Decided on masters, Western Governers MS Information Security Assurance

[ryoder]

I am going to do the western governers Masters in Information Security.
Online IT Degree | MS in Information Security and Assurance

The nice thing about this program is that I haven't actually graduated yet with my bachelors but I can start knocking out certifications like the CCNA which is going to cover 4 of the 38 competency units for the degree.

I can then have those waived upon admission. I might even have enough time to study for and pass the Certified Ethical Hacker and Certified Forensic Investigator tests which would be another 6 CUs.

My goal is to complete the entire masters degree in 6 months. If I'm already 1/4 of the way done before I start it may be possible.

[burbuja0512]

Ryoder, would you keep us posted on your progress? I am also interested in seeing how much time you have to spend to knock out a masters in 6 months. Will you be studying and doing homework every moment of your free time?

I am totally convinced that the masters program I've chosen is the right one for me, however, I am still very open to alternatives. Mine will take two years, so if you can do it in 6 months without killing yourself, I might re-think my decision...

[ryoder]

This one is super certification oriented. I spent nine hours this weekend studying for the ccna cert. I might take longer than six months and if I do finish in nine months I'm going to ask if I can spend my last three on the MBA.
I figure I can get a masters and MBA in less than two years at wgu for six thousand a year.

[burbuja0512]

This one is super certification oriented. I spent nine hours this weekend studying for the ccna cert. I might take longer than six months and if I do finish in nine months I'm going to ask if I can spend my last three on the MBA.
I figure I can get a masters and MBA in less than two years at wgu for six thousand a year.

WOW. That is a great price. My MBA at Regis is a good deal, but not nearly as cheap as that. Regis normally charges like 900+ per credit, but since this is a bilingual course with more than half the students from Mexico's ITESO university, they had to make it cheaper. The credits are 1/2 the price of the normal Regis credits. Even then, I'm having a hard time justifying the cost when at least over the next few years having an MBA won't help my career at all.

Hmmm...what to do? I really like the idea of taking classes in Spanish and getting 2 MBA's - with the program, you're issued MBA's from both ITESO and Regis. It's like a cheaper version of a Thunderbird course. But still paying a small fortune..

[ryoder]

This masters is a good deal. Check out their site. It does require you to pass a certified MBA test at the end. No other schools require that.

[cookderosa]

I am going to do the western governers Masters in Information Security.
Online IT Degree | MS in Information Security and Assurance

The nice thing about this program is that I haven't actually graduated yet with my bachelors but I can start knocking out certifications like the CCNA which is going to cover 4 of the 38 competency units for the degree.

I can then have those waived upon admission. I might even have enough time to study for and pass the Certified Ethical Hacker and Certified Forensic Investigator tests which would be another 6 CUs.

My goal is to complete the entire masters degree in 6 months. If I'm already 1/4 of the way done before I start it may be possible.

This field is wayyy at the top of my son's list. I'll be following your progress!

[ryoder]

One thing about security is that it is multidisciplinary and takes industry experience and education to enter. Most people start out in something more specific like pc support, then move to networking and then to security. I started out building and repairing computers at a store, then got my mcse cert and mcsd and went into software development. I have had security oriented roles forthepastten years unmixed capacities being exposed to it so it's now a differentiator for me.
It's also interesting. And with all the people in the world who hate us in the us,there are govt opportunities opening up in homeland security all over the place.

[burbuja0512]

One thing about security is that it is multidisciplinary and takes industry experience and education to enter. Most people start out in something more specific like pc support, then move to networking and then to security. I started out building and repairing computers at a store, then got my mcse cert and mcsd and went into software development. I have had security oriented roles forthepastten years unmixed capacities being exposed to it so it's now a differentiator for me.
It's also interesting. And with all the people in the world who hate us in the us,there are govt opportunities opening up in homeland security all over the place.

That is really cool... makes me think of Stuxnet. My guess is that there will be HUGE demand and really cool opportunities to protect our country through technology. Very interesting combining homeland security + IS

[colinsr]

Possible stupid question here. If a person were to use Certs for credit towards their undergrad at Excelsior, would they be able to apply the same Certs towards their masters at Western Governors?

I certainly don't think so, but worth a try...

[ryoder]

Definitely. I don't work for WGU but I don't see why not. You send them the proof and they apply it to the competency unit. You have to do these cert exams to pass the competency unit so if they didn't allow you to apply your cert, then you would not be able to complete the degree.