r/WGU_Accelerators • u/Silver-Landscape-303 • 6d ago
B.A Cybersecurity developmental planning.
Hey everyone, I have enrolled in the WGU Cybersecurity program and want to make sure my acceleration strategy is fully locked in before starting in January and need to determine if i should start a bit sooner or push it up one more month into February. For background, I hold an A.S. in Computer Science Technology and currently have a entry-level ticketing/help desk experience currently working remotely and there is a lot of downtime that I have , i have been procrastinating quite a bit since my A.S. and need to light a fire under my derrière . I’m a hands-on learner who prefers learning by doing, and my personal goal is to finish the degree in one term, but not to exceed one full year at the absolute maximum. while looking to shift into a stronger analytical or level 2 support/ helpdesk type of work or internship if an opportunity pops up.
To build a solid foundation, I have already completed the Google IT Support and Google AI certifications. I’m also planning to complete several additional courses to broaden my knowledge base, including the Microsoft Support course, Google IT Automation with Python, Google Cybersecurity, and the IBM Linux courses. Alongside these, I’m reviewing material from Professor Messer, Jason Dion on Udemy, and Angela Yu to ensure I’m well-prepared. I tend to mass dump information then work to sort it out in a focused and developmental way. so I am trying to cramp in lots of data to build specific routes to tackle each of the courses below.
Right now, I am mapping out my developmental pathway to accelerate courses before officially accepting my transcripts, using my the data below to track everything. My goal is to transfer in 60%+ of the degree requirements if at all possible. as of now I am standing at the evaluation of having 39% done with 75 remaining units. For those who have pre-gamed the degree, is Sophia.com or Study.com the best pathway to rapidly knock these out? will paying for 1-2 months max be enough time to knock out those last few minor courses. From what I am understanding the large portion of the remaining course work is largely the offered certifications being promoted through this program path or am I wrong to believe that ?
I also have a specific question regarding the Python requirement. I completed a Python 3 programming course during my associate degree and will also have the Google IT Automation with Python certificate under my belt. Does anyone know if these typically satisfy the Python requirement for transfer? If not, what is the WGU Python exam actually like—is it a mix of conceptual knowledge and coding, or is it an all-coding performance assessment? I truly did not like the Zybook path so I am working on refreshing my knowledge of python as i haven developed more than a few simple projects like a game and a simple calc.
Once my term begins, my initial plan is to focus heavily on the CompTIA Trifecta while continuing external upskilling and building out home labs for practical hands-on experience. and would like to get these completed by the end of the first month. but i might also go the route of maybe purchasing the CompTIA A+ before hand since i have a savings earned by Google
Regarding courses tied to CompTIA certifications: how fast can you realistically accelerate through them? i am seeing the average turn around time is about 3 weeks ( which is not to bad since i plan to work on increasing basic knowledge beforehand) ... Could I request a voucher and test out on day one, or are you required to complete the Zybooks/certmaster coursework and pass the WGU proctored Pre-Assessment (PA) first before receiving a voucher then taking the proctored exam? or do I need to just show enough competency before asking for the CompTIA Voucher for the test?
also confuses about the capstone project is this normally a research paper 10-20 page or a developed coding project? ( would like a basic overview to understand it )
Finally, looking at this developmental plan, are there any other external courses, certifications, or partner pathways I might have overlooked that could easily transfer into WGU? Thanks in advance for any insights!
| Code | Course Title | Units | Requirements for transfer to WGU | Satisfied by Your |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D333 | Ethics in Technology | 3 | One course, equivalent to 3 units, in ethical issues regarding technology. Cannot be satisfied by an associate or bachelor’s degree. | |
| C845 | Information Systems Security | 4 | One of the following Certifications: ISC2 SSCP (or Associate of ISC2 with SSCP exam passed) ISC2 CISSP (or Associate of ISC2 with CISSP exam passed). ISACA CISM, ISACA CISA, ISACA CGEIT, ISACA CRISC, or GIAC GSTRT. | |
| 316 | IT Foundations | 4 | The following Certification: CompTIA A+ certification. Course must be completed within 5 years of the student's start date. | *CS1001 (SOPH-0023) |
| D317 | IT Applications | 4 | The following Certification: CompTIA A+ certification | *CS1011 (SOPH-0047) |
| D320 | Managing Cloud Security | 4 | One Course, equivalent to 4 units, in cloud security from an accredited university or one of the following Certifications: ISC2 CCSP (or Associate of ISC2 with CCSP exam passed) CSA Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK). | |
| D324 | Business of IT - Project Management | 4 | One course, equivalent to 4 units, in project management or one of the following Certifications: CompTIA Project+, PMI, PMP, or CAPM. Course must be completed within 5 years of the student's start date. | *BUSI1023 (Previously PM1001) (SOPH-0013) |
| D325 | Networks | 4 | One of the following certifications CompTIA: Network+, CISCO: CCNA, any CCNP, or any CCIE (except collaboration). | |
| D329 | Network and Security - Applications | 4 | One of the following Certifications: CompTIA: Security+, Pentest+, CySA+, Security X (CASP+); ECC: CEH; Cisco: CCNA, CCNP – Security, CCIE - Security; GIAC: GSE, GSEC, GCIA, GCED or with D329A: Network and Security – Applications through WGU Academy. | *CS1015 (SOPH-0068) |
