Educational Crossroad

the_Grinch

As most of you know I have been accepted to graduate school for a Masters in Information Systems. Currently I am set to start in the Spring, but I am questioning the value in getting the MSIS. My school offers another program, a Masters in Library and Information Science with a concentration in Competitive Intelligence and Knowledge Management. This has caught my eye as it is a very interesting program, ranked very high in the country, and offers a bit of a change for me education wise. They offer an option to come out with two Masters (one in IS and one in LIS), but given that I only receive $8000 a year for education it would take forever to complete. I was set to change, but then a wrinkle was thrown in by my counselor. I need to follow up with him, but he stated that they had evaluated my transcripts and waivered the three required distribution courses. I suspect that since I had a concentration in Computer Security for my undergraduate degree and took all the same courses they offer that is why they were waivered. I need to follow up in that I'm not sure if that means I just need to complete the foundation courses and then I would be done. If that's the case, it would mean only have to take ten courses for my Masters.

My thought is cool get done earlier, but at the same time I question how much more about technology I will learn. Also, I tend to believe a lot of things I could pick up on my own through self study. Thoughts?

ptilsen

Based on what I've read on the infallible source of all Internet knowldege, a Masters in Library and Information Science is essentially just for librarians. I guess I'm not sure I see the point (unless you want to be a librarian), but maybe I'm missing something.

Also, ten courses is a lot. My entire CS undergrad is nine courses, not counting the pre-reqs and generals.

the_Grinch

Master of Science in Library and Information Science < 2012-2013 Catalog | Drexel University

Those are the courses taken for the program. I look at it more from a perspective of being able to properly catalog and access all the information that organizations tend to collect. I figure from the business intelligence standpoint, this could definitely be a good step.

GAngel

As mentioned already that's not really an IT degree just lumped in because it has no where to go. Its not related to BI except in the most general of senses. Whatever was your first choice was probably the right one. Don't second guess yourself the name of the degree doesn't matter as much as the skills you apply in your job.

ptilsen

I really am not seeing a big benefit to it. You might learn some valuable skills, but you'd get more out of MS in computer science, information assurance, etc. or maybe an MBA. Even if it were free to do quickly and you have lots of free time, the extra classes don't seem worth it to me.

the_Grinch

Thanks for all the replies guys! I spoke with my advisor and have decided to stay with the MSIS. As I said, if I want I can do a dual Masters so that is an option. I was waived from three foundation courses and they've tacked them on as distribution requirements (these are concentration courses). Again, thanks for the help!!!