BS IT Security at Western Governors University (WGU BSITSECU) Strategy help

[timmmay]

Hi Everyone,

I came across this site yesterday during a renewed interest in getting my degree. As the title implies, I'm looking to get a Bachelor's degree finally. A little background on myself, I began working at a small IT help desk around 1997. After a few years, I took a 5 year gap to help with the family business but decided to get back into IT around 2005. Since then, I've been privileged to work with some amazing people and on great IT projects both internationally and here in the USA. Fortunately, I've always been able to land jobs based on my experience and referrals, so I never carved out the time to get a degree. Now I want one. However, time comes at a pretty high cost for me, so I am interested in an accelerated online program and Western Governors University seems to be a pretty good match. This will be an evening and weekend effort for both me and my family.

Now some questions for the experts:

1) Has anyone here been through the BS IT Security track, and how did you accomplish it?

2) Does it make sense to obtain CU's from outside the WGU program, prior to enrolling? (I've read about some that try to complete in a single session) It seems like MANY do that, why?

3) WGU has a partnership with Straighterline and a pretty clear course equivalency chart. Is that the best program to complete the general ed subjects outside of the WGU program, or are there others that are better suited/cheaper?

I have industry certs that line up with this degree already (CCNA R&S, CCNA Security) so those will eliminate some time needed to complete. I think at this point, I'm just trying to find that sweet spot of CU's transferred in vs taken at WGU if there is one. Cost is also a factor since this will all be out of pocket and I'm not made of money. As I just finished typing this I am reminded of the project info-graphic I always demonstrate to people, (CHEAP - FAST - GOOD, Pick two), and here I am trying to find all three. milelol:

Thank you for your time spent reading my wall of text and I appreciate any insight you may have to offer!