JTP's WGU MS CSIA Update Thread

[JTP]

Following suit with my my bachelor's degree, I wanted to start a progress thread for my Masters Degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance with Western Govenors University.

I went back and forth several times between masters programs and eventually settled on WGU. My main factors of consideration were cost, time, and curriculum. In the end WGU gave me the lowest cost, saved me time (I already have my CEH & CHFI), and I've read several reviews attesting to the worth of the program.

At this point I have my transcripts and certifications sent and evaluated by the school. I am now waiting for my "official" acceptance to the program and verification of a 1 Feb 2017 start date.

Once I get that verification I will submit documentation to my employer attempting to get them to pay for my first session so I am out no money...Fingers crossed.

I will update this thread periodically as things come up. Not much information now, but feel free to ask any questions.

[jsd]

Way way way in the future, I hope to enroll in this program as well (it's in line with my professional career, unlike my BA)... So I look forward to following along with your journey and wish you the best of luck!

(And hope the program isn't too much more difficult when I eventually sign on, if that's the path I take)

[TrailRunr]

I look forward to reading about your MSCSIA journey. I've gone back and forth between various WGU programs vs. GA Tech OMSCS vs doing nothing.

I've depleted my tuition reimbursement for the year, so I'm staying out of WGU grad programs until sometime next year. I'm going to time the start date so that I can draw upon tuition reimbursement again. I could try to get the department to pay, but they already spent $10k of specialized IT training on me and it's unusual for the department budget at my company to pay for degrees. For myself, I would not pursue any degree unless the company paid for it.

I'm not sure which grad program I'll do, but I'll decide after consulting with the boss and other executives.

[jsd]

I'm playing the IT career development budget game too, TrailRunr! I feel you.

[JTP]

I'm also playing said game. I've been told there is money available but not how much or what qualifies. So I'm just trying to prepare all of my paperwork as soon as possible to get any FY17 funds I can...if nothing comes through I'll probably hold of on the masters till funding other than my pocket or loans becomes available.

[JTP]

I received my acceptance/evaluation for the program, but for some reason they only accepted my CEH cert and not the CHFI. My enrollment counselor caught this quickly and resent my verification paperwork from EC-Council and said it should be re-evaluated and updated within a business day.

So far I'm pretty happy with my counselor, he is super helpful and has never been overbearing as I've heard can happen on occasion with WGU.

[JTP]

I had my "intake" interview with my enrollment counselor a week a go which I guess is the final "seriously I'm interested and understand school costs money," talk before they officially accept you. It really wasn't too bad, I just didn't understand the point of it since my enrollment counselor was pretty thorough and covered all my questions earlier on.

After that a few days later I got my official acceptance letter that outlined the courses and a detailed price breakdown for the program. This was important for me to be able to fill out the paperwork to apply for tuition aid. All paper work had been created and submitted. I really have no idea how long it will take to be approved or denied. No one in my area has applied for tuition assistance in years, and I'm even applying for a special tier for full coverage.

If everything goes well start date is set for 1 February 2017.

[jsd]

Thanks for the update, and good luck!

[JTP]

***Vent***

I'm stuck in this idiotic song and dance where the Government has the money and said they will pay for my school...and WGU wants money for me to go to school, but apparently the lines of communication are not there.

I've emailed/called/ 17 different people trying to get this figured out and I keep getting passed off to someone else. Granted I am in a unique situation, even for government Tuition Assistance.

I finally had a little progress yesterday with WGU's TA and VA office and I think...maybe they will have some answers for me in the next day or so.

banghead:toetap:banghead

[JTP]

Mike in the TA office at WGU is the man!!! He helped me get everything squared away with the school. My tuition assistance showed up Friday and I was cleared for the semester. I'm hoping to complete all of the mandatory orientation over a couple evenings this week so I can hit the ground running next week when my term starts.