WGU IT Network Operations and Security Degree Plan

From Degree Forum Wiki

Note[edit]

WGU has updated their degree and it appears that Network Operations and Security has been replaced with Network Engineering and Security with an optional Cisco Track.

Degree Plan[edit]

Here is a Degree plan for Western Governors University (WGU) as of approximately June of 2022. 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[edit]

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

Use this It Certification Exams Equivalent Guide to find certifications that will transfer to this degree program.

Tips on Order in Which to Complete Courses[edit]

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.

How Long Will It Take To Complete This Degree Once I Finish All the Alterative Credits?[edit]

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[edit]

This degree plan was made using this source to map out all the alternative credits.

https://partners.wgu.edu/

Sophia ACE Guide

Study.com ACE Guide

General Education Requirements[edit]

Course Competency

Units Value

Course

Provider

Course Name WGU Credit
English Composition I 3 Sophia Foundations of English Composition, English Composition I 3
English Composition II 3 Study.com

or Sophia

English 105: English Comp II

Note: Sophia English Comp II takes 2 months to grade which is why it's not recommended.

3
Technical Communication 3 Study.com English 305: Advanced Technical Writing 3
Introduction to Communication 3 Sophia Pubic Speaking 3
Introduction to Humanities 3 Sophia Visual Communications

(Lots of other options from Sophia)

3
Ethics in Technology 3
American Politics and the US Constitution 3 Study.com Political Science 102: American Government 3
Introduction to Geography 3 Sophia US History II

(Lots of other options from Sophia)

3
Applied Algebra 3 Sophia College Algebra 3
Applied Probability and Statistics 3 Sophia Introduction to Statistics 3
Introduction to Biology 3 Study.com Biology 101L 3
Integrated Physical Sciences 3 Sophia Environmental Science 3
Natural Science Lab 2 Study.com Biology 101L 2
Totals 38 35

Core Courses[edit]

Course Competency

Units Value

Course

Provider

Course Name WGU Credit
Introduction to IT 4 Sophia Introduction to Information Technology 4
Data Management - Foundations 3 Study.com or Sophia Computer Science 107: Database Fundamentals,

Introduction to Relational Databases

3
Network and Security - Foundations 3 Study.com or Cisco Computer Science 108: Introduction to Networking

or CCNA, CCNP, CCIE

3
Scripting and Programming - Foundations 3 Study.com Computer Science 109: Introduction to Programming, or

Computer Science 115: Programming in Java,

3
Web Development Foundations 3 Sophia Introduction to Web Development 3
Business of IT - Applications 4
Totals 20 16

Additional Courses[edit]

Course Competency

Units Value

Course

Provider

Course Name WGU Credit
Introduction to Programming in Python 3 Study.com Computer Science 113: Python 3
Linux Foundations 3 Study.com Computer Science 106: Linux 3
Business of IT - Project Management 4 Sophia Project Management 4
Cloud Foundations 3 Note: AWS Cloud Practitioner is cheap and fast to get.
Spreadsheets 3
Introduction to Cryptography 4
Managing Cloud Security 4
Organizational Behavior and Leadership 3 Study.com Business 107
Principles of Management 4 Sophia Principles of Management 4
Emerging Technologies 2 Study.com Computer Science 310 or Computer Science 311 2
Cloud Deployment and Operations 3
Implementing and Administering Networking Solutions 6 Cisco CCNA, CCNP, CCIE 6
Networks 4 Cisco CCNA, CCNP, CCIE 4
Network and Security - Applications 4 Cisco CCNA, CCNP, CCIE 4
IT Foundations 4 CompTIA CompTIA A+ 4
IT Applications 4 CompTIA CompTIA A+ 4
Total 58 38

Non-Transferable Courses[edit]

Course Competency

Units Value

Course

Provider

Course Name WGU Credit
IT Capstone 4
Totals 4 0

Total Transfer Credit[edit]

Course Competency

Units Value

Course

Provider

Course Name WGU

Transfer Credit

(Max 90cr)

General Education Requirements 38 35
Core Courses 20 16
Additional Courses 58 38
Non-Transferable Courses 4 0
Total 120 89

*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.