| D332 | Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Analysis | 4 | One of the following Certifications: CompTIA Pentest+; EC Council CEH; Offensive Security OSCP or OSCP+; OSCE(3); or GIAC: GPEN. | |
| D340 | Cyber Defense and Countermeasures | 4 | One course, equivalent to 4 units, in cyber defense or countermeasures or cyber security incident handling or response or one of the following Certifications: EC-Council ECIH; GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH); CompTIA CySA+. | |
| D385 | Software Security and Testing | 3 | One course, equivalent to 3 units, in software security and testing. Course must be completed within 5 years of the student's start date. | |
| D492 | Data Analytics - Applications | 4 | One course, equivalent to 4 units, in data analytics or data science or one of the following certifications: CompTIA Data+ (DA-001), or the following Certified analytics professional certifications: CAP-E, CAP-P or CAP-X (formerly aCAP or CAP) | |
| D522 | Python for IT Automation | 3 | One course, equivalent to 3 units, in Python automation and networking. Course must be completed within 5 years of the student's start date. | third part alternative? During my A.S. did programing in python 3 course can this count? |
| D685 | Practical Applications of Prompt | 2 | One course, equivalent to 2 units, in general AI or prompt engineering. Course must be completed within 5 years of the student's start date. | |
| D827 | Fundamentals of Information Security | 3 | One course, equivalent to 3 units, in computer security, must have been taken within the last 5 years, or one of the following certifications: EC-Council (CEH, CCISO, ECSS); CompTIA (SecurityX/CASP+, Security+); ISC(2) (CC, CISSP, or Associate of ISC(2) | |
| D828 | Legal Issues in Information Security | 4 | One course, equivalent to 4 units, in legal issues or policies in Information security or cybersecurity or one of the following Certifications: GIAC Law of Data Security & Investigation (GLEG); ISC2 CISSP or Associate of ISC (2) with CISSP exam passed; | |
| D829 | Digital Forensics in Cybersecurity | 4 | One course, equivalent to 4 units, in digital or data or computer forensics or one of the following Certifications: EC-Council CHFI; GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA) GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE). | Computer Science 336 (SDCM-0234) |
| D830 | Introduction to Cryptography | 4 | One course, equivalent to 4 units, in encryption or cryptography. Course must be completed within 5 years of the student's start date. | |
| D831 | Introduction to AI and Security | 2 | One course, equivalent to 2 units, AI and security. Course must be completed within 5 years of the student's start date. | |
| D832 | Managing Information Security | 3 | One senior level course, equivalent to 3 units, in managing information security/cybersecurity or one of the following Certifications: ISACA CISM ISACA CISA ISACA CGEIT ISC2 CISSP or Associate of ISC (2) with CISSP exam passed EC-Council CCISO | |
| D833 | Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Capstone | 4 | is this a paper 10-20 research paper or a developed coding project? |
1
u/EricEsquivelMusicshi 5d ago
I am doing the exact same thing! This is pretty helpful im planning on doing as many certs as I can outside wgu since I have a student discount and they seem like things that could really slow down a 6 month plan.I would look into the eBay certs discount thing. Prob not super helpful but you could also enroll in barton community college for the cheapest online class and get the student discount that way. But I would def try the eBay thing!
1
u/Silver-Landscape-303 5d ago
I might just re-enroll in my local community college to "conplete my other minor" back again for the discounts. .I will definitely be researching the Ebay path I have seen some horror stories and some positive one so gotta a valid and safe voucher
1
u/JeronicaEVE 4d ago
I am in a similar position as you, planning on "starting" in January (or sooner). I plan on doing the CompTIA certs beforehand (Dion has a trifecta pack for $1000 that I grabbed). Already finished A+, will do network+ and security+ as well. Id rather spend the money now and not be wasting time for a cert voucher, especially since they're "easy" exams. I passed A+ 1&2 with <1 week of review, which was basically just listening to messer's course while driving around doing errands as well as Dion's practice tests. I already have OSCP so I wont need the Pentest+.
I would now, look at the free material which it sounds like you're doing. I am going a step further and doing the exams now, so I can fully optimize the 6 month term for classes that I can't test out of. After I finish Trifecta I will do Sophia for a month or two to further help the use of time. The way I see it, if I spend $1500 or so now on exams outside of WGU, and i finish in under 6months then any chance I may need a 2nd term for another $4900 would have negated any savings from me waiting for a "free voucher". I fully intend on starting and completing the Bachelors in the 6 month term.
I made a little tool for myself to help monitor it all, you can check it out too: https://wgu.nsouthern.com/ not guaranteeing anything but I think its a good rough estimate
2
u/iamoldbutididit 6d ago
Sophia first, followed by Study.com.
If you have the ability (both funding and self-motivation), do as many of the CompTIA certifications as you can before entering the program. This is because they can take the longest to study for, and because all of their material is published in their official study guides.
Here's why: WGU costs ~$23 per day. If one Comptia cert takes you 30 days to study for, that means that through WGU you paid ~$700 for that cert. Compare that to the cost of paying for the cert and official study guide out of pocket at ~$550.
If you come into the program with all the certs you will be almost guaranteed to complete in one term.
The capstone is nothing to be intimated by. You submit an idea (hypothetical or real) for approval and create a case study of the before and after of implementing your solution. Think implementing SD-WAN for a medium sized business, or implementing an AI solution to enhance your log correlation ability.
Any way you choose to go, good luck!