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Western governors' University - WGU - competency based? Experience or opinions?
#1
I'm finishing up my BS and looking for a masters program. I'm specifically thinking of a MBA or MS in Health Care Administration. Does anyone have any experience with WGU? I don't quite get how it works.

Thanks!:coolgleam:
Denise


MS - Management and Leadership, WGU 2022
BS - Liberal Arts - Depths in Healthcare and Psychology, Excelsior College 2014
Certificate - Workers Comp Admin, UC Davis Extension, 1995
AA - Licensed Vocational Nursing and Selected Studies, Mesa College 1989
Certificate - Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN), Mesa College 1977

Also, someday maybe a MS in Forensic Psychology, just for fun.   Oh, and a BS in Animal Behavior.  And, maybe when I'm 85 a PhD in something fun.

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#2
Not used it, and only really looked at their undergrads, but their system was basically a flat fee for six months at a time, as many classes as you can take in that time. For the IT degrees the classes taught you the relevant industry certifications, and the certification was basically the class, so if you already have some of the certs (some people in IT have a LOT of them) then you basically already completed those classes and can skip them.

WGU is considered a "second tier" of school outside the Big 3, along with AMU (which is just a normal online school with lenient policies). Not that it is in any way bad, but just somewhat outside the main focus of this group.

That said, many of us would love to know more about it to at least be able to advise others, but we need a guinea pig... Smile
Community-Supported Wiki(link approved by forum admin)

Complete: TESU BA Computer Science
2011-2013 completed all BSBA CIS requirements except 4 gen eds.
2013 switched major to CS, then took a couple years off suddenly.
2015-2017 finished the CS.

CCAF: AAS Comp Sci
CLEP (10): A&I Lit, College Composition Modular, College Math, Financial Accounting, Marketing, Management, Microecon, Sociology, Psychology, Info Systems
DSST (4): Public Speaking, Business Ethics, Finance, MIS

ALEKS (3): College Algebra, Trig, Stats
UMUC (3): Comparative programming languages, Signal & Image Processing, Analysis of Algorithms
TESU (11): English Comp, Business Law, Macroecon, Managerial Accounting, Strategic Mgmt (BSBA Capstone), C++, Data Structures, Calc I/II, Discrete Math, BA Capstone

Warning: BA Capstone is a thesis, mine was 72 pages about a cryptography topic

Wife pursuing Public Admin cert via CSU.
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#3
I looked at their BS in health informatics and I had a really hard time trying to get straight answers and responses from WGU. I ended up choosing a different college program that transferred in almost all my credits from my previous degrees and coursework. They were willing to give me far more transfer credits than I would have received at WGU. Even with WGU's flat semester prices it would have taken almost two years to complete a program with lots of duplicated coursework and cost a lot more money. If you want a decent Master's in Healthcare Administration I can recommend the Bellevue University program. I completed their online 18 month accelerated MHA in March. Good luck!
Completed 2/09 - 5/13

RHIA Post-Bac Cert - Stephens - 5/13
MHA - Bellevue Univ - 3/12
BSHS - Excelsior 12/10
BSLS - Excelsior 3/10
ASLS - Excelsior 4/09

ECE - A&P - B
ECE - Found. of Gerontology - B
ECE - Ethics: Theory & Practice - B
ECE - Psych. of Adulthood & Aging - A
ECE - Social Psych. - B
ECE - Abnormal Psych. - B
ECE - HR Management - B
ECE - Research Methods of Psych. - B
ECE - Pathophysiology - A

CLEP - American Govt - 58
CLEP - Intro. to Sociology - 63
CLEP - A & I Lit - 70
DSST - Fund. of Counseling - A (65)
DSST - Org. Behavior - A (67)
DSST - Environment & Humanity - A (62)
DSST - Found. of Education - A (64)
DSST - Here's to Your Health - 461 (Pass)
DSST - Substance Abuse - 460 (Pass)
DSST - Principles of Supervision - A (61)
DSST - Lifespan Developmental Psych - A (59)
DSST - Criminal Justice - 443 (Pass)
DSST - MIS - 415 (Pass)
UExcel - Intro. to Psych (Beta)- Pass
ALEKS - College Alg, Stats
Straighterline - Medical Term, Pharmacology I & II
FEMA - PDS + more
Reply
#4
Totally coincidentally I just came across this:

Braile comments on I teach for a diploma mill, er, I mean online university. AMA.

