Path for - Com Sci Masters then Doc

[EDUxplorer]

Hello DegreeForum! I want to thank everyone here for your love and support you give the community. I was here about 18 months ago seeking advice for my daughter and it made a world of difference. Thus now at the next stage in her journey, I am back to explore options.

She has completed with honors 2x B.Sci degrees.

• University of Cincinnati (RA)
  Bachelor of Science in Information Technology - Software App Development
  

• University of the People (NA)
  Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
  
  

She would like to do a Masters in Cyber Security then a Doctorate in Computer Science, if possible.

She is planning to do Harvard Extension School's Masters for Com Sci, but I don't think this will qualify her for any doctorate programs, but if it does then that would be a huge win!

She is 19 and wanting to complete these as quickly as possible and on the best budget possible. Anyone have some possible ideas and suggestions?

Again, thank you all SO MUCH!

[bjcheung77]

Basically, I would follow the advice from your previous thread here, if she wanted, she can continue on with the MSIT at UofPeople and also go for the WGU MSCIA as an alternative, there are other programs mentioned previously, see if those are in tune with what she want to go into: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...IT-Focused

[sanantone]

Any regionally accredited master's in computer science will do. I would not advise going to University of the People. Some universities still do not accept nationally accredited degrees for admission.

The MSCIA at WGU may or may not be okay. It depends on how lenient the prospective doctoral program is on the prerequisite master's. Some will accept an IT degree while others will only accept computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or some other highly technical program.

[mcjon77]

If she wants a doctorate in computer science her best bet is to get a master's degree in computer science. I don't know if a master's degree at cyber security would meet the qualifications to do a PhD in computer science.

However, if she's willing to pursue a doctorate in cyber security then there are a ton of options available to her.

In terms of master's degrees in computer science I would look at Georgia Tech's OMSCS program. I'm in it right now and I'm enjoying it. The nice thing about it is that even though it's a master's degree in computer science she could very easily take half of her courses as cyber security courses. The program is around the $7,000 total.

They also have an online master of science in cyber security that's about $10,000. There's a lot of overlap between those classes.



It's very rigorous, but it's ranked number seven in the country in terms of computer science. Another option is University of Texas at Austin's MSCSO program. It's about $10,000 and their school is also tied with Georgia Tech for number seven in the country for computer science.

After that there are a few online PHD programs in computer science that are available. I've actually considering them myself. Florida Atlantic University has won, although they typically want to see some work experience since it's more of a professional phd. Dakota State University has one if I recall and Mississippi State University has one. There are a few others too.

[bluebooger]

https://www.reddit.com/r/OMSCS/

https://omscs.gatech.edu/specializations

https://omscs.gatech.edu/preparing-yourself-omscs

https://www.usg.edu/fiscal_affairs/asset...osting.pdf

...................................................Description FY24 Rate FY25 Rate
Online Master of Science in Analytics (OMSA) 275.00 297.00
Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS) 180.00 195.00
Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity (OMS Cybersecurity) 310.00 335.00

[Spaceghost]

Hello DegreeForum! I want to thank everyone here for your love and support you give the community. I was here about 18 months ago seeking advice for my daughter and it made a world of difference. Thus now at the next stage in her journey, I am back to explore options.

She has completed with honors 2x B.Sci degrees.

• University of Cincinnati (RA)
  Bachelor of Science in Information Technology - Software App Development
  

• University of the People (NA)
  Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
  
  

She would like to do a Masters in Cyber Security then a Doctorate in Computer Science, if possible.

She is planning to do Harvard Extension School's Masters for Com Sci, but I don't think this will qualify her for any doctorate programs, but if it does then that would be a huge win!

She is 19 and wanting to complete these as quickly as possible and on the best budget possible. Anyone have some possible ideas and suggestions?

Again, thank you all SO MUCH!

I got my Master's in Information Systems Security from the University of the Cumberlands because of the affordable tuition of $355/credit. When I graduated, I got my CompTIA A+, Network +, Security +, and Blue Team Level 1 (BTL1) certifications before I enrolled in the PHD Cyber Defense program at Dakota State University. I cannot recommend these programs enough. The University of the Cumberlands also has a PHD in Information Technology with several specializations which include Information Systems Security, Digital Forensics, Cyber Engineering, Data Science, Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence. The PHD program at UCumberlands is $549/credit and requires 60 credits.

[bluebooger]

...
I cannot recommend these programs enough. ...

post links

[inor]

Since she already has a background in CS and has ambitions at the doctoral level, these programs may not be for her because they appear to be targeted towards career-changers, but I'll mention them just the same because I think they have their good points.

