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 ass..."
 
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== Software Development Degree Plan ==
== Cybersecurity Degree Plan ==
Here is a Software Development Degree plan for [[Western Governors University]] (WGU) as of approximately November of 2021. Please make sure that the suggestions are still valid before beginning to follow this plan.
Here is a Cybersecurity Degree plan for [[Western Governors University]] (WGU) as of approximately June of 2023. 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.
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.
Line 11: Line 11:
* You wanted to maximize the 90 credits of transfer credits
* 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
* You were trying to do a WGU degree in 1 term or few terms as possible
'''WARNING: THIS IS TOUGH DEGREE TO GET. I WOULD SUGGEST PAYING FOR SOME KEY CERTS SUCH AS CYSA+ and PENTEST+ TO PROVE YOU CAN HANDLE THE RIGOR OF THIS DEGREE'''


Use this [https://partners.wgu.edu/transferguidelines It Certification Exams Equivalent Guide] to find certifications that will transfer to this degree program.  (For example, adding CompTIA A+ & ITIL Foundation certs will add 12 transfer credits to this degree)
=== Advantages of a Cybersecurity Degree ===


=== Advantages of a Software Development Degree ===
* Lots of certs, is sort of like an upgraded IT degree
 
* Made for software engineers
*Easier and quicker than Computer Science degree, very little math required
* Flexible degree that can be used for a large variety of careers such as coding or IT
* Flexible degree that can be used for a large variety of careers such as coding or IT


=== Tips on Order in Which to Complete Courses ===
=== Tips on Order in Which to Complete Courses ===
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, starting with non-CS courses. Once those are completed, do CS courses leaving Java/Intro programming and Data Structures for last.
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? ===
=== How Long Will It Take To Complete This Degree Once I Finish All the Alterative Credits? ===
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https://partners.wgu.edu/
https://partners.wgu.edu/


[https://partners.wgu.edu/][https://www.acenet.edu/National-Guide/Pages/Organization.aspx?oid=76099b28-9016-e811-810f-5065f38bf0e1 Sophia ACE Guide]
[https://partners.wgu.edu/][https://www.acenet.edu/National-Guide/Pages/Organization.aspx?oid=82099b28-9016-e811-810f-5065f38bf0e1 Study.com ACE Guide]
== General Education Requirements ==
== General Education Requirements ==
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
Line 41: Line 42:
Provider
Provider
!Course Name
!Course Name
!Course
Id
!WGU Credit
!WGU Credit
|-
|-
|English Composition I
|Composition: Successful Self-Expression
|3
|3
|Sophia
|Sophia
|Foundations of English Composition, English Composition I
|English Composition I
|SOPH-0019, SOPH-0015
|3
|3
|-
|-
|Critical Thinking and Logic
|Critical Thinking and Logic
|3
|3
|Study.com
|Sophia
|Humanities 201: Critical Thinking & Analysis
|Critical Thinking
|SDCM-0243
|3
|3
|-
|-
|Technical Communication
|Introduction to Systems Thinking
|3
|Study.com
|English 305: Advanced Technical Writing
|SDCM-0058
|3
|3
|
|
|
|-
|-
|Introduction to Communication
|Introduction to Communication
|3
|3
|Sophia
|Sophia
|Communication at Work, Pubic Speaking
|Pubic Speaking, Workplace Communication, Business Communication
|SOPH-0034, SOPH-0024
|3
|-
|Introduction to Humanities
|3
|Sophia
|Visual Communications
(Lots of other options from Sophia)
|SOPH-0009
|3
|3
|-
|-
|Ethics in Technology
|Ethics in Technology
|3
|3
|
|
|
|
|
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|-
|-
|American Politics and the US Constitution
|American Politics and the US Constitution
|3
|Study.com
|Political Science 102: American Government
|SDCM-0042
|3
|-
|Introduction to Geography
|3
|3
|Sophia
|Sophia
|US History II
|U.S. Government
(Lots of other options from Sophia)
|SOPH-0025
|3
|3
|-
|-
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|3
|3
|Sophia
|Sophia
|Foundations of College Algebra, College Algebra
|College Algebra
|SOPH-0018, SOPH-0001
|3
|3
|-
|-
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|Sophia
|Sophia
|Foundations of Statistics, Introduction to Statistics
|Foundations of Statistics, Introduction to Statistics
|SOPH-0017, SOPH-0005
|3
|3
|-
|-
|Integrated Physical Sciences
|Health, Fitness and Wellness
|4
|Sophia
|Introduction to Nutrition
|3
|3
|-
|Natural Science Lab
|2
|Sophia
|Sophia
|Environmental Science
|Human Biology Lab, Introduction to Chemistry Lab, Microbiology Lab
|SOPH-0016
|3
|3
|-
|-
!Totals
!Totals
!33
!30
!
!
!
!
!
!24
!30
|}
|}


