Master's Degree Shortlist - JHU, Penn State, WGU, DU

BBrev106

Hi everyone. Long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm wrapping up my BSIT - Security at WGU and am looking at a short list of schools for the Master's.

I'm looking to get it in Cybersecurity or Information assurance.

The VA will be helping me with the cost so money is not a deciding factor for me.

My preferred method is online and I am looking at the following schools. (I have included notes that go into my decision)

- Johns Hopkins - I love the name recognition of this school. Does anyone know of what the day to day or week to week learning process is?


- Penn State World Campus - Does anyone know of what the day to day or week to week learning process is?

- WGU - I am a big fan of WGU but I am looking at another school so that I have diverse educational institutions on my resume.


Curveball:

I live in the Denver area. Does anyone know what the Brick and mortar Cybersecurity masters is like at Denver university?

Thanks

dmoore44

Check out this similar thread: http://www.techexams.net/forums/jobs-degrees/118982-masters-advice.html

markulous

Does having a diverse set of schools matter for anything other than academia?

WGU is likely by far the most inexpensive, but you said you aren't paying for it so I'd probably go a different route unless you don't like the brick and mortar type learning plans.

I considered UMUC due to their duel degree program.

TranceSoulBrother

markulous wrote: »

I considered UMUC due to their duel degree program.

duel? I didn't know that we could only study at sunup, standing 30 paces apart! lol

markulous

That's the exact reason why I considered them. There can be only one!

UsualSuspect7

I'm currently completing my Master's in CyberSecurity at NYIT, it's actually under a lengthy title lol. I strongly recommend not to go to NYIT it's horrible. The professors are great, but the school's business model is atrocious. I strongly encourage NYU Polytechnic CyberSecurity MS program.

TechGuru80

When you say the VA is helping...is there a CAP? I say that because Denver University is pretty pricey. Also, a few things on that program...its new or newish within the last couple years, and the courses seem very general at least based on the titles I don't see much technical curriculum?

Have you looked into Regis University? Colorado State? I would put both of those ahead of DU.

For the other schools you listed and in general, are you aware of entry requirements? A lot of the mainstream universities are going to require either a GMAT or GRE (depending what department the program is in) score up to par for admission.

jdancer

If you want to add a little bit more credibility to your graduate degree, here is the list of CAE IA schools https://www.iad.gov/NIETP/reports/current_cae_designated_institutions.cfm

As you can see JHU and Penn State are on the list.

MickyDee

As to not start another thread, does anyone have any insight on Excelsior College's MS Cybersecurity? I already have an MBA from a decent state school and I am trying to use the remainder of my GI Bill benefits. The goal is to get the MS Cybersecurity and then a couple of certs down the road and break into forensics; working for the federal government.

danny069

I have a friend that is doing the NYU Cyber Master's program and he does not like it at all. I just got accepted into Fordham's Cybersecurity Master's program, in the which the classes are geared towards cyber security, I don't start until August so I can't really give a review yet, however I did look into John's Hopkins and Penn State and both have great programs and notoriety. If I were to pick, I'd choose John's Hopkins over Penn State.

jeremywatts2005

I would go along with the one that has the curriculum that is going to get you where you want to go. Another option is to look at Champlain College online. They have a good rep in the Cyber and Digital Forensics world. I did the MS in Digital Forensic Science it was very hands on type of work. There instructors are usually from the government sector which is great because I had instructors teaching me what they do. Which is unusual in some Master's programs. Usually you get an academic teaching you at this level and not someone who actually is doing what they are teaching. Also diversifying your degree is a good idea. I have found that changing colleges helps to see things in different ways and from different viewpoints.