Masters in MIS vs Masters in Information Security and Assurance

So, I am currently debating on when and where I should get a masters degree. Two programs that come to mind are the University of Alabama at Birmingham masters in MIS online. The other is MSISA from western governors university. The MIS masters at UAB is relatively new and has only started being offered this year and there still isn't much information about it. Here are the pros and cons:

MS MIS:

Pro - More generalized, has 3 specializations (IT management, information security, and web/mobile app development).
Cons- Requires/Requests 3 year work experience minimum, not as technical as MSISA, more expensive (1,070/credit).

MS ISA:

Pro - Specialized set of skills, more technical (incorporates CCENT and CISSP, unlike MS MIS which incorporates CISSP), probably more useful for network/systems administration, less expensive.
Con - Might be limiting since it specifically is a MS degree in Information Security and Assurance (although I could probably list it on my resume as an IT degree) and because of not having an undergraduate degree in computer - related field it might be a hindrance, probably will not have doors open to other fields (i.e. database administration)

I personally believe that it's not the name of the degree that matters, but rather the content. I always prefer a degree that is flexible and teaches something worthwile. Since my undergrad major was not technical I would rather go for a technical masters. I don't have a job yet, but based on the certifications I am going for it seems I am heading into and IT role where an understanding of security will be useful.

Here is the brochure for UAB's program

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Comments

sratakhin

Did you look at Auburn University? I recently found it and their program looks very solid.

DissonantData

Yes I saw Auburn's MSIS Online program. Most of their courses seem to be based on business analysis and data analysis. There are courses on database administration and one on information assurance, which I like.

dmoore44

I would say you should choose the path that interests you the most. If you're more interested in technical roles and responsibilities, then you would be better served getting a technical degree. If you're more interested in going the management route, then the MIS degree would be a better option.

One other thought/opinion: if you're interested in a technical degree, you might want to consider a path other than security. You'll learn a greater degree of technical detail if you pick an engineering path (i.e. network engineering, software engineering) or straight up compsci. The proficiency you want to gain from a technical degree is how a piece of software or hardware works, not which boxes to check in order to get it running.

Mike-Mike

I was dead set on WGU's MSISA, but recently got into Software Testing, so I was looking at Masters more related to that, but they are few and far between

DissonantData

Dmoore, wouldn't IT/CIS/MIS be considered a technical degree as well? What I understand is that a BS in CS is probably going to get you the same *entry level* jobs as IT/CIS/MIS. Just because you learn compiler theory doesn't mean that you will be creating a compiler in real life at a F500 company. The reason you might get more technical jobs with a CS degree is because you are exposed to more technical classes (i.e. Algorithms, Data Structures, Assembly/OS, Databases). However, if you have an IT/IS degree you might still be able to get these types of jobs provided you also taken some CS classes.

Mike, maybe the MSISA can get you into application security testing? Perhaps I'm not experienced enough to answer you question, but IT jobs require a variety of skills, security being in high demand. Perhaps you could look into an MS in Software Engineering if you're interested in development.

I just recently had a good idea. Perhaps going to WGU for a second BSIT-Security and an MS in Management Information Systems would be a useful option. That way I could obtain technical skills that many IS majors lack. Although my CS minor probably makes up for this. It's a huge turnoff that 3 years work experience is required for the UAB MIS program. And if you don't have a degree in CS/IT/IS, they might make you take the bridge program which is an additional 6,000-7,000 dollars in cost.

Mike-Mike

DissonantData wrote: »

Mike, maybe the MSISA can get you into application security testing? Perhaps I'm not experienced enough to answer you question, but IT jobs require a variety of skills, security being in high demand. Perhaps you could look into an MS in Software Engineering if you're interested in development.

Yeah I think maybe get a Masters Certificate in Software Testing, but the actual degree from WGU in MSISA

dmoore44

DissonantData wrote: »

Dmoore, wouldn't IT/CIS/MIS be considered a technical degree as well? What I understand is that a BS in CS is probably going to get you the same *entry level* jobs as IT/CIS/MIS. Just because you learn compiler theory doesn't mean that you will be creating a compiler in real life at a F500 company. The reason you might get more technical jobs with a CS degree is because you are exposed to more technical classes (i.e. Algorithms, Data Structures, Assembly/OS, Databases). However, if you have an IT/IS degree you might still be able to get these types of jobs provided you also taken some CS classes.

I view IT focused degrees as a more focused subset of the larger compsci field, so they're fairly technical. My problem with such a degree is that it usually starts to focus on which boxes to check in order to configure a given piece of technology - which is evident by the number of 'Configuring Microsoft Server' and 'Implementing Active Directory' classes in an IT program. In retrospect, I wish I would have taken more useful classes like the generically titled 'Operating Systems' class - why? Because you learn about kernel structure, process and memory management, threads, and all sorts of other useful concepts that apply across operating systems.

As for CIS/MIS types degrees - I have a particular distaste for them. I think they were set up by schools for students who waffle on choosing a major. They're supposed to be a hybrid course of study that blends business and compsci, but since CIS/MIS are attempting to cover two disciplines worth of material, they fail. In my estimation, CIS/MIS doesn't adequately prepare a student for either a business or IT role because the program (by design) only hints the tip of the icebergs.

But to answer you more directly, I would consider an IT degree a technical degree. And I would consider CIS/MIS a degree with technical components. And honestly, if I were in a hiring role, I would probably consider individuals with a CIS/MIS degree only for business related roles (i.e. have them start in data entry in a finance/budget department) unless they had some sort of technical cert as well. I consider individuals with IT degrees to be technically competent and would hire them in at help desk/NOC positions, while I would consider individuals with a compsci degree capable of handling an entry level developer position or help desk/NOC.

DissonantData

Mike, if you're planning to go into software, why are you pursuing an MSISA anyways?

Dmoore, at least an IT degree teaches you which boxes to check. At least an MIS/CIS degree gives you some understanding of business that many CS students lack. These days it seems that MIS/CIS degrees are becoming more popular even for technical roles (in the US, not sure about other countries), although certifications are important. I wonder if MIS/CIS will replace IT? Also, one thing I have noticed is that an understanding of finance is useful in the IT world, even for technical jobs. Double majoring in CS/IT/IS and finance could be useful.

dmoore44

DissonantData wrote: »

...at least an IT degree teaches you which boxes to check...

I know - that's part of the problem. Knowing which boxes to check doesn't do a tech any good if they don't have any idea as to WHY they need to check that box. Knowing the details behind the decision is what makes a tech a "technical" person.

DissonantData wrote: »

Also, one thing I have noticed is that an understanding of finance is useful in the IT world, even for technical jobs.

I don't disagree with you. I spent my enlistment as a contracts specialist, and continued to work in contracts management after I got out of the Air Force. I learned a LOT about the federal budgeting process - from appropriations to expenditures and everything in between. It helps a lot in understanding various decisions made by management, or in helping to justify giving me money for certain requirements... but that knowledge isn't really useful when I'm attempting to identify which functions are implemented by a certain DLL or shared object and how I can import those functions in a script.

And, one more opinion: it's more valuable for someone interested in a management career to pursue a CIS/MIS degree than someone interested in a engineering (i.e. technical) career. My reasoning: a manager exposed to technical details will have a better idea of how to manage and make effective use of it than one who was not exposed. An engineer who doesn't have a good grasp on the theory of the technology they're dealing with, and implementation thereof, won't be able to do their job as effectively (and probably won't rise very high on the pay scale).