Has anyone done their Masters at UMUC?

Greets! I’m considering enrolling in the “Cyber Security” graduate program at UMUC. Has anyone taken this degree, and could you please provide some feedback.
Cybersecurity - Master of Science - Graduate School - UMUC

I have looked over the degrees course information (pretty short on details) which looks to be a very broad scope of the information security landscape. I also looked at the required text books for the 2012 higher level Cyber Security classes and they seem to be more on the theory side of things versus technical/hands-on-approach.

Can anyone comment on the quality of education and what one would come out of this degree learning? All I’ve been able to dig up are mixed reviews on the UMUC undergrad program. I recall atleast one member of this board doing his MS at UMUC.

Thank you!

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Comments

Valsacar

I took a few undergrad courses there, wasn't impressed.

powerfool

I am currently working on my MS in Cybersecurity Policy at UMUC. It is certainly an academic program... you aren't going to find many graduate-level programs that are extremely hands-on. Of course, I also went the Cybersecurity Policy route, rather than just straight Cybersecurity (which is more technically oriented); however, they do share 50% of their courses with each other.

For me, it was an easy decision because it was supported by my employer. The program isn't perfect. However, you get out of it what you put in (which is true of any academic program). If you walk away from any single course with an A, you did a ton of quality work. And that brings me to a frustrating aspect of the program... you can put forth a minimal effort and walk away with a B (as they also don't provide + or - final grades), or you can put forth a considerable effort and walk with a B and miss an A by a total of 1 or 2 points over the entire semester.

For me, this degree is just about earning the piece of paper. I am definitely getting a lot more than that out of it, but this isn't supposed to be my life's jewel or anything. It will satisfy that. I chose Cybersecurity Policy over Cybersecurity because I felt I could get the technical aspects on my own or through studying for certifications and I thought the "policy" aspect of it would help to position me for managerial work. Plus, the piece of paper will allow me to teach adjunct courses, which would be fun in testing my knowledge and ability to communicate, while giving me a little extra money. I will be done in November of this year. I took last summer off of school, but decided to go through the summer this year. So, it will have taken me just over two years to complete, as you can only take one 6 credit hour course each semester and they are all linearly prerequisite for the next course. I would have preferred the ability to do 9 credit hours worth of work in a semester so I could complete it in four semesters, but that is not the UMUC way.

The one thing I really like about the program is that the course structure is very similar for each course. About half of the weeks are conference weeks where you are meant to provide original insight into topics (supported by references) and then discuss these ideas over the course of the week. This is meant to mimic the classroom discussion and participation. Then, the other weeks are writing papers, mostly individual, but a couple of them are group papers each semester. There have only been minor deviations from this throughout the program. For instance, first semester, one of the group papers was dropped in favor of a security lab. This semester, one of the individual papers is dropped for an additional conference week and the weighting of the individual papers is higher. This means that you aren't going to be in for huge surprises when you read the syllabus.

Best wishes.

powerfool

Oh, I forgot to mention. The one great thing about UMUC's Cybersecurity degrees is that they have graduate certificates that are subsets of the overall program. I originally joined the program seeking the certificate but planning on doing the whole degree. I always thought that if I didn't like it I could bail at the end of the certificate without completely wasting the time I invested. I continued on, obviously.

However, the CSEC 610 and 620 course combine for the Cybersecurity Foundations graduate certificate, which are just the first two of six classes for either masters degree. CSEC 610, 630, and 640 combine for the Cybersecurity graduate certifcate and CSEC 610, 635, and 645 combine for the Cybersecurity Policy graduate certificate. So, essentially, if you take all of the classes in order, you could pick up a piece of graduate school paper every two semesters.

Just food for thought.

spiderjericho

Are the semesters eight weeks? I took my original bachelor's at UMUC and a few years ago, every semester was 16 weeks. 16 weeks of posting conference, 16 weeks of reading assignments, etc, etc. it is a bit formulaic and time-consuming, but in some ways it legitimizes the school moreso than a Univ of Phoenix, ITT or WGU (though I like WGU but the at your own pace could be a little suspect to some).

