Is WGU Legit? (2021) | Western Governors University Review: SELF-PACED vs TRADITIONAL

[@JoshMadakor]

🖥 Break into IT in ~3 Months with my Hands-On Practical Course! 🖥 coursecareers.com/explore/it/ref/18242/

[@Sketchygaijin]

The reason it takes four years to complete a bachelors at a traditional college is simple, they want four years worth of tuition!

[@JoshMadakor]

#true

[@argiv1998]

They also add a bunch of generals that you don't need if you know what you want to do

[@tohruadachi7509]

@@argiv1998 true, mostly Gen Ed are useless, and it just add more 2 years in order for they gain more money, after all, they don't pay taxes.

[@PeterGMcDermott]

@@tohruadachi7509 I attended WGU, where general education classes are also required. I would disagree because General Education classes help you to better understand the research, analysis, writing, and scientific processes. Plus you get to learn cool stuff about the world around you so that you can be a more empathetic and effective citizen of the world.

[@CYKG2023]

Facts!!

[@Frissdas1207]

My former boss said "anyone who doesn't choose the faster path with the same results for less money would likely be a terrible manager. Paper is paper."

[@sonsofelohim8686]

This comment should be highlighted.

[@genjimccorkle5518]

Many top 10 schools give full rides, ie essentially free. Just depends on how old you are (the older you are, the more you need self paced learning to hurry up and get into the work force, if you are young, you can spend more time at the UNI level). Also you are not considering on-campus recruiting, which is basically gold at these schools that WGU does not offer (handshake sucks ass).

[@chedubetcha69]

@@genjimccorkle5518 full rides are very competitive and rare.

[@caramoonlynn]

My daughter finished her bachelor's degree in one year from WGU...granted she had an associates degree when she started and was studying Elementary Ed, but she attacked it with the gusto of a nuclear engineer. I'm so proud of her. She had a baby the day after her graduation.

[@Krystal_Kitty7]

Wow 👏👏

[@juanruelas5061]

What was the cost

[@darrickharris5534]

I think the WGU model is great. Every school should allow you to go self paced and have milestones to keep you on track.

[@JoshMadakor]

I totally agree with this. I think the pandemic will at least start moving things in that direction a little more by decoupling most classes with physical attendance

[@darrickharris5534]

@@JoshMadakor -Exactly. The pandemic has cleared a lot waste and abuse from many systems. Like some employers will downsize the building and allow more remote working because of the pandemic

[@gregslingerland7292]

I've finished 70 percent of my degree since May with wgu. The amount of money and time saved is wild.

[@JoshMadakor]

Yeah, it's seriously, seriously good lol. Can't recommend them enough haha. GJ, and thanks for watching :)

[@hant679]

I wish it had been available when I was in college. It is crazy how much time and money I spent...and I didn't even get my bachelor's degree.

[@HO-vt5pk]

which degree? and are u still in WGU? also, how was the experience did u get all the help u needed with tutors and mentors

[@VyLa549]

Any update?

[@Tallnashguy83]

Added note to all these great points. Some of us go through it slowly and life keeps happening (jobs changing, family members passing, breakups, health issues, etc.) and the flexibility of WGU makes it easy to continue on at a slower pace since it is self-paced. My dad passed away last summer and I was able to take a full month to be with him and my family - I don't think traditional brick and mortar would have allowed it. I've also seen a positive attitude toward pass/fail and long-distance learning during the pandemic. Great content, Josh!

[@JoshMadakor]

Thanks for sharing your perspective :), I'm sorry to hear about your dad :(

[@MH-zg5yw]

the traditional college model locks students in for four years because it is about making money off tuition. It also is aimed at teaching students to be good workers. Be on time, don't miss class, don't be late or else. I remember hearing professors repeatedly treating the classroom as a training ground for the work force. The traditional model of education in the U.S is outdated

[@JoshMadakor]

I pretty much agree with this 100%. I guess i's better than NO model, but it certainly can be improved upon! I think it's slowly happening though :)

[@avant-garde2.028]

I’m late for class but early for work 😭👌. I do get great grades tho.

[@annai157]

Ironic, since many profs don't care if students even show up for their classes, as long as they do the work.

[@MH-zg5yw]

@@annai157 that isn't true. When I was in college I only had two professors that didn't care. Most would deduct point for absences and tardiness. Three tardies equaled an absence. I had a good number of professors that made it clear that "if you don't show up, you won't pass the class". One of my classmates tested it. He showed up only for the mid term and final. He aced both, but got an F in the class. He contested it with the department and the final grade was upheld

[@annai157]

@@MH-zg5yw I agree that "individual results may vary" - many profs DO care -and many smaller colleges watch such things. But I've also known lots of cases of lecture halls with 800 students, no one taking attendance, and the prof openly announcing that attendance didn't matter.

[@sandywright-leonard5238]

For people like me, who had an Associates degree in Nursing but 25 years of experience, it is a God-send. It’s also the reason why you’ll see nurses finish in 6 months and proves what he is saying in the video. I’ve been doing this for 25 years. There is no need for me to spend a whole semester on physical assessment. Something like that, I can knock out in a week at most. However, the course about different learning theories, well, that might take little longer. It makes sense to move through a course that I can show I’m competent in, so that I can concentrate on those that I need to focus on. Especially when you consider that, when you are talking bedside care, an Associate level nurse and a Bachelors level nurse do the exact same job. There is absolutely no difference. The need for a Bachelors comes up when you want to move up in management.

[@JoshMadakor]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting. I really like hearing healthcare perspectives and stories since I'm pretty far from that field :)

[@bluebladex3]

I've been doing IT for about 6 years. 4 years as a self owned IT business and 2 in IT support and an Associates in Comp Engineering. I know so much that im being prepped for Tier 3 roles at my IT job but sys admin is just not for me even though I'm good at it. I don't need years to finish my bachelor's. Just need a chance to prove I know my stuff and WGU is amazing for that. I'm getting my degree in Cyber Security as it's always fascinated me. Might get one in Network as well as Network always interests me as well. Can't wait to start next month

[@airflare7285]

@@bluebladex3 hows it going for you now? Ive been thinking about doing cyber security as well.

[@bluebladex3]

@@airflare7285 Second term so far at WGU. Got lots of certs from the WGU program. Been getting way more interviews, call backs than before I started at WGU but still haven't gotten an offer in Cyber Sec yet or a better IT job. I really think my lack of bachelors is hurting me lol. I guess it'll be better once I get it. The stuff I learned at WGU has helped my current job and I got a nice raise but not enough where I'd like to be comfortable.

[@Stoneface_]

@@bluebladex3 any update?

[@SerhiyMTB]

Took me 3 years to complete WGU Bachelor in Cybersecurity and information assurance. Mainly because I wasn’t studying all that much and it took me much longer than I expected. I also got 10 certifications while doing this degree. WGU definitely a great school for dedicated people.

[@JoshMadakor]

Hey Serhiy, thanks for sharing! That honestly sounds about right for an average pace, ESPECIALLY for that degree. That one is tough, lots of certs, but is really good. Thanks again!

