My plan to complete the WGU BSCSIA degree in 1 term

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their journey to enroll at Western Governors University (WGU) for a Bachelor's in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. They outline their goal to fast-track the degree by transferring up to 73% of credits through certifications and external coursework, aiming to complete the degree in one term. The speaker discusses the challenges of staying motivated without a traditional classroom environment, the strategic use of platforms like Sophia.com and Study.com, and their overall excitement to tackle the program's unique challenges. Viewers can follow their progress through regular updates.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is starting a bachelor's program in Cyber Security and Information Assurance at Western Governors University (WGU) and aims to finish it in one term.
• 😀 The goal is to transfer a significant portion of credits (73%) before officially starting at WGU, using certifications and online courses like Sofia.com and Study.com.
• 😀 The speaker plans to transfer up to 75 credits to WGU, which is the maximum allowable by the university, to accelerate the degree process.
• 😀 The speaker has been researching methods to transfer credits and has discovered that certifications like CompTIA A+, Net+, Security+, and CISSP can help reduce the number of classes required.
• 😀 Study.com and Sofia.com are two platforms being used to complete classes before starting at WGU, with Sofia.com being preferred for its affordability and flexibility.
• 😀 The speaker has mapped out a strategy to complete 11 classes worth 35 credits using Sofia.com and 6 additional classes worth 18 credits via Study.com before the start of the WGU program.
• 😀 The speaker aims to finish the bachelor's program by June 2023, starting in January, by leveraging competency-based learning and completing the courses quickly.
• 😀 Motivating oneself is a personal challenge for the speaker, especially without a study group, but making YouTube videos is part of their strategy for accountability and motivation.
• 😀 There is a focus on certifications as a means to reduce coursework at WGU, with the speaker already having completed certifications like CISSP and planning others like CISM.
• 😀 The speaker acknowledges the difficulty of the journey but is determined to achieve their goal of completing the degree in one term, aiming for at least one class per week.

Q & A

What is the user’s main goal for their education journey at Western Governors University (WGU)?

The user’s main goal is to complete their Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance at WGU, aiming to transfer as many credits as possible ahead of time to accelerate their path to graduation. They aim to complete the degree in one term, by the end of June, after starting in January.

How does the user plan to transfer credits before starting at WGU?

The user plans to transfer credits by using certifications, online courses from Study.com, and Sophia.org. They aim to transfer up to 73% of the credits required for their degree, reducing the number of courses they need to complete once officially enrolled.

What certifications does the user mention as part of their plan to transfer credits?

The user mentions certifications like CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, and CISSP as part of their plan to transfer credits. These certifications align with certain required courses at WGU, allowing them to bypass specific classes.

What platforms does the user plan to use for online courses, and why?

The user plans to use Study.com and Sophia.org for online courses. They prefer Study.com for its range of available courses and better course offerings in terms of credit transfer to WGU, but they also plan to use Sophia.org for certain courses, mainly because it offers cheaper courses.

What challenges does the user foresee in their educational journey?

The user anticipates several challenges, including staying motivated without a study group and balancing their studies with work. They also face frustrations with the limitations on transferring older certifications and the process of transferring credits, especially when certain certifications are not accepted.

What is the user’s strategy for staying accountable during their education?

To stay accountable, the user has created a YouTube channel where they document their progress and share updates on their educational journey. This helps them stay motivated and accountable, as they are sharing their process with others.

What is the user’s plan for completing their degree in one term?

The user plans to complete their Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance within one term, starting in January and finishing by the end of June. They aim to do this by transferring as many credits as possible and taking advantage of WGU's competency-based learning model.

How does WGU’s competency-based learning model support the user’s goals?

WGU’s competency-based learning model allows the user to progress through courses at their own pace, focusing on mastering the required skills rather than adhering to a fixed schedule. This model supports the user’s goal of completing the degree in a shorter time frame, as they can move quickly through material they are already familiar with.

Why does the user refer to the term 'pre-gaming,' and why do they not like it?

The user refers to their preparation before officially starting school as 'pre-gaming,' though they express discomfort with the term. They are not entirely fond of the term, as it seems to trivialize the effort and focus required in getting ready for their educational journey.

What is the user’s timeline for starting and completing their degree, and what is their expected graduation month?

The user is set to officially start at WGU in January and has set an ambitious goal to complete their degree by the end of June, meaning they intend to finish their Bachelor's in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance within about six months.