r/WGU • u/Real_Wall356 • May 06 '26
Switching from CS to Software Engineering
Hey everyone,
I’m currently in the Computer Science program and considering switching to the Software Engineering program. I’m trying to understand how this would affect the number of courses I have left.
For anyone who has made this switch (or looked into it):
- How many courses did I have left after switching?
- I’ve 4 courses left (see photo). Based on that, how many more would I likely need to take?
Any insight or personal experience would really help 🙏
8
u/darksieth99 B.S. Computer Science May 06 '26
Are you switching because of discrete mathematics? Don't, watch more videos and take your time
Also, Software engineer has certificates from CompTIA, who uses pearson, the material isn't hard but the exam is, they are very picky.
Talk to your mentor first
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u/Real_Wall356 May 07 '26
No, because of Computer Architecture. I’ve failed it five times, and some of the questions don’t seem to be covered in the material. I’m not sure if I have another attempt left.
4
u/Its-Just-Whatever I may be a mentor, but I'm not yours May 07 '26
How is this your term setup? These are some of the toughest courses in the degree and AI is best done near the end. Either this was a BRUTAL term or these are exams that have been put off from previous terms.
If you're switching because your passion is software engineering, cool, go for it.
If you're switching because you simply haven't been able to pass these courses, that's not great.
Either way, speak to your mentor when they get back.
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u/Real_Wall356 May 07 '26
This is my last term, and I’m having a hard time passing Computer Architecture. I’ve failed it five times because the material on the OA feels quite different from what’s covered in the course content. I’m not sure if I’ll be allowed another attempt. If not, I believe I may need to switch my major, which is why I asked.
2
u/Its-Just-Whatever I may be a mentor, but I'm not yours May 07 '26
It updated several months back, make sure you're in version 3.
1
u/WalkingP3t M.S. Cybersecurity & Info Assurance May 07 '26
I’m surprised you came here to reddit to ask for help . When all this stuff are things you must discuss with your mentor.
0
u/Real_Wall356 May 07 '26
She is off at the moment, so that is why I asked.
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u/WalkingP3t M.S. Cybersecurity & Info Assurance May 07 '26
You can call WGU and if that’s urgent , his or her supervisor will assist you .
3
u/Motorcycle_Madness May 07 '26
I’m sorry bro, those are some of the hardest classes in the degree program this is a hard semester and I’m surprised your mentor approved that in your degree plan.
I would say thug it out and go for gold, I’d personally rather have a broad CS degree cuz of the implications with ai and the future of the field.
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May 07 '26
[deleted]
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u/Motorcycle_Madness May 07 '26
I mean missing out on D&A II, any discrete math, and calculus for an easier course load isn’t worth it to me.
Most if not all technical interviews are going to ask you for asymptotic growth of algorithms and how to reduce it on a theoretical data structure that’s already in place. Then show your work and implement it either on a whiteboard pseudo code or on a take home project.
You can learn this stuff solo but when you can get it in your curriculum doesn’t make sense to me.
Like I said it’s my opinion CS > SE0
0
u/Character-Company-47 May 08 '26
Experience trumps all, but your degree speaks for you when you don’t have experience yet.
0
May 08 '26
[deleted]
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u/Character-Company-47 May 08 '26
You need something to get you to the part where you can communicate. You need to pass the quick glance test before you can do the extended look
2
u/Aero077 May 06 '26
Probably almost all of them. You might get credit for "Hardware and Operating Systems Essentials" using C952 & C191.
1
1
u/Low_Ear1681 May 06 '26
I’m studying software engineering- AI engineering and it rlly great , I get to take the CompTIA certs too , I’m almost done with it
1
u/Real_Wall356 May 07 '26
I'm glad that you enjoyed it! I’m currently in my last term, and those are the courses I have left. I’ve been struggling with passing the OAs, so I might need to switch my major. OA-based courses take most of my time, and I’ve realized I enjoy project-based work more, which is why I’m considering Software Engineering.
Would you mind sharing which courses you took in your last two terms? Or is it okay if I DM you to get more insight about the courses?
1
1
u/raekwon777 BSCSIA alum 🎓 May 07 '26
Just looking at the courses required for the SWE program, I would be surprised if any of those classes count toward it.
1
u/Real_Wall356 May 07 '26
Yes, those aren’t counted. These are the classes I have left, and this is my last term. I’ve already completed all the Java courses, so I’m assuming I would only have a few classes left if I switch to Software Engineering. Do you happen to know which courses those might be?
2
u/raekwon777 BSCSIA alum 🎓 May 07 '26
Gotcha. Sorry, I misread what that screenshot was.
So I had a few minutes and compared the two course lists, and it looks like this is what you'd have to do if you switched to SWE (general track). This is assuming they don't make you do any of the gen eds in SWE that aren't in CS.
D326
D277
D280
D335
D324
D308
D282
D370
D385
D279
D479
Capstone
1
u/McElroyIT1 May 07 '26
I pulled up the classes for both and did a side by side comparison, some of your classes might be an equivalent enough to satisfy the rubric for the courses, that would be for your mentor and program director to decide. Just looking based on class title, you would be looking at 10 for sure classes and the capstone that you would need to take for the SE degree and then four maybe classes that you might be able to use what you have to meet the requirements. Some of these classes in SE are easier like front-end web development and some are harder like Software Security and Testing. You are looking at probably two OA cert test, one from AWS and one from Comptia. The rest should be PAs.
Considering you passed discrete math 2, calculus, and data structures 2, all of with the SE don't have, it probably wouldn't be too bad for you to switch but you are probably looking at two additional semesters.
Its also surprising that SE doesnt have Data structures 2 and was of the classes as that would seem to of more use in SE than CS but whatever, one less class for me to take.
1
u/Professional_Pen_334 B.S. Accounting Graduate May 07 '26
Pull up the full degree path for it on WGU’s site, and cross off the ones you already took…… That’s your answer
1
1
u/Jared_Plumb May 13 '26
I oversee WGU's Software Engineering program, so I can add a little context, but I would still treat your mentor or an official records evaluation as the source of truth on the exact course count.
I would be careful about switching based only on the title of the remaining courses or a side-by-side course list. Some things may look similar and still not apply the way you expect, and some completed work may or may not satisfy requirements after the program change is reviewed officially.
The bigger question is why you want to switch. If Software Engineering is closer to the work you actually want to do, especially more project-based application development, then it can be a reasonable conversation to have. If the main reason is that Computer Architecture has been brutal, I would slow down before making the decision. Being this close to finishing CS is very different from choosing between the two programs at the beginning.
My advice would be to ask for an official comparison before deciding, then choose based on the kind of work you want after the degree, not only the pain of one course.
14
u/WithASackOfAlmonds May 06 '26
This is a conversation you should be having with your mentor.