[@BWebb]

Do you mind if I ask what this cost you?

[@SerhiyMTB]

@@BWebb payed 7.5k per year

[@BWebb]

@@SerhiyMTB Are there any shady things that I should know? I start in January and I am wondering if it's worth it. Also, if you fail an exam what do you do?

[@SerhiyMTB]

@@BWebb it’s definitely worth if you are motivated. It’s fully accredited school like any other. It’s private nonprofit. Nothing shady about it. It’s definitely not easy! The hardest part for me was to stay motivated! I was studying for about 1-2 hours a day that’s not a lot and that is why it took me so long!! But if you are motivated and can finish much faster you will save a lot of money and time!

[@wifeofsauron1658]

I hate brick and mortar colleges. I had a 4.0 and never went to class. The classes were so slow and I was so bored. I can speed read and I am in the 98 percentile for reading and comprehension. WGU is perfect for me because I can read through the text and then take the exam. Additionally, I really hate paying for a traditional professor when I am capable of learning from the text alone. I think we should also start recognizing that people learn at different levels and different speeds. It's okay to have different tracks for people to get a degree.

[@JoshMadakor]

I totally agree with you on all points, but damn I wish I had your smarts. I have a hard time reading dry text, but can usually spend a long time and power through it, lol.

[@wifeofsauron1658]

@@JoshMadakor thank you! Honestly, I credit my parents. We grew up without a TV and we were always encouraged to read. They never paid attention to grade level or if it was age appropriate. I think the combination of reading all the time plus the material being vast and sometimes challenging made all the difference.

[@thatawesometutor605]

Hi there! As you are well aware, fall terms are about to start and although you may be learning in a different way, ThatAwesomeTutor is as ready as ever and ready to help answer your questions. Our tutor quality is stronger than ever and can help take your work and grades to the next level. No matter what subject you need a helping hand with - from poetry to rocket science - there is a ThatAwesomeTutor ready to work with you. With all these resources at your fingertips, let ThatAwesomeTutor take the stress away from the upcoming term. Felix from ThatAwesomeTutor Email: [e-mail]

[@burbsl1672]

So much YES

[@wifeofsauron1658]

@Rev Meno I am autistic so that's my thing read and retain. If it helps though I am horrible at math. Like can't even do basic math in my head bad.

[@saritawilliams2032]

I loved WGU! I just graduated with my Masters while teaching full time during the pandemic. Since I was required to completely change my teaching practice to accommodate distance education, WGU provided the ENCOURAGEMENT and flexibility I needed to carry on full term classes. I would say the encouragement was the best part of their system. They really care for their students! I always say schools aren’t made for specific student needs, the student needs to find the best school that meets their needs. Hope this helps!

[@JoshMadakor]

Thanks so much Sarita, really appreciate your comment. I'm not that familiar with the education tracks so I'm glad that you commented :O)

[@jonathanhaynes1036]

Ju

[@brandonbowman6043]

Got my Masters of Science in Cybersecurity & Information Assurance in 119 days last year. Wasn't much else to do during the pandemic. :)

[@JoshMadakor]

Lol good for you! That was kind of my logic. I feel like I've gotten SO much done during the pandemic, it's insane.. Cutting out commute for work frees up such an immense amount of time and energy... 😂

[@brandonbowman6043]

@@JoshMadakor I finished my BSIT from WGU in 2019 and attended the last WGU Commencement in Dallas in Feb 2020. Our grad group got put in the back, and I wanted to be up in front with all the Masters degree graduates. SO that kind of lit my fire to get it done. Now I'm working on the BS of Cloud Computing because I enjoy learning. My commute to work is only 20min and I usually take my tests from an empty office here.

[@JoshMadakor]

Oh that's not too bad. And cool with the flexibility being able to steal and office to test in lol. When I was doing my BS in 2013, I actually worked at a community college and we had a WGU testing center, so I would just walk into there and take it lol

[@charliem8441]

Starting this June. 👌

[@poopooPeepo]

@@brandonbowman6043 hey i was looking at start cybersecurity for a bachelors. any way i can contact you to know abit more of what you learned?

[@ryanduan5790]

This makes a lot of sense. I was skeptical but still accepting of schools like WGU but now I realize the structure addresses a problem I considered before but never really thought about

[@JoshMadakor]

Ayy, glad to hear it makes sense to someone else lol. There is definitely room for improvement in the current system. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts ^^

[@felix954]

I remember wasting my life sitting through an intro IT course in campus (10 years ago) that spent days going over the differences between input devices and output devices (not in detail! Just making sure you knew that a traditional mouse was not used for output) . If that class was competency based it would have been 3 days long. The WGU idea seems like it could really help out people who have already tought themselves a big part of college level material.

[@JoshMadakor]

For sure, I'm really aware of how my time is used and I really, really don't like using excess time on stuff when I don't have to. Sometimes it's OK if there is some benefit to it (listening to podcasts while driving), but for school, I need some efficiencies if it's going to take 3+ years 😂

[@jesuschristthekingofglory6683]

Hahahahaha

[@bridgettebakes]

I love this video. I’m getting my accounting degree at WGU and it’s going to take me about 5 months. Just starting month 4! Your points are spot on.

[@JoshMadakor]

Nice, good for you! 5 months is pretty darn quick. Thanks so much for watching :)

[@falkobauer6686]

Hello, I am from Germany, currently making my bachelor degree in ,,Business" (we call it Betriebswirtschaftslehre) and I also want to make the Accounting Degree at WGU just for my CV. I am wondering If you have any kind of prior knowledge in business. Because it would be nice to be able to make like two degrees (one International) in the same period of time. So i am wondering if the difficulty is realy that low in the US/ at WGU. Could you give me a little summary of your experiance?

[@falkobauer6686]

I mean like, do you get the script for every subject and then learn it or do you get books recomendet from the profs... i am just curious

[@bridgettebakes]

@@falkobauer6686 I agree with this video. A business degree does not need to take 4 years. I will however say this degree isn’t “easy” in the sense that I do work hard. I treat this as my second full time job, commit 30-35 hours a week on it so I can finish this quickly. I do have a little experience in business and accounting, but I have only been able to “test out” of two easier classes without reading the book.

[@bridgettebakes]

@@falkobauer6686 not sure what you mean by script? I get the textbook online when I start a new class and I read it and then take the tests.

[@dailynewswithsteve6064]

Definitely the best breakdown, analysis, and comparison of WGU's Accelerated Learning Model vs traditional undergrad/graduate programs. I have argued this since I graduated HS in the 90s. It never made sense that we dragged out getting into the job market, injecting teens (kids) to the world with little to no life skills and expecting them balance a new, convoluted school schedule, a part time or full time job, the emotions of campus life, and so on. This is why traditional colleges have such a high failure rate. Example: UCF is nicknamed "U Can't Finish' and why we bogged down with debt for 2 years of classes that doesn't further us into the career path we seek, whatsoever. I'm starting my BS IT program in a couple of weeks at WGU, and I'm pretty stoked. It all looks pretty straight forward. Thanks for the insight!

[@JoshMadakor]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Our education system could definitely stand to undergo a few changes. Good luck with your program!

