Cyber Security Bachlor Degree

Does anyone have any information of recomendations on Bachlor degree programs in Cyber Security? It looks like I found two online programs however not really sure how these schools check out. I am also in Canada and Work a full time job. I am looking for distance learning options. Are these courses worth the money? Is there a better program?

Here are two I found on google before posting.
http://www.umuc.edu/cybersecurity/index.cfm

Online Cyber Security Bachelors Programs | Online Cyber Security Bachelors Degree | US News

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BlackBeret

UMUC is popular, especially in the government and military circles. I'm considering them myself.

Another one that seems to be popular (but after having taken classes from the I'm not a fan of) is The University of Advancing Technology (UAT).

philz1982

I'm going to DSU (Dakota State University) and I like their Cyber Security Masters program just about to finish my first semester.

And they are dirt cheap

Dose

I'm in the same situation as the OP. I haven't seen many universities offering a bachelors in Cyber Security. I am currently setup to start taking classes at UMUC as I have a coworker currently working on his there. He hasn't spoken negatively of the school yet and seems happy about his decision so far.

One thing I would like to hear more about is I was given information to check out Western Governors University as you earn certifications as you complete your courses plus obtain your bachelors degree. The degree isn't Cyber Security though. Their degrees are in Information Technology but they do have one for IT security.

My buddy told me he has to complete 12 credits every six months. If he exceeds that timeline I believe he said they dis enroll you.

This is straight off their site:
This program incorporates 14 industry recognized IT certifications as part of your degree program. You will study for and complete the following certification exams (which are all included in your tuition—a huge cost savings for you):

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA®)
Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA® Security)
Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT)
CIW Web Design Specialist
CIW JavaScript Specialist
CIW Database Design Specialist
CIW Web Foundations Associate
CompTIA A+
CompTIA Project+
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Linux+
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Windows OS Fundamentals
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Software Development Fundamentals
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Database Administration Fundamentals

If you have completed any of these certs you are given credit.

Dose

I just saw that there was a WGU thread. I should get on this site more.

JDMurray

WGU really makes their student go through the CIW and MTA certs? Most certification-based vocational IT schools I know of have dropped (or rejected teaching) those certs as not practical for getting an IT job.

+1 for UMUC. I would have gotten their Masters in Cybersecurity 100% paid for had I stayed at my last job.

NovaHax

B&M schools, for the most part, tend to have better security programs (assuming you aren't attending a for-profit school). But if you have to go with an online program...UMUC has a solid reputation. I've known a few people who have attended there and have heard mostly good things.

BlackBeret

There's also a sticky thread on all of the schools that offer cyber security degrees somewhere.

Jinverar

Great thread, Thanks guys.

I also found this link. I was wondering if this course was the same as the university of Maryland course. Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity | Maryland Cybersecurity Center Currently I am looking for a bachelors of Cyber Security or Information Technology. The issue is I am looking for more technical courses than theory. I called the University of Maryland and they are sending me some details tomorrow. It's about 750$ USD per class. I'm not sure if you get certified out of some. The also have some prior learning options for experience.

I looked into more threads on the website and found some useful information but nothing solid on recommended schools.

J

kiki162

Jinverar -

I'd look into that if they had an online option -1 for UMD.

JHU has a MS program too (Online Learning | Johns Hopkins University Engineering for Professionals), but the cost is $3530 a course.

PSU classes are $825 per credit. +1 for PSU!

dbrink

Dakota State is about $1200 per class (3 credit hours) so it isn't bad at all. Definitely one of the reasons I chose them.

philz1982

dbrink wrote: »

Dakota State is about $1200 per class (3 credit hours) so it isn't bad at all. Definitely one of the reasons I chose them.

I really like the hands on approach at DSU. So far in my Forensics class I did a full forensics case with FTK, I imaged a computer for Malware with RedLine and I am doing forensics on my Galaxy S4 right now (kinda hard because I have my phone encrypted...)

dbrink

philz1982 wrote: »

I really like the hands on approach at DSU. So far in my Forensics class I did a full forensics case with FTK, I imaged a computer for Malware with RedLine and I am doing forensics on my Galaxy S4 right now (kinda hard because I have my phone encrypted...)

Ha Ha!! I just realized you are in my class right now.....

I also chose DSU because the curriculum seemed to be more technical than some of the other programs I had looked at.

philz1982

Send me a PM with your name so we can connect.

-Phil

Jinverar

HA-Ha to funny finding Co-workers for the same class

I do like the Dakota State University course. I was looking at the Bachelor of Science in Cyber Operations. Bachelor of Science in Computer and Network Security, Programs and Majors, Dakota State University, Madison SD

Is that the entry level degree vice the Masters? I imagen the BS in CS is a undergraduate program? 1200 per course seems a bit expensive. Is the BS fully online? I noticed the DSU is only 69 credits vice UCML is like 130 gredits. Is that where the price savings are?

I wonder what the difference in TECHY courses between U Mary Land and DSU. I understand that cyber is not just techy courses. Are the courses geared for defensive or offensive ops? Do they teach much about different countrys using cyber for warfare?

philz1982

Online for Bachelors is

$950.55 per class.
Relatively cheap for a bachelors

The 69 credits assumes your lower level 100 and 200 courses.

