Help with my BS in IT Management Degree at WGU

[DegreeModeActivated]

Hey everyone! I'm new here, but I've been reading a lot of your posts and I think it's time for my own. Hopefully the template I used is correct. 

About me... I've been an IT Professional for almost 25 years... all without a Bachelor's Degree. I've been very lucky. I was a good student in High School (3.5 GPA), but I was a terrible student in College (2.7 GPA) and sitting in a class for 8-12 weeks never worked for my brain. I've always done better with "bootcamps" and "certifications", so I just quit college after I got my Associates Degree in Radio & TV Broadcasting... yeah, I know... lol

Fast forward a couple decades and now my daughter is heading to college next year!? I began researching her options when I found out about "degree hacking" and now I am hooked. Not only for my daughter, but for myself! Why not try again?

So, I am asking for your help to review what I have started below so I can confirm that I am doing everything the right way. And, by that I mean: Is my plan fast, cheap, and is it my best option? Am I missing any "gotchas"?


Your Location: Sacramento, California, United States
Your Age: 46
What kind of degree do you want?: BS IT Management @ WGU ... I tried BS in Computer Science, but I am terrible with Software/Programming/Linux... and I don't like it and I wasted a lot of time/money trying to make it fit my career path.
Current Regional Accredited Credits: Combined GPA Summary = 87 earned credits, 2.72 GPA

Chabot College (Hayward, CA) = AA Radio and TV Broadcasting (Completed May 31, 2002), 73 earned credits, 2.73 GPA

Code:

School    Course Type    Course Code    Course Title    Grade    Credits
Chabot College    General Ed    ANTH 1    Physical Anthropology    C    3
Chabot College    General Ed    ENGL 1A    Critical Reading & Composition    C    3
Chabot College    General Ed    ENGL 7    Critical Thinking/Writing    C    3
Chabot College    General Ed    HIST 7    US History Pre-Reconstruction    B    3
Chabot College    General Ed    HIST 8    US History Post-Reconstruction    C    3
Chabot College    General Ed    HLTH 1    Introduction to Health    A    3
Chabot College    General Ed    MATH 31    College Algebra    B    3
Chabot College    General Ed    MUSL 1    Introduction to Music    A    3
Chabot College    General Ed    SOC 3    Cultural/Racial Minorities    B    3
Chabot College    General Ed    SPCH 1    Speech Communication    B    3
Chabot College    Comp. Science    CAS 92A    Networking Home & Small Business    A    3
Chabot College    Broadcasting    MCOM 05    Intro to Mass Communications    D    3
Chabot College    Broadcasting    MCOM 09    Colloquium    A    1
Chabot College    Broadcasting    MCOM 31    Introduction to Broadcasting    A    3
Chabot College    Broadcasting    MCOM 32    Radio/TV Announcing    A    3
Chabot College    Broadcasting    MCOM 33A    Intro to TV Studio Techniques    B    2
Chabot College    Broadcasting    MCOM 33B    Intermediate TV Studio Techniques    B    2
Chabot College    Broadcasting    MCOM 34    Radio Studio Techniques    A    3
Chabot College    Broadcasting    MCOM 35    Writing for Broadcasting    D    3
Chabot College    Broadcasting    MCOM 36    Broadcast Time Sales    A    3
Chabot College    Broadcasting    MCOM 37    Broadcast/Cable Mgmt    A    3
Chabot College    Broadcasting    MCOM 38    Special Projects in Radio    A    2
Chabot College    Broadcasting    MCOM 39    Special Projects in TV    A    2

Univ. Illinois (Springfield, IL) = BS Computer Science (Drop Out), 14 earned credits, 2.63 GPA

Code:

School    Course Type    Course Code    Course Title    Grade    Credits
University of Illinois    Comp. Science    CSC 225, E    Comp Programming Concepts I    B    3
University of Illinois    General Ed    CLS 471, A    ECCE: Emerging Diseases    A    3
University of Illinois    General Ed    MIS 323, B    ECCE: Social Health Care Info.    A    3
University of Illinois    General Ed    UNI 301, S    ECCE: Speakers Series    CR    1
University of Illinois    General Ed    BIO 305, A    Plants And Society with Lab    C+    4

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: 0
Any certifications or military experience?: No military experience, but have CompTIA A+ (2005), CompTIA Network+ (2005), Microsoft MCP/MCDST (2007).
Budget: $5k-$15k total
Commitments: Married, One Child, Unemployed
Dedicated time to study: 4-6hrs per day
Timeline: 6-18 months, as fast as possible at the lowest cost
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: Savings

My Plan So Far...

