WGU BS Information Technology (Curriculum & Pacing)
WGU’s Bachelor of Science in Information Technology is a 120-competency-unit degree built around general education and IT skills. You study at your own pace within six-month terms, but plan to complete at least 12 competency units each term. Your transfer evaluation, certification requirements, and approved course plan shape how long the degree takes.
Choosing this program can feel like choosing a fixed route before you know how much of your past learning will count. The key is to separate what WGU publishes for all students from what depends on your record, catalog year, and pace.
I recommend starting with three questions: Do you meet the current admission rules? Which of your existing credits or credentials will transfer? How much study time can you protect each week? Those answers give you a more useful estimate than a promise of finishing in a set number of terms.
Program structure, admission, and accreditation
This section explains what the degree is, how WGU measures progress, and which admission and accreditation details to verify. The program is a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, and its published size is 120 competency units. Your own plan may require fewer units if WGU accepts eligible transfer work.
WGU uses competency units, or CUs, as its measure of academic credit. The degree combines general education with IT-focused study. WGU describes it as a competency-based program: you move through courses by demonstrating that you have learned the required material, rather than by following a traditional weekly class schedule.
WGU’s standard undergraduate progress benchmark is at least 12 CUs in each six-month term. That is a minimum progress expectation, not a promise that every student will finish at the same speed. Some students complete more, but extra courses require approval and depend on readiness and available study time.
Admission eligibility can depend on your education and background. WGU’s IT programs may use qualifying prior college work, an associate degree, an applicable IT certification, or relevant work experience as part of an admission pathway. Requirements can change, so confirm which path applies to you with WGU before setting a start date. WGU generally does not require SAT or ACT scores.
WGU is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The BS IT program is accredited by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission, according to the program information provided here. Accreditation status and scope can change, so check WGU’s accreditation page and ABET’s program search for your intended catalog and start date. Accreditation does not guarantee a job or success on a certification exam.
Curriculum, CUs, transfer credit, and certifications
The curriculum is a set of general-education and IT requirements, not a menu of courses you can freely swap. Your official degree plan shows the exact requirements for your catalog year. A formal transfer review determines which prior courses or credentials can meet those requirements and which courses you still need to complete.
The 120-CU total is the published program size, not necessarily the number of units every student completes at WGU. If WGU accepts eligible transfer credit, the remaining degree plan may be smaller. Do not estimate your remaining workload by adding up transcript credits yourself; course equivalency, recency rules, and program requirements affect the decision.
| What to review | What it means for your plan | Your next step |
|---|---|---|
| General education | Foundational requirements that support the degree | Compare completed courses with the formal transfer evaluation |
| IT requirements | Program courses that build information technology knowledge and skills | Review the catalog-year degree plan with an enrollment counselor |
| Certification-linked courses | Some course requirements may include third-party certification exams | Confirm the current exam, fee, and renewal rules in the catalog |
| Transfer work | Prior courses and credentials may meet specific requirements | Submit records before enrollment and rely on WGU’s official evaluation |
| Remaining CUs | Units left after accepted transfer work | Use your official plan, not a general online estimate |
A certification is an industry credential earned by meeting an outside organization’s requirements. If a course includes a required certification, that exam may add a separate step to your course plan. Exam rules, fees, and renewal terms belong to the credential provider and can change. Confirm the current details for your catalog before you budget time or money.
Before enrollment, gather transcripts, proof of prior certifications, and records of relevant work experience. Submit the materials WGU requests so your transfer evaluation can be completed before you commit to a start date. Ask how each accepted item applies to your degree plan, and check for any course or credential recency rules.
Pacing, assessment, and academic support
WGU’s flexible course format lets you set a study rhythm, but the six-month term still has a firm calendar. Your pace depends on your preparation, time available, course assessments, and any required certification exams. A term plan should include both your target CUs and a realistic backup plan.
At the start of a term, work with your program mentor to select an achievable course sequence. Plan for at least 12 CUs, then consider whether you have room for more. Do not count on adding courses automatically: discuss readiness and request approval before moving beyond the courses in your approved plan.
Illustrative pacing scenarios
These examples show how to think about planning; they are not completion-time promises. Course difficulty, transfer credit, work and family demands, and certification exam timing can all change the result.
| Student situation | Useful first-term plan | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| New to IT, with little transfer work | Focus on the approved 12-CU minimum and build study habits | Time needed for foundational material and assessments |
| Prior college courses may transfer | Wait for the formal evaluation before estimating remaining terms | Which requirements are accepted and which still remain |
| Relevant work or certifications | Review whether they meet admission or degree requirements | Current eligibility rules and documentation |
| Strong study time and prior knowledge | Ask the mentor whether adding courses is appropriate | Approval, course readiness, and exam dates |
Course assessments are the ways you show that you meet a course’s requirements. The form can vary by course. For certification-linked requirements, an external exam may also be part of the work. Review each course’s assessment details early so you can plan practice, exam scheduling, and any retake time.
