3. C. - I have a B.S. and M.B.A from WGU. I make close to 160k at a fortune 100 company. My hiring manager also has his degree with WGU. Stop worrying about recognition. It's not a thing. The school just needs to be regionally accredited.
Was there any particular reasons you chose to get each of the degrees at those specific levels? Was there some advantage to having both the IT and SC degrees as bachelors and the cyber security as your masters? @JoshMadakor
I don’t think a lot of people realize Wgu has been around 27 years , older than most people questioning their validity. If you finish in 6 months and you transferred courses that’s normal. If you come in with over half the credit why would you expect to have to put 4 years down as in any other school. It’s so weird people still treat WGU like a scam or something. Just do your research. Most people would be surprised what accreditation really is. Wgu is awesome by the way.
They do the same with SNHU. Completely legit school, but some how public perception morphed. I have always wondered if it was because of commercials. But then again most schools have them.
Most people don't even know that WGU holds MORE accreditation than most so-called highly respected universities. They were the first university to receive REGIONAL accreditation from four different regions at the same time. In fact, I'm not sure if any others have even accomplished that still. It puzzles me that anyone questions WGU. They were created by 20 sitting US Governors...hence the name...and their programs came from asking the industries what they actually needed from graduates. Not to mention the fact that so many schools crank out graduates in degree programs that are absolutely useless in the real world. WGU is big with Nurses and other Medical professionals, Teachers, Business Management, and in the Tech sector. And those are their four schools.
@@AntowanSNHU sucks they failed me because I didn’t do 1 week and the final project but got all A in each week 😂 was told they don’t go by grades they go by point system which doesn’t even add up still. It was cheap so didn’t care just paid the $1,200 n leave reviews with proof
Got a 45/hr remote job writing basic sql code in my early 20s with my WGU degree, only 3 months experience in something irrelevant. I have ADHD, so if it weren’t for any competency-based college accommodating my “slack-then-surge” work style I would probably still be broke and living with my parents lol
@@fatimatariq1313 Accounting. Though I would probably tell my younger self to do business management instead so I could graduate in one year rather than two.
I just graduated with my B.S. in Cloud Computing. It took me just over 2.5 years. Some courses I banged out in no time at all. Some courses, like Python, Azure Dev, etc., took more time so I could learn the material and not just what I needed to pass the OAs. I also chose a Capstone well out of my wheelhouse, so it would force me to research and learn the tech (Serverless computing with AI data analytics in healthcare). Doing the whole degree in 6 months is applaudable, but the truth is, I wanted the education and not just the paper. Also, if you are doing WGU and you're not banging out classes in a day, don't be discouraged; most people do their degrees in 2-3 years.
I'm currently going through the Cloud Computing program while working full time as a gov contractor and should be done by the end of this year if not next summer. Have you had much "luck" with finding better jobs after completing your degree?
@@M-su4mh I have, but more in the realm of endpoint administration (MS-365/ Entra environments) more so than Cloud Administration and Devops. I am currently in the middle of interview cycle with a major bank and if I nail it, it starts off @ ca. 90k (plus bonuses and benefits) but it's in cybersecurity. I am finding "Cloud" roles like Cloud Administration etc are as rare as t!ts on a hen and those you do find have a ton of competition or want 10+ years/Senior level experience. Your mileage may vary, as this is for my local area. If I had it all to do over again I would have done the network degree or basic BSIT and in my own time did certifications that would directly benefit my work like MD-102 instead of AZ-104 for instance.
I’m a vice president and information security officer. I graduated with my bachelors in cybersecurity from WGU. I finished about 70 CU’s in 4 1/2 months. I recently hired an information security analyst who finished the same degree in 2 years.
@@dotmars thanks for chiming in. is most of cybersec jobs on call, or are there standard hours? i worked in cloud, but thinking to switch to cybersec, tired of the on call.
I got my BSBA in IT Management after watching Josh's videos back in 2020. I decided to pursue a 4 years degree after I was offered 20k less because I only had an AAS, I was explicitly told by the recruiter while negotiating my salary that they could not place me in the same salary bracket as someone with a bachelor's degree. It took me 4 months to complete and cost me $3,500 and now I am elegiable to apply for any jobs including federal jobs.
It’s awesome there are universities like WGU based online but fully accredited and legit! The fact it’s a real deal college degree solidifies the formal education requirement if an employer is looking for one. I have more than decade of IT exp but no degree just a certificate from local college. To be honest, you become a IT professional by working in the industry not by certs and or degrees. With that said, I’m thinking and open to obtaining a bachelor’s at least and explore from there if getting a masters may open higher opportunities for me in the future. So glad you covered more in depth on this topic Josh and your content is Among the top in my opinion here on UA-cam. Please keep feeding us more so we can all remain informed 😃👏
Dude! I want to THANK YOU for your videos, thanks to you im a college graduate! I did not want to go to college because I didn't want to invest four years and a ton of money, but your videos informed me that I could do it in months. I got my bachelor's of science and business administration - IT and it only took 9 months only $8k. Again, thank you!
I have 15 years in the industry and certs , and all the brick and mortar schools cared about was my college transcript from 25 years ago. WGU understands how to value experience.
I've sat on technical interviews and personally I don't care how long it took you to finish a degree. I'm going to find out what you know and if you're worth the time.
I completed my BS in Information Technology Management two years and 4 months. I transferred 38 credits from AAS degree. I had some classes I completed in two days and other classes that took me six weeks. I worked between 45-50 hours a week. My scheduled was so much easier than getting my AAS degree. WGU made it easier to balance my studies and life.
I had associates degree when I started WGU and was able to achieve B.S Business in IT Management in 1 year while working full time job in Cybersecurity Training. It was not easy but well worth it. WGU is rigorous with professors who have high positions in this career field.
here to say, Josh is right. I am currently waiting for the actual physical paper, but I did just about the same thing he tells you. Enrolled and started at WGU in March, and now it’s October and I have successfully finished my BSBAM Bachelor Business Administration & Management degree in 7 months while living in SE Asia! It was tough! But i’m glad I found Josh’s channel a year or two ago and just decided to go for it. Looking for a job now.