[@Not_Always]

WGU has the same graduation rate, if not slightly lower, than most universities. WGU also makes you take the same '2 years' worth of gen eds that every other college is required to give.

[@tombert512]

Completely agree with you on this. I have been a software engineer for a long time now without a degree of any kind. I had tried going back to "traditional" school in the past so that I could finish up my degree, but the inherent flaw with this is that I would have to take a bunch of "introduction to CS"-esque classes, and it would be almost two years before I get to actually *learn* anything. It seemed like a waste of time and cash, so I dropped out again. I enrolled in WGU because it's the first school I'd heard of that allows you to just show that you understand the subject, and as a result you dont' have to spend some arbitrary amount of time taking some class that's wholly unnecessary for you. I'm thinking that it's genuinely feasible for me to finish my degree in the six-month period, not because I'm super smart, and not because WGU is "easy", but just because I'll be able to *actually use* my existing knowledge.

[@JoshMadakor]

This is great. I'm seriously glad WGU started offering CS/Software Dev degrees. Good luck with your degree, and thanks for watching! Hopefully I can finish up math here pretty soon and start my classes too.

[@Meta-Drew]

I hope your CS classes go well. Being in control of my own advancement is very empowering and makes me much more dedicated versus slacking off during a traditional 16 week semester-- I have studied more consistently and longer than I ever did before at a brick and mortar school since there is a real incentive to do so. I will say, I am a very good test taker and I know some of these objective assessments so far I could have passed by only studying a few things but I don't want to cheat myself by doing that so I have been reading the complete material for every subject even if I don't need to in order to pass.

[@JoshMadakor]

Good for you! WGU is nice because you can control the speed of progression and get as much out of the classes as you want. such flexibility lol. And thanks about the CS classes. I'm just doing calc outside of WGU (haven't registered yet). I'll register once I get some of the troublesome classes out of the way

[@alexanpho4531]

I was literally talking to a relative about WGU and we discussed this very topic! I really appreciate and agree with your take on this! I love your channel and look forward to more content..

[@JoshMadakor]

Daaang what a coincidence. I'm glad it was helpful :D, thank you so much for watching btw and thank you for the kind words 👼

[@makiyahwiggins4575]

No wonder your channel is growing exponentially......you address facts and the obvious with a admirable style of humor, great video....you just got another sub.

[@JoshMadakor]

Thanks so much for watching, the compliment, and the sub 🥺. I'll be uploading more after I finish my current program in a couple months :o)

[@Blank5115]

I have 11 years of experience in my chosen field. I have out paced and completely reinvented the wheel in many ways, constantly out performing those who had degree's and received the same position that I clawed my way into over the years. Now, I am looking to break into the corporate side of things and the only barrier of entry I have is that I never finished college. This looks like a great way for me to do so without me having to step out of my position. Thanks for the video!

[@braedonholt5572]

Awesome video! Did a year at B&M for CS and found it to be incredibly slow, they teach maybe a weeks worth of syntax and stretch it to three months. Most people party all term then cram a week before their final and pass. It’s almost hard to stay disciplined at B&M schools because I’d finish my homework the day it was assigned and then hung around for a week waiting for something to do. I’m glad I’m starting WGU because it doesn’t seem like I’ll be bored in college. Thanks for the video!! The first one I’ve seen that summarises my feelings towards a four year degree.

[@JoshMadakor]

Ayy, glad to hear someone else thinks the same as me. It's totally true! I just started WGU CS too and I'm totally maximizing the use of my time. I just can't B&M unless I absolutely have to (super hard curriculum or I need direct access to faculty for some reason). Thanks so much for watching and sharing your exp :>

[@HeatherLeBas]

Excellent video! I'm going to be doing their MBA program in the fall and I'm very excited about it. It's really great that you pointed out the differences between majors and vigor required. I got my bachelors in Communication studies at SJSU and you are absolutely right, that sh*t dragged on for way too long. I wish that more colleges took WGU's approach, although I heard that when you graduate you get a flat GPA of 3.0 which could be a buzz kill for someone who wanted to do a phd program in the future. Calc sounds like it would be a pain to learn through an online course, hats off to you!

[@krazywabbit]

Started 2/1 and passed my first course today (BS IT Management) Your videos helped inspired especially your mention of Anki flash cards. Those were big! I’m sold on spacial learning. Add to that, turning 50 in October, anyone can do this if you put in the work. Do the research but when that moment of commitment hits, commit and go all in! I’m very pleased with the support of my mentor and the study tools WGU provides.

[@JoshMadakor]

Shoot, good work! I'm glad you found the videos and Anki helpful. I feel most people are capable of a LOT more than they think if they attack things right and put in the effort like you say :). Thanks for watching!

[@zairewillis5640]

Hi! @podwabbit... I am thinking about getting my Bachelors in IT Management. How do you like it?

[@krazywabbit]

@@zairewillis5640 hi. You caught me on a down moment as I failed my second course after passing the first. Trying to separate that emotion to answer your question LOL. Test taking has been a struggle for me. I believe there are good resources here. Mentor is very helpful. Not a fan of the proctored testing but I understand the necessity. Flash cards and studying for this second course didn’t seem to work this go round. Gotta get back on the horse! Sorry if my answer was sketch.

[@JeannieHart]

I'm a Registered Nurse and appreciate the disclaimer. However, nursing is not wrapped into memorization of A&P courses (that's a part of the basic pre-requisite course work you must complete before applying to nursing school). Nursing definitely challenges you to change the way that you think overall and molds you into understanding the science behind patient care, thinking critically on a daily basis as well as in emergency situations. There are nurses who leave the field of nursing to enter IT because it is challenging, but less taxing (I've been told both physically and mentally) and offers a much better work/life balance. At any rate your videos are awesome and very helpful for information in the field. I'm considering a transition out of nursing.

[@JoshMadakor]

Hey Mrs. Nurse, Really appreciate you watching! and yeah, a LOT of my family are nurses, probably 50% of them and I know it's harder than most people think, on the body too! And I have seen a large amount of people transitioning into Tech from Nursing on my channel, it's really eye opening. Thanks again :)

[@jacobltillman]

I’m 1 year into IT and my boss (3 years into IT) got his nursing degree and was in the field for 2 years prior. From his experience it sounds like terrible pay, lack of promotional opportunity, and work/life balance was all around terrible. Which is really a shame. He did mention travel nurses can bring in a lot money, but that comes with a ton of drawbacks

[@StevenDoesStuff]

I am so glad that you're out there making videos like these even after you've graduated. I was always worried that employers will see WGU as a cheap, less valued degree if there are so many "I finished in 3 months" videos out there, but hopefully if we really bump this video to the front page of google every time somebody looks for WGU, people will respect the degree more. Also congratulations on 1000 subscribers, you were only at a few hundred when I started watching you just earlier ago.