A useful weekly routine is to set study blocks, track completed course milestones, and raise problems with your mentor before they disrupt the term. If a course takes longer than expected, revisit the plan rather than assuming you can make up all the time at the end. Consistent progress is more useful than an aggressive target that does not fit your life.
Cost, financial aid, and progress risks
The cost of a competency-based degree depends in part on how many six-month terms you need. Slow progress can mean paying for more terms, while finishing sooner may reduce the number of terms required. Faster progress is not assured, and your aid eligibility has separate rules you should review before enrolling.
WGU charges tuition by six-month term. That makes pacing a budget issue as well as an academic one. A 12-CU term is the undergraduate progress baseline, not a guaranteed number of courses or a guaranteed completion schedule. Check the current tuition and fee page for prices that apply to your start date.
Federal financial aid also has satisfactory academic progress, or SAP, rules. SAP is a set of standards students must meet to remain eligible for aid, including requirements tied to completed coursework and the maximum time allowed to finish. Review WGU’s current SAP policy and ask the financial aid office how the rules apply to your situation.
Before you commit, compare likely term costs rather than relying on a best-case finish date. Include certification exam fees if they apply, and ask whether any costs are separate from tuition. If your work schedule or family responsibilities may change, discuss how a slower term could affect your budget and aid.
Career planning and next steps
The BS IT can provide a broad undergraduate foundation in information technology, but it does not guarantee a particular job, salary, or employer outcome. Career requirements vary by role and employer. Use job postings for roles that interest you to identify which skills, experience, credentials, or other conditions may matter after graduation.
A practical planning sequence is:
- Check eligibility: Compare your background with WGU’s current admission pathways.
- Map prior learning: Send transcripts and certification records for formal review before enrollment.
- Read the degree plan: Confirm the catalog year, remaining CUs, required courses, and certification steps.
- Build a term schedule: Plan at least 12 CUs, then discuss any additional courses with your mentor.
- Review costs and aid: Check tuition, fees, certification costs, and SAP rules.
- Connect study to career goals: Compare course outcomes with the skills named in relevant job postings.
When I help students compare degree plans, I encourage them to avoid treating the fastest possible completion as the only measure of fit. A plan is useful when it accounts for your prior learning, weekly study time, and required assessments. Use the official evaluation and catalog to make decisions, then adjust your pace with your mentor as you learn what the coursework requires.
Frequently asked questions
These short answers address common questions about the degree’s curriculum and pace. Your official transfer evaluation, degree plan, and catalog year take priority over general guidance. Confirm current program and policy details directly with WGU before applying or choosing a start date.
How many CUs is the WGU BS IT?
WGU lists the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology as a 120-CU program. Accepted transfer work may reduce the number of units you need to complete at WGU.
How many CUs should I plan to complete per term?
Plan for at least 12 CUs per six-month term, which is the undergraduate full-time progress benchmark. Your mentor can help set a course plan that fits your readiness.
Can I finish faster by completing more courses?
Possibly, but faster completion is not guaranteed. Adding courses beyond your approved plan requires mentor approval and depends on your progress and readiness.
Will all my college credits transfer?
No. WGU decides whether prior courses meet specific degree requirements. Submit transcripts before enrollment and use the official transfer evaluation to understand what counts.
Can work experience replace courses?
Work experience may be relevant to an admission pathway, but do not assume it replaces degree requirements. Ask WGU how your experience applies to current eligibility rules and your degree plan.
Does every IT course require a certification exam?
Not necessarily. Some course requirements may be linked to third-party certifications. Check the catalog and course details for the current exam requirements.
How long does the degree take?
There is no single completion time that applies to every student. Transfer credit, study hours, course assessments, and exam timing all affect the number of terms needed.
Is the BS IT program accredited?
WGU lists institutional accreditation by NWCCU and program accreditation by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission. Verify current status and scope with the accrediting organizations and WGU.
Does the degree guarantee an IT job?
No. A degree does not guarantee employment. Employers set their own requirements, which may include relevant experience, additional credentials, or other qualifications.
Where should I check current requirements?
Use WGU’s current admissions, program, tuition, financial-aid, and SAP pages. Confirm your catalog year and ask an enrollment counselor or program mentor about your individual plan.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Matthew Ellison. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