Im currently in my first term at WGU, and what's nice is that you can zip through the nonsense courses you dont need. Many have done it faster than me, but getting some courses knocked out in 2 weeks is awesome! It also keeps you motivated because you see the 'degree progress ' meter fill up, and it gives you a boost to keep going.
I’m attending this school shortly. At first, I was getting an AAS in cybersecurity to get a feel of the work. After my first semester, I heard of WGU and how if you do it strategically, you can complete your bachelor degree in a shorter timeframe for less money. Competency learning is definitely a game changer and much more encouraging to learn. I’m sure that I speak for majority of people that they rather spend 4k on a degree than 200k especially in a job market where there damn sure is no guarantees.
I found out the VA will pay for my degree , but i do not want to do 4 years of college even 2 years is insane to me if I could get a bachelors in a year or less i’d be so happy
Hey Josh, thanks for telling us all about WGU over the years. I recently finished taking all of the transferrable courses at SDC for the Computer Science program and am currently working towards getting the OCA Java SE 8 cert before I actually enroll in the program (shout-out to Tim Buchalka's Udemy Masterclass). Wish me luck, and thanks again😁
This is why I’m deciding to get a degree. I’ve heard if you get a degree and get certs it’s easier to get a job in IT. Without the degree I’ve heard you can still land a job but it’s more difficult, especially without a background or work history.
A degree in under a year is actually very feasible when you do the math. In a traditional 4 year university, you take 15 credits in a semester. A semester is 15 weeks and you're in class 15 hours per week, so one semester is 225 hours. That's 450 hours per year and 1800 hours for 4 years. One year of full time work is 2080 hours, so doing school even 40 hours per week, you're there less than one year. There's way too much air in a 4 year degree. I mean, you're only there 30 weeks of the 52 weeks in a year. It's ridiculous.
You are using like the bare minimum numbers in every category. Also, you are supposed to spend at least 1 hour out of class for every hour in class. This doesn't typically happen for easy classes, but it will be required for harder classes.
Its not about how much time you took to gain something but its what you gained! Competence based assessment is the future! If you finish MBA, why would you take all the full years of time to get a Masters in Public Administration because so many knowledge areas already overlap
The employers that care about what specific college you went to get your degree are no good employers to work for. That is a form of biased decision making & discrimination if they reject a Graduate just because they went to WGU. The college is fully accredited & was founded by Governors.
Starting MSCIA this August and I’m excited. Thanks again Josh for the video and input. All of my vets, I highly recommend WGU as an option for education because your TA can basically pay for at least 80% a term, plus throw your GI bill options or grants from FAFSA will end up being free.
Starting from scratch at WGU, I will be completing my BS in healthcare administration in under 2 years. I could have potentially finished in 18 months, but I dragged my feet hard last term, and only completed the bare minimum. With the Pell Grant assist, I will only have about $7,000 in student loans.
@@graphicsguy2023was it a rigorous program? Im attending class next month, and I have between 12-14 courses that I will need to complete after all my transcripts are evaluated. Complex?
Im a WGU student. i already have a bachelor's and have certs and tons of other trainings and work experience. Six months from scratch it is very difficult. Im finishing my first bachelor's with them and going to tale me like 8/9 months with my Head start. From scratch i like to think is impossible for the average person.
I start my MS in Data Analytics at WGU on 8/1. Not sure how long it will take me to complete the degree but if anyone ever asks me how long it took, my answer will be - my entire life. I completed 70% of the curriculum towards a MS in CS at a brick and mortar state school (with a 3.5 gpa) before I stopped going because of the 70 mile commute from my work to the campus and also working on more interesting problems at work than at school. Today I have nearly 20yrs of software engineering/ developer experience and about 5 yrs as a hardware computer technician before that. That’s how long it took !
@@rickychang2686 well, I am enrolled but have not started the classes yet. I have been taking Python certificate classes at a local CC and today my final project was due for my final class. I just submitted the final project code couple hours ago. I discussed with my WGU Mentor that I would be finishing up the class on the 4th from another college and will start WGU on the 5th (tomorrow). He did not have a problem with that. I don’t know about the classes at WGU yet, but the enrollment process was flawless. The communication has been very easy and there was always someone to answer any question I had. I am very impressed so far. Can’t wait to get going tomorrow.
Great video as always Josh, glad you're back helping us! It's so unfortunate that wgu seems to have the only competency based computer science degree and it's not available for us EU citizens
Information Security Officer here. I finished my cybersecurity degree in 4 1/2 months. Transferred in about 50 CU’s. Currently working on obtaining my CISSP mid 2025.
8:17 Thanks for doing this video. I am thinking that most people are falsely equating online to not accredited. WGU is an accredited online university.
I start WGU July 1st of this year. I was debating on going to a local community college to rake in that military BAH for my area, but I believe I can graduate WGU in under 1 year as opposed to 4 year universities.
Thanks Josh, this should lower the price of education considerably. There is no reason to get a "4 year degree" if you can finish the necessary work in 6 months.
People who works in this industry usually don’t have degree and they love to punish people who wants to learn from scratch and put an effort getting things done. It will all the time bothers other that who didn’t go that way because they know that employers care education. Point is here you making things look smaller doesn’t make things smaller it shows your ignorance and jealousy. WGU is the best place to be in. And we have to support education in this sector.
Manager in retail leadership here, yeah when we interview people our company "wants" college but all we look at is if you have it or not, dont care where its from or when or how long. In fact, dont even really care if its a bachelors or masters for retail leadership. Im also referring to positions paying 90k-150k. Nobody actually cares.
I’m really not a fan of this title because it makes this pretty cool college that is nationally accredited look like a degree mill which it is not. 99% of students do not finish in six months that is the vast minority that do. People who do usually have a background in the degree program. The college has been around since 1997 and they pioneered the online degree program. WGU also has a great reputation. What makes it look bad is all of these different videos on social media talking about six month degrees at WGU. As a fellow student at WGU, I will say that people need to understand, do their research, and make educated decisions. Pursue any degree program with knowledge and realistic expectations, as well as common sense.