Line 141: Line 120:
Provider
Provider
!Course Name
!Course Name
!Course
Id
!WGU Credit
!WGU Credit
|-
|-
Line 149: Line 126:
|Sophia
|Sophia
|Introduction to Information Technology
|Introduction to Information Technology
|SOPH-0023
|4
|4
|-
|-
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|Computer Science 107: Database Fundamentals,  
|Computer Science 107: Database Fundamentals,  
Introduction to Relational Databases
Introduction to Relational Databases
|SDCM-0212, SOPH-0047
|3
|3
|-
|-
|Network and Security - Foundations
|Network and Security - Foundations
|3
|3
|Study.com
|Study.com or CompTIA
|Computer Science 108: Introduction to Networking
|Computer Science 108: Introduction to Networking, CySA+
|SDCM-0213
|3
|3
|-
|-
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|Computer Science 115: Programming in Java,
|Computer Science 115: Programming in Java,
Computer Science 109: Introduction to Programming
Computer Science 109: Introduction to Programming
|SDCM-0199, SDCM-0214
|3
|3
|-
|-
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|Sophia
|Sophia
|Introduction to Web Development
|Introduction to Web Development
|SOPH-0043
|3
|3
|-
|-
|Business of IT - Applications
|Business of IT - Applications
|4
|4
|
|ITIL
|
|ITIL Foundations Cert
| -
|4
|
|-
|-
!Totals
!Totals
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!
!
!
!
!
!20
!16
|}
|}


Line 206: Line 176:
Provider
Provider
!Course Name
!Course Name
!Course
Id
!WGU Credit
!WGU Credit
|-
|-
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|Study.com
|Study.com
|Computer Science 204: Database Programming
|Computer Science 204: Database Programming
|SDCM-0218
|4
|4
|-
|-
|Advanced Data Management
|Fundamentals of Information Security
|3
|3
|Study.com
|Study.com
|Computer Science 303: Database Management
|Computer  
|SDCM-0164
Science 110 or
 
Computer Science 202
|3
|3
|-
|-
|Web Development Applications
|Introduction to Programming in Python
|6
|3
|
|Sophia
|
|Intro to Python
|
|3
|
|-
|Linux Foundations
|3
|LPI, CompTIA
|Linux Essentials, Linux+
|3
|-
|-
|Scripting and Programming - Applications
|Business of IT - Project Management
|4
|Sophia
|Project Management
|4
|4
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|Data Structures and Algorithms
|Cyber Defense and Countermeasures
|4
|4
|Study.com
|Study.com or CompTIA
|Computer Science 201: Data Structures & Algorithms
|Computer Science 331: Cybersecurity Risk Analysis Management, CySA+
(Take Java first since the assignment is in Java)
|SDCM 0217
|4
|4
|-
|-
|Business of IT - Project Management
|Digital Forensics in Cybersecurity
|4
|4
|Sophia
|Study.com
|Project Management
|Computer Science 336: Network Forensics or
|SOPH-0013
|4
|4
|-
|-
|Mobile Application Development
|Introduction to Cryptography
|3
|4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|Organizational Behavior and Leadership
|Managing Cloud Security
|3
|Study.com
|Business 107: Organizational Behavior
|SDCM-0009
|3
|-
|Software Engineering
|4
|4
|Study.com
|Computer Science 307: Software Engineering
|SDCM-0220
|4
|-
|Software Quality Assurance
|3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|User Experience Design
|Legal Issues in Information Security
|3
|4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|User Interface Design
|Information Systems Security
|4
|4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|Software I
|Emerging Technologies in Cybersecurity
|6
|4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|Software II
|Managing Information Security
|6
|6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Analysis
|4
|CompTIA
|Pentest+
|4
|-
|Networks
|4
|CompTIA
|CompTIA Network+
|4
|-
|Network and Security - Applications
|4
|CompTIA
|CySA+, CompTIA Security+
|4
|-
|-
|IT Foundations
|IT Foundations
|4
|4
|
|CompTIA
|
|CompTIA A+
| -
|4
|
|-
|-
|IT Applications
|IT Applications
|4
|4
|
|CompTIA
|
|CompTIA A+
| -
|4
|
|-
|-
!Total
!Total
!65
!71
!
!
!
!
!
!30
!45
|}
|}