[@JoshMadakor]

Thanks for the kind words and the congrats. It happened fast! And you guys already made this video rank #1 for "wgu" and #2 for "is wgu legit?" lmao. I hope it stays on top so people can learn and the education model can continue to change. Thanks again for watching my content！

[@StevenDoesStuff]

@@JoshMadakor It's a pleasure! Since you have a lot of experience in the field as shown in the previous video, I think it would be a good idea for a video topic to make a video discussing resumes and cover letters and general tips for WGU graduates (or anyone looking for a job) to get into the industry. If anything I thank YOU for the quality content. EDIT: I think the table on your website that's supposed to show your photo gear/recording equipment is showing empty on my side.

[@SitWithItBob]

Dude you're killing it with this content. I usually don't take the time to comment on YT but I just noticed, since you mentioned it, you aren't sitting here with 1M viewers. Your content is great though, I hope this takes off for you!

[@JoshMadakor]

Man, thank you so much, I really appreciate the kind words. I'll do my best and keep at it. Thanks for watching!

[@isabellaa8875]

I’ve never been so interested in a university. I was just gonna go to my local community college for an associate. never thought that I would ever get a bachelors but ever since hearing about the school I can get a bachelors. I like how The School is really versatile. It’s still a lot of money, but a lot more cheaper then a typical, four year university

[@Not_Always]

Just so you know, they don't have instructors so you teach yourself.

[@MateDrinker33]

Dude, you are a really articulate speaker! Thanks for uploading this!

[@JoshMadakor]

Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate it! And thanks for watchin :)

[@USAJOBSHumanResourceConsultant]

Thanks Josh. You definitely made it clear and exactly what people are buying.

[@JoshMadakor]

Glad to help! And thanks for watching :>

[@USAJOBSHumanResourceConsultant]

Hey Josh, did or do have any problems with the proctors at WGU?

[@raylafleur6616]

I'm considering going for a cybersecurity degree at WGU. I'm 24 years old, just got my life back on track. I'm really glad I found your videos. I never knew that a degree didn't have to take 4 years. I can't tell you how much I don't want to spend that amount of time screwing around with the kids at university when I could be learning extra things that will jump start my I.T. career and impress prospective employers or getting a help-desk job. My question to you would be how to go about getting internships and networking with people in the I.T. world so you don't miss out on opportunities you might normally get in in the I.T. department in college?

[@JoshMadakor]

Hey Ray! Thanks so much for watching, I'm really glad the videos have been helpful! To be honest, I've never bothered with internships or "networking" (socially) during my community college days or with my WGU IT degree. Tbh, I would pretty much follow the advice in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6XLnKp4fr-jnpY . If you decide to go to WGU, you can pretty much start applying for jobs after you get your first couple certs--you don't need to wait until your degree is finished :). Finding a job is exponentially easier if you live near a big city (Seattle, Denver, NY, many place is CA, etc). Best of luck!

[@whatchyagonnado]

Hi! I'm currently in WGU taking the cybersecurity bachelors program. They have a discord dedicated to networking and learning opportunities for current students and alumni.

[@vibingwithbecky8619]

Hey did you end up going for it ? My start date for the cybersecurity program is 6/1/22

[@oliverwindsor]

You can also consider about the SANS bachelor degree if you really want to go into cybersecurity.

[@lonzod5278]

@@vibingwithbecky8619 What are the pre reqs for their cyber security program

[@OmniCloud987]

Thank you! I’m staring WGU in March this is super timely. I work in a business office and keep getting passed on promotions due to a degree, hopefully 🙏🏾 I can get through this quick because it’s all I need to get a higher salary at the job. Tks again for reconfirming I can can do this and do it quickly if I work hard

[@JoshMadakor]

No problem, and congrats on starting the degree! It's fun to knock out classes quickly. Wish you all sorts of luck on your future promotion :)

[@lucindalenfant9851]

I am am going to WGU RN to BSN program and I am almost done and I have like two months left in my 6 month first term! I love LOVE it!

[@JoshMadakor]

That's so dope! Glad to hear it! Good luck finishing up!

[@stevenroberts3546]

I am liking the sound of this school. I am currently working on my M.S. in criminal justice with a specialization in forensic science with UAGC; and finished my 10 page final for my crime scene management class over a week and a half ago. However, I still have to wait for the rest of the class to catch-up and contribute to the weekly discussion, AND for the professor to grade my paper all the while having a strict set-class start and end date. Also this degree was suppose to be only 18 months long, but due to some scheduling error, I have to wait a whole month until I can start my final class. This is the second time this has happened to me, and my estimated graduation date has been pushed from June 2021, to now August 2021. After this degree I am definitely going to apply for WGU. They’re management and leadership M.S. sounds appealing

[@JoshMadakor]

Hey Steven, thanks for watching! That sounds like a nightmare. My pet peeve is when orgs/businesses waste my time and completely get away with it and I'm just supposed to eat it without compensation. It's worse than stealing money 😡😡😡. Hope WGU is a better experience for you. Nothing like this has happened to me yet and I have 3 degrees from there already lol

[@NDE-SDJ]

This is a great video. Your analysis is so well explained that even the most hard core B&M advocates could be having second thoughts. I am starting my second term of my Bachelors of Accounting on Monday and I think I will have completed my degree in one year. I got 41 credits on my first term. I also have accounting experience which helped me pass the low level accounting classes quickly. Looks like it will be debt free too, which is a huge blessing. Thanks for the video. I will be sharing it with some friends.

[@JoshMadakor]

Hey, thanks for the kind words. I really hope it changes some people's minds and get education moving into a slightly better system, hah. Also, congrats on the first term, that's a decent chunk of credits. It's nice to be able to knock out classes quickly isn't it? 😂 Thanks again for watching, and thanks for sharing it too, it's much appreciated

[@nikluz3807]

I loved this video. Thanks for the breakdown. I didn't even research this college much before I signed up. But it sounds like I made the right decision. I'm 31 years old about to be 32, so even more than the cost savings, the time savings are so huge for me. Not I'm excited!

[@JoshMadakor]

Glad it was helpful! And seriously, the time savings is what does it for me. Good luck!

[@niqeltravels]

Hey, how did it go?

[@nikluz3807]

@@niqeltravels funny enough, right before I actually started my first semester, I got a job working for the government as a programmer, so I canceled, but I still had a good experience getting all setup and started off.

[@hoodieman04]

Great video. I have to degrees from an online university and make close to 200k a year. My employers have never once questioned the legitimacy of my degrees. Employers dont particularly care, especially in IT contracting

[@JoshMadakor]

Nice! And yes exactly!! Can I ask what do you do for your job? 2 hundo is a decent amount :>

[@drummeragy]

4:00 "forcing a weird opportunity cost for students" wow needed to write that down.

[@JoshMadakor]

Haha glad you liked that. Prior to wgu, the opportunity cost of traditional universities is what deterred me from a lot of academics :o(

[@mariahazcueta3621]

I did my MAT in Elementary Ed- I had a lot of PAs and there were many state exams, preclinical experience, student teaching 450 hours in a classroom, and the edTPA before I could license and graduate. I’ll be starting my second masters in English Language Learning

[@JoshMadakor]

Dang, that sounds like quite the endeavor. Good luck with the second master's, that's so awesome :)

[@novadhd]

A very good analysis Josh. I have been looking at WGU for a while but have been in the workforce for a while and thinking a masters could elevate my career. (cyber). The traditional model is old and was put in place so people wouldnt get burned out and could learn their material in reasonable amount of time. I did take an "accelerated" course during winter break where the course was only 2 weeks . It was brutal and you had to spend all your time either in class or studying. By the way took me 5.5 years to get my BA in Communications lol.