Read here :

List of Centers of Academic Excellence for Cyber Operations

[h=2]List of Centers of Academic Excellence for Cyber Operations[/h]

Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Ohio
Auburn University, Alabama
Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania
Dakota State University, South Dakota
Mississippi State University, Mississippi
Naval Postgraduate School, California
Northeastern University, Massachusetts
University of Tulsa, Oklahoma

SephStorm

You mentioned UAT, i've heard of some issues with it, what can u tell us?

YFZblu

I've worked with three people from UAT, and they have all been on-point on the technical side of security. I think in recent years their program has been a little 'blackhat' for my taste, but it seems to be good stuff. Though I have heard there's been a changing of the guard, and the quality of instructor has deteriorated recently.

Cisc0kidd

University of Maryland is a top tier school. The UC branch does not have the same reputation but is servicable and is Regionally Accredited which is essential! Yes WGU has you do some lower certs along with the higher ones. It doesn't seem to be an issue.

bobloblaw

JDMurray wrote: »

WGU really makes their student go through the CIW and MTA certs? Most certification-based vocational IT schools I know of have dropped (or rejected teaching) those certs as not practical for getting an IT job.

They're all for the entry level CU's though. It's almost like an Intro to Micro or an Intro to Databases, etc. They're not practical certifications, but I guess they're vetted entry level good enough for entry courses/credits. They do let you substitute seemingly much more difficult certifications for those tomato can CIW/MTA certs.

Most of the BS-IT concentrations are relatively weak. The most difficult thing they have looks like the ones that require CCNA/CCNA:Security. You'd pretty much have to make them more difficult by adding a MCSA, MCSE, RHCSA, RHCE, etc. that will essentially CLEP the lower level credits.

SephStorm

YFZblu wrote: »

I've worked with three people from UAT, and they have all been on-point on the technical side of security. I think in recent years their program has been a little 'blackhat' for my taste, but it seems to be good stuff. Though I have heard there's been a changing of the guard, and the quality of instructor has deteriorated recently.

mmm. Interesting. I had heard that their ground course was pretty good, but their online program wasn't up to spec. Honestly I hope they turn it around.

BlackBeret

The programs at UAT were solid from a technical stand point, however the online course was essentially based around forum posts and tests or papers. The grading standards weren't high, or I was just a great student.

The issues I had at UAT stemmed from the administrative side, and while that shouldn't impact a course, it does. The cost was ridiculous IMO, the administrative portion seemed to be run by clowns, and even the VA office was ass backwards, with 3 reps in 3 years. All of the online instructors had full time jobs elsewhere, mostly in IT, they seemed interested, but a bit too busy for the classes. Most of the instructors spent more time promoting themselves, "Here's my personal website with my biography, my books for sale (Which are required reading for this class), and how awesome I am."

It was basically self taught, buy the book, read the material, there will be a slideshow with specific information to focus on. Chat on the forums, write the paper/take the test, and you're good. It's on the students to put in the work to learn, or do the minimum and still ace the class.

Jinverar

Found another one with algonquin colledge in Canada. I am looking for a bit more information on IT Security degrees with Algonquin coledge. I will write more soon. Computer Systems Technology

swild

Dollar for dollar you can't beat WGU. After Pell grant and scholarship I spent $1200 on 60 credit hours to finish my degree. The IT Security focus is still pretty good but they have dropped al the good MS certs for the other concentrations because the pass rate was too low. The one thing that was missing was a scripting language.

Clem25

I'm pretty interested in the Dakota St BS cyber Operations, do they offer an Online program for this? How would you compare the WGU BS IT Security vs Dakota St BS Cyber Operations?

YFZblu

SephStorm wrote: »

mmm. Interesting. I had heard that their ground course was pretty good, but their online program wasn't up to spec. Honestly I hope they turn it around.

Yeah - I live in Arizona and the people I'm referring to all attended the ground campus.

philz1982

Clem25 wrote: »

I'm pretty interested in the Dakota St BS cyber Operations, do they offer an Online program for this? How would you compare the WGU BS IT Security vs Dakota St BS Cyber Operations?

Programs, Office of Extended Programs, Dakota State University, Madison, SD

Clem25

Thanks.

MelanieWatson

Do you need to take a degree course to be qualified in cyber security? There's other options out there too, like the 3-day ISO27001 Lead Implementer Online Course (ISO27001 Certified ISMS Lead Implementer Online).

ISO 27001 is internationally recognized as the cyber security standard and provides a suitable ISMS for its management. This Lead Implementer course will prove to your employees/future employees that you are capable of implementing an ISO27001-compliant ISMS for their organization's cyber security management.

Not saying this is the right option for everyone, but it may be good for those that want to update their infosec skill set and gain a recognized qualification.

Good luck!

BlackBeret

And it looks like UAT was dropped from the NSA list of Centers of Academic Excellence. Looking at the course listings, I can see why. Academic Requirements for Designation as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations - NSA/CSS

JDMurray

University of Advancing Technology (UAT) is a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education, not Cyber Operations.

And UAT is currently listed in the NSA/CSS Centers of Academic Excellence.