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Why WGU’s BS in Information Technology is Perfect for Degree Hacking

WGU’s fully online, competency‑based BS in Information Technology is built for speed and savings. Six‑month, flat‑rate terms and generous transfer evaluation let you move quickly through the IT subjects you already know, then focus your remaining degree time on upper‑level work, portfolio pieces, and the capstone.

Online Flexibility & Transfer‑Friendly

  • 100% online with six‑month terms and pay‑per‑term pricing, not per credit (finish more per term to pay less overall)
  • Transfer evaluation available for prior college coursework and select industry certifications
  • Monthly enrollment starts can keep you moving, and a dedicated Program Mentor supports pacing and planning

Career & IT Preparation

  • Curriculum covers systems and services, networking and security, scripting and programming, data management, and the business of IT
  • Embedded certification included with tuition like CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Project+, AWS Cloud Practitioner, ITIL 4 Foundation, and LPI Linux Essentials
  • Build a portfolio and complete an IT technical written capstone to showcase applied skills to employers

Why Most People Take 3–4 Years (And How to Do It in 6–12 Months)

Why Most People Take 3–4 Years:

Many students pay term after term for broadly transferable courses and do not align prior credits or certifications to degree requirements. They also start before mapping what must be done at WGU, stretching the timeline and increasing cost.

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Here's what usually happens:

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  • They pay per credit: Per-credit tuition multiplies costs compared with flat-rate terms that reward faster pacing. ‍
  • They follow semester schedules: 15-week terms and fixed start dates add idle time between courses and push graduations later. ‍
  • They complete courses in a fixed order: Prerequisite gating slows progress even when prior knowledge could validate competency. ‍
  • They underuse transfer and certification credit: Many schools cap or delay evaluations, so students re-take material they already know.

Here's what degree hackers do that others don't:

  • Maximize transfer credits: Front‑load low‑cost, transferable credits, then transfer them in before matriculation. ‍
  • Use valid certifications for credits: Leverage certification credit where eligible (for example, existing CompTIA or ITIL passed within the accepted window). ‍
  • Focus on core courses in WGU: Reserve WGU for upper‑level IT, portfolio work, and the capstone that must be done in residence. ‍
  • Result: 1-2 years, $7,920 to $15,840 total

This is the difference between drifting and finishing: a mapped strategy that front-loads cheap credits, then sprints through the WGU pieces that matter most.

Strategy Guide: Tips on How to Hack WGU’s BS in Information Technology Degree

These tips synthesize proven approaches from degree hackers and advisors. The goal is simple: reduce paid WGU time by transferring what you can, then sprint through remaining assessments using the competency‑based model.

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WGU BS in Information Technology Pre‑Enrollment Hacks:

  • Leverage the generous credit transfer policy - Use ACE/NCCRS-recommended course providers like Study.com’s courses and community‑college credits that align to WGU equivalencies ‍
  • Test out of certain classes - Bring in CLEP/DSST for general education where accepted ‍
  • Use previously-earned certifications - Bank eligible, recently earned industry certifications for transfer credit. ‍
  • Create your personalized transfer map - DegreeHacked.org can help you develop a specific plan that pinpoints which credits and industry certifications to earn before you enroll at WGU

WGU BS in Information Technology Degree Hacking Plan

BS in Information Technology Transfer Credits: What Transfers and What Doesn’t

Not all 121 credits carry the same value. The fastest way through WGU’s BS in Information Technology is knowing which requirements you can satisfy with low-cost transfer credit or approved ACE and NCCRS options, and which assessments you should reserve for WGU to maximize competency-based speed and embedded certifications.

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Here’s how the 121 competency units (CUs) break down strategically:

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  • ~42 CUs: General Education courses (easily transferable) ‍
  • ~21 CUs: Business-of-IT Core (mix of transferable and WGU‑only) ‍
  • ~54 CUs: IT & Technical Coursework (mix of transferable and WGU-only)
  • 4 CUs: IT Technical Written Capstone (WGU Only)

WGU Information Technology Degree Requirements: Course Transfer Strategy

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WGU B.S. in Information Technology Course Transfer Table
WGU Course CUs Recommended Other Options
Astronomy ~3 Study.com - Astronomy 101: Intro to Astronomy DSST: Astronomy
Introduction to Information Technology 4 Study.com - Computer Science 102: Fundamentals of Information Technology Sophia: SOPH-0023 | CLEP - Information Systems
Data Management - Applications 4 Study.com - Computer Science 204: Database Programming Not available elsewhere
Spreadsheets 3 WGU Only WGU Only
IT Capstone (Written Project) 4 WGU Only WGU Only
Note: This sample is illustrative. Your complete 120-unit plan maps every requirement to the lowest-cost source with backups if rules change.

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Why Degree Hacking Works for Western Governors University Information Technology Students:

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  • Cost efficiency: Through flat‑rate terms plus maximizing transfers with the help of Study.com's College Starter ($95/month) or College Saver plan ($235/month), you can minimize your total tuition fee
  • ‍Speed advantage: Competency‑based assessments let you move through courses as soon as you’re ready
  • ‍Strategic focus: Keep working on courses at WGU for the portfolio, capstone, and cert‑aligned upper‑level IT work that employers value

Ready for Your Complete Plan?

Your degree hacking plan should come with:

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✓ 120‑unit map tailored to your transcripts and certs

✓ Provider and exam IDs for each requirement

✓ Cost and timeline estimate by term

✓ Backup options if an equivalency shifts

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Applying to WGU for the BS in Information Technology

When to Apply: Best Timing for Enrollment

Apply after you’ve stacked as many transferable credits and certifications as possible. WGU starts each term at the 1st of each month, so you can align your application with your target term.

WGU Admissions and Transfer Logistics

  • Apply online in about 20 minutes
  • Submit official transcripts and any ACE/NCCRS or JST documentation
  • Transfer evaluation typically follows after all records are received  
  • Residency rule: complete at least 25% of the degree at WGU, including capstone

WGU Tuition and Other Aid Information

  • Flat-tuition per six-month term: about $3,960 (includes E-Books and Resources Fee)
  • FAFSA, WGU scholarships and grants, military and employer benefits available 
  • The faster you finish within a term, the lower your total cost

WGU’s BS in Information Technology Career ROI

  • Median pay across computer and IT occupations, about $105,990 per year
  • Degree Payback Time: ~1-2 months
  • Entry roles include Support Specialist, Systems Administrator, Network Administrator, Web Developer, and Analyst
  • With flat-rate tuition and embedded certifications, many grads see fast payback after landing higher-paying roles

Save time and money earning your WGU BS in IT. Many students can complete the degree for under $16,000 in just 6–12 months. Build valuable skills for careers in IT support, systems and network administration, cloud, and security. Enroll now and start paving the way to your future success!