[@JoshMadakor]

Lol I liked your last sentence lmao. I didn't mean to dis comms degrees lol. Good for you though, wgu has a nice model that makes sense, so I think you'll like it :)

[@Blarg6306]

Going to be starting WGU in the next month. Going for a degree in Secondary Education, focusing on Mathematics. Then I'll see what a masters looks like from there. AWESOME information, keep these videos coming!

[@JoshMadakor]

Thanks Blarg! Best of luck with the program :)

[@Lia-ii8jt]

You’re doing great man! Thank you for sharing this because it really does help. Your points are spot on. I’m about to start freshman year of high school (I know I’m young lol) and really am not trying to spend 4 years there. I noticed some time ago that it really doesn’t make sense spending 4 years when it could be less time if it was all self paced. I know you didn’t talk about high school in your video, but I feel like it’s the same thing. I’m gonna enroll to a high school that’s self paced to finish in less than 6 months. With your video, now I know that I can get my business degree at WGU. I still have to do more research but after watching your video I found exactly what I was looking for. Not sure if I got to be 18 to enter or just have my high school diploma but hopefully I’m able to get in when I’m 15. Thank you once again for sharing

[@JoshMadakor]

Daaaang I wish I was thinking like you when I was your age. Instead I was playing MMOs all day haha. Anyway, you have a great plan! No need to spend so much time if you don't want to or don't have to. I think I remember reading that WGUs minimum enrollment age was 16, but I believe you can still take a bunch of the same classes from study.com and/or straighterline.com and transfer them into WGU once you're ready to start. You should fact check me on this stuff though. Thanks for watching, and super good luck with your studies!

[@nightplay7443]

@@JoshMadakor come on Josh, don't act like you weren't woodcutting on your runescape account on the side while you were studying!

[@brandykay9851]

I'm about to finish my first term with WGU in the Software Development program and I really like their model. I received my associates by taking accelerated classes at a business college years ago. Outside of those who want a college experience, I think most people would benefit from a shorter time frame and less filler classes. I'd argue those who finish quicker might be sharper at certain skills because things are still fresh. College can only prepare someone so far, the rest is personal dedication and work experience too.

[@JoshMadakor]

I'm super excited for you. I'm really interested in that particular program--it looks cool and fun. I also agree with you on your point that college can only prepare you so far. It's only a chuck of the equation 😊

[@brandykay9851]

@@JoshMadakor Thank you so much! Your videos give a lot of insight into WGU and IT in general. I really enjoy them!

[@Not_Always]

Are you really comparing having to teach yourself and taking one exam per class as an equivalent to a formal college education?

[@brandykay9851]

@@Not_Always literally never said anything about teaching yourself. Was only referring to college. So, no.

[@martindrane3744]

Absolutely. This guy gets it. Amazing commentary. It’s definitely because money! It’s all a business.

[@JoshMadakor]

Thanks so much! And I agree, p much allllll money. There are much better ways to go about getting a quality education these days

[@KyleXLS]

This is by far the best channel on this subject. There are some points you've made on higher education that has really made me think about own journey. I plan to enroll this September to finish out my ed requirement to sit for the CPA exam. The rate of return from a WGU degree, at least for accounting, is so undervalued.

[@radaworld8137]

Great review! Thanks for your input. I spent 6 years to finish a Bachelor's degree in Design because the university wouldn't transfer a lot of my Associate degree classes. It was incredibly frustrating, it did not make any sense to me. WGU's model makes much more sense to me.

[@JoshMadakor]

Thanks for your input Rada, and yeah, I totally feel you on that..

[@DavidJeffreyOConnor]

I think the biggest difference between WGU and a traditional school is the target audience. A traditional college is a place where young adults can grow and mature over a 4 year time frame. WGU is for adult professionals looking to accelerate a career goal or career change in a short period of time through focus, hard work, and discipline. I'm not saying an 18 year old won't or can't be successful at WGU, I'm just saying the actual maturation process that happens at a traditional college is not a part of the WGU experience. I'm 6 months in to my Cloud Computing degree, and I entered with an associate degree in Criminal Justice. I'm on track for a 1-1.5 year graduation date (while working full time), and I already hold 3 certificates after these first 6 months (A+, Network+, Linux LPI essentials). WGU is great for someone looking to fast track their career by achieving a Bachelor degree, without paying for the social experience of a traditional college.

[@JoshMadakor]

This is pretty much 100% spot on. When super young people (16-20) message me about WGU, I tell them I really enjoyed the social aspect of my community college. It was really important to me and I had a great time. Academics were not that great, but I met a lot of people and I wouldn't trade that for (almost) any amount of money :)

[@homiedclown1885]

Congrats on the 1k subs.

[@JoshMadakor]

🎉 Serious, thanks so much, and thanks for the support :)

[@olanrewajuabraham3338]

Josh, they will come for you on this one. Lol. Traditional school won't like you because they'll go out of business, actually, it's happening because of covid-19. Thank you for this. You really broke everything down and I think I'm having a change of plans already. Awesome job.👍👍👍

[@JoshMadakor]

Thanks so much😁, I'm glad you liked the vid. You're right, people won't like it but the education system seriously needs to be overhauled :>

[@olanrewajuabraham3338]

@@JoshMadakor Absolutely, but I don't think any overhaul will happen due to world order. I already told my wife to give me a plan for her MSc at WFG. I want her to complete everything within a month.

[@JoshMadakor]

Lol what program is she tryna do? That is quick!

[@olanrewajuabraham3338]

@@JoshMadakor MS Cybersecurity.

[@ommimilner1869]

Thank you so much for your video. I'm considering going to WGU and you really put things into perspective.

[@JoshMadakor]

Glad it was helpful!! 😀

[@Geomaverick124]

Thanks for the review of WGU. I was planning on going there next year to do Software Development which is a more development focus version of CS. I feel that WGU is more geared towards working adults and not fresh students out of high school...though there is a story of a guy who graduated HS in June of 2020 and graduated WGU with a Bachelor's in IT Dec of 2020...so it is possible. If I were a young guy with no kids and was not married I would go to WGU and work my butt off to get a Batchelor degree in 6 to 12 months.

[@JoshMadakor]

No problem! I Was just thinking that the other day: "I wish I was smarter and WGU was around when I finished HS". I could have gotten such an early start in life Lol :(.

[@trueblue3470]

Great video! Just enrolled for their Business Marketing bachelors program.

