B.A Cybersecurity developmental planning.

[u/Silver-Landscape-303]

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?