New WGU IT degrees coming: BS Cyber Security (June), BS/MS Computer Science (unknown)

[jsd]

This news is over a week old, but it might be of interest since it wasn't talked about here yet.

In June, WGU intends to launch a new BS in Cyber Security degree, and sometime after that (date not yet determined) they'll release both Bachelors and Masters Computer Science programs. They first announced it on Twitter and their official social media account posted the quote below on reddit. There was a lot of question about what distinction they were making between cybersecurity and their existing IT Security program. Basically, it seems like their cybersecurity program will be more in line with what one thinks of as infosec/info assurance. Their existing IT Sec program is closer to a network admin program (where as their specific Network Admin program more closely resembles a Systems Admin program, go figure). Anyway, here's their post from reddit...

June we will launch BS Cyber Security, bachelor's and master's in computer science in the near future, but no date just yet. Cyber security focuses more tech/data aspect of security and regular security focus more on phys/admin controls. There is some overlap. The MS computer science will be a fairly technical degree with a strong math background. If you are a current student, please speak to your mentor about any program changes and crossover courses. For those interested in obtaining a CS degree after a MS:ISA, it is possible to do but there are variables and you will want to talk to your mentor/enrollment. Unfortunately I don't have much more info, but your mentors may be able to help more. ALSO, for those interested, we will be hosting another IT Tweetchat Q&A April 19th at 12pm MDT on the BS: Data Management/Data Analytics AND BS Cyber Security degrees. Good luck!

[jsd]

They indicated they won't be switching up their existing MS in Cyber Security degree upon launching the BS, which I assume means that CEH an CHFI will remain part of the MS and not be included in the BS. If I had to guess, the BS will include CompTIA's new CSA+ (Cyber Security Analyst) and their established CASP (CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner). All of their IT plans already include CompTIA Security+ so I imagine that will be in there too. These aren't particularly impressive certifications unfortunately, but what can you do.

it's be interesting to see them do something like knowck CEH and CHFI down to the BS level, and use the MS to prepare you for CISSP... but especially with CISSP's years of in-field experience requirement I imagine it's just not feasible (aside form them saying they're not tinkering with the MS).

[jsd]

Also, although it says to talk to your mentor about it, I asked mine last week when they posted this and my mentor said they haven't been given anymore information about it aside from what is posted above.

[NolaRice]

I'm so excited about the MS in Computer Science (and BS, I'm still a little annoyed that CS at TESU is a BA but I'm too far into the program to switch and I genuinely like TESU anyway). Hopefully they release it before the end of the year. Let's hope we get a peek at some of the curriculum sometime soon.

[jsd]

To be fair, I doubt many employers care about the BA/BS distinction. But it is odd.

[sanantone]

Quite a few schools offer a BS and BA in CS. Some schools, such as Harvard, treat CS as a liberal art and label all of their liberal arts programs as BAs. In other words, Harvard only offers an AB (BA) in CS.

[dfrecore]

The 2 BS's are good because they are both fairly expensive degrees from TESU and COSC (in comparison to the BSBA or BALS, what WE consider cheap), considering that you can't get a lot of these classes inexpesively. Even if it took you 2-3 terms at WGU, I think it still might be cheaper than TESU or COSC, and you'd get certs as an added bonus (for Cybersecurity anyway).

[rowan555]

The 2 BS's are good because they are both fairly expensive degrees from TESU and COSC (in comparison to the BSBA or BALS, what WE consider cheap), considering that you can't get a lot of these classes inexpesively. Even if it took you 2-3 terms at WGU, I think it still might be cheaper than TESU or COSC, and you'd get certs as an added bonus (for Cybersecurity anyway).

I don't know the exact degree plan for this one, but with the new offerings for CS courses at Saylor and Ed4Credit, a motivated student could even complete this degree in one term by transferring 90 or so credits in. And with 4 SL courses, they'd get a $200 discount on tuition. Seems like a pretty good deal!

[ajs1976]

Thanks for posting this. All three programs interest me. Hopefully they will provide more details soon.

[sanantone]

I know WGU doesn't really do social science degrees, but it would be nice for a school like Hodges or even Patten to create a masters in psychology. Capella is just so icky.