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Help with my BS in IT Management Degree at WGU - DegreeModeActivated - 06-09-2025
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 2Univ. 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+ 4Current 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-degrees/it-information-technology-management-bachelors-program.html
- WGU Transfer Pathway for Sophia: https://partners.wgu.edu/transfer-pathway-agreement?uniqueId=BSITM7112&collegeCode=BU&instId=796&programId=192
- WGU Transfer Pathway for Study.com: https://partners.wgu.edu/transfer-pathway-agreement?uniqueId=BSITM7112&collegeCode=BU&instId=796&programId=192
- ACE Learning Evaluations from Sophia: https://www.acenet.edu/National-Guide/Pages/Organization.aspx?oid=76099b28-9016-e811-810f-5065f38bf0e1
- ACE Learning Evaluations from Study.com: https://www.acenet.edu/National-Guide/Pages/Organization.aspx?oid=82099b28-9016-e811-810f-5065f38bf0e1
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 unitsPlanned 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 unitsPlanned 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 unitsFinal 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 3RE: Help with my BS in IT Management Degree at WGU - LevelUP - 06-10-2025
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/WGU_IT_Information_Technology_Degree_Plan
RE: Help with my BS in IT Management Degree at WGU - DegreeModeActivated - 06-10-2025
(06-10-2025, 06:15 AM)LevelUP Wrote: 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/WGU_IT_Information_Technology_Degree_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?
RE: Help with my BS in IT Management Degree at WGU - LevelUP - 06-10-2025
(06-10-2025, 11:31 AM)DegreeModeActivated Wrote:(06-10-2025, 06:15 AM)LevelUP Wrote: 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/WGU_IT_Information_Technology_Degree_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/WGU_Business_Administration_IT_Management_Degree_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/UMPI_BABA_Project_Management_Degree_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.
RE: Help with my BS in IT Management Degree at WGU - bjcheung77 - 06-10-2025
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.
RE: Help with my BS in IT Management Degree at WGU - DegreeModeActivated - 06-11-2025
@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.
RE: Help with my BS in IT Management Degree at WGU - ColePalmer - 06-12-2025
Totally depends on what you’re aiming for and what you already have in your toolkit. You’ve got solid experience and a good credit base, so now it’s really about filling in the degree side with something fast, affordable, and that complements your certs and background.
If you're looking for a one-and-done path, WGU’s BSIT + MSITM combo could be a great fit stackable, cert-aligned, and employer-respected. On the flip side, if you want more flexibility or a business tilt, something like UMPI AALS + BBA PM/IS + MAOL can work too.
Just depends on how you want to balance speed, cost, and how much "IT" you actually want in your degree. Either way, you're already ahead, just time to plug the last gap.
RE: Help with my BS in IT Management Degree at WGU - bjcheung77 - 06-13-2025
(06-11-2025, 09:39 PM)DegreeModeActivated Wrote: @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.
Create a spreadsheet, review all the requirements and the partners.wgu.edu link for Sophia.org and Study.com equivalencies. You want to transfer in the max of up to 90 credits into the Bachelors. Then complete one at a time, your first choice should be WGU Accelerated B & M degree option, UMPI would be just a backup if something comes along and side tracks you or you no longer want WGU for some reason or another...