I am going to transfer to a 4 year after community college. 2 years at 4 year for bachelors. I think that I could probably get 2 bachelor degrees in my time at university. The main reason I want university is because of networking opportunities and internships.
I am probably 2/3 the way fine with a business degree from a few years ago that I never finished. I do like wgu, but I'm going to another school to finish quick in information systems. Then I'll go to wgu later to transfer stuff and get something more specific, data science, or the network program they have
My only concern is that it appears you don't get an actual GPA and that they automatically asign a 3.0 if you pass. I'm looking to get my masters, so I don't have to worry about getting into a masters program since I have an undergrad GPA, but does that affect anything in the long run?
Josh, you mentioned that you have 2 bachelors degrees, one in computer science and the other in information technology. Just curious as to why you decided to do both, and which one do you think was the most beneficial for you or that you would suggest to someone?
Nahh imma try busting up in the industry with the google cybersec cert, ur course, and tons of projects to be added on my portfolio and see how things unfold after that. Good luck to all of us
Ive done the theoretical reviews or fundamentals of google it support cert, cybersec cert, and comptia a+ anyways, so i got a bit of chance at least (anything is better than nothing right?)
@@johndoeee888 aight if you meant my progress in relation to josh’s course then here it is… Side note: if not then since I’m on it, might as well tell my experience. 1. Google Cybersecuirty Certification: was able to take a sneak peek of what professionals do in the field; although there’s no fixed specific job(s) to reference it from since the program itself is generalized but overall a good starting point to establish some foundation, especially to those coming from non-IT backgrounds or transitioning… overall a really easy program. I had a whole week of free time and was able to complete the program within the 7 day trial so as long as you are consistent, it will eventually work out. 2. I took qualys free trainings, learned some vulnerability management stuffs and got to navigate around their platform freely, overall a good option to further expose oneself to the cybersec environment. 3. Disclaimer: this is not sponsored lol (opinions vary by experience) Josh’s course “is a hidden gem”, I can’t emphasize enough how much I’ve accomplished within a month. Heads up, I have a month worth of free time so I took my chances to deal with the course. So basically, I was able to roam around Azure as much as I want for 1 month (because I’m stingy of purchasing subscription there and opt to enjoy my free 200usd credit that lasts a month), able to personally setup my own honeynet environment and simulate attacks, analyze them, do more configurations and all, I was able to finish the entire course (with mastery) in less than a month so I squeezed dry my remaining time to perform few more technical projects that I hosted in Azure and the rest is history 4. After this, I’ve been polishing my comptia trifecta fundamentals (without taking the official certifications yet) before pursuing for further projects that I may add in my git porfolio and linkedin. 5. All in all, from technical demonstration of live projects to interview guidance, Josh’s course nailed it. Havent applied yet but Im definitely positive that I can land a job within the next few months
@@MyExRebirthit’s not easy to get admissions into European Universities. Germany for instance requires you to take a test called Abitur in their high school and if you don’t score high enough you won’t ever be able to attend University
Hey Josh! What’s your take on Sophia Org? I know some of their courses are eligible for transfer, but I’ve mostly seen you mention SDC. Just curious to hear your thoughts-thanks in advance!
Hey! You can take Sophia.org for sure, they just have less classes than SDC, there is zero proctor (they pretend to use AI do audit if you're cheating), and I believe the classes SEEM to take longer, from what I've experimented with. I don't really promoted them because I feel they do business in an incredibly lazy way. They ignored me for the longest time, then when they noticed my content, they tried to get me promote them and they offered to pay me $1 per person who signed up. This is the equivalent of me paying them to advertise their products. My mind was so blown by this. So yeah, you can use them for sure, but I'm not going to spend time promoting them when their product is worse and they are lazy :) They COULD potentially be cheaper on paper, but the classes seem to take longer so I'm not sure if they are actually cheaper. Sorry for the long reply
What would someone recommend for me between WGU Comp Sci or WGU Software Eng? I just graduated high school this year, and I took a gap semester but am looking into WGU. I want to do something with coding and am very interested in web development right now, but I want to keep my options open (not just web development) for the future. I don't want to not be able to apply to some job because I don't have a comp sci degree. Software Eng seems more fun and enjoyable, but will skipping the math come back to haunt me later? Before deciding whether to do a computer science or software engineering degree at WGU or even WGU, I have several questions. What is the difference between the software engineering degree (I would do the Java Track) and the computer science degree at WGU? I see many differences, and I would like to know the nuances between the two. a. Why does the computer science degree require way more math than the software engineering one? The classes later in the degree don't seem to use this math too much, so why does it require calculus one and discrete math one and two when software engineering only requires algebra? How is this math utilized, and will I miss out on not having it if I go for the software engineering degree?
b. When using the compare button on the main page, why does the computer science degree only take 24 months to complete (on average), while the software engineering degree takes 35 months to complete (on average)? The more challenging classes seem to be in the computer science degree (calculus and discrete math), so the two extra courses that software engineering has shouldn't take an additional 11 months. How long could I expect it to take for me as a full-time student?
c. On that same page, it says that the average salary increase for someone with a WGU computer science degree is $17,691 compared to only $10,019 for someone with a WGU software engineering degree. Why is this? What is the significant difference in jobs between these two degrees that would cause such a disparity in salary increases? What are jobs that one would be able to get that other wouldn't (and vise versa)?
d. Overall, what is the difference between these two degrees? e. Which degree would you recommend? Which would look better for employers or graduate universities if I tried to get into the coding space? Which would look better for graduate schools? I would probably be going for a master's in computer science if I go for my master's since it's hard to find a master's in software engineering online (or something still related to computers but not computer science).
When obtaining multiple bachelor degrees from WGU once you complete one can you use or piggyback off some of the credits you have already completed in a previous degree to get another degree done faster? Ex bachelor degrees: health science then taking public heath then nursing.
Great video, I have a ton of experience in Business, I am thinking about getting a Business IT management degree, do you need IT experience to accelerate the degree? I have no IT experience. Also, I have about 9 courses I can complete on SDC, but I found it to be very hard, I need about 20 classes and I have a ton of time to complete, should I just enroll at WGU? Also, stick to Business or Business IT management? Thanks please advise as I am trying to be productive.
