My WGU BS in Accounting Journey!

[airricklee]

Hello Everyone,

I Figured I would start this thread for anyone who is wondering about Western Governor's University. I applied earlier this month, and was admitted today. So far, my enrollment counselor has been amazing. The process has been painless. I will start April 1st, if my financial aid pans out correctly.

I transferred 14 "competency units" out of 121 for the degree. Intermediate and College Algebra From Aleks, Accounting 101 Financial Accounting from Study.com, and Microeconomics from a local university.

I will add more information to this post, and continue to post information once I start about each course.

[airricklee]

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[rowan555]

Can't wait to follow your journey - there's not enough WGU information here! My son is enrolling at WGU in the Business/HR Management program this fall - he's transferring about 90 credits in and hoping to finish in one term. He's excited and nervous, and trying to complete as many courses as possible prior to enrolling so that he can accomplish his one-term goal.

Any idea yet what your first courses will be?

[jsd]

Good luck! I've really enjoyed WGU so far. Fantastic setup and my mentor is great.

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FYI, after a day you can't go back and edit your posts.

[Synicaal]

Thank you for doing this, It will be great to see how everything goes for you. I have WGU on my list for potential places to seek a masters degree. My only question for you right now is why didn't you hammer out a bunch more credits before enrolling in WGU. Isn't WGU the school that once you enroll you can't complete outside credits anymore. You will now have to complete 107 "competency units" at WGU and that's seems like a lot of credits, depending on your speed of course.

[dfrecore]

Thank you for doing this, It will be great to see how everything goes for you. I have WGU on my list for potential places to seek a masters degree. My only question for you right now is why didn't you hammer out a bunch more credits before enrolling in WGU. Isn't WGU the school that once you enroll you can't complete outside credits anymore. You will now have to complete 107 "competency units" at WGU and that's seems like a lot of credits, depending on your speed of course.

That was my question! Does it have to do with financial aid? They will pay for WGU, but not for courses/exams? Just wondering.

[rowan555]

That was my question! Does it have to do with financial aid? They will pay for WGU, but not for courses/exams? Just wondering.

I was wondering that too, since I'm scrambling to make sure my son completes every credit possible before enrolling. But he doesn't qualify for financial aid or the American Opportunity Tax Credit, so that path makes more sense for him. I guess if you are using grants, etc, it makes more sense to enroll and do the credits there.

I will say that after reading what a nightmare their science course apparently is, I'd recommend at least knocking the first 3 science credits out prior to enrolling, if possible. Once you're enrolled and begin classes, you can't transfer in anything.

[airricklee]

Hello everyone,

Since I was unaware I could edit my post after a day, I am planning on documenting my experience more fully offline, and posting everything once I am done. I will try and post shorter updates here, but everyone feel free to pm or ask if you would like more information on topics.

The reason I went ahead an enrolled without knocking out more credits is multi-faced. (also you are correct, you can not transfer more credits in once you have started a program)
1.) WGU's tranfer policy is not as transparent as the big three. So I did not want to risk taking more courses and spending money without an assurance they would be accepted.
2.) Some of my other courses I will have to take could have been transferred in, but some of the upper level accounting courses are harder to find and are only offered from places like penn foster, I figured this would reduce my searching. (plus the courses are somewhat prices)
3.) Most of my gen reqs I feel I could pass quickly at wgu, and it would make it more financially advice-able compared to exams or external courses. (see my info on my humanities course)
4.) Financial aid did play a role in my decision, my pell grant covered 90% of my cost this term, so even if I only complete 12 cu's per term the price I paid out of pocket would be comparable to paying for exams.
5.) Being re-enrolled full time I can pause my student loan payments while in school, and use those funds to pay off higher interest rates I currently owe (mortage).
6.) My workplace is working on implementing a tuition reimbursement policy, so I may be able to end up applying this as well.
7.) I took out a student loan to reduce my hours needed at work, and I now have 4 days off a week starting on the 1st to dedicate to studies. Something I would not have been able to do by exam method. (It is also allowing me to get a much needed upgrade to to my computer )

Also, though some of the courses require work to be submitted, some courses are solely exam passed, which means I can study for them the same as cleps then just take the exam, if you pass the exam, you pass the course.

I started my humanities course 4 days ago. I have completed all the modules, scored an 88 on my pre exam, (which indicates I should pass the final exam) and finished 1 1/2 of my two writing assignments. This is solely because of their competency based learning, which I am benefiting from because I have prior knowledge on theatre, arts, and philosophy. The only topics I really needed to focus on was architecture from periods and some of the themes of periods I didn't really care for. So I will be all but done with the 3 credit course in 5 days.

[dfrecore]

I started my humanities course 4 days ago. I have completed all the modules, scored an 88 on my pre exam, (which indicates I should pass the final exam) and finished 1 1/2 of my two writing assignments. This is solely because of their competency based learning, which I am benefiting from because I have prior knowledge on theatre, arts, and philosophy. The only topics I really needed to focus on was architecture from periods and some of the themes of periods I didn't really care for. So I will be all but done with the 3 credit course in 5 days.

So, not to belittle the other points you made, since I understand the reasons you had for doing this. Just kind of to point out to others who might see this in the future:

With the info you just gave on the humanities course, I'm thinking you might have been able to take an pass the Humanities CLEP. Instead of 5 days, it would have taken a couple of hours, ~$100, and you'd have gotten 6cr. That 5 days spent on Humanities (and I don't think you can move onto the next course immediately, so it could turn into 6..7..8 days before the next course is "unlocked" for you) could have been spent on a course that was more difficult to find for cheap, or pass quickly.

I get the whole WGU thing, especially if it's paid for by tuition reimbursement or GI Bills or Pell Grants. But, I still think it pays off financially to get some courses out of the way before you enroll. I personally would hate to spend 5+ days on Intro to Marketing or Intro to Management or whatever, just to find that I could have knocked it out for $25 through a Saylor exam.

I also agree with taking the hardest courses in your major through them. I'll be the accounting courses at WGU are much more thorough than SL, Study.com, or anything else you can find that's quick.

And, although WGU is less clear about what they accept, you CAN find that out ahead of time with some of the providers. Straighterline is a partner and is very clear about what you can take. CLEP and DSST is clear as well. There are more, but you just have to work with WGU to make sure what you take will cover the requirements.

Anyway, good luck to you, and for others who may not have some of the options you have, continue looking at ways to make WGU work for you in the least number of terms (1-2) so that you don't overpay for your degree by taking 3+ terms to finish.

[rowan555]

Yes, for anyone considering WGU, Straighterline has a very clearly laid out, guaranteed transfer course list, and also a small "scholarship" which amounts to a $200 tuition discount if you take a certain number of courses with them. For other providers, you can reach out to a WGU enrollment advisor any time via email, send the course details, and they will check with the transfer dept and get back to you - so you have a record, in writing, stating that a given course will be accepted as transfer credit for one of their requirements. My son applied to WGU with a free application waiver code a full year before he will actually enroll - and we've bugged the hell out of his poor advisor. But we're also saving a ton of money by doing it this way and by pretty much ensuring he will be able to complete his BS in one term.