BSIT TO MSITM Program - Should I take required Certs before enrolling in degree?

[Brandon.Thomas.Downer]

I am planning on enrolling in the Accelerated Information Technology Bachelor's and Master's Degree program. I have about 7 classes I'm taking on Sophia/ Study.com before enrolling. My question is should I complete the required certifications before enrolling or take them as part of the degree. I believe the Pell grant will cover all tuition except about $40 a term. Also I have an AAS BOG degree from Pierpoint Community and Technical College that I'll be transferring into WGU in December. I'm hoping it will block transfer and cover all Gen Ed requirements.

Location: Chesterfield, South Carolina - United States
Age: 43
Degree wanted: WGU, Accelerated BSIT to MSITM Program
Career Goal: Information Technology (Networking)

Current Degree:
Pierpont Community and Technical College
Associate of Applied Science - Major: Board of Governors, Area of Emphasis: Information Systems (Confers Dec 8, 2023)

Current Regional Accredited Credits: 
Northeastern Technical College - Cheraw South Carolina
Credits: 34
ENG 101 - English Composition I
MAT 031 - Developmental Math
MAT 150 - Fundamentals of Math
PSY 201 - General Psychology
CPT 114 - Computers and Programming
CPT 115 - COBOL Programming I
CPT 168 - Programming Logic
CPT 174 - Microcomputer Spreadsheets
CPT 215 - COBOL Programming II
CPT 255 - Operating System Fundamentals
OST 106 - Keyboarding Lab I
IST 220 - Data Communication

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: 
Sophia
Credits: 34
HLTH 1010 - Introduction to Nutrition
CS 1001 - Introduction to Information Technology
BUSI 1013 - Principles of Management 
ENVS 1001 - Environmental Science 
CONRES 1000 - The Essentials of Managing Conflict
BUS 1001 - Introduction to Business
PM 1001 - Project Management
ARTHIST 1001 - Art History I
HUMBIO 1001 - Human Biology
BUS 1010 - Financial Accounting
ECON 1001 - Macroeconomics
BUSLAW 1001 - Business Law

[LevelUP]

Usually, I would say to max transfer as much as you can, but if you are going to WGU for basically free, then it doesn't matter as much.

Save your $'s and do the certs at WGU.

[bjcheung77]

Apply, send all transcripts, wait for academic evaluation of the undergrad requirements and you'll know what you have left. Don't enroll just yet, transfer the max before you enroll at WGU. Once you've max out your transfer, then start WGU undergrad and ladder up to the Masters once done. The fastest would be to complete what you have now with Sophia.org and anything else remaining when you search the partners.wgu.edu accelerated program for max transfer...