This is /super/ hard to answer, but the speed at which you get a job basically correlates to how fast you can "level-up" the different areas of the employability framework: ua-cam.com/video/N-pskzV_WQk/v-deo.htmlsi=bDoXHV_6OzX9q51G Definitely watch this video. Not all areas are required, but if you are SUPER strong in one area, it can make up for weaknesses in other areas. Having a degree is good, but it's not enough to get a job. Knowing how to code is good, but it's not enough to get a job. Having projects is good, but it's not enough to get a job. You basically have to attempt to address ALL areas, relatively well, and then be able to convey your abilities well on your resume and applications in order to get an interview, then perform well in the interview. Honestly a degree helps, so if you have the time and resources for it, I recommend you to work toward one. Then the CourseCareers course will likely polish you quite a bit in terms of portfolio, skills, and job hunt/interview skills. (It doesn't really matter the order in which you do these) There are many different paths you can take, and all can get you to where you want to know. Mostly it relies on your strategy and execution. Just use the employability framework (as it pertains to coding) as your strategy/roadmap, then execute hard on it. Also be mindful of the current climate/job market and be very open to what you'll be doing for your first job. For example, consider getting into automation/devops/site reliability or something and be the one doing the automation, instead of competing for jobs that are getting automated away. (this is just an example!) Hope this helps. p.s. In terms of raw coding ability, this is what I did to really increase my skill very quickly: ua-cam.com/video/wVOU-oLOGuk/v-deo.htmlsi=3KPEug8h1a4N5Vuy
I tried applying but they are not accepting international students how can I reach them I believe there are exceptions or can any one recommend options
Hey Josh, i’m at Purdue Global right now obtaining my Associate degree in Criminal Justice. I’m really interested in pursuing a bachelors in cybersecurity because of the certs that comes with it. Would my credits transfer over to WGU? I’m also taking sophia classes to bang out gen ed courses.
WGU will most certainly take a LOT of your credits from both Purdue Global and Sophia. Just get with an enrollment counselor! You can also go here: partners.wgu.edu/home Then scroll down to Sophia Learning or Study.com etc, and you can see which exact classes will transfer into which WGU degrees.
Many employers want transcripts as proof of the degree and that has your start and end date. Probably still not a big deal, just saying. Also I don't think WGU gives real grades or a GPA, just a pass or fail so it wouldn't be great for people going into academia.
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3. C. - I have a B.S. and M.B.A from WGU. I make close to 160k at a fortune 100 company. My hiring manager also has his degree with WGU. Stop worrying about recognition. It's not a thing. The school just needs to be regionally accredited.
I have 8 degrees from WGU. It works for me because you can move at your own pace. I recommend it to many people.
What is your opinion of Umass Global. Is it the same set up?
Was there any particular reasons you chose to get each of the degrees at those specific levels? Was there some advantage to having both the IT and SC degrees as bachelors and the cyber security as your masters? @JoshMadakor
I don’t think a lot of people realize Wgu has been around 27 years , older than most people questioning their validity. If you finish in 6 months and you transferred courses that’s normal. If you come in with over half the credit why would you expect to have to put 4 years down as in any other school. It’s so weird people still treat WGU like a scam or something. Just do your research. Most people would be surprised what accreditation really is. Wgu is awesome by the way.
They do the same with SNHU. Completely legit school, but some how public perception morphed. I have always wondered if it was because of commercials. But then again most schools have them.
Most people don't even know that WGU holds MORE accreditation than most so-called highly respected universities.
They were the first university to receive REGIONAL accreditation from four different regions at the same time. In fact, I'm not sure if any others have even accomplished that still.
It puzzles me that anyone questions WGU. They were created by 20 sitting US Governors...hence the name...and their programs came from asking the industries what they actually needed from graduates. Not to mention the fact that so many schools crank out graduates in degree programs that are absolutely useless in the real world.
WGU is big with Nurses and other Medical professionals, Teachers, Business Management, and in the Tech sector. And those are their four schools.
still it a private university and some countries they dont recognize private university degree
@cezalynsaballe5491 that maybe true. But I can only speak for my country
@@AntowanSNHU sucks they failed me because I didn’t do 1 week and the final project but got all A in each week 😂 was told they don’t go by grades they go by point system which doesn’t even add up still. It was cheap so didn’t care just paid the $1,200 n leave reviews with proof
Got a 45/hr remote job writing basic sql code in my early 20s with my WGU degree, only 3 months experience in something irrelevant. I have ADHD, so if it weren’t for any competency-based college accommodating my “slack-then-surge” work style I would probably still be broke and living with my parents lol
hi what degree did you get from wug ?
@@fatimatariq1313 Accounting. Though I would probably tell my younger self to do business management instead so I could graduate in one year rather than two.
@@AndrewFischer-sz5cbaccounting has coding in it ?
@@blackmillennial2542 No, but learning SQL is easy.
I'm confused. SQL was in degree program?
Most employers don't ask and there's no need to tell them how fast you finished your degree.
Companies do not care how long it takes to acquire a degree, in general. We give companies too much homage! 😅
True they barely read the resumes 😂
I just graduated with my B.S. in Cloud Computing. It took me just over 2.5 years. Some courses I banged out in no time at all. Some courses, like Python, Azure Dev, etc., took more time so I could learn the material and not just what I needed to pass the OAs. I also chose a Capstone well out of my wheelhouse, so it would force me to research and learn the tech (Serverless computing with AI data analytics in healthcare). Doing the whole degree in 6 months is applaudable, but the truth is, I wanted the education and not just the paper. Also, if you are doing WGU and you're not banging out classes in a day, don't be discouraged; most people do their degrees in 2-3 years.
I'm currently going through the Cloud Computing program while working full time as a gov contractor and should be done by the end of this year if not next summer. Have you had much "luck" with finding better jobs after completing your degree?
You still got a 4 year degree in almost half the time and for under possibly 20 grand? That’s very good!