Line 340: Line 305:
Provider
Provider
!Course Name
!Course Name
!Course
Id
!WGU Credit
!WGU Credit
|-
|-
|Software Development Capstone
|IT Capstone
|4
|4
|
|
|
|
|
Line 353: Line 315:
!Totals
!Totals
!4
!4
!
!
!
!
!
Line 368: Line 329:
Provider
Provider
!Course Name
!Course Name
!Course
Id
!WGU
!WGU
Transfer Credit
Transfer Credit
90 max
|-
|-
|General Education Requirements
|General Education Requirements
|33
|30
|
|
|
|
|
|30
|26
|-
|-
|Core Courses
|Core Courses
Line 384: Line 344:
|
|
|
|
|
|20
|16
|-
|-
|Additional Courses
|Additional Courses
|65
|71
|
|
|
|
|
|45
|22
|-
|-
|Non-Transferable Courses
|Non-Transferable Courses
|4
|4
|
|
|
|
|
Line 405: Line 362:
!
!
!
!
!
!91
!68
|}
|}
<small>*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.</small>
<small>*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.</small>
[[Category:Degree Plans]][[Category:WGU]]
[[Category:Degree Plans]][[Category:WGU]]

Latest revision as of 09:30, 10 June 2023

Cybersecurity Degree Plan[edit | edit source]

Here is a Cybersecurity Degree plan for Western Governors University (WGU) as of approximately June of 2023. 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

WARNING: THIS IS TOUGH DEGREE TO GET. I WOULD SUGGEST PAYING FOR SOME KEY CERTS SUCH AS CYSA+ and PENTEST+ TO PROVE YOU CAN HANDLE THE RIGOR OF THIS DEGREE

Advantages of a Cybersecurity Degree[edit | edit source]

  • Lots of certs, is sort of like an upgraded IT degree
  • Flexible degree that can be used for a large variety of careers such as coding or IT

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.

https://partners.wgu.edu/

[1]Sophia ACE Guide

[2]Study.com ACE Guide

General Education Requirements[edit | edit source]

Course Competency

Units Value

Course

Provider

Course Name WGU Credit
Composition: Successful Self-Expression 3 Sophia English Composition I 3
Critical Thinking and Logic 3 Sophia Critical Thinking 3
Introduction to Systems Thinking 3
Introduction to Communication 3 Sophia Pubic Speaking, Workplace Communication, Business Communication 3
Ethics in Technology 3
American Politics and the US Constitution 3 Sophia U.S. Government 3
Applied Algebra 3 Sophia College Algebra 3
Applied Probability and Statistics 3 Sophia Foundations of Statistics, Introduction to Statistics 3
Health, Fitness and Wellness 4 Sophia Introduction to Nutrition 3
Natural Science Lab 2 Sophia Human Biology Lab, Introduction to Chemistry Lab, Microbiology Lab 3
Totals 30 24

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 CompTIA Computer Science 108: Introduction to Networking, CySA+ 3
Scripting and Programming - Foundations 3 Study.com Computer Science 115: Programming in Java,

Computer Science 109: Introduction to Programming

3
Web Development Foundations 3 Sophia Introduction to Web Development 3
Business of IT - Applications 4 ITIL ITIL Foundations Cert 4
Totals 20 20

Additional Courses[edit | edit source]

Course Competency

Units Value

Course

Provider

Course Name WGU Credit
Data Management - Applications 4 Study.com Computer Science 204: Database Programming 4
Fundamentals of Information Security 3 Study.com Computer

Science 110 or

Computer Science 202

3
Introduction to Programming in Python 3 Sophia Intro to Python 3
Linux Foundations 3 LPI, CompTIA Linux Essentials, Linux+ 3
Business of IT - Project Management 4 Sophia Project Management 4
Cyber Defense and Countermeasures 4 Study.com or CompTIA Computer Science 331: Cybersecurity Risk Analysis Management, CySA+ 4
Digital Forensics in Cybersecurity 4 Study.com Computer Science 336: Network Forensics or 4
Introduction to Cryptography 4
Managing Cloud Security 4
Legal Issues in Information Security 4
Information Systems Security 4
Emerging Technologies in Cybersecurity 4
Managing Information Security 6
Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Analysis 4 CompTIA Pentest+ 4
Networks 4 CompTIA CompTIA Network+ 4
Network and Security - Applications 4 CompTIA CySA+, CompTIA Security+ 4
IT Foundations 4 CompTIA CompTIA A+ 4
IT Applications 4 CompTIA CompTIA A+ 4
Total 71 45

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

90 max

General Education Requirements 30 26
Core Courses 20 20
Additional Courses 71 45
Non-Transferable Courses 4 0
Total 122 91

*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.