The University of Wrexham (Wales) offers an online MSc in Computer Science (with a concentration in Cyber Security) for $7,600. There are a few features that make this attractive: the price; the fact that she can get a degree in computer science (since that's what she eventually wants to do a PhD in) while at the same time getting to focus on cyber security in particular; institutional legitimacy (it's a public university in the UK); and perhaps the biggest advantage is it involves a module in research methods and a dissertation. PhD programs often want to see that applicants have research experience. Writing a dissertation prior to your application shows that you already know how to do research, so that could help boost her future chances for getting into a PhD program. The downsides are, like I said, that it seems to be aimed towards people without academic backgrounds in CS so it may be a bit too remedial for her.

https://online.wrexham.ac.uk/msc-compute...-security/

Abertay University (Scotland) offers an online MSc in CS similar to the one mentioned above at $8,400. I'd say it looks to have the same upsides and downsides of the Wrexham program. A perhaps more major difference is they require a capstone project as opposed to a dissertation.

https://online.abertay.ac.uk/programmes/...-security/

The University of York (England) offers a similar degree. It's much more expensive at $11,400, but that's still pretty affordable by US standards. It culminates with a research project, which is good, and York is a much more highly regarded university than the previous two. Also, the curriculum looks more substantial than Wrexham's or Abertay's.

https://online.york.ac.uk/study-online/m...ty-online/

The University of London (https://www.london.ac.uk/study/courses/p...er-science), Bath (https://online.bath.ac.uk/online-courses...er-science), and Essex (https://online.essex.ac.uk/courses/msc-c...r-science/) all offer fully online MSc in CS, too. These latter three are a bit pricier, though, around $17,000-$18,000.

The UK has universities that allow you to do a PhD in CS at a distance, too, if she eventually wanted to go down that road. Just some food for thought.

[ifomonay]

For master's I would recommend OMSCS at Georgia Tech. If you're going to consider HES, then GT is much better. I think it's the cheapest MSCS out there. The only hassle is that she needs LoR as part of the application process. But I think it's worth it.

[EDUxplorer]

Basically, I would follow the advice from your previous thread here, if she wanted, she can continue on with the MSIT at UofPeople and also go for the WGU MSCIA as an alternative, there are other programs mentioned previously, see if those are in tune with what she want to go into: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...IT-Focused

oh wow, I forgot about that roadmap her and I built up. Her life changed quite a bit at her high school graduation with a startup tech company she now has.

I am reviewing that thread and there are some good nuggets there however I know the landscape of education is always changing so I was looking for some current advice as well. This place, and you, have always been an amazing resource for so many people.

Any regionally accredited master's in computer science will do. I would not advise going to University of the People. Some universities still do not accept nationally accredited degrees for admission.

The MSCIA at WGU may or may not be okay. It depends on how lenient the prospective doctoral program is on the prerequisite master's. Some will accept an IT degree while others will only accept computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or some other highly technical program.

https://www.wgu.edu/content/dam/wgu-65-a...MSCSIA.pdf

Oh this has some nice class lineup! I am going to suggest her to look at this degree as well as one of her options to apply for.

If she wants a doctorate in computer science her best bet is to get a master's degree in computer science. I don't know if a master's degree at cyber security would meet the qualifications to do a PhD in computer science.

However, if she's willing to pursue a doctorate in cyber security then there are a ton of options available to her.

In terms of master's degrees in computer science I would look at Georgia Tech's OMSCS program. I'm in it right now and I'm enjoying it. The nice thing about it is that even though it's a master's degree in computer science she could very easily take half of her courses as cyber security courses. The program is around the $7,000 total.

They also have an online master of science in cyber security that's about $10,000. There's a lot of overlap between those classes.

It's very rigorous, but it's ranked number seven in the country in terms of computer science. Another option is University of Texas at Austin's MSCSO program. It's about $10,000 and their school is also tied with Georgia Tech for number seven in the country for computer science.

After that there are a few online PHD programs in computer science that are available. I've actually considering them myself. Florida Atlantic University has won, although they typically want to see some work experience since it's more of a professional phd. Dakota State University has one if I recall and Mississippi State University has one. There are a few others too.

