Hello everyone,
I’m seeking advice on which university program might be the best fit for my circumstances.
Your Location: Maryland
Current Regional Accredited Credits: None
Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: None
Any certifications or military experience?: CompTIA Sec+, CCSK, CEH, ITIL v3, AWS CCP
Budget: Unlimited
Timeline: Soonest
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: Company offers 6k a year
A bit about me: I’m 35 years old, working full-time as a Director of Cybersecurity at a large technology company. I’ve spent over 16 years in the IT industry, working for multiple large DoD contractors and AWS, progressing from the help desk to my current leadership role. However, I’ve never taken any formal college courses, so I don’t have any transferable RA credits. Although I do currently hold a few IT certifications.
At this stage in my career, I feel like I’ve reached a point where, in order to advance into executive leadership, having a degree is becoming a necessity. While I have the experience, I understand the value of that "piece of paper" to open certain doors. That said, my current workload is around 50 hours per week, and I’m also a husband and father to two young boys, ages 8 and 5. Needless to say, my schedule is quite packed.
Initially, I was looking into Western Governors University (WGU), specifically their Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or Cybersecurity programs. However, after doing more research, I’m not entirely sure if those are the fastest or most efficient routes to take. This search led me here, and I’m hoping to gather insights to help finalize my decision.
Currently, I’m considering the following institutions and degrees:
Any advice or feedback on these schools or programs would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your time and help!
I’m seeking advice on which university program might be the best fit for my circumstances.
Your Location: Maryland
Current Regional Accredited Credits: None
Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: None
Any certifications or military experience?: CompTIA Sec+, CCSK, CEH, ITIL v3, AWS CCP
Budget: Unlimited
Timeline: Soonest
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: Company offers 6k a year
A bit about me: I’m 35 years old, working full-time as a Director of Cybersecurity at a large technology company. I’ve spent over 16 years in the IT industry, working for multiple large DoD contractors and AWS, progressing from the help desk to my current leadership role. However, I’ve never taken any formal college courses, so I don’t have any transferable RA credits. Although I do currently hold a few IT certifications.
At this stage in my career, I feel like I’ve reached a point where, in order to advance into executive leadership, having a degree is becoming a necessity. While I have the experience, I understand the value of that "piece of paper" to open certain doors. That said, my current workload is around 50 hours per week, and I’m also a husband and father to two young boys, ages 8 and 5. Needless to say, my schedule is quite packed.
Initially, I was looking into Western Governors University (WGU), specifically their Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or Cybersecurity programs. However, after doing more research, I’m not entirely sure if those are the fastest or most efficient routes to take. This search led me here, and I’m hoping to gather insights to help finalize my decision.
Currently, I’m considering the following institutions and degrees:
- Excelsior University: Bachelor of Science in Business (I noticed both their Computer Science and Cybersecurity programs are relatively new).
- Thomas Edison State University (TESU): Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (BACS) and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA). The option for a double degree in BACS and BSBA with CIS specialization is particularly intriguing. (Con: No RA credits to transfer)
- University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI): Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA).
Any advice or feedback on these schools or programs would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your time and help!