I'm thinking of taking the Telecommunication Master's with MBA.

powerfool

Semesters are 12 weeks each, at least for this program. So, if you want to finish more quickly, you would be able to take a summer course, as well (what I am doing now). Unless they offered a shorter summer semester, it would be impossible to offer summer classes with an 18 week semester, as three semesters would be 54 weeks, without a break.

spiderjericho

powerfool wrote: »

Semesters are 12 weeks each, at least for this program.

Sigh. UMUC. Not looking forward to long semesters again. Are your finals just papers or do try club you over the head with test and paper like the undergraduate program?

And if the program is six classes, it's not so bad. On paper, I like WGU MSIS program more, but I prefer legitimacy when I have to sit down with a recruiter.

cybernate

If it is not convenient for you to go in for face-to-face learning, I would definately recommend the UMUC masters in Cyber security. I just completed the first 3 courses with no breaks and I'm exhausted. I decided to take the summer off to regroup and charge my batteries before tackling the next course (Penetration Testing). If you have never taken online classes before, it will be a little of an adjustment. You have to be self-motivated and I try to accomplish a portion of the weekly assignment(s) each day. The last thing you want to do is to wait til the last day to write a 15 page paper on comparing and contrasting 3 different corporate privacy policies. While this might have been somewhat doable back in the day, nowadays you have to submit your paper to turnitin.com to check as to whether or not the paper is your original ideas or that you plagerized. If you do not score high enough on turnitin, you have to make changes to your paper and resubmit.

Also, like another poster mentioned, you get out of the courses what you put in. I'm definately an overachiever and I made it a point to at least skim all of the assigned reading (which in some cases was as much as 13 chapters in 1 week not to mention deliverables). The way I see it, yeah I might could get by without doing the reading and possible still get an "A" but I'm taking the courses to learn the material and not just for a piece of paper. If anyone has any specific questions about the UMUC Cybersecurity program, bring it!

Jim

cybernate

The 12 weeks definately are long. Of course, once you're ready to check out after week 8 you can't since you still have a major team project due and possibly a final. From my experience taking the 1st 3 courses, the technical courses have essay finals while the policy course had an extra paper in lieu of a final. The 3rd class in the technical track only had 1 individual paper which was great. However, the team assignment was quite involved and really made the group think and come to a consensus. It was a good learning experience.

Jim

spiderjericho

Thanks for the info Jim. It sounds like the UMUC of old.

I remember having a team assignment in undergrad technical writing and it was a horrible experience.

And I've taken their essay finals before and due to the school's format and not clearly laying out objectives versus these are the chapters you have to read, it makes it difficult to prepare for them unless you have teacher intervention. I would just blabber on endlessly.

Valsacar

Yuck, team assignments.

Now, someone explain to me how UMUC is more legitimate than WGU?

spiderjericho

I can only speak on my experience, but it's set up like a traditional school in that it requires the student to actively participate in class discussions (usually posting three or more substantial posts in the conferences/weekly threads), submit several writing assignments, a certain level of pages read during the term, a final exam, either a test or writing project (for undergrad, it was usually a final exam + final writing assignment). The semesters used to be 16 weeks for undergrad (they might be 8 now), so it was like an attending a normal brick and mortar spring semester.

It was like a giant kick in the nuts, as it seemed like to be legitimate versus your Univ of Phoenix, ITT, AMU, etc, it tried to be this hardcore school.

I got my first undergrad there. I like WGU, but some may question the objective-based model and the quickness a student can complete the degree.

petedude

Valsacar wrote: »

Yuck, team assignments.

Now, someone explain to me how UMUC is more legitimate than WGU?

I didn't read that correctly at first, then I realized the sarcasm.

Say this three times and click your heels: "It is a state school." From that they draw whatever. . . legitimacy people assign.

To be fair, most people don't realize that there ARE team assignments at WGU, just fewer and a little more subtle. You have some team stuff in the bachelor's Java course, and there are some team assignments in the MBA programs (or so I'm told).