[@JoshMadakor]

Best of luck! Thanks for watching :)

[@jannis5046]

Hi Josh, I want to thank you for this informational video. Since I'm not from the United States, I'm not really familiar with your college system, besides knowing that it costs a ridiculous amount of money. Speaking for myself I'm a physics student and I really enjoy my attendance at university. Here a physics bachelor degree takes about three years, although it's important to empathize, that most students need even more time than that. Unlike the U.S. education is very affordable and people are free to graduate in whatever speed they want. However I have never encountered anybody who would receive his or her bachelor's degree in less than 3 years for a good reason: physics is a massive field and even after your bachelor's degree you barely know anything on an expert level, which is also the reason why most people proceed with their masters degree or Ph.D. after graduation. I agree that it would be possible to compromise the curriculum to a fraction, however you are seeking a bachelor's degree, in which you are expected to not only learn the bare minimum but to deep dive in various disciplines, which takes a lot of effort and time to grow in, so the mindset should not be to finish it as fast as possible but to find orientation and develop a certain proficiency. From my experience you can fill 6 months easily with just Calculus 1, 2, 3 and Linear Algebra, note that at this point of time you wouldn't have even started doing either experimental or theoretical Physics nor any lab work

[@JoshMadakor]

Hey Jannis. No doubt physics would take a long time to do. The thing about WGU, is none of their degrees are as rigorous as a physics degree. The only degree that even comes close to this is the Computer Science degree, and even then, you only need to learn up to integration and some DiffEQ. I'm sure if WGU offered a Physics undergrad, people would accelerate it, but there's no way they would be able to finish it in less than 2-3 years unless their maths/phys was already strong haha. Thanks watching and sharing your your thoughts, really appreciate it :>

[@missrodgers09]

Love your wrap up final 3 objections. Thank you!

[@JoshMadakor]

Haha, glad you liked em. I'm someone got triggered though 😂😏

[@groomslayer3372]

Just turned 20 and I almost have my associates but I've found WGU and I'm pumped I can be finally done ina year 😈

[@mitty2575]

I started the process a few years ago, but never took the jump. I have an associates from PR and I was super surprised that the accepted most of my credits. But I’ve never had student loans before an that freaks me out. I really wanna finish my bachelors though... thanks for the review!

[@JoshMadakor]

Thanks for watching! Yeah, WGU is pretty "cheap" as far as higher education goes. I don't really "believe" in having student loans if that makes sense 😂. Good luck if you decide to finish up the degree! I think it's a good idea if you have the extra time and coins!

[@crazycatlady8285]

I’m on track to finish my masters in six months. The difference is I’m setting the pace. I probably dedicate ten hours a day to it. I have knowledge in my field of study so I fly through those tasks.

[@Jcroffe]

Makes perfect sense. I finished my BSDMDA in 1 year.

[@_lifewithlexi_]

Hey! This is what I’m looking into right now. I was thinking CS and now leaning toward what you got. I only have a general AA currently. Would you recommend this program to someone without background knowledge or previous experience? I’ve had 2 gap years now. Thank you

[@savannahgeorgia7338]

Great insight. Thanks for sharing! Glad to hear I’m not the only one who needs more than a month for calculus 😅

[@JoshMadakor]

Yeah, math really slaughters me. I have the discipline to sit down, but after a couple hours I just cannot continue until the next day. Super exhausting to me for some reason lol..

[@simhawk3986]

This video hits at the heart of a ton of problems within the higher education model. So many people get a B.S. in BS that takes them 4-6 years (because many people don't finish 4 year degrees in 4 years lol) to complete. When school done they're thousands of dollars in debt and they have to compete with other people who also got bs degrees in the job market. I hope more schools start offering this WGU model. I also hope that WGU also adds more degree programs, because man peoples lives can be a lot more productive if they don't waste it taking classes they don't necessarily need. Also people get an opportunity to start their careers sooner rather later. A ton of people quit school before they finish degree programs because life gets in the way too... like sick family members, pregnancy, and not being able to afford the cost because lost of income. Sorry for the winded ramble, but in short GREAT VID!! lol

[@sujeetaseshank2071]

Please make a video on imposter syndrome in cybersecurity and IT in general and if you been through it and what tips you suggest to overcome. Thanks in advance

[@JoshMadakor]

This is a great idea for a video. I'll put it on the list :) Thanks for watching btw

[@jazzmynjorgenson5283]

I will be starting my Elementary Ed in November @ WGU. I am so excited.

[@JoshMadakor]

Sheeesh huge congrats! Best of luck with your program. I see a lot of videos on youtube about people enjoying the education tracks at WGU :)

[@lachunda9043]

This was very informative and I have the same train of thought. I am attending SNHU accelerated bachelor degree in HIM and I will be done in 2 and half years!!!!!

[@JoshMadakor]

Heck yeah, glad someone thinks like me lol. Congrats on that, it sure is nice to cut the time down :)

[@Ceannadach]

One of the great things I’ve heard about Tech Businesses and Hiring Agents is that they don’t care about the paper, per se. They care about what you know. Got a bachelors? Cool, that helps, but what do you know and how do you contribute? From what I understand, they don’t care if you have a four year degree: if you can’t do the job, they won’t hire you.

[@Lets_DoWhatWeWant]

Been active duty military with years of experience this is awesome!! I can take vacation to just focus on college work and hopefully finish it.

[@JoshMadakor]

That's hilarious, I used to take week-long vacations from work just to study, so I feel you there :p. Best of luck, and thanks for watching!

[@kellytelfer9960]

Hey! I have an associate in science degree and am wanting a bachelors degree. Looking into the HR bachelors degree at WGU. Has anyone gotten their degree (whether it be HR or not) from WGU? Have you been hired for a job that required that degree? Just want to know :)

[@JoshMadakor]

I'll pin this for a while. I'd be interested in hearing peoples' stories :>

[@PeterGMcDermott]

I have both a bachelors' (Business - Marketing Management) and an MBA from WGU. Both have helped me to accelerate my career by allowing me to "check the box" that I have the degree level necessary to apply. I've since been promoted several times, but attribute this not only to my education, but the same drive and perseverance that led me to quickly complete it. The value of your degree is aligned with the goals with which you intend to apply it. If you want to apply for a prestigious role that usually targets graduates of an ivy league school, this may not represent the best value. However, if you're looking to prove what you know and learn everything to fill in the gaps, and show people that you can work autonomously with little guidance or supervision and achieve goals in a timely manner, then this is a great conversation to have in your next interview about how you applied many of the skill required in a job opportunity during the pursuit of your education. Hope this helps.

[@JoshMadakor]

This is actually really well put, thanks for sharing.

[@kellytelfer9960]

@@JoshMadakor thank you!!!

[@kellytelfer9960]

@@PeterGMcDermott thank you! This helps a lot!! Congrats by the way!!

[@georgejones5019]

You explained your points really well. I'm considering WGU for their cyber security degree, I have IT certs and experience in the field. But I need to use my GI Bill and get a degree. WGU seems legit and fair, their structure is great because it's self-paced and you get out what you put into it. It's great for established adults who are busy and are looking at continuing their learning and filling out their resume.

[@JoshMadakor]

Sheesh, you hit the nail on the head. It's such a time saver and it's definitely true you get out what you put in. Good luck with your program, I'm sure your certs and stuff will knock off a lot of classes :)

[@UltratecJS]

Great review man thanks. I attended WGU myself for a Bachelors in IT and an MBA. I also reviewed them myself to share my experience.

