WGU IT Computer Science Degree Plan
Computer Science Degree Plan
Here is a Computer Science 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
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
Advantages of a Computer Science Degree
- One of the most popular and most recognized degrees in computer technology
- Considered the gold standard for software engineers
- 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
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.
How Long Will It Take To Complete This Degree Once I Finish All the Alterative Credits?
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
This degree plan was made using this source to map out all the alternative credits.
General Education Requirements
| Course | Competency
Units Value |
Course
Provider |
Course Name | WGU Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Composition: Successful Self-Expression | 3 | Sophia | English Composition I/II, Workplace Writing II | 3 |
| Technical Communication | 3 | Study.com | English 305: Advanced Technical Writing | 3 |
| Introduction to Communication | 3 | Sophia | Workplace Communication,
Business Communication, Pubic Speaking |
3 |
| Global Arts and Humanities | 3 | Sophia | Visual Communications, Art History I/II, Intro to Ethics, Ancient Greek Philosophers, or Approaches to Studying Religions | 3 |
| Ethics in Technology | 3 | |||
| American Politics and the US Constitution | 3 | Sophia | U.S. Government | 3 |
| Introduction to Geography | 3 | Sophia | Macro/micro econ, US History I/II, Intro to Psychology, Intro to Sociology | 3 |
| Applied Probability and Statistics | 3 | Sophia | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| Health, Fitness and Wellness | 4 | Sophia | Introduction to Nutrition | 3 |
| Natural Sciences Lab | 2 | Sophia | Human Biology Lab, Introduction to Chemistry Lab, Microbiology Lab | 3 |
| Totals | 30 | 27 |
Core Courses
| Course | Competency
Units Value |
Course
Provider |
Course Name | WGU Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to IT | 4 | Sophia | Introduction to Information Technology | 4 |
| Data Management - Foundations | 3 | Sophia or Study.com | Introduction to Relational Databases, Computer Science 107: Database Fundamentals, | 3 |
| Network and Security - Foundations | 3 | Study.com | Computer Science 108: Introduction to Networking | 3 |
| Scripting and Programming - Foundations | 3 | Sophia or Study.com | Intro to Java, Computer Science 115: Programming in Java | 3 |
| Web Development Foundations | 3 | Sophia | Introduction to Web Development | 3 |
| Business of IT - Applications | 4 | ITIL | ITIL Foundations Certification
Note: Since certs are free to do at WGU, you can take the cert at WGU if you want. This is optional. |
4 |
| Totals | 20 | 20 |
Additional Courses
| Course | Competency
Units Value |
Course
Provider |
Course Name | WGU Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus I | 4 | Sophia or
Straigherline |
Calculus I, General Calculus I
Note: Use Symbolab or another calculator that can do Calculus problems. Note: Straigherline allows you to use a TI-Nspire CAS calculator, which makes Calculus much easier. 1/2 of the problems you should be able to solve using a plug and chug method. |
4 |
| Discrete Mathematics I | 4 | Study.com | Math 108: Discrete Mathematics | 4 |
| Discrete Mathematics II | 4 | |||
| Data Management - Applications | 4 | Study.com | Computer Science 204: Database Programming | 4 |
| Advanced Data Management | 3 | Study.com | Computer Science 303: Database Management | 3 |
| Java Fundementals | 3 | |||
| Java Frameworks | 3 | |||
| Scripting and Programming - Applications | 4 | |||
| Data Structures and Algorithms I | 4 | Study.com | Computer Science 201: Data Structures & Algorithms
Note: Take Java first since the assignment is in Java |
4 |
| Fundamentals of Information Security | 3 | Study.com | Computer Science 110: Introduction to Cybersecurity, Computer Science 202: Network and System Security | 3 |
| Linux Foundations | 3 | |||
| Operating Systems for Programmers | 3 | |||
| Computer Architecture | 3 | Study.com | Computer Science 306: Computer Architecture | 3 |
| Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 3 | Study.com | Computer Science 311: Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| IT Leadership Foundations | 3 | Sophia | Principles of Management | 3 |
| Software Engineering | 4 | Study.com | Computer Science 307: Software Engineering | 4 |
| Software Quality Assurance | 3 | |||
| Back-End Programming | 3 | |||
| Advanced Java | 3 | |||
| Version Control | 1 | |||
| Total | 65 | 35 |
Non-Transferable Courses
| Course | Competency
Units Value |
Course
Provider |
Course Name | WGU Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data Structures and Algorithms II | 4 | |||
| Computer Science Capstone | 4 | |||
| Totals | 8 | 0 |
Total Transfer Credit
| Course | Competency
Units Value |
Course
Provider |
Course Name | WGU
Transfer Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 30 | 27 | ||
| Core Courses | 20 | 20 | ||
| Additional Courses | 65 | 35 | ||
| Non-Transferable Courses | 8 | 0 | ||
| Total | 123 | 82 |
*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.