I just started Sophia over the weekend and I haven't taken any courses at Study.com or WGU yet, but I applied to and accepted WGU's Bachelor of Science, Information Technology Management (BSITM) Degree within their School of Business. Transcripts are on their way and I hope to take my first WGU course after I complete Sophia/Study.com courses (in 90 days or by October 1, 2025).

• WGU Course Catalog: https://www.wgu.edu/about/institutional-catalog.html
  
• WGU BS IT Management (BSITM) Degree : https://www.wgu.edu/online-business-degr...ogram.html
  
• WGU Transfer Pathway for Sophia: https://partners.wgu.edu/transfer-pathwa...gramId=192
  
• WGU Transfer Pathway for Study.com: https://partners.wgu.edu/transfer-pathwa...gramId=192
  
• ACE Learning Evaluations from Sophia: https://www.acenet.edu/National-Guide/Pa...65f38bf0e1
  
• ACE Learning Evaluations from Study.com: https://www.acenet.edu/National-Guide/Pa...65f38bf0e1
  

Planned Courses - Sophia.org: 45 units

Code:

BUS1001: Introduction to Business (SOPH-0014), 3 units
ECON1001: Macroeconomics (SOPH-0012), 3 units
ECON1002: Microeconomics (SOPH-0011), 3 units
BUSI1010: Financial Accounting (SOPH-0010), 3 units
BUSI1011: Managerial Accounting (SOPH-0079), 3 units
FIN1001: Principles of Finance (SOPH-0033), 3 units
PM1001: Project Management (SOPH-0013), 3 units
CS1011: Introduction to Relational Databases (SOPH-0047), 3 units
BUSI1013: Principles of Management (SOPH-0054), 3 units
BUSI1080: Human Resource Management (SOPH-0089), 3 units
BUSI2020: Principles of Marketing (SOPH-0085), 3 units
BusLaw1001: Business Law (SOPH-0032), 3 units
CS1015: Introduction to Networking (SOPH-0068), 3 units
BUSI2015: Organizational Behavior (SOPH-0083), 3 units
BUSI2030: Operations Management (SOPH-0086), 3 units

Planned Courses - Study.com: 15 units

Code:

Business 120: Int'l Business (SDCM-0115), 3 units
Business 212: Business Statistics (SDCM-0225), 3 units
Business 303: Mgmt Info' Systems (SDCM-0123), 3 units
Business 308: Global & Int'l Mgmt (SDCM-0054), 3 units
Business 314: Employment Law (SDCM-0085), 3 units

Planned Courses - WGU: 40 units

Code:

BUS 2140 (D100): Introduction to Spreadsheets, 1 unit ---> Looking for ACE Transfer Course
BUS 2080 (D081): Innovative and Strategic Thinking, 3 units ---> Looking for ACE Transfer Course
BUS 2090 (D082): Emotional and Cultural Intelligence, 3 units ---> Looking for ACE Transfer Course
HRM 3200 (C234): Workforce Planning: Recruitment and Selection, 3 units ---> Looking for ACE Transfer Course
BUS 2111 (D361): Business Simulation, 4 units
MGMT 4400 (C721): Change Management, 3 units
MGMT 2700 (D253): Values-Based Leadership, 3 units
MGMT 4100 (C720): Operations and Supply Chain Management, 3 units
HRM 3600 (C236): Compensation and Benefits, 3 units
ITEC 2205 (C179): Business of IT - Applications, 4 units
BUIT 3000 (C724): Information Systems Management, 3 units
BUS 4890 (QFT1): Business - IT Management Capstone Project, 4 units
BUS 4891 (PFIT): Business - IT Management Portfolio Requirement, 3 units

Final Thoughts:  If you think that I should switch majors given my previous transfer credits, please let me know. I just want a Bachelors Degree and I don't want to burden myself with trying to "fit" into some kind a of mold. I just want to check the box that says I have a degree and move on.

THANKS!

---

Here is the mapping of WGU Courses to Sophia/Study.com Courses I used (Copy-Paste to Excel or Google Sheets):

Code:

CCN    Course #    Course Category    Course Description    CUs    Transfer Credit
MATH 1200    C957    General Education    Applied Algebra    3    A.A. Degree
MATH 1101    C955    General Education    Applied Probability and Statistics    3    A.A. Degree
PHIL 3010    C168    General Education    Critical Thinking and Logic    3    A.A. Degree
ENGL 1010    C455    General Education    English Composition I    3    A.A. Degree
ENGL 1020    C456    General Education    English Composition II    3    A.A. Degree
SCIE 1020    C165    General Education    Integrated Physical Sciences    3    A.A. Degree
COMM 1011    C464    General Education    Introduction to Communication    3    A.A. Degree
HUMN 1010    C100    General Education    Introduction to Humanities    3    A.A. Degree
SOCG 1010    C273    General Education    Introduction to Sociology    3    A.A. Degree
HIST 1010    C121    General Education    Survey of United States History    3    A.A. Degree
BUS 2010    D072    Business Core    Fundamentals for Success in Business    3    Sophia - BUS1001: Introduction to Business (SOPH-0014) - 3 units
ACCT 2020    D196    Business Core    Principles of Financial and Managerial Accounting    3    Sophia - BUSI1010: Financial Accounting (SOPH-0010) - 3 units
        Business Core    Principles of Financial and Managerial Accounting - REQUIRED        Sophia - BUSI1011: Managerial Accounting (SOPH-0079) - 3 units
BUS 2301    C483    Business Core    Principles of Management    4    Sophia - BUSI1013: Principles of Management (SOPH-0054) - 3 units
HRM 2100    C232    Human Resources    Introduction to Human Resource Management    3    Sophia - BUSI1080: Human Resource Management (SOPH-0089) - 3 units
MGMT 3000    C715    Business Management    Organizational Behavior    3    Sophia - BUSI2015: Organizational Behavior (SOPH-0083) - 3 units
BUS 2050    D077    Business Core    Concepts in Marketing, Sales, and Customer Contact    3    Sophia - BUSI2020: Principles of Marketing (SOPH-0085) - 3 units
BUS 2061    D079    Business Core    Business Environment Applications II: Process, Logistics, and Operations    2    Sophia - BUSI2030: Operations Management (SOPH-0086) - 3 units
BUS 2060    D078    Business Core    Business Environment Applications I: Business Structures and Legal Environment    2    Sophia - BusLaw1001: Business Law (SOPH-0032) - 3 units
ITEC 2104    C175    Data Management    Data Management - Foundations    3    Sophia - CS1011: Introduction to Relational Databases (SOPH-0047) - 3 units
ITEC 2102    C172    Network and Security    Network and Security - Foundations    3    Sophia - CS1015: Introduction to Networking (SOPH-0068) - 3 units
ECON 2000    D089    Business Core    Principles of Economics    3    Sophia - ECON1001: Macroeconomics (SOPH-0012) - 3 units
        Business Core    Principles of Economics - EXTRA        Sophia - ECON1002: Microeconomics (SOPH-0011) - 3 units
BUS 2040    D076    Business Core    Finance Skills for Managers    3    Sophia - FIN1001: Principles of Finance (SOPH-0033) - 3 units
MGMT 3400    C722    Business Management    Project Management    3    Sophia - PM1001: Project Management (SOPH-0013) - 3 units
BUS 2070    D080    Business Core    Managing in a Global Business Environment    3    Study.com - Business 120: Int'l Business (SDCM-0115) - 3 units
BUS 3100    C723    Business Management    Quantitative Analysis For Business    3    Study.com - Business 212: Business Statistics (SDCM-0225) - 3 units
BUS 2030    D075    Business Core    Information Technology Management Essentials    3    Study.com - Business 303: Mgmt Info' Systems (SDCM-0123) - 3 units
        Business Core    Managing in a Global Business Environment - EXTRA        Study.com - Business 308: Global & Int'l Mgmt (SDCM-0054) - 3 units
HRM 3100    C233    Human Resources    Employment Law    3    Study.com - Business 314: Employment Law (SDCM-0085) - 3 units
BUS 4890    QFT1    Capstone and Portfolio    Business - IT Management Capstone Project    4    
BUS 4891    PFIT    Capstone and Portfolio    Business - IT Management Portfolio Requirement    3    
ITEC 2205    C179    Business of IT    Business of IT - Applications    4    
BUS 2111    D361    Business Core    Business Simulation    4    
MGMT 4400    C721    Business Management    Change Management    3    
HRM 3600    C236    Human Resources    Compensation and Benefits    3    
BUS 2090    D082    Business Core    Emotional and Cultural Intelligence    3    
BUIT 3000    C724    IT Fundamentals    Information Systems Management    3    
BUS 2080    D081    Business Core    Innovative and Strategic Thinking    3    
BUS 2140    D100    IT Fundamentals    Introduction to Spreadsheets    1    
MGMT 4100    C720    Business Management    Operations and Supply Chain Management    3    
MGMT 2700    D253    Business Management    Values-Based Leadership    3    
HRM 3200    C234    Human Resources    Workforce Planning: Recruitment and Selection    3

[LevelUP]

The cheapest and fastest IT degrees are WGU, TESU and PUG.