[@JoshMadakor]

Oh nice! I almost went for the MBA myself, but I ended up picking cyber so I could finish fast :p

[@UltratecJS]

@@JoshMadakor Lol I thought the same thing but the other way, I picked the MBA so I can finish fast.

[@rogermarine1443]

I got my BS in Cyber Security from WGU and it was rigorous. Some of the certification exams had a failure rate of up to 60% and these are people, like me with years of experience in I/T.

[@JoshMadakor]

Word, which one did you get? The one with CCNA in it? or the Cybersecurity Information Assurance one? That one has some really really nice certs in it, but it seems quite challenging. Also, how long did it take you if I may ask?

[@rogermarine1443]

@@JoshMadakor Cybersecurity Information Assurance

[@griseldacampos2840]

@@rogermarine1443 Hi Roger! I am heavily considering majoring in this @ WGU yet have no tech experience @ all. Can I get some tips/advice. Employment opportunities as a result of degree @ WGU, etc. Would greatly appreciate it!

[@rogermarine1443]

@@griseldacampos2840, I strongly suggest going for it. Study hard, and you will succeed. Each class prepares you for the next level. I am thrilled with my decision to earn this degree as there are over 3.5 million jobs available, and the income is over six figures.

[@Anthonydp]

@@rogermarine1443 Did you have prior IT knowledge going in?

[@MrDawg-ol5pc]

Hi Josh, I love all your videos… But this one really hit home and will probably change my life for good! Thanks for sharing 👍🏼

[@JoshMadakor]

Hey Eddie! Really appreciate you taking the time to let me know. I'm glad it was useful for you 🥺. Best of luck with your future education stuff as well :)

[@jessicasimmons5706]

I appreciate the perspective I was looking for this about three years ago when I started at WGU. I am three years in to a secondary science education degree. The science content is a bit more than elementary education but less than the computer science degree.

[@JoshMadakor]

Oh cool, are you getting it to get into teaching or enhance your current teaching career? I don't actually know anyone personally who's gotten an education degree from WGU yet.

[@jessicasimmons5706]

@@JoshMadakor I am getting into teaching in a school setting. I have been teaching classes for theater and drama for years to all age groups. I decided I like teaching and science is desperately needed in my area. I also decided I would rather teach 7-12 graders. So I embarked on getting a BS in order to do that.

[@InvalidPersistentName]

I'm mad because I wanted to finish my classes in 6 months but I found a great job and had to instead finish in around a year. 💢 😡

[@JoshMadakor]

Lmao, but at least you found a nice job!

[@devohnmitchell]

I started at WGU last year and it is Much better than a Traditional College. Its taking longer than 6 months for me to Complete my Bachelors because it's A STEM degree in Information Network Security..it's still better than a Traditional College.. I highly recommend it as an Alternative To Traditional College. Thanks for the Video!!

[@JoshMadakor]

Thanks for watching and commenting, and good for you with the program! Is it the Network SecOps one or the BSCSIA? Both of those are pretty hard IMO, but they are both cool and have great certs. Thanks for the kind words and good luck!

[@alexanpho4531]

We also discussed how your required to add electives and stuff... I just feel like there’s a lot of fluff going on to stretch out your degree and rack in the money. I also find it crazy how you can buy a house, get a car.. buy all of these things on credit... and the minute you fall on hard times and have to file bankruptcy... you can literally wiped all your debt away except student loans?? is that not insane?

[@JoshMadakor]

It's absolutely insane....I'm glad I'm not the only one. I feel like WGU and other institutions are going to change how education is done in this country. At least I hope so! We can still have a brick and mortar component but, the financial aspects and content delivery needs to be fixed a bit.

[@octavia1amazing]

@@JoshMadakor Indeed, I agree. I am so happy I found WGU

[@ygbodybuilder3023]

You are so pretty can I have your instagram

[@novadhd]

cause the traditional model wanted you to have a "well rounded" education

[@MsLLewis77]

Definitely insAne

[@winstondavey1809]

Truly appreciate and respect your hard work and dedication. Enjoy your videos, very informative.

[@d4gmusiqlover]

Thank you for giving me that extra push to apply! Great video!

[@JoshMadakor]

No problem! Best of luck! Which program did you apply to?

[@d4gmusiqlover]

@@JoshMadakor I applied to B.S.I.T.M. But I am so torn between that and B.S.I.T. since you can earn certifications by spending a little bit more time. I currently work as an entry level analyst in Software Configuration and I truly enjoy it. Any advice?

[@JoshMadakor]

Oh great! Well, since you already have experience in the field and are already making some coins (the hard part), you can pretty much toss a coin and just pick one degree or the other, haha. I *believe* you can always switch back to the normal IT degree if you want, or just see the BSITM through and get whatever certs you want on your own afterwards! Edit: glad you found something that you really like to do. That can sometimes be challenging, especially for me haha

[@AvallachEmrys]

Well, now I may have to go to WGU. Thanks Josh!!!!

[@JoshMadakor]

NP! Thanks for watching though, and gl with it if you decide to take the jump!

[@ShaneHummus]

Hey Josh, great video! I'm curious which WGU degrees you think are worth it? It's hard for me to imagine for instance an online nursing degree being worth it, so I'm curious to get your opinion on this.

[@JoshMadakor]

Hey, thanks so much for watching. I haven't looked into the Nursing degrees at WGU much, but I have a lot of nurses in my family so I kind of know how it works. Regardless of where you go (WGU or Brick and Mortar), you still have to pass the NCLEX and get xxx-clinical hours in before you're allowed to work as a nurse. Getting your clinical hours in requires you to go to a local hospital and 'work', so I don't think think the WGU nursing degree is devalued any. There is also the saying that I used to hear a lot: "What do you call a nurse who graduated with a C average? A nurse." As for any other disciplines at WGU, as long as the degree is accredited (which i believe they are), I'd say they are "worth it" if getting a degree is on your to-do list. I could talk about this for a long time, but for IT at least, getting a degree is not really required, but just another item to increase your chances of getting an interview and potentially hired. (Some companies will filter resumes without a BA/BS, for example). Sorry for the long-winded answer, I hope this helps! Let me know if unclear, I can say more lol.

[@ShaneHummus]

@@JoshMadakor Cool! Would you be interested in getting interviewed on my channel by chance?

[@JoshMadakor]

@@ShaneHummus Oh sure, if I can add some kind of value, I'm down! You can get at me on any of my social media links or the email in my channel :)

[@RicksWayyyofLife]

I know a couple nurses that have degrees from WGU. it’s still very much respected. I just finished my teaching degree in December from WGU.

[@Geomaverick124]

@@ShaneHummus this type of interview would be very appreciated and useful. I think more people should know about WGU and what it can do for them towards getting a degree...especially an I.T. degree

[@dustinkonesavanh5232]

Great job with these videos! I been watching for a while now. I believe your channel will grow!

[@JoshMadakor]

I appreciate that! Thanks so much for watching and I hope so too lol

[@kristophergoins6113]

Great video Josh. Thanks for sharing your perspective.