@@M-su4mh I have, but more in the realm of endpoint administration (MS-365/ Entra environments) more so than Cloud Administration and Devops. I am currently in the middle of interview cycle with a major bank and if I nail it, it starts off @ ca. 90k (plus bonuses and benefits) but it's in cybersecurity. I am finding "Cloud" roles like Cloud Administration etc are as rare as t!ts on a hen and those you do find have a ton of competition or want 10+ years/Senior level experience. Your mileage may vary, as this is for my local area. If I had it all to do over again I would have done the network degree or basic BSIT and in my own time did certifications that would directly benefit my work like MD-102 instead of AZ-104 for instance.
@@trevorwade4140 I agree and already thinking about my masters
@M-su4mh what government contract work are you doing?
I keep seeing senior cybersecurity professionals with WGU degrees. Ive started many conversations with that shared experience as the icebreaker
I’m a vice president and information security officer. I graduated with my bachelors in cybersecurity from WGU. I finished about 70 CU’s in 4 1/2 months. I recently hired an information security analyst who finished the same degree in 2 years.
@@dotmars thanks for chiming in. is most of cybersec jobs on call, or are there standard hours? i worked in cloud, but thinking to switch to cybersec, tired of the on call.
I got my BSBA in IT Management after watching Josh's videos back in 2020. I decided to pursue a 4 years degree after I was offered 20k less because I only had an AAS, I was explicitly told by the recruiter while negotiating my salary that they could not place me in the same salary bracket as someone with a bachelor's degree. It took me 4 months to complete and cost me $3,500 and now I am elegiable to apply for any jobs including federal jobs.
Yasssss
I wonder if they take financial aid because $3,500 is out of reach for me.
@@AndreTJones Yes, they do!
Josh just doesn't miss! All of his videos are informative and very well explained. Thanks Josh!!!
It’s awesome there are universities like WGU based online but fully accredited and legit! The fact it’s a real deal college degree solidifies the formal education requirement if an employer is looking for one. I have more than decade of IT exp but no degree just a certificate from local college. To be honest, you become a IT professional by working in the industry not by certs and or degrees. With that said, I’m thinking and open to obtaining a bachelor’s at least and explore from there if getting a masters may open higher opportunities for me in the future. So glad you covered more in depth on this topic Josh and your content is Among the top in my opinion here on UA-cam. Please keep feeding us more so we can all remain informed 😃👏
Dude! I want to THANK YOU for your videos, thanks to you im a college graduate! I did not want to go to college because I didn't want to invest four years and a ton of money, but your videos informed me that I could do it in months. I got my bachelor's of science and business administration - IT and it only took 9 months only $8k. Again, thank you!
what school did you go too??
I have 15 years in the industry and certs , and all the brick and mortar schools cared about was my college transcript from 25 years ago. WGU understands how to value experience.
I've sat on technical interviews and personally I don't care how long it took you to finish a degree. I'm going to find out what you know and if you're worth the time.
I completed my BS in Information Technology Management two years and 4 months. I transferred 38 credits from AAS degree. I had some classes I completed in two days and other classes that took me six weeks. I worked between 45-50 hours a week. My scheduled was so much easier than getting my AAS degree. WGU made it easier to balance my studies and life.
I had associates degree when I started WGU and was able to achieve B.S Business in IT Management in 1 year while working full time job in Cybersecurity Training. It was not easy but well worth it. WGU is rigorous with professors who have high positions in this career field.
I am thinking about getting that degree, do you need experience in IT?
here to say, Josh is right. I am currently waiting for the actual physical paper, but I did just about the same thing he tells you. Enrolled and started at WGU in March, and now it’s October and I have successfully finished my BSBAM Bachelor Business Administration & Management degree in 7 months while living in SE Asia! It was tough! But i’m glad I found Josh’s channel a year or two ago and just decided to go for it. Looking for a job now.
Im currently in my first term at WGU, and what's nice is that you can zip through the nonsense courses you dont need. Many have done it faster than me, but getting some courses knocked out in 2 weeks is awesome! It also keeps you motivated because you see the 'degree progress ' meter fill up, and it gives you a boost to keep going.
I’m attending this school shortly. At first, I was getting an AAS in cybersecurity to get a feel of the work. After my first semester, I heard of WGU and how if you do it strategically, you can complete your bachelor degree in a shorter timeframe for less money. Competency learning is definitely a game changer and much more encouraging to learn. I’m sure that I speak for majority of people that they rather spend 4k on a degree than 200k especially in a job market where there damn sure is no guarantees.
I found out the VA will pay for my degree , but i do not want to do 4 years of college even 2 years is insane to me if I could get a bachelors in a year or less i’d be so happy
Get a masters through WGU, should be able to complete in less than 4 and set yourself up for life
Hey Josh, thanks for telling us all about WGU over the years. I recently finished taking all of the transferrable courses at SDC for the Computer Science program and am currently working towards getting the OCA Java SE 8 cert before I actually enroll in the program (shout-out to Tim Buchalka's Udemy Masterclass).
Wish me luck, and thanks again😁
Utilized the GI Bill for an IT degree and then went back for a Comp Sci from WGU. No regrets.
I’m about to finish my AAS IT security and these videos are awesome. Thank you
Needed to hear this bro, thanks for the insight
WGU is Great! Definitely recommend.
IT Certs with a Degree is Killer Combo to get a Job.
This is why I’m deciding to get a degree. I’ve heard if you get a degree and get certs it’s easier to get a job in IT. Without the degree I’ve heard you can still land a job but it’s more difficult, especially without a background or work history.
@@Dizzinator2114 Definitely.
Fun fact, no one cares where you went to school.
This is a shortcut, but in the end, no one give a shit.
A degree in under a year is actually very feasible when you do the math. In a traditional 4 year university, you take 15 credits in a semester. A semester is 15 weeks and you're in class 15 hours per week, so one semester is 225 hours. That's 450 hours per year and 1800 hours for 4 years. One year of full time work is 2080 hours, so doing school even 40 hours per week, you're there less than one year. There's way too much air in a 4 year degree. I mean, you're only there 30 weeks of the 52 weeks in a year. It's ridiculous.
You are using like the bare minimum numbers in every category. Also, you are supposed to spend at least 1 hour out of class for every hour in class. This doesn't typically happen for easy classes, but it will be required for harder classes.
