Wester Governors U -Statistics and Microbiology

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2015

Has anyone take these courses, how challeging were they to do online and how long did it take you?

I took statistics through WGU and it took me about three to four weeks to get through the course. It is mostly theory and concepts. It had no math or calculations. Since I took microbiology at a trade school six years ago, WGU accepted the course for transfer credit.

Is there a lot of writing of papers for WGU.

WGU's BSN program does not entail a lot of paper-writing, in my personal opinion.

Also if I get the BSN is the course work easily transferrable to someone elses MSN program?

Since WGU has regional accreditation and the online nursing programs are nationally accredited by the CCNE, your coursework will transfer to many other colleges across the US.

Is there any advantage to getting my BSN now vs going RN-MSN?

You'll never know if life gets in the way. I'd rather earn a BSN sooner than later rather than spend a lengthier amount of time in an RN-to-MSN program that I might not be able to finish. In addition, I'd rather not earn a MSN degree through WGU due to a little-known concept called 'academic incest' (if you don't know what that is, look it up).

If I do decide to earn the MSN, it will be through another school. However, I am leaning toward earning an MBA or an MS in human resource development because I want to be a recruiter or director of human resources.

DEE S. · Feb 5, 2015

Thank you for your information. I talk to WGU and they said if I do the RN-MSN I actually get my BSN first and will have 9 less credits to take on the MSN program. I read up on academic incest. With this in my mind I will definitely get my Phd else where. WGU is the cheapest and quickest route to my MSN since I plan to knock the ball out the park maximizing on taking as many classes as I can during each 6 month period. "How long did it take you to get your BSN and on average how many weeks did you spend on most classes"? Did you like your experience at WGU? One of the university here has a test you can test out of microbiology for $30 its like CLEPing it. I am going to see if WGU would accept this. It would save me time and money overall.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2015

One of the university here has a test you can test out of microbiology for $30 its like CLEPing it. I am going to see if WGU would accept this. It would save me time and money overall.

WGU will not accept a microbiology course or testing out for transfer credit without the corresponding lab practical component.

passionflower, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 6, 2015

The smartest thing you could do is go RN-MSN you earn the BSN on the way and it is really a no brainer. As far as academic incest it wouldn't likely apply in this case. Many people have been accepted to other programs after finishing this course.

featherzRN, MSN · Feb 6, 2015

WGU will not accept a microbiology course or testing out for transfer credit without the corresponding lab practical component.

/agree. I tested out of micro when in Excelsior and I had to retake at WGU because it MUST have a lab component. It took me a week to re-do - so would not have saved me time or money to have done it elsewhere. Do it at WGU! :)

kdunurse · Feb 14, 2015

I just finished my microbiology class in a week. Statistics took me two weeks. I have not yet done my micro lab, but don't expect it to be difficult. WGU is a good program but you have to be very self-motivated to be successful, as you are setting your own deadlines and planning your learning strategy.

featherzRN, MSN · Feb 14, 2015

I just finished my microbiology class in a week. Statistics took me two weeks. I have not yet done my micro lab, but don't expect it to be difficult. WGU is a good program but you have to be very self-motivated to be successful, as you are setting your own deadlines and planning your learning strategy.

I think micro is one of the easiest WGU classes - never have heard anyone at all complaining about it. The lab isn't bad - if your cultures don't grow, say so and say what they SHOULD have looked like. No worries. :)

passionflower, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 14, 2015

I just finished my microbiology class in a week. Statistics took me two weeks. I have not yet done my micro lab, but don't expect it to be difficult. WGU is a good program but you have to be very self-motivated to be successful, as you are setting your own deadlines and planning your learning strategy.

As much as I love this program I can't help but think that comments like the one here are the reason why people debate the merits of a program if you can finish a class in one week.

I find myself defending the program and online vs brick and mortar all the time although I suppose the phrase "to each his own" should suffice.

Kathy H · Feb 14, 2015

I was checking out straighterline for stats and communications since I have 2 months before I start WGU May 1. It will cost $99/month membership, WGU discounts your first course $50, and then takes $50/per course transferred in up to 4 courses off your tuition. The courses are cheap- COM 101 is $74 and MAT 150 is $49 plus the $99. So in the end it's $72 out of pocket and 2 less courses to take in terms of my time once the semester starts.

My question is : Has anyone taken these courses with straighterline and how do they compare with WGU's in terms of ease and getting through them in good time?

Any advice would be appreciated - need to get started next week if I do this.

Thanks

Kathy

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2015

I was checking out straighterline for stats and communications since I have 2 months before I start WGU May 1. It will cost $99/month membership, WGU discounts your first course $50, and then takes $50/per course transferred in up to 4 courses off your tuition. The courses are cheap- COM 101 is $74 and MAT 150 is $49 plus the $99. So in the end it's $72 out of pocket and 2 less courses to take in terms of my time once the semester starts.

You are not factoring in the cost of textbooks, which are required with most Straighterline courses and can cost more than the course itself.

My question is : Has anyone taken these courses with straighterline and how do they compare with WGU's in terms of ease and getting through them in good time?

I took stats through Straighterline several years ago. It was self-paced, so a person could complete it in a week if the motivation is present.

Taking stats through WGU would not cost anything extra. In addition, WGU provides all course materials and Ebooks.

artemor · Sep 14, 2016

When people say taking courses at WGU would not cost anything extra, I don't think that's really accurate. It costs time. One term is $3,200 which comes out to about $123 per week. If you complete a course in 4 weeks that's almost $500 for the course. I signed up to take statistics at Straighterline and it was $118 with the textbook included after the WGU coupon code. So it is cheaper.

The only problem is the WGU rep just told me today that that class will no longer transfer to WGU as the statistics course that is required. So I wasted my money and time... they are apparently restructuring their program and WGU. I still don't see why it shouldn't transfer however, because a generic introductory statistics course should transfer from anywhere.