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Some context on WGU > An audit by the Department of Education's Office of Inspector General, released on September 21, 2017, "concluded that Western Governors

by rtkwe 5y ago

Some context on WGU > An audit by the Department of Education's Office of Inspector General, released on September 21, 2017, "concluded that Western Governors University did not comply with the institutional eligibility requirement that limits the percentage of regular students who may enroll in correspondence courses" and that "at least 69 of the 102 courses were not designed to offer regular and substantive interaction with an instructor and, therefore, did not meet the regulatory definition of distance education." They later kept their federal loan eligibility but it sounds like it might have been a case where they skated by due to a lack of clear guidance. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Governors_University https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Governors_University

adamisom 5y ago
Lack of clear guidance is right. The existing outdated laws or regulations just didn’t make sense for their business model or for the Internet age. WGU is regionally accredited in all regions. Not to say it’s good-quality education; it’s not. But frankly most colleges aren’t and I think it meets the same (low) bar that most colleges do—and does better for job-readiness and cost. I have most of a degree from it. I’m still not sure I’d recommend it to others though. I’m not even 100% sure I’ll finish!—but I’m leaning toward finishing to make it easier to get into OMSCS or similar. It’s not what got me my job and career. But if you don’t already have a degree (I did, psychology) it’s probably worth it if you think checking the box can help your career or even just help you hunt for your first paid job.
- no_wizard 5y ago
  It’s fine education if you make it so. My direct experience is that I can attain the same knowledge (and then some) as I would at a traditional university I had to seek it actively however. I think outside of the most elite schools this holds true no matter what. Most people just go through the course motions and that’s that, even engineering students
- triyambakam 5y ago
  I was in disbelief when I found out that some people are in a dilemma about getting a CS degree or not, when they already have some other degree. And here I am with no degree in anything, working as a SWE. I've gone back and forth about it - mostly I don't care about the fake degree from WGU and similar schools and then to get a degree where I'd actually learn something new (MIT maybe?) it would be a huge time sync, cost and I'm not sure I'd even be accepted.
  - no_wizard 5y ago
    I can tell you from experience that every company, from Meta to Apple to hell, even 90% of startups, will just accept the CS degree as is. I'd say to working professionals (those with a couple years experience in the industry now) its a bigger win because it matters astronomically less where you got your degree than when you are first starting out as an engineer. It keeps the gatekeepers away and checks all the recruitment boxes across the board. Its also a good gateway to get a useful Masters degree, like the two year Computer Science and Engineering degree from Georgia Tech, which if I recall correctly is very cost effective and highly regarded
  - miguelrochefort 5y ago
    My motivations: - Canadians need a bachelor’s degree to work in the USA. - Graduate programs typically require a bachelor’s degree.
    - triyambakam 5y ago
      As far as working in the US, I can understand that. And as for a Master's, I'm not sure I'd ever want that. The Georgia Tech OMCS for example has a good name but I doubt I couldn't learn the same material for free. Will I get left behind in the industry among a sea of Master's and Phds?
      - no_wizard 5y ago
        Like with all things in life, it really depends. Some places, like Google, and to a lesser extent, Apple, Microsoft, and a few others, still really require you have to a degree (bachelors or otherwise), at least when hiring from the outside. Other places, like Meta, often default to experience or degree, but not per se requiring both. There are of course exceptions at all of these places, however it seems to hold true in aggregate. It won't hurt you, thats for sure, and if (when?) the job market tightens, those with degrees often get preferred to those without. That was my experience in the last down turn anyway
- fckgw 5y ago
  FWIW I have a bachelors from WGU in IT Security was was accepted into GA Tech's Online Masters Cybersecurity program.

by rtkwe 5y ago

adamisom 5y ago

Lack of clear guidance is right. The existing outdated laws or regulations just didn’t make sense for their business model or for the Internet age. WGU is regionally accredited in all regions. Not to say it’s good-quality education; it’s not. But frankly most colleges aren’t and I think it meets the same (low) bar that most colleges do—and does better for job-readiness and cost. I have most of a degree from it. I’m still not sure I’d recommend it to others though. I’m not even 100% sure I’ll finish!—but I’m leaning toward finishing to make it easier to get into OMSCS or similar. It’s not what got me my job and career. But if you don’t already have a degree (I did, psychology) it’s probably worth it if you think checking the box can help your career or even just help you hunt for your first paid job.

no_wizard 5y ago
It’s fine education if you make it so. My direct experience is that I can attain the same knowledge (and then some) as I would at a traditional university I had to seek it actively however. I think outside of the most elite schools this holds true no matter what. Most people just go through the course motions and that’s that, even engineering students
triyambakam 5y ago
I was in disbelief when I found out that some people are in a dilemma about getting a CS degree or not, when they already have some other degree. And here I am with no degree in anything, working as a SWE. I've gone back and forth about it - mostly I don't care about the fake degree from WGU and similar schools and then to get a degree where I'd actually learn something new (MIT maybe?) it would be a huge time sync, cost and I'm not sure I'd even be accepted.
- no_wizard 5y ago
  I can tell you from experience that every company, from Meta to Apple to hell, even 90% of startups, will just accept the CS degree as is. I'd say to working professionals (those with a couple years experience in the industry now) its a bigger win because it matters astronomically less where you got your degree than when you are first starting out as an engineer. It keeps the gatekeepers away and checks all the recruitment boxes across the board. Its also a good gateway to get a useful Masters degree, like the two year Computer Science and Engineering degree from Georgia Tech, which if I recall correctly is very cost effective and highly regarded
- miguelrochefort 5y ago
  My motivations: - Canadians need a bachelor’s degree to work in the USA. - Graduate programs typically require a bachelor’s degree.
  - triyambakam 5y ago
    As far as working in the US, I can understand that. And as for a Master's, I'm not sure I'd ever want that. The Georgia Tech OMCS for example has a good name but I doubt I couldn't learn the same material for free. Will I get left behind in the industry among a sea of Master's and Phds?
    - no_wizard 5y ago
      Like with all things in life, it really depends. Some places, like Google, and to a lesser extent, Apple, Microsoft, and a few others, still really require you have to a degree (bachelors or otherwise), at least when hiring from the outside. Other places, like Meta, often default to experience or degree, but not per se requiring both. There are of course exceptions at all of these places, however it seems to hold true in aggregate. It won't hurt you, thats for sure, and if (when?) the job market tightens, those with degrees often get preferred to those without. That was my experience in the last down turn anyway
fckgw 5y ago
FWIW I have a bachelors from WGU in IT Security was was accepted into GA Tech's Online Masters Cybersecurity program.