[@JoshMadakor]

Of course! Thank you for watching!

[@skyfalldeadpool1633]

WGU is not a school for lazy people who wanna be handspooned classes and waste time. When I registered WGU I had one goal in mind. Do as much as possible in little time reasonably. I came I with 20CU and my first semester I am done with 60cu. I have 42 cu left and I will do my best. I wake up and study and besides talking care of my toddler and working part time I waste no time and I want that degree bad. I will also do my masters here

[@MasiLovesPink]

Loved this video Thank you for your advice!

[@TheCommonSenseProfessor]

First, congratulations on the amount of subscribers, I subscribed too. My university has a cybersecurity degree in the school of engineering, which the program that I teach is in that department as well. So, the same degree (or similar) that you got in 6 months, takes our students 4 years. This is also the same time my students take to complete an automation engineering degree, which is more rigorous. What you said makes sense, and is logical, but we cannot shorten our cybersecurity degree because our regional accrediting body will not allow us to do so. A 3 hour lecture only has to have 45 contact hours per semester and a lab is twice that amount. Our semester was shortened last semester because of COVID, and we had to prove to SACS how we gave students extra work to make up for the lack of 45 hours. This is not a university issue, but a federal regulation requirement. As I mentioned in another comment, WGU is regionally accredited, which is very important, but I do not have a clue how they get around this. Here is the information from SACS: sacscoc.org/app/uploads/2019/08/Credit-Hours.pdf

[@JoshMadakor]

First, thanks so much for subbing! The thing about the federal regulation is very interesting, I didn't know about that. My old brick and mortar college (Edmonds College) let me pass a few classes by "challenging" the class, getting credit, and receiving a non-GPA "pass" grade. I wonder if WGU does something like this, but for ALL of their classes. Or maybe they meet the federal requirement for credit-hours, by supplying the required amount of lecture/curriculum, but they just don't require attendance. No idea! lol, I feel like we could find out, but it seems like a lot of reading 😂. Thanks again for subscribing and taking the time to comment :)

[@TheCommonSenseProfessor]

@@JoshMadakor I shared an article from 2017 and they were called out about this practice. Time will tell, I am not against the concept at all, so I hope the best for them. Thanks.

[@JoshMadakor]

Super interesting. Thanks again👏

[@amznprime5145]

Thanks for the video. I heard about the competency based education. Now I know what it is. Interesting model.

[@marsrows2167]

I agree, I could pass most of my classes in college just be study a book for 2 weeks and take test. Most classes not all.

[@JoshMadakor]

TRUE

[@Skyesaj]

loved this information I had finished a Bootcamp in Web Development, now I'm going to be doing Business at WGU.

[@JoshMadakor]

Hey, thanks so much! I've always wanted to go to a coding bootcamp. I think your plan with the bootcamp and Business degree is super-super efficient. Huge thumbs up!

[@johnnydeep3667]

You should do a comparison of WGU courses VS traditional college courses. Very interested of your opinion in the differences

[@JoshMadakor]

This sounds like a great idea :)

[@mswann01]

Just stumbled onto your videos...Fing awesome. One thing I will say if someone is looking for the "network" some schools offer full alumni status after you complete a cert. UCLA Extension for example.

[@JoshMadakor]

Thanks so much! And that's so interesting, I had no idea about full network access from completing a cert--very interesting. Thanks for watching and for the info 😩👏

[@chanciemartinxo6774]

agree with you completely! just signed up for WGU

[@JoshMadakor]

Sheeesh really? Best of luck! Which program are you going into?

[@chanciemartinxo6774]

@@JoshMadakor BA in Elementary Ed!

[@JoshMadakor]

Very cool, best of luck! Hope you have fun with it :)

[@audreymobley7423]

Thanks for the information. I have always wanted a degree in Special Education and I will look into the application process. ASAP.

[@JoshMadakor]

Good look! And thanks for watching :)

[@felixvargasjr6678]

It’s not even about the model of the college, it’s about how much money you can save as well as time. I’m 30yrs old and have been coding for a year and I truly love coding and want to genuinely learn more. I’m not 18 and have all the time to just have 4 years and spend thousands more on a traditional university. I have a wife and a job , so doing wgu and it being on my pace and cheaper is great for me and I’m sure many other people. I honestly think it’s more impressive for WGU students to finish at a quick pace because you know that person is dedicated to the field. At the end of the day the people going to WGU want an education and a degree, it’s helping lots of people

[@USAJOBSHumanResourceConsultant]

Hey Josh, If you do the WGU Masters Management and Leaderdhip degree? Can you do a vlog about it? Thanks!!!

[@SurferTy]

Hi, i did my BS in Business at WGU. I also went to Rice with a certificate in Engineering Leadership. I’d advise the MBA at WGU. The opportunities in the world are much broader. Hope that helps!

[@bo840]

People who are super-smart prodigies often get full bachelor's degrees from places like Harvard and Princeton in a very accelerated time ( even advanced degrees). Same principle with WGU et al.

[@JoshMadakor]

Oh sick, I've never really thought about this. But that's good. No need to be constrained to an arbitrary timeline.

[@talhakhaliq1441]

After watching your video on BSCS from WGU I have started preparing for it and plan to join in January next year. However, I am having a hard time covering up all 35 courses given i have to finish pre-study in next 6 months. Therefore, I am for now focusing on core C.S courses. But the fear and doubt is there .. whether I will be able to do it. By the way I have been working as a software tester using c# with a startup for last 1 and a half year. Also I plan on finishing my WGU degree in 6 months. Love your videos Josh!

[@JoshMadakor]

First of all, thanks so much for watching! I've kind of revised my approach a bit since I made the BS CS video. I learned that you can actually do SO many courses from Study[.]com and StraighterLine prior to registering and transfer them in. I took Calc from StraighterLine (highly recommend doing this) and DS and Algos 1 and Discrete Math 1 from Study[.]com. I would have done more, but I ran out of time, haha. I will make a video about this later. It sounds like you're ahead of the game with your C# experience, which is dope. Best of luck with the BSCS!

[@jesse420SOCAL]

I just been cleared to start WGU B.S Software Engineering on July 1st. I've completed 2 coding bootcamps (coding dojo, sabio), I have fullstack experience, OOP , algorithms, clean code, dry convention, Big O etc. So hopefully all that helps me finish this degree sooner. Got Pell grant and using Post 9/11. Cost went up, projected 17k and it's 3.9k for a 6 month term.

[@welcometotheshow5247]

Peace out from yours truly, the crazy scientist. Much love and peace, goodnight Houston.

[@JoshMadakor]

Goodnight, Crazy Scientist 😂🤗😂

[@barbaratells1285]

Thank you for this awesome and very informative review 😊

[@_lifewithlexi_]

Great points! Thank you

[@JoshMadakor]

Np! Thanks for watching :)

[@michaelaiello007]

I originally went to a brick and morter college. I left at the middle of my senior year because I got hired on to the company I was interning with. Started back at WGU because I want to eventually get my masters. I will say that the course work and quality of the courses at WGU are more inline with the real world. I feel more academically challenged and interested in my courses.