Crossroads Decision: WGU MSITM or MSCSIA Grad Degree

[OgaLearner]

Great Degree hacking folks, good evening,

Just found out about this forum only today while trying to make up my mind between taking WGU's MSITM program or the MSCSIA one.(Found out about WGU's existence & their unconventional and cool CBE-style only just this past Tuesday night and completed my application package within 2days - fastest school program I have ever enrolled for in my life that didnt require refence letters, or annoying statement of intent letters as if me deciding to fork our cash to want to enroll in a masters voluntarily isn't enough intent that you truly want it but traditional universities are still stuck in the stone ages. I was completing my application while still conducting research to find out how accredited and real WGU was, and if the stories of the graduates are really true)

I have a BSc. in Computer Engineeing, with a decade of work experience in Tech, software, consulting, and telecoms. I currently lead projects as a Technical Project Manager for a Cybersecurity Operations team for over 1yr now.

I have had my sights set on doing my Masters for close to a decade now but either cost or the thought of simply maxing out my bachelors degree for as long as possible to see how far it'd take me in my career before I decide it's usefulness is done, and it's the right time to for me to get a Masters, is what has pushed me away from taking the next step all this while.

I am so rebellious that I've never taken an IT cert in my entire Tech career as I've never liked the concept of certifications when my work experience could vouch for me knowing how to get the job done well.

I'm in a humble spot right now and with my current foray into Cyber by nature of my job; managing all sorts of Cybersecurity projects and initiatives, and I am really evaluating if it's smart for me to pigeonhole myself into the Cybersecurity Tech domain and specialize in it and continue building myself as a Tech leader with a good Cybersecurity grounding, or if I should keep my options a bit more open and chart the course of the IT Management Masters @ WGU which I see has a project management course(even though the cert it offers is the CAPM, which is lesser than the actual offical PMP cert which is a lot more regarded in my role.)

Being that cost is one of the factors I consider, and i have zero Cybersecurity, project management or IT certifications and have done pretty fine for the over a decade in my career working for various enterprise firm across the world,

I don't want to spend the full 2yrs(4 terms) I would need if I intend on taking all the WGU required courses and passing the certs while taking the Cyber degree in WGU, and I can't speedhack it as I don't have any courses or Cyber certs that I can transfer over to speed up my completion time

My question would be, I would like to hear from mid-level, senior-level tech management individuals who have taken either or both programs and can help guide me on which program might make more sense long-term and how I can go about completing whichever masters degree I pick in 2 terms(max).

I can commit 10-15hrs/week to study and do the classes during the work week once I close from work and make 8- during the weekend. But I'd appreciate perspectives to look at this from and advice.

I saw WGU advertise e a $5,000 scholarship if I follow the Cybersecurity masters but I haven't read more t into it, and if the same scholarship applies to the MS IT Management.



NB: Apologies for the long first post, but I like to add color and context to my questions, so it paints the full picture of my scenario.

[allvia]

Have you considered the WGU MBA-ITM rather than the MS-ITM? The MBA-ITM may cast the widest opportunity net (aka, the least pigeon hole option) https://www.wgu.edu/resources/degree-com...msitm.html

[OgaLearner]

Have you considered the WGU MBA-ITM rather than the MS-ITM? The MBA-ITM may cast the widest opportunity net (aka, the least pigeon hole option) https://www.wgu.edu/resources/degree-com...msitm.html

Thanks for your suggestion Alivia. I had given the MBA-ITM a look but the courses it offers are still a bit far from the technical path i still want to tow for now until i get ready to leave the technical layer and go fully into the management layer say in 6-7yrs time.

[allvia]

Have you considered the WGU MBA-ITM rather than the MS-ITM? The MBA-ITM may cast the widest opportunity net (aka, the least pigeon hole option) https://www.wgu.edu/resources/degree-com...msitm.html

Thanks for your suggestion Alivia. I had given the MBA-ITM a look but the courses it offers are still a bit far from the technical path i still want to tow for now until i get ready to leave the technical layer and go fully into the management layer say in 6-7yrs time.

Since you have stated that you do want to move into the management layer at some point I would suggest the MSITM, as it gets the 'management' on your CV/Resume, over choosing the MSCSIA.

[OgaLearner]

Yes I'm leaning more towards MSITM, but I also feel this might be my last shot at taking a technical degree and increasing my employability a bit by extending my management experience into Cybersecurity realm also with the MSCSIA, as it doesn't seem to be impacted by the consistent layoffs other regular tech roles face, including regular tech management ones too.

[posabsolute]

I completed the MSITM, so the good thing is that it should be a very easy degree for you, there are 2 hard exams, but you are already in that field and should be able to clear them.

The bad thing is, the MSITM is as bland as it gets... IMO if you go in management, MBA ITM makes more sense, the MS ITM, imo, is not a technical degree at all, it just sound technical and is mostly about managing IT.. (which I guess fits the name)

If you are specializing in cybersecurity and aren't so sure about management, feels to me doing the MSCSIA might get you a bit more bang for your buck getting some keywords on your CV.

[bjcheung77]

I agree with posabsolute, you pretty much have decided between the two, either a business management degree or a cybersecurity degree.  You need to flip that coin as you're the one deciding, all advice is going to do is, give you more reason for one over the other... At the end of the day, you're the one making the decision.  If you have tuition assistance or reimbursement, plus the energy and time, do one after the other - issue solved!

[OgaLearner]

Just found the template to send my question in a condensed format. Hopefully it helps bring more people to provide responses and advice.


Your Location: Canada; learnt WGU now permits Canadians to also take these degree programs too.
Your Age: mid 30s
What kind of degree do you want?: Trying to decide between the MSCSIA or MSITM for a tech professional w/ 10yrs+ work experience that wants to prioritize job security while also preparing to take on more senior management roles. Also how does TESU & SNHU compare to WGU for these same programs?
Current Regional Accredited Credits: None
Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: Bachelors of Computer Engineering from over a decade ago
Any certifications or military experience?: None
Budget: $6K-8K USD is what I want to spend max for this MS degree
Commitments: Currently working full-time but can plan evenings + weekends to taking the program's courses, as well as studying for the certs in whichever of either program I select.
Dedicated time to study: 2-3hrs study in the evenings 7-10pm(15hrs/weekday), 4-6hrs on Sat, 2-4hrs on Sundays(10hrs/weekend) = 25hrs/week in total
Timeline: 1yr(looking at completing all the courses in 2 terms but I don't have any certs(cyber or IT) to transfer over into this, so this is a bit of concern for me.)
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: Will check if my Employer's education assistance of $2K USD can be extended to pay for this.