Team assignments are a big thing at the college level as they're a partial substitute for a formal Platonic model. Instead of sitting around conversing with a prof and other students, you're busily clubbing fellow students over their heads to finish their portion of the work. Some substitute.

spiderjericho

petedude wrote: »

Say this three times and click your heels: "It is a state school." From that they draw whatever. . . legitimacy people assign.

To be fair, most people don't realize that there ARE team assignments at WGU, just fewer and a little more subtle. You have some team stuff in the bachelor's Java course, and there are some team assignments in the MBA programs (or so I'm told).D

Is this sort of like Univ of Phoenix?

HLRS

Valsacar wrote: »

Yuck, team assignments.

Now, someone explain to me how UMUC is more legitimate than WGU?

UMUC has a real campus

HLRS

Does anyone questions your BA from UMUC? its legit right?

doobies

HLRS wrote: »

Does anyone questions your BA from UMUC? its legit right?

i don't wanna be a bubble burster. But we in my shop just had this conversation about the marketing from this school today. TO me.. its not right how they market it.. like your gonna graduate a cyber warrior and just be picked up by someone for a cyber job just like that.

The real world doesn't work like that... and a lotta people graduate from this program to have expectations not be met and feelings crushed. I won't say to stop taking classes there.. but if your plan is to use a degree from here as an entry in to security.. .you better adjust fire and find and internship or some ojt somehow before you get out...

and fyi... no such aminal as an cyber warrior. no ones wielding keyboards like samuri swords.

masters... NO... undergrad... yea.. get a mba or something u can use in the case that you don't like security or can't find ajob in it.... just my 10cents.

Valsacar

HLRS wrote: »

UMUC has a real campus

And that has bearing on its legitimacy how?

shredwithred

Hey All,
So, i'm a complete newb, and would love some insight. I love technology and I'm looking to advance my skills in either IT or cyber security. I have my degree in computer animation, but jobs are hard to come by. And I'm finding it might be easier to find a more lucrative profession in IT or cyber security since I live in the DC area.

Can someone maybe give me some insight on which route to go with. They both intrigue me. I'm just not sure which way to go. Cyber Security seems really interesting, but I would like to get a job upon completion. I feel IT is better suited for that. Also, what schools would you recoommend for both fields? UMUC? UMBC? Montgomery College? Another online school?

Thanks in advance for the replies.

arunictrichloride

shredwithred wrote: »

Hey All,
So, i'm a complete newb, and would love some insight. I love technology and I'm looking to advance my skills in either IT or cyber security. I have my degree in computer animation, but jobs are hard to come by. And I'm finding it might be easier to find a more lucrative profession in IT or cyber security since I live in the DC area.

Can someone maybe give me some insight on which route to go with. They both intrigue me. I'm just not sure which way to go. Cyber Security seems really interesting, but I would like to get a job upon completion. I feel IT is better suited for that. Also, what schools would you recoommend for both fields? UMUC? UMBC? Montgomery College? Another online school?

Thanks in advance for the replies.

Exact same position here. Graduated with a BFA in Computer Animation. Worked for about a year as a small time animator/film editor for $12/hr and then started missing IT - by true destiny. Now I am in Active Duty Army, and Im planning to enroll in UMUC's Cyber Security program. I've read a few bad reviews in the past couple days that I have researched UMUC, but overall it does sound promising. The fact that there is a UMUC rep available on post to help me answer my questions is a plus point at the moment as well. I think I'll go ahead. Can you post updates on whether you went ahead with your cyber security plans?

srabiee

Is UMUC a non-profit institution? I tried to use Google but couldn't find an answer.

