1. What is the WGU + Riipen co-curricular experience?
This is a hands-on opportunity for WGU School of Technology learners to gain real-world experience by working on short-term projects from real companies through the Riipen platform. It’s designed to help you apply your knowledge, build your résumé, and grow your professional confidence—outside of your regular coursework.
2. Is this required for my degree?
No. This is an optional, co-curricular experience, meaning it’s not required for credit or graduation. But it’s a valuable way to enhance your skills and career readiness.
3. Who is eligible to participate?
Riipen projects are available to active WGU School of Technology learners enrolled in the Cybersecurity and Information Assurance bachelor’s program who have:
Completed foundational and intermediate coursework, with core competencies in IT, networking, and security
Hold industry-recognized certifications including CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+
Have completed a minimum of two program terms and passed a competitive screening process by WGU Career Services
Demonstrated strong dedication, professionalism, and readiness to contribute to industry-aligned projects
Meeting SAP at the end of the term
Enrolled in cybersecurity degree
Active in program at the start of the program (not graduated)
Eligible after successful completion of following courses:
Introduction to IT
IT Application
Ethics in Technology
IT Foundations
Scripting and Programming – Foundations
Fundamentals of Information Security
Network and Security – Foundations
Legal Issues in Information Security
Networks
Business of IT – Applications
Emerging Technologies in Cybersecurity
Network and Security – Applications
Further Qualification Requirements:
May participate in only 1 active project at a time
Be eligible to work in U.S. or Canada
Recommendation from Program Mentor
Review from Student Conduct to ensure there are no prior conduct violations
4. What kinds of projects are available?
You may find project options such as:
Cybersecurity & Risk Management
Conducting a Basic Cybersecurity Risk Assessment for a Small Business
Security Policy Review and Recommendations for Compliance (e.g., NIST, ISO)
Creating a Cybersecurity Awareness Training Plan for Employees
Developing an Incident Response Playbook for Common Security Threats
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) Plan
Networking & Infrastructure
Network Security Audit and Hardening Recommendations
Mapping and Evaluating Network Topologies for Security Risks
Firewall and Access Control Rule Set Review for a Simulated Company Network
Setting Up and Testing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) in a Lab Environment
System Security
Operating System Hardening and Vulnerability Mitigation Report (Windows/Linux)
User Access Control and Role-Based Permissions Analysis
Secure Configuration of a Client-Server Environment (Using Virtual Machines)
Security Tools & Practices
Testing and Documenting the Use of an Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
Log Monitoring and Analysis to Detect Potential Security Incidents
Encryption Demo and Use-Case Recommendations for Data at Rest vs. In Transit
Compliance & Governance
Creating a Cybersecurity Compliance Checklist for HIPAA or PCI-DSS
Audit Readiness Assessment: Preparing for a Security Audit
Aligning IT Policies with Organizational Security Goal
5. How long do projects take?
Projects are designed to be completed in 40-60 hours, within 4-8 weeks. These experiences are built to be flexible, so you can fit them around your coursework and personal schedule. Projects must start by June 23, 2025 and completed by August 18, 2025.
6. What kind of support will I get?
Each project includes clear instructions and deliverables. You’ll also have access to the Riipen support team, your project employer, and in some cases, a contact person from WGU Career Services. While these are independent projects, they’re designed to be approachable and achievable without needing extensive supervision.
7. Will I work alone or on a team?
Projects are designed for individual participation.
8. What do I need to do to get started?
Once you create your Riipen account and join the WGU portal, you’ll be able to browse available projects. From there:
Pick a project that interests you.
Send your employer an intro message describing your skillset.
You can begin working and submit your final deliverables on Riipen according to the project timeline (June 23 – August 18, 2025). While final deliverables may be submitted in as little as 4 weeks, you’ll have up to 8 weeks to complete the project.
Visit Starting a Project for more information.
10. Will I get feedback or a grade?
Since this is not for academic credit, you won’t receive a grade—but many organizations do provide feedback on your work. You’ll also receive a completion certification and digital badge.
11. Can I list this on my résumé or portfolio?
After completing your project, you’ll receive an achievement badge, a certificate of completion and employer feedback. You can include this project in your résumé, LinkedIn profile, and e-portfolio, along with examples of your final deliverables.
12. Can I do more than one project?
No, this program is designed as one project per learner.
13. How do I access the Riipen platform?
Eligible learners will have completed a minimum of two program terms and passed a competitive screening process by WGU Career Services. WGU learners will receive an invitation to join Riipen through the WGU Riipen portal. Once registered, you can create a profile, browse projects, and start applying. Visit Starting a Project for more information.
14. What kinds of deliverables will I produce?
Deliverables vary by project, but examples include:
Cybersecurity Risk Assessment Report
A professional report identifying key risks, vulnerabilities, and recommendations based on a mock or real organization’s IT setup.
Security Policy or Compliance Checklist
A customized or templated policy (e.g., password policy, acceptable use policy) or a checklist aligned with standards like NIST, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS.
Network Diagram and Security Audit Summary
Visual maps of existing or proposed network setups, along with notes on security gaps and mitigation strategies.
Training or Awareness Materials
Slide decks, short videos, or one-pagers for non-technical audiences—e.g., cybersecurity best practices for employees.
Log Analysis Report
A sample system log or dataset analyzed for suspicious activity, with interpretation and suggested actions.
Secure Configuration Guide
Documentation of how a system (e.g., Linux server or Windows workstation) was configured securely, including screenshots and justifications.
Presentation or Summary Deck
A final presentation outlining project goals, process, and results—aimed at a non-technical stakeholder audience.
These are real-world outputs that help demonstrate your ability to solve practical problems.
15. Who can I contact if I have questions or need help?
If you have questions about the Riipen platform or your project experience, you can reach out to Riipen’s support team via their chat (the avocado button on the bottom right corner of every Riipen page) or email wgu@riipen.com. For general questions about the WGU co-curricular program, your learner mentor can help point you in the right direction.