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A comment on Open Textbook Initiative. Parent comment

Re:Open Textbook Initiative by tzs on Wednesday February 09, 2022 @12:05PM (#30275034)
Western Governor's University [1] is a good deal for IT-related online degrees. They are $3920 per 6 month term, no matter how many or few classes you take that term. You can take the tests for most classes without having taken the class and get credit for passing, so if you already know a subject required for the degree would can satisfy the requirement that way.

The cost of certifications that you earn along the way are included in the $3920.

Here's a page about their IT degrees from WGU Washington [2].

As an example of the certifications included, here is what they bachelor's degree in network operations and security includes: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Project+, CompTIA IT Operations Specialist, CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist, Axelos ITIL®1 Foundation, LPI Linux Essentials, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Amazon AWS SysOps Administration-Associate, and Amazon AWS Cloud Practitioner.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Governors_University

[2] https://www.wgu.edu/online-it-degrees/it-certifications.html

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Re:Open Textbook Initiative by ughjooihxsqq on Wednesday February 09, 2022 @01:24PM (#30276184)
I have a degree from an accredited online institution, and it holds literally no sway at tech companies. In fact, it’s a hindrance. I was self taught before I got the degree, and while you still won’t get past HRs screening for most interesting jobs, you will, at least, get industry props for being a “go getter”. With the degree I’ve hit more glass walls and ceiling’s because it’s not from a “good school”, and in their eyes I am no longer self taught either.

Think long and hard about doing an online degree, and what you think it’ll do for you.

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Re:Open Textbook Initiative by lokalfarm on Wednesday February 09, 2022 @02:56PM (#30277586)
I appreciate this comment. Being an "adult student" (30s+) is a rough road and I definitely understand the attraction of self-paced online degrees. That WGU includes certifications as part of its tuition is pretty appealing too. I'm slowly trying to whittle down community college credits so I can hopefully transfer to a state school, but it often feels like a helpless situation. I'm just grateful I don't have children - work, bills, and a wife are hard enough to juggle as it is.
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Re:Open Textbook Initiative by missing_paren on Wednesday February 09, 2022 @06:53PM (#30280556)
Which online university? I think that's really weird that you've had that experience. Can you share specific examples of what problems having a "bad" degree has caused vs. having no degree at all?
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