Georgia Tech Online Cyber Sec is defiantly a program she has been looking at, as one does.
https://pe.gatech.edu/degrees/cybersecurity

We didn't realize that Georgia Tech had an online Com Sci program!
https://omscs.gatech.edu/

Texas of Austin's MSCSO is yet another program we didn't know about as well!
https://www.cs.utexas.edu/graduate-progr...m/msonline

https://www.reddit.com/r/OMSCS/

https://omscs.gatech.edu/specializations

https://omscs.gatech.edu/preparing-yourself-omscs

https://www.usg.edu/fiscal_affairs/asset...osting.pdf

...................................................Description FY24 Rate FY25 Rate
Online Master of Science in Analytics (OMSA) 275.00 297.00
Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS) 180.00 195.00
Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity (OMS Cybersecurity) 310.00 335.00

Great links, thank you!

I got my Master's in Information Systems Security from the University of the Cumberlands because of the affordable tuition of $355/credit. When I graduated, I got my CompTIA A+, Network +, Security +, and Blue Team Level 1 (BTL1) certifications before I enrolled in the PHD Cyber Defense program at Dakota State University. I cannot recommend these programs enough. The University of the Cumberlands also has a PHD in Information Technology with several specializations which include Information Systems Security, Digital Forensics, Cyber Engineering, Data Science, Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence. The PHD program at UCumberlands is $549/credit and requires 60 credits.

MSISS Master of Science in Information Systems Security
https://www.ucumberlands.edu/academics/g...s-security

CYBER DEFENSE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PHDCD)
https://dsu.edu/programs/phdcd/index.html

CYBER OPERATIONS DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PHDCO)
https://dsu.edu/programs/phdco/index.html

Online Ph.D. in Information Technology
https://www.ucumberlands.edu/academics/g...technology

Last I looked 2 years ago I didn't recall seeing Online Ph.D. from Cumberlands. This is great to add into consideration, the pricing is amazing.

You mentioned the Cyber Defense but when looking that up, found the Cyber Operations. The title feels misleading, but it is right up her ally in Cyber Attack. She would love to look at a degree in Cyber Attack.

Since she already has a background in CS and has ambitions at the doctoral level, these programs may not be for her because they appear to be targeted towards career-changers, but I'll mention them just the same because I think they have their good points.

The University of Wrexham (Wales) offers an online MSc in Computer Science (with a concentration in Cyber Security) for $7,600. There are a few features that make this attractive: the price; the fact that she can get a degree in computer science (since that's what she eventually wants to do a PhD in) while at the same time getting to focus on cyber security in particular; institutional legitimacy (it's a public university in the UK); and perhaps the biggest advantage is it involves a module in research methods and a dissertation. PhD programs often want to see that applicants have research experience. Writing a dissertation prior to your application shows that you already know how to do research, so that could help boost her future chances for getting into a PhD program. The downsides are, like I said, that it seems to be aimed towards people without academic backgrounds in CS so it may be a bit too remedial for her.

https://online.wrexham.ac.uk/msc-compute...-security/

Abertay University (Scotland) offers an online MSc in CS similar to the one mentioned above at $8,400. I'd say it looks to have the same upsides and downsides of the Wrexham program. A perhaps more major difference is they require a capstone project as opposed to a dissertation.

https://online.abertay.ac.uk/programmes/...-security/

The University of York (England) offers a similar degree. It's much more expensive at $11,400, but that's still pretty affordable by US standards. It culminates with a research project, which is good, and York is a much more highly regarded university than the previous two. Also, the curriculum looks more substantial than Wrexham's or Abertay's.

https://online.york.ac.uk/study-online/m...ty-online/

The University of London (https://www.london.ac.uk/study/courses/p...er-science), Bath (https://online.bath.ac.uk/online-courses...er-science), and Essex (https://online.essex.ac.uk/courses/msc-c...r-science/) all offer fully online MSc in CS, too. These latter three are a bit pricier, though, around $17,000-$18,000.

The UK has universities that allow you to do a PhD in CS at a distance, too, if she eventually wanted to go down that road. Just some food for thought.

OH! So cool, never considered UK! Do these carry the same weight as a US Regional Degree?

I'm sure however if she got into one of these programs, she would want to do a semester in the UK, so that is a perk in her book. Thanks for this suggestion and providing the links.

For master's I would recommend OMSCS at Georgia Tech. If you're going to consider HES, then GT is much better. I think it's the cheapest MSCS out there. The only hassle is that she needs LoR as part of the application process. But I think it's worth it.

The Georgia Tech Cyber Sec program is one that has been on her radar, just learned about their Comp Sci. The LoR would be very simple for her as she in the last 12 months graduated from high school, earned 2 bachelor degrees from 2 different Universities and a handful of Applied Associate degrees from yet another school. She already has a small stock pile of letters that has been provided to her. Actually didn't know the LoR was needed for this, so thanks for the heads up!