The original post is about someone who works for a scam online college, but the thread linked is about a WGU grad degree. It is well regarded.
Community-Supported Wiki(link approved by forum admin)

Complete: TESU BA Computer Science
2011-2013 completed all BSBA CIS requirements except 4 gen eds.
2013 switched major to CS, then took a couple years off suddenly.
2015-2017 finished the CS.

CCAF: AAS Comp Sci
CLEP (10): A&I Lit, College Composition Modular, College Math, Financial Accounting, Marketing, Management, Microecon, Sociology, Psychology, Info Systems
DSST (4): Public Speaking, Business Ethics, Finance, MIS

ALEKS (3): College Algebra, Trig, Stats
UMUC (3): Comparative programming languages, Signal & Image Processing, Analysis of Algorithms
TESU (11): English Comp, Business Law, Macroecon, Managerial Accounting, Strategic Mgmt (BSBA Capstone), C++, Data Structures, Calc I/II, Discrete Math, BA Capstone

Warning: BA Capstone is a thesis, mine was 72 pages about a cryptography topic

Wife pursuing Public Admin cert via CSU.
Reply
#5
I attended WGU for six months but had to withdraw due to family/work issues. I opted for the Big 3 after deciding to continue my schooling, but I will be going to WGU for my masters.
[SIZE=1]Goals:
MS in Information Security & Assurance at WGU (In progress...)
DONE - AAS in Applied Computer Studies at TESC (Graduated)
DONE - BA Liberal Studies at TESC (Graduated)


CLEP/DSST/TESC:
* Social Science & History CLEP
* A History of the Vietnam War DSST
* Organizational Behavior DSST
* SOS-110: Living in the Information Age
* SOS-150: Self-assessment & Career Exploration
* Fundamentals of Counseling DSST
* Substance Abuse DSST
* Intro to World Religions DSST
* Intro to Computing DSST
* Intro to Sociology CLEP
* MIS DSST
* Spanish CLEP
* Analyzing & Interpreting Literature CLEP
* College Composition CLEP
[/SIZE]
Reply
#6
Thanks everyone! I've talked to a couple of people in addition to scouring the boards. I'm pretty sure I'll go with WGU. 1. The reasonable cost fits in better to my single-parent budget Smile 2. I have about 25 years in HC Admin, so I think it is a faster, not easier, way for me to go. I've been looking at masters programs for the last year and I think this will work for me. The nice thing is that I have about 6 months to make a final decision.
Denise


MS - Management and Leadership, WGU 2022
BS - Liberal Arts - Depths in Healthcare and Psychology, Excelsior College 2014
Certificate - Workers Comp Admin, UC Davis Extension, 1995
AA - Licensed Vocational Nursing and Selected Studies, Mesa College 1989
Certificate - Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN), Mesa College 1977

Also, someday maybe a MS in Forensic Psychology, just for fun.   Oh, and a BS in Animal Behavior.  And, maybe when I'm 85 a PhD in something fun.

Reply
#7
I'm doing my Masters there (Information Security and Assurance), I just started (actually, officially start May 1st) but liking it already. On the 15th of the month before the class starts you do the orientation course and get to see the course of study (outline of the program, what study materials to use, assignments, etc). You can start right there (I did, already just about done with 2 courses as they are ones I was already very familiar with) and turn in the projects when you officially start.

It's a lot like using SL, self-paced and they tell you what to study. Some courses use proctored tests (certs, or test you can do at home with special webcam and software they send you) and others are just project based. Most of mine are projects, they seem to have 3-4 projects to complete per course (once they all pass, you're done). The projects are actually pretty good, for the ones I've done they are exactly the type of work I've been doing (already work in the industry).

