Most Affordable Online PhD in CompSci or Cybersecurity

[wiresandscreens]

@wiresandscreens, you may be better helped if you provide more details from the addendum, such as your budget, commitments, study habits, and a timeline you want to get this completed, RA/NA or if international institutions are acceptable, etc... The more details, the better we can assist.  Link: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Area-works

Thanks for the information, I'll put more details below 


Budget: Ideally below $15,000 USD since I will be asking my employer to pay. Can be higher if needed.

Commitments: Work M-F from 8am-5pm. No outside commitments aside from that.

Study Habits: Willing to put in around 6-8 hours a day M-F with 10 hours weekends.

Timeline: Within 2 years, but willing to go up to 4 depending on the program.

I would like the school to be regionally accredited. The only international schools I would consider would have to provide degrees well suited for use within the United States (ie. Credits accepted at local institutions, not considered a degree mill, etc.).

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PhD programs fall into two camps in this respect: Some programs define the number of credits they require as total graduate credits since bachelor's degree. Those typically do take "transfer" credit or lower the "needed" credits on the basis of a related master's. Other programs define the number of credits they require as PhD-level credits since master's degree. Those won't. But the outcomes will be about the same.

Is there a good way to differentiate programs based on this? After looking at a few different programs, it doesn't appear to be apparent.

Yes, engage with the admissions staff for the program. Grad program admissions are generally MUCH more responsive and informative than people may be used to in an undergrad setting.

Good info, I haven't yet contacted any places. Is there a reason graduate department are more responsive? It doesn't affect any decisions, I'm just curious.

[bjcheung77]

"Budget: Ideally below $15,000 USD since I will be asking my employer to pay. Can be higher if needed."

There are a few that I mentioned in the Graduate Sub Forum, such as Emporia PhD IS/IT for $22K or somewhere closer to that price range, and this is somewhat on the lower end. I haven't seen anything go for $20K USD or less, but that's going by memory. You can always do a search on the sister board as well and make a short list of your top 3 options, and make another 3 for backup. Then post those and we can help you decide... Essentially, if your employer can pay for up to $5K/year, for four years, it's 'free'.

[wiresandscreens]

"Budget: Ideally below $15,000 USD since I will be asking my employer to pay. Can be higher if needed."

There are a few that I mentioned in the Graduate Sub Forum, such as Emporia PhD IS/IT for $22K or somewhere closer to that price range, and this is somewhat on the lower end.  I haven't seen anything go for $20K USD or less, but that's going by memory.  You can always do a search on the sister board as well and make a short list of your top 3 options, and make another 3 for backup.  Then post those and we can help you decide... Essentially, if your employer can pay for up to $5K/year, for four years, it's 'free'.

Thanks! Is the sister board DegreeInfo?

[bjcheung77]

Thanks! Is the sister board DegreeInfo?

Yes, that's the sister board!

[nomaduser]

wiresandscreens, were you able to find any cybersecurity job with degrees from WGU and CompTIA certs?
I'm planning to get a master in cybersecurity from WGU.

[wiresandscreens]

wiresandscreens, were you able to find any cybersecurity job with degrees from WGU and CompTIA certs?
I'm planning to get a master in cybersecurity from WGU.

I was already an IT Director prior to attending WGU so it was more of a check box for me. The cert that has made the biggest impact for me in terms of job opportunities has been the CISSP.

[wiresandscreens]

So after a 7 day Master's degree from WGU I am again researching opportunities for a PhD, or even a Doctorate in Cyber Security or IT/Computer Science. The issue I am running into is time. While I have found different options (listed below), there is a heavy course load for all of them. I am under no illusion that this level of a degree will be fast or easy, but I am still researching the most time and cost viable option while working full time. I have seen some DBA and other doctoral degrees in competency based models, but it does not look like Computer Science gets the same treatment. I am now trying to research PhD or Doctorate programs in this field that allow the most transfer credits, which seems to be difficult to distinguish in some cases. Below are what I found in my research so far.

Mississippi State University:
- Great option if you can attend synchronous classes. Unfortunately I can't attend at set times.

University of the Cumberlands:
- Low availability of transfer credit opportunities from research.

Capitol Technical University:
- Very responsive, but little availability to transfer credits.

Colorado Technical University:
- Ability to transfer in more credits, but not the best reputational choice for a terminal degree.

Dakota State University:
- Up to 27 credits can transfer which is great, but the program is very expensive for out of pocket costs.

[walruspanda]

I'm interested in this thread since I'll have my MS in IT done this spring (although at my age it's hard to justify the ROI on a Doctorate).

But really, I am more interested in this:

So after a 7 day Master's degree from WGU...

[bjcheung77]

Hmm, I wonder if that meant 7 weeks instead of 7 days, maybe a typo or something different...

[wiresandscreens]

Hmm, I wonder if that meant 7 weeks instead of 7 days, maybe a typo or something different...

No, I finished the MSCIA at WGU in 7 days. 10 days if you count waiting on the capstone to be graded. My start date was December 1. I am currently waiting on WGU to provide my official graduation date, but final paper submission was done on day 7.