jensmith592

You could say this about any school in the world! What college student doesn't have high "expectations" when they graduate? What College doesn't use promotions, marketing, and false promises? Have you ever heard a school say when you graduate you wont find a job??? Neither have I Who goes to school and spends 40k a year to graduate and not have a job? Nobody but it happens ever so often. Its difficult anyway in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area a degree or not. You have University of Maryland and about 10 other colleges a rock throw away. So how can you really compete (with other graduates) ..well its going to come down to more than the piece of paper. I am neutral, but like I saw a few days ago on another post and never responded to is this----> I have never ever ever ever heard of WGU until I got on this forum (not knocking it). Not going to say anything good or bad but doobies I am in N. VA and saying WGU is like saying whatapopulasiszaber people are going to be like what is that? Sometimes you cant graduate from any ole university and get an entry into security unless you are a graduate of one of the "well known" colleges. read the thread of the guy that didn't get the job because of the school he went to. That happens regularly and I mean regularly I just don't think he should of been told it. Lets say I graduated from George Mason you think if I see another GMU resume it isn't going to the top of the pile for at least consideration? Not saying its morally right or wrong but if you think it doesn't happen you were born on Jupiter.Moral of the story every college advertises in a unique special way. I know people on my team that are making 40K+ more than me without a college degree and that's a lot of money. Its a female in my office who graduated from Strayer ( not knocking it) that's making way more than me. Jens Final Thought: It takes more than a degree. A degree isn't the only factor taken into consideration when obtaining a position.

doobies wrote: »

i don't wanna be a bubble burster. But we in my shop just had this conversation about the marketing from this school today. TO me.. its not right how they market it.. like your gonna graduate a cyber warrior and just be picked up by someone for a cyber job just like that.

The real world doesn't work like that... and a lotta people graduate from this program to have expectations not be met and feelings crushed. I won't say to stop taking classes there.. but if your plan is to use a degree from here as an entry in to security.. .you better adjust fire and find and internship or some ojt somehow before you get out...

and fyi... no such aminal as an cyber warrior. no ones wielding keyboards like samuri swords.

masters... NO... undergrad... yea.. get a mba or something u can use in the case that you don't like security or can't find ajob in it.... just my 10cents.

ramrunner800

srabiee wrote: »

Is UMUC a non-profit institution? I tried to use Google but couldn't find an answer.

It is a state school, which brief research said means non-profit, but there could be exceptions I didn't find.

Radar_Love

I was fortunate enough to share a name with a VP of the executive C level staffing arm of our company and wound up with a lot of his email. Was considering an MBA at the time so posed him the question of accreditation, and was surprised to learn they work backwards from what you think, Regionally accrediting is the best, which is what UMUC is. National is pretty darn low, and International accreditation is not worth the paper it's printed on. Plus you have the programs being blessed by the NSA and Homeland Security.

AND you have to look at each degree program, just because a school has a Regionally accredited Cybersecurity program does not mean its MBA program is too. Do your due diligence.

I've been in IT since the 80's, been laid off several times but never had a single day of not being employed since I hit the job market. A degree is what you make of it, you can't graduate and expect to kick back working 40 hour weeks raking in the dough.

UMUC is well known in the government sector, I get a lot of emails from about 300 miles around the DC area, so they must be doing something right. My current employer is not from the northeast, yet they seem to like this degree just fine.

Screaming Candle

I finished my bachelors at UMUC after a hodge-podge that included 4 years at University of Florida and University of Maryland. Was the BS as good? Probably not, but I'd gotten a job and had a few years under my belt before I was done so it didn't hurt me. This was in '97 by the way.

I'm now doing MS Cyber Security. Again, this legitimizes my already extensive work experience (I haven't been idle for 20 years - oh god! I'm OLD!). I'd have to say that my experience mirrors others. The degree is fine, but it will be your effort that pays off in the workforce. It's easy enough to skate to a B - not trivial, but it can be done - but getting an A is difficult and proves that you actually learned something.

This is an accredited institution and is essentially the night school of UM, which is how I got here. The courses are real and the degree is real. I have no idea about WUG, but it looks like a sham to me. I'm also highly skeptical of University of Phoenix. Some may discount UMUC because they advertise in the DC area. That might be valid, but how else are you supposed to know something exists without advertising?

I'm not done with this degree, but I have one single observation. No degree guarantees you a job and no paper is a substitute for doing the work. UMUC is recognized by my employer and by my federal government managers as being valid enough to give me assignments related to cyber security but I have to complete those assignments. That's the bottom line.