Its not about how much time you took to gain something but its what you gained! Competence based assessment is the future! If you finish MBA, why would you take all the full years of time to get a Masters in Public Administration because so many knowledge areas already overlap
The employers that care about what specific college you went to get your degree are no good employers to work for. That is a form of biased decision making & discrimination if they reject a Graduate just because they went to WGU. The college is fully accredited & was founded by Governors.
Josh, this was a great, informative video. Thank you for doing this as I got a lot of info with a better understanding
Glad it was helpful! :)
Very informative thank you so much
Starting MSCIA this August and I’m excited. Thanks again Josh for the video and input.
All of my vets, I highly recommend WGU as an option for education because your TA can basically pay for at least 80% a term, plus throw your GI bill options or grants from FAFSA will end up being free.
Thanks for sharing this! Very helpful.
Very good information Josh. Thank you!
Great video and very informative!
Nice video Josh!
Starting from scratch at WGU, I will be completing my BS in healthcare administration in under 2 years. I could have potentially finished in 18 months, but I dragged my feet hard last term, and only completed the bare minimum.
With the Pell Grant assist, I will only have about $7,000 in student loans.
👏🏽👏🏽
@@graphicsguy2023was it a rigorous program? Im attending class next month, and I have between 12-14 courses that I will need to complete after all my transcripts are evaluated. Complex?
Im a WGU student. i already have a bachelor's and have certs and tons of other trainings and work experience. Six months from scratch it is very difficult. Im finishing my first bachelor's with them and going to tale me like 8/9 months with my Head start. From scratch i like to think is impossible for the average person.
Thanks !❤
My daughter completed her BA in Communications at the University of Washington in under two years and nine months.
Wow that's impressive! Good for her.
glasses got my man looking like Fritz Haber!! very cool, thank you for your hard work
I start my MS in Data Analytics at WGU on 8/1. Not sure how long it will take me to complete the degree but if anyone ever asks me how long it took, my answer will be - my entire life. I completed 70% of the curriculum towards a MS in CS at a brick and mortar state school (with a 3.5 gpa) before I stopped going because of the 70 mile commute from my work to the campus and also working on more interesting problems at work than at school. Today I have nearly 20yrs of software engineering/ developer experience and about 5 yrs as a hardware computer technician before that. That’s how long it took !
My former supervisor completed his masters in IT at WGU in 2 months, you can definitely do it in 6.
How did your first two days ago at Wgu?! Would love to hear about it :D
@@rickychang2686 well, I am enrolled but have not started the classes yet. I have been taking Python certificate classes at a local CC and today my final project was due for my final class. I just submitted the final project code couple hours ago. I discussed with my WGU Mentor that I would be finishing up the class on the 4th from another college and will start WGU on the 5th (tomorrow). He did not have a problem with that. I don’t know about the classes at WGU yet, but the enrollment process was flawless. The communication has been very easy and there was always someone to answer any question I had. I am very impressed so far. Can’t wait to get going tomorrow.
Hows the degree going
Great video as always Josh, glad you're back helping us! It's so unfortunate that wgu seems to have the only competency based computer science degree and it's not available for us EU citizens
thanks for the support always! ^^
Let's get dis bread fam
I have an AAS in Business Management. If I was to go back to school, it would be for a B.S. in Computer Science with a Focus on Cybersecurity!😃👍🎉
My advice, don’t go for cybersecurity. Literally everyone is doing that. Go for cloud or networking, at least software engineering
love it so far. in data analytics atm, 52 percent done
My answer to that is why do they have to know how long it took just say you have a degree and leave it at that
Thanks for this video. I have an MBA and I am looking at getting a tech degree now
I'm about to start my Bachelor's Degree in cybersecurity at WGU on July 1st lets get it!
Congratulations, I completed that degree in 2019 and it was awesome 👍😎
Congratz!! How has it been so far ? @bigdaddyknows
Information Security Officer here. I finished my cybersecurity degree in 4 1/2 months. Transferred in about 50 CU’s. Currently working on obtaining my CISSP mid 2025.
8:17 Thanks for doing this video. I am thinking that most people are falsely equating online to not accredited. WGU is an accredited online university.
I start WGU July 1st of this year. I was debating on going to a local community college to rake in that military BAH for my area, but I believe I can graduate WGU in under 1 year as opposed to 4 year universities.
I also start July 1st of this year! I'm trying to finish up some courses to transfer in as quick as possible lol
hey y'all im starting this june!
Use VR&E for wgu and gi bill for you community
@@fraydizs7302yeah same, currently doing as much as i can on sophia. i have finished around 6 classes in a week.
Nice. I’m using TA and GI bill for my program
Going back for my MBA
Thanks Josh, this should lower the price of education considerably. There is no reason to get a "4 year degree" if you can finish the necessary work in 6 months.
9:00 You should've also mentioned that the B.S. in Computer Science program is ABET accredited.
ABET is more for engineering degrees, not Comp Sci. So WGU even adding that is irrelevant. The people that don't know this are the ones they get.
People who works in this industry usually don’t have degree and they love to punish people who wants to learn from scratch and put an effort getting things done. It will all the time bothers other that who didn’t go that way because they know that employers care education. Point is here you making things look smaller doesn’t make things smaller it shows your ignorance and jealousy. WGU is the best place to be in. And we have to support education in this sector.
Awesome
Manager in retail leadership here, yeah when we interview people our company "wants" college but all we look at is if you have it or not, dont care where its from or when or how long. In fact, dont even really care if its a bachelors or masters for retail leadership. Im also referring to positions paying 90k-150k. Nobody actually cares.
I’m really not a fan of this title because it makes this pretty cool college that is nationally accredited look like a degree mill which it is not.
99% of students do not finish in six months that is the vast minority that do. People who do usually have a background in the degree program.
The college has been around since 1997 and they pioneered the online degree program. WGU also has a great reputation. What makes it look bad is all of these different videos on social media talking about six month degrees at WGU.
As a fellow student at WGU, I will say that people need to understand, do their research, and make educated decisions. Pursue any degree program with knowledge and realistic expectations, as well as common sense.
