WGU Natural Science Lab - Options?

[Thorne]

Just setting up for my transfer to WGU and am hung up on the Natural Science Lab requirement. WGU requires a 2 credit Lab Science, and I'm not sure what, if anything, applies.

Through StraighterLine (my preferred method), there are a number of science labs offered, but each is only 1 credit. Is there any single course, or multiple courses that won't take more than two months combined, that WGU will accept for transfer and provide the necessary credits?

[bjcheung77]

Just setting up for my transfer to WGU and am hung up on the Natural Science Lab requirement. WGU requires a 2 credit Lab Science, and I'm not sure what, if anything, applies.

Through StraighterLine (my preferred method), there are a number of science labs offered, but each is only 1 credit. Is there any single course, or multiple courses that won't take more than two months combined, that WGU will accept for transfer and provide the necessary credits?

I believe, It's just an indication that it requires TWO (1) credit lab sciences, which means for example, two biology labs, or two chem labs, etc.
That's what I believe it to be, you can make sure by emailing the WGU staff for verification, it's best for them to give you the "straight answer".

[jsd]

Thorne, didn't you say to had an associates degree? If so, that will waive most of the general ed requirements (even if there was no direct equivalent included in your AA program).

I'd get your credits evaluated before you start making plans to take courses to transfer in, so you're only focusing on what you need and what is possible to transfer.

It's currently free to apply. Just don't officially enroll until you have everything you want to transfer in completed

[rowan555]

Thorne, didn't you say to had an associates degree? If so, that will waive most of the general ed requirements (even if there was no direct equivalent included in your AA program).

I'd get your credits evaluated before you start making plans to take courses to transfer in, so you're only focusing on what you need and what is possible to transfer.

It's currently free to apply. Just don't officially enroll until you have everything you want to transfer in completed

If you have an AS or AA degree, both sciences as well as the other gen eds will be cleared in a block. If you have an AAS degree, they might not do that - but it's worth applying and connecting with an enrollment counselor to have your current transcripts evaluated so you know exactly where you stand. FWIW, the science is a lot easier to clear than you think, if you don't have credits for them from your associates degree. My son took environmental science at SL - took him 3 days to complete - and that cleared the first 4 credit science requirement. The second 4 credit "applications" course is a task based course which requires a short paper, a short powerpoint presentation, and a middle-school level lab experiment of your choosing. You can complete it in a day or two, and there's no exam. I wouldn't spend a lot of time or money trying to transfer something in for that second science course.

[teacher2]

Not sure if this will help but I completed SL Biology Lab and it satisfied the lab requirement even though it was only 1 credit.

[rowan555]

Just setting up for my transfer to WGU and am hung up on the Natural Science Lab requirement. WGU requires a 2 credit Lab Science, and I'm not sure what, if anything, applies.

Through StraighterLine (my preferred method), there are a number of science labs offered, but each is only 1 credit. Is there any single course, or multiple courses that won't take more than two months combined, that WGU will accept for transfer and provide the necessary credits?

I wanted to add - you can take a 3 credit science - any science - and that covers the 4 credit natural science requirement. For the natural science applications, that's where you would need to take a science and the corresponding 1 credit lab if you want to transfer that in. Again, I recommend just taking that second 4 credit science at WGU.

[Thorne]

If you have an AAS degree, they might not do that - but it's worth applying and connecting with an enrollment counselor to have your current transcripts evaluated so you know exactly where you stand.

I've applied, but I can't send my transcripts in until mid-May after my graduation is official. My transcripts (at present) say that I've been approved, but not that I have them. I may send them in now and reevaluate later if there is a chance that they'll consider the two designations the same.

FWIW, the science is a lot easier to clear than you think, if you don't have credits for them from your associates degree. My son took environmental science at SL - took him 3 days to complete - and that cleared the first 4 credit science requirement. The second 4 credit "applications" course is a task based course which requires a short paper, a short powerpoint presentation, and a middle-school level lab experiment of your choosing. You can complete it in a day or two, and there's no exam. I wouldn't spend a lot of time or money trying to transfer something in for that second science course.

Cool. If push really comes to shove, I could just take some science course plus CHEM101+CHEM101L at SL to knock out the requirements.

Thorne, didn't you say to had an associates degree?

Yes and no. I have (been approved for, don't have on transcript until 2nd week of May) two AAS degrees.

[Thorne]

I wanted to add - you can take a 3 credit science - any science - and that covers the 4 credit natural science requirement. For the natural science applications, that's where you would need to take a science and the corresponding 1 credit lab if you want to transfer that in. Again, I recommend just taking that second 4 credit science at WGU.

Not sure if this will help but I completed SL Biology Lab and it satisfied the lab requirement even though it was only 1 credit.

Both statements help quite a bit, actually. I just emailed my enrollment counselor to ask about the specifics, but if what has been said is true, then it's as good as done.

[videogamesrock]

Just setting up for my transfer to WGU and am hung up on the Natural Science Lab requirement. WGU requires a 2 credit Lab Science, and I'm not sure what, if anything, applies.

Through StraighterLine (my preferred method), there are a number of science labs offered, but each is only 1 credit. Is there any single course, or multiple courses that won't take more than two months combined, that WGU will accept for transfer and provide the necessary credits?

Rio Salado offers two labs in nutrition.

[Brownie82]

edited to clarify: WGU only charges a lab fee for students in the science education programs.

I'm considering WGU. I just wanted to note that taking science at WGU is an extra $350 that is charged when you start. Just wanted to say that because it's an issue for me since I think my FinAid my not totally cover a full year. I'm considering taking Environmental Science at Study.com and the lab at Central New Mexico CC. I don't have my notes with me, but I think its about $50/credit and the lab is just 1 credit. I emailed the teacher and from the syllabus that she sent from last year, I understand that you can do the lab using the online tools and stuff around your house.

My counselor said that it should work, but I'd have to talk get it evaluated by that department.