Thoughts on graduate certificate programs?

I'll be finishing up WGU soon and looking to extend my education. I'm kind of wanting to attend a B&M and live in South Carolina. My Associates and Bachelors were done online some I'm looking to add in a B&M to have a nice blend of both.

I found this program: Graduate Certificate Program in Information Assurance and Security | Computer Science and Engineering at the University of South Carolina

My question is, since this isn't actually a degree and is a "graduate certificate" would it be worth it all? Would I be better off getting my masters from WGU or some other online program?

These are the courses for those that don't want to click:

Core courses:

CSCE 522 – Information Systems Security Principles (3 credit hours) (syllabus)
CSCE 715 – Network Security (3 credit hours) (syllabus)
CSCE 727 – Information Warfare (3 credit hours) (syllabus)

Elective courses:

CSCE 517 – Computer Crime and Forensics (3 credit hours) (syllabus)
CSCE 557 – Introduction to Cryptography (3 credit hours) (syllabus)
CSCE 548 – Secure Software Construction (3 credit hours) (syllabus)
CSCE 716 – Design for Reliability (3 credit hours) (syllabus)
CSCE 717 – Computer Systems Performance and Reliability Analysis
- (3 credit hours) (syllabus)
CSCE 813 – Internet Security (3 credit hours) (syllabus)
CSCE 814 – Distributed Systems Security (3 credit hours) (syllabus)
CSCE 824 – Secure Databases (3 credit hours) (syllabus)
CSCE 853 – Formal Models of Information Security (3 credit hours) (syllabus)
CSCE 790 – Seminar – Advanced Topics in Computer Security (3 credit hours)

Example topics:

Wireless security
XML security
Security in mobile computing
Authentication and Access Control Models
Agent-based system security
Survivable systems

The program is also CNSS and NSA certified:

The Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) and the National Security Agency (NSA) have certified that University of South Carolina offers a set of courseware that has been reviewed by National Level Information Assurance Subject Matter Experts and determined to meet National Training Standard for Information Systems Security Professionals, NSTISSI No. 4011, 4013 and 401

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Comments

jmasterj206

I don't think graduate certificates are bad. The only thing I would be sure of that they are "for credit". If you then decided to get your Master's you have a good portion already finished.

veritas_libertas

I was not aware that USC offered something like this. Nice find.

kgb

If you have to take all 13 of those classes that is pretty much the amount required for a masters degree. If that's the case, I personally would get a masters degree versus the certificate.

the_Grinch

I'd do it, if they offer a Masters as well. A lot of times if you complete the certificate they will waive the normal graduate school requirements (GRE, Essay, etc). Plus if it is for credit then you can complete the Masters degree if you want too. I think it will definitely help you as it is still graduate level work and if you trying to get into the security field then it will help with that (on top of experience, etc).

kurosaki00

Depaul University offers a IPv6 certificate program that is pretty damn good.
I'm talking configure BGP in IPv6, configure and understand dual stack and migration technologies, understand IPv6 addressing (like conversion of physical address to IPv6), IPv6 packets and more. Its very thorough.
And you get certified in IPv6 Forum Certified Certification (Silver) if you pass the course (and a final exam).

powerfool

I didn't look too much at the program, but I will give general thoughts on graduate certificates:

1) I think they are a great option to help further your knowledge
2) I think they are a great option to help distinguish you from those with a BS/BA
3) I think they are uber great if they feed into a full masters program
4) It is a great option if you want to further your education but you aren't sure if you can commit to the time length of a masters program.

Positive, all around. Unless you already have one graduate degree, I would avoid grad certificates that don't feed into a masters program.

dt3k

Thank your the responses. I sent the departmental head some of the questions that you guys raised. Much to my excitement, some of the classes are actually offered online through their APOGEE program.

DPG

kurosaki00 wrote: »

Depaul University offers a IPv6 certificate program that is pretty damn good.
I'm talking configure BGP in IPv6, configure and understand dual stack and migration technologies, understand IPv6 addressing (like conversion of physical address to IPv6), IPv6 packets and more. Its very thorough.
And you get certified in IPv6 Forum Certified Certification (Silver) if you pass the course (and a final exam).

$2,000 for a 10 week IPv6 class?!

kgb

the_Grinch wrote: »

I'd do it, if they offer a Masters as well. A lot of times if you complete the certificate they will waive the normal graduate school requirements (GRE, Essay, etc)...

I totally forgot that aspect of it.

RoyalRaven

I started with pursuing a masters in general technical studies while attempting to get a grad cert in InfoSec. In the end, the cert program I originally started dissolved at my school (Eastern Michigan) into an actual concentration that many students now take in their masters path. I rounded out everything beyond my basic requirements with InfoSec-related classes and ended up with the actual degree. In my case specifically, I was able to make the CISSP the capstone of my degree (no pass, no degree...lol)...but in the end, I'm doing well with a grad degree and great cert which definately worked out better than just a graduate certificate.

If you're going to put the effort in for a certification version, might as well catch the few others you might need to have a masters. The actual degree is something that will stick lifelong, regardless if the technology you learned becomes obsolete.

Best option is to find one that directly feeds a masters degree - that gives you the most flexibility and is a milestone on the path to the full degree.

Iristheangel

I've actually seen these certificates before at Stanford. I'm thinking about picking one of these two up one day:
Strategic Decision and Risk Management Certificate | Stanford University Online

Advanced Computer Security Certificate | Stanford University Online

I'm sure I'd learn a lot but it'd be an even bigger perk to have "Stanford" on my resume. I'll probably get around to one of these next year and maybe I'll write up a review for it when the time comes but I wouldn't do it over getting a real graduate degree