Hey Josh, I appreciate you making content. It is extremely helpful. Can you share a link to the Anki Deck for the CompTIA A+ exam?
you can find the practice questions here: lognpacific.com/free-certification-practice-tests/
@@JoshMadakor Thank you.
This place is full of one star reviews on Google and most with the same complaint.
I am going to transfer to a 4 year after community college. 2 years at 4 year for bachelors. I think that I could probably get 2 bachelor degrees in my time at university. The main reason I want university is because of networking opportunities and internships.
That's not a bad plan!
@@JoshMadakor Do you think that plan is feasible?
My highest paying job never asked for a degree. They only cared about character and experience.
I believe its legit. As I was planning my next move after I get my associates, my current college recognizes and has a partnership with WGU.
I am probably 2/3 the way fine with a business degree from a few years ago that I never finished. I do like wgu, but I'm going to another school to finish quick in information systems. Then I'll go to wgu later to transfer stuff and get something more specific, data science, or the network program they have
Alot of nurses complete their bachelors at wgu
My only concern is that it appears you don't get an actual GPA and that they automatically asign a 3.0 if you pass. I'm looking to get my masters, so I don't have to worry about getting into a masters program since I have an undergrad GPA, but does that affect anything in the long run?
I know I know WGU is accredited, but I'll stick to brick and mortar university. Nobody ever questions the quality of the degree.
wym?
@@marketwarroo1447 nobody would question a degree from a brick and mortar university, but with WGU, you get questions that lead to videos like this.
@@njpme yeah but still you did all the requirements just at a faster pace instead of taking unnecessary classes throughout a 4 year time period
@@marketwarroo1447 I don't disagree with the pace, I support it. That said, for me, I stuck with the traditional uni to avoid these scenarios.
@@njpme i doubt people would question the school
Hey Josh, your cybersecurity degree guide says it's private!
i think some countries they dont recognize WGU degree because it a private university
Hi, does this apply to their masters programs as well? Thank you for the great info.
I can't access the video link that you have posted in the description at the 10:58 time mark.
Same here it says this video is private
hey, thanks for noticing. we'll be updating the link ASAP! ^^
Do they offer a degree in basket weaving? I’m asking for a friend.
WGU only offer degrees in highly in-demand fields. So sadly, basket weaving is not an available major 😢.
You can find it at your in state university
Josh, you mentioned that you have 2 bachelors degrees, one in computer science and the other in information technology. Just curious as to why you decided to do both, and which one do you think was the most beneficial for you or that you would suggest to someone?
Nahh imma try busting up in the industry with the google cybersec cert, ur course, and tons of projects to be added on my portfolio and see how things unfold after that. Good luck to all of us
Ive done the theoretical reviews or fundamentals of google it support cert, cybersec cert, and comptia a+ anyways, so i got a bit of chance at least (anything is better than nothing right?)
@@maximilian4171 where you at? nowhere im guessing. fool
Follow up?
@@johndoeee888 aight if you meant my progress in relation to josh’s course then here it is…
Side note: if not then since I’m on it, might as well tell my experience.
1. Google Cybersecuirty Certification: was able to take a sneak peek of what professionals do in the field; although there’s no fixed specific job(s) to reference it from since the program itself is generalized but overall a good starting point to establish some foundation, especially to those coming from non-IT backgrounds or transitioning… overall a really easy program. I had a whole week of free time and was able to complete the program within the 7 day trial so as long as you are consistent, it will eventually work out.
2. I took qualys free trainings, learned some vulnerability management stuffs and got to navigate around their platform freely, overall a good option to further expose oneself to the cybersec environment.
3. Disclaimer: this is not sponsored lol (opinions vary by experience) Josh’s course “is a hidden gem”, I can’t emphasize enough how much I’ve accomplished within a month. Heads up, I have a month worth of free time so I took my chances to deal with the course. So basically, I was able to roam around Azure as much as I want for 1 month (because I’m stingy of purchasing subscription there and opt to enjoy my free 200usd credit that lasts a month), able to personally setup my own honeynet environment and simulate attacks, analyze them, do more configurations and all, I was able to finish the entire course (with mastery) in less than a month so I squeezed dry my remaining time to perform few more technical projects that I hosted in Azure and the rest is history
4. After this, I’ve been polishing my comptia trifecta fundamentals (without taking the official certifications yet) before pursuing for further projects that I may add in my git porfolio and linkedin.
5. All in all, from technical demonstration of live projects to interview guidance, Josh’s course nailed it.
Havent applied yet but Im definitely positive that I can land a job within the next few months
The problem is, as much as I would like to enrol as a european, I can't.
Tons of top universities in Europe with free or very low tuition fees. Are you crazy?!
@@MyExRebirth ?
@@MyExRebirthit’s not easy to get admissions into European Universities. Germany for instance requires you to take a test called Abitur in their high school and if you don’t score high enough you won’t ever be able to attend University
There is a version in the EU online. It was in another video.
@@dylan.-6527 in which video, can you please share?
I just want to get my degrees Masters and Doctorate to accomplish them. I do not need the degrees for employment.
WGU does not enroll international students unfortunately.
No one says you can finish in 6 months you have to be monster it usually takes 2-3 years minimum
Is it accepted on Canada as well?
I already work in cybersecurity as a security analyst. Would you recommend going to wgu for a degree in cybersecurity?
Depends on YOE. But a degree is never a bad option, especially from wgu
Do not go for cybersecurity lol. Especially if you’re already in it. Go for cloud computing
Are there any discounts on your Cyber program?
please send me an email or message me in any of my socials :)
@@JoshMadakor will do!
My employer loves WGU they would pay them directly for me to go to their school.
How does this work for someone who only has a semester in college completed
Hey Josh! What’s your take on Sophia Org? I know some of their courses are eligible for transfer, but I’ve mostly seen you mention SDC. Just curious to hear your thoughts-thanks in advance!
