C393 and C394 list the A+ cert as a requirement anyway for both courses.

If you're looking to get certs, you might want to see if you qualify for this Syracuse program, DE. http://vets.syr.edu/education/employment-programs/

I am not entirely sure which one to do, either, so that's a further complication. Software development I find more interesting, but security seems more pertinent to my current work and likely future work, and the professor I'm speaking with seemed to indicate that. I suppose I could do one for this additional undergraduate work and the other for the Master's though.

Also, your background recommends you for network / software security almost automatically. I don't recall you mentioning your math background, but cryptography is something you might want to look into.

Granted its been nearly 20 years since I took the A+, but I'm going to guess that the level of computer expertise you've demonstrated here on the Glade probably should be sufficient to pass the A+

With a bit of studying.

Unless you actually do work in IT already, there's a bunch of bland memorization that "being good with computers with Google handy" doesn't necessarily ensure you have. Port numbers, a few legacy/obscure protocols they like to ask about, etc.

The resource Timmit linked seems pretty valuable, but A+ cert isn't a shortcut, it's the foundation of basically all IT-related certs. It is both the easiest to earn and the most fundamental to have.

*sigh* why can I not just go get a motorcycle for a midlife crisis like a normal person?

I feel ya. But nothing worth doing is easy.

I'm sure it's quite important, but in this case its purpose is to qualify me for the Bachelor's program I'm trying to get into.

My point with every post has been, if you only want a cert so you can qualify for this bachelors program, the A+ is the cheapest, easiest, fastest certification to get.

When it comes to certifications, as long as you're reasonably bright and test well, it's generally more cost effective to just study on your own and take the test. Transcender used to be the top of the line practice test suppliers, they may still be. You may have educational reimbursement you can use for the certification tests, as well, which makes the practice tests more attractive to purchase out of pocket. The A+ cert is baseline, unless you're talking the networking side of things. It's interesting that the WGU people don't accept any Juniper certifications. Seems fairly obvious who has paid them money. Either that, or they don't have a good handle on current networking, which makes them somewhat suspect.

Usually a cert boot camp is 1-2 weeks of 8 hour days.