If you go to WGU send me a PM, they have a "refer-a-friend" thing that waives the $65 application fee. I would need your name and email to do it, and give you the same info for your side.
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#8
Sounds cool valascar. Please keep us up to date as you progress through the program.
BSBA CIS from TESC, BA Natural Science/Math from TESC
MBA Applied Computer Science from NCU
Enrolled at NCU in the PhD Applied Computer Science
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#9
valsacar Wrote:I'm doing my Masters there (Information Security and Assurance), I just started (actually, officially start May 1st) but liking it already. On the 15th of the month before the class starts you do the orientation course and get to see the course of study (outline of the program, what study materials to use, assignments, etc). You can start right there (I did, already just about done with 2 courses as they are ones I was already very familiar with) and turn in the projects when you officially start.

It's a lot like using SL, self-paced and they tell you what to study. Some courses use proctored tests (certs, or test you can do at home with special webcam and software they send you) and others are just project based. Most of mine are projects, they seem to have 3-4 projects to complete per course (once they all pass, you're done). The projects are actually pretty good, for the ones I've done they are exactly the type of work I've been doing (already work in the industry).

If you go to WGU send me a PM, they have a "refer-a-friend" thing that waives the $65 application fee. I would need your name and email to do it, and give you the same info for your side.

@valsacar - I plan on pursuing an MSIA there at WGU. Would absolutely love to hear more about your course work! And, I'd like to do a refer-a-friend thing too.
[SIZE=1]Goals:
MS in Information Security & Assurance at WGU (In progress...)
DONE - AAS in Applied Computer Studies at TESC (Graduated)
DONE - BA Liberal Studies at TESC (Graduated)


CLEP/DSST/TESC:
* Social Science & History CLEP
* A History of the Vietnam War DSST
* Organizational Behavior DSST
* SOS-110: Living in the Information Age
* SOS-150: Self-assessment & Career Exploration
* Fundamentals of Counseling DSST
* Substance Abuse DSST
* Intro to World Religions DSST
* Intro to Computing DSST
* Intro to Sociology CLEP
* MIS DSST
* Spanish CLEP
* Analyzing & Interpreting Literature CLEP
* College Composition CLEP
[/SIZE]
Reply
#10
OP, I would highly recommend that you look at the AUPHA website and make sure whatever school you choose is approved through them or in the file for any master's in healthcare admin. The reason is that professional organizations such as ACHE and other jobs such as academia and some hospitals will want your grad degree in HA to be from an AUPHA approved / accredited program. Just something to consider. I used the AUPHA website to narrow down my list when I was looking at MHA programs. I don't believe WGU was on the list at that time. If you plan to get your ACHE fellow or want the best options once you graduate I highly recommend that you review the AUPHA site before you sign on anywhere. I have 30 years experience in healthcare and related industries, but I wasn't going to spend money on an MHA that wouldn't be recognized and accepted down the road. It is kind of like MBA programs and their accreditation agencies. You can have an RA MBA without the backing of the accreditation agencies you won't be as employable. Good luck!
Completed 2/09 - 5/13

RHIA Post-Bac Cert - Stephens - 5/13
MHA - Bellevue Univ - 3/12
BSHS - Excelsior 12/10
BSLS - Excelsior 3/10
ASLS - Excelsior 4/09

ECE - A&P - B
ECE - Found. of Gerontology - B
ECE - Ethics: Theory & Practice - B
ECE - Psych. of Adulthood & Aging - A
ECE - Social Psych. - B
ECE - Abnormal Psych. - B
ECE - HR Management - B
ECE - Research Methods of Psych. - B
ECE - Pathophysiology - A

CLEP - American Govt - 58
CLEP - Intro. to Sociology - 63
CLEP - A & I Lit - 70
DSST - Fund. of Counseling - A (65)
DSST - Org. Behavior - A (67)
DSST - Environment & Humanity - A (62)
DSST - Found. of Education - A (64)
DSST - Here's to Your Health - 461 (Pass)
DSST - Substance Abuse - 460 (Pass)
DSST - Principles of Supervision - A (61)
DSST - Lifespan Developmental Psych - A (59)
DSST - Criminal Justice - 443 (Pass)
DSST - MIS - 415 (Pass)
UExcel - Intro. to Psych (Beta)- Pass
ALEKS - College Alg, Stats
Straighterline - Medical Term, Pharmacology I & II
FEMA - PDS + more
Reply


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