Hey! You can take Sophia.org for sure, they just have less classes than SDC, there is zero proctor (they pretend to use AI do audit if you're cheating), and I believe the classes SEEM to take longer, from what I've experimented with. I don't really promoted them because I feel they do business in an incredibly lazy way. They ignored me for the longest time, then when they noticed my content, they tried to get me promote them and they offered to pay me $1 per person who signed up. This is the equivalent of me paying them to advertise their products. My mind was so blown by this. So yeah, you can use them for sure, but I'm not going to spend time promoting them when their product is worse and they are lazy :)
They COULD potentially be cheaper on paper, but the classes seem to take longer so I'm not sure if they are actually cheaper. Sorry for the long reply
What would someone recommend for me between WGU Comp Sci or WGU Software Eng? I just graduated high school this year, and I took a gap semester but am looking into WGU. I want to do something with coding and am very interested in web development right now, but I want to keep my options open (not just web development) for the future. I don't want to not be able to apply to some job because I don't have a comp sci degree. Software Eng seems more fun and enjoyable, but will skipping the math come back to haunt me later? Before deciding whether to do a computer science or software engineering degree at WGU or even WGU, I have several questions.
What is the difference between the software engineering degree (I would do the Java Track) and the computer science degree at WGU? I see many differences, and I would like to know the nuances between the two.
a. Why does the computer science degree require way more math than the software engineering one? The classes later in the degree don't seem to use this math too much, so why does it require calculus one and discrete math one and two when software engineering only requires algebra? How is this math utilized, and will I miss out on not having it if I go for the software engineering degree?
b. When using the compare button on the main page, why does the computer science degree only take 24 months to complete (on average), while the software engineering degree takes 35 months to complete (on average)? The more challenging classes seem to be in the computer science degree (calculus and discrete math), so the two extra courses that software engineering has shouldn't take an additional 11 months. How long could I expect it to take for me as a full-time student?
c. On that same page, it says that the average salary increase for someone with a WGU computer science degree is $17,691 compared to only $10,019 for someone with a WGU software engineering degree. Why is this? What is the significant difference in jobs between these two degrees that would cause such a disparity in salary increases? What are jobs that one would be able to get that other wouldn't (and vise versa)?
d. Overall, what is the difference between these two degrees?
e. Which degree would you recommend? Which would look better for employers or graduate universities if I tried to get into the coding space? Which would look better for graduate schools? I would probably be going for a master's in computer science if I go for my master's since it's hard to find a master's in software engineering online (or something still related to computers but not computer science).
When obtaining multiple bachelor degrees from WGU once you complete one can you use or piggyback off some of the credits you have already completed in a previous degree to get another degree done faster? Ex bachelor degrees: health science then taking public heath then nursing.
Definitely. Any transferable course can be used to fulfill requirements for other programs.
Great video, I have a ton of experience in Business, I am thinking about getting a Business IT management degree, do you need IT experience to accelerate the degree? I have no IT experience. Also, I have about 9 courses I can complete on SDC, but I found it to be very hard, I need about 20 classes and I have a ton of time to complete, should I just enroll at WGU? Also, stick to Business or Business IT management? Thanks please advise as I am trying to be productive.
Hello Josh, what about getting a bachelors degree in Accounting , would you say WGU or UMPI is best?
2nd this
Can people outside the US study online degrees in WGU?
WGU soft engineer degree or course careers software developer? Which will get a job faster?
This is /super/ hard to answer, but the speed at which you get a job basically correlates to how fast you can "level-up" the different areas of the employability framework:
ua-cam.com/video/N-pskzV_WQk/v-deo.htmlsi=bDoXHV_6OzX9q51G
Definitely watch this video. Not all areas are required, but if you are SUPER strong in one area, it can make up for weaknesses in other areas. Having a degree is good, but it's not enough to get a job. Knowing how to code is good, but it's not enough to get a job. Having projects is good, but it's not enough to get a job. You basically have to attempt to address ALL areas, relatively well, and then be able to convey your abilities well on your resume and applications in order to get an interview, then perform well in the interview.
Honestly a degree helps, so if you have the time and resources for it, I recommend you to work toward one. Then the CourseCareers course will likely polish you quite a bit in terms of portfolio, skills, and job hunt/interview skills. (It doesn't really matter the order in which you do these)
There are many different paths you can take, and all can get you to where you want to know. Mostly it relies on your strategy and execution. Just use the employability framework (as it pertains to coding) as your strategy/roadmap, then execute hard on it.
Also be mindful of the current climate/job market and be very open to what you'll be doing for your first job. For example, consider getting into automation/devops/site reliability or something and be the one doing the automation, instead of competing for jobs that are getting automated away. (this is just an example!) Hope this helps.
p.s. In terms of raw coding ability, this is what I did to really increase my skill very quickly: ua-cam.com/video/wVOU-oLOGuk/v-deo.htmlsi=3KPEug8h1a4N5Vuy
is this valid for europe?
Hi, Josh! The cybersecurity in 365 video is private. How do I get access to watch?
Can I transfer my credits from university of phoenix? I received my bachelors a UOP but now want to work on my master.
I believe you can yes, no reason not. I'm not sure if all of them will transfer, but the enrollment counselor should be able to help!
What job did you get by having this degree and how much do you make a year? I make 100k no degree in IT
what if we transfer from wgu to a local uni? you think this would make you more likely to get hired?
I tried applying but they are not accepting international students how can I reach them I believe there are exceptions or can any one recommend options
If I'm already a student at WGU, can I still get credits transferred?
No
Has anyone got a degree from WGU and landed a job?
Yes
Plenty have graduated from WGU and have landed jobs.
Hey Josh, i’m at Purdue Global right now obtaining my Associate degree in Criminal Justice. I’m really interested in pursuing a bachelors in cybersecurity because of the certs that comes with it. Would my credits transfer over to WGU? I’m also taking sophia classes to bang out gen ed courses.
WGU will most certainly take a LOT of your credits from both Purdue Global and Sophia. Just get with an enrollment counselor! You can also go here: partners.wgu.edu/home
Then scroll down to Sophia Learning or Study.com etc, and you can see which exact classes will transfer into which WGU degrees.
How would someone know it was a 6-month degree? Think folks. LOL
Many employers want transcripts as proof of the degree and that has your start and end date. Probably still not a big deal, just saying. Also I don't think WGU gives real grades or a GPA, just a pass or fail so it wouldn't be great for people going into academia.
is WGU only for us citizens? can a indian enroll?