Did you look at the WGU IT degree plan on the Wiki?
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/WG...egree_Plan

[DegreeModeActivated]

The cheapest and fastest IT degrees are WGU, TESU and PUG.

Did you look at the WGU IT degree plan on the Wiki?
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/WG...egree_Plan

Thanks for the reply! I have not looked at PUG, but WGU & TESU are very appealing. I applied to both last week. 

I prefer the WGU experience so far. Their platform seems more modern and intuitive. TESU seems like they are trying to modernize, but a lot of their information is buried in their website and hard(er) to comprehend. Also, the WGU advisors are top-notch over the phone/email. They operate like a good business, which I like.

I did see the WGU IT (BSIT) degree plan on the Wiki, but that is more technical than I wanted and appears to have a focus on software coding. I'm not a software developer, so I try to avoid that designation.

I have not seen a plan for the WGU IT Management (BSITM) degree on the Wiki. I prefer this as it is leans more into the business administration side of IT: customer service, planning, compliance, etc.

That being said, the TESU IT (BSIT) degree plan looks like a good compromise. Especially with the TESU Bachelors-to-Masters acceleration.

So, I am narrowing this down to WGU & TESU, I guess? But, I wonder if UMPI would be a good fit for any of my previous RA credits?

[LevelUP]

The cheapest and fastest IT degrees are WGU, TESU and PUG.

Did you look at the WGU IT degree plan on the Wiki?
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/WG...egree_Plan

Thanks for the reply! I have not looked at PUG, but WGU & TESU are very appealing. I applied to both last week. 

I prefer the WGU experience so far. Their platform seems more modern and intuitive. TESU seems like they are trying to modernize, but a lot of their information is buried in their website and hard(er) to comprehend. Also, the WGU advisors are top-notch over the phone/email. They operate like a good business, which I like.

I did see the WGU IT (BSIT) degree plan on the Wiki, but that is more technical than I wanted and appears to have a focus on software coding. I'm not a software developer, so I try to avoid that designation.

I have not seen a plan for the WGU IT Management (BSITM) degree on the Wiki. I prefer this as it is leans more into the business administration side of IT: customer service, planning, compliance, etc.

That being said, the TESU IT (BSIT) degree plan looks like a good compromise. Especially with the TESU Bachelors-to-Masters acceleration.

So, I am narrowing this down to WGU & TESU, I guess? But, I wonder if UMPI would be a good fit for any of my previous RA credits?

The WGU Business Administration IT Management Degree Plan is here:
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/WG...egree_Plan

The plan needs an update. For example, organizational behavior and marketing are now available at Sophia, which will save you some money.

The closest thing to IT management at UMPI is the BABA Project Management Degree
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/UM...egree_Plan

Your UMPI Transcript will say:
Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Plan: Business Administration Major

Sub-Plan: Project Management and Information Systems Concentration

UMPI stopped accepting Sophia and Study.com credit for business credits that are outside General Ed requirements.  So it's not as easy as it once was to do a business degree there.

[bjcheung77]

Basically, It really depends on what you're looking for and what you bring to the table. You want to work on the triple trifecta of certs, degree, experience... balanced that out with cost, ease, speed... ladder that combo of A/B/M, look for ROI/Value, and finally customize or personalize that education to your liking.

It can be something like this, one-and-done, accelerated BSIT & MSITM from WGU, the other option is, UMPI AALS + BBA PM & IS + MAOL. If you throw in your current and previous certs, years of experience, you're missing the degrees, it doesn't have to be "IT" as you balance it out with what you have...

TLDR: See if a one-and-done option is for you - WGU BSIT/MSIM or UMPI BBA PM & IS + MAOL.

[DegreeModeActivated]

@LevelUP - Thank you for the perspective and clarity on this.

I think that UMPI is definitely NOT on my list, now, for a couple reasons: 1) "BA" might be harder to explain than "BS" in my profession and 2) some Sophia/Study ACE courses not transferring as credit. Easy decision.

@bjcheung77 - You're absolutely right! I do want that triple trifecta: Certs, Degree(s), Experience.

I'm scared of taking on too much, but I think I need to take on the more technical WGU Accelerated IT Bachelor's and Master's Degree program (BSIT/MSITM) ... which has subtle differences from the stand-alone WGU IT Management (BSITM) degree... but, oddly, requires one (1) less course to receive two (2) degrees and several certs along the way?! That's a pretty good deal.

Using Sophia/Study credits along with my AA Transfer credits and existing Certs is a must.

Thank you having this forum and helping us all. I hope I can contribute more along my journey and be here to help as well.