spazz Wrote:I would like to see the links to these schools (specially purdue), where it says they accept ALL IT certifications. I agree, purdue might accept certs, but probally as electives. They are in someway limiting it, probally to only one certification. Link me up though, and I will read.
Now I know I am going to step on some peoples toes, and I am sorry. But the master program from aspin, has all basic courses. Take a CS or IT program from an ABET accreddited uni and compare. The courses found in any ABET program are far more complex then the courses in the masters. Now if you compare a community colleges 2 year comp whatever program, it looks more like what aspin is offering. ABET is the industry standard for all computing and engineering. IS and IT are able to get ABET accreddited, the reason there is not a lot of programs that you find on ABET is because there is not a lot of IT 4 year degrees. Most of the IT 4 year degrees come from no-name online schools which only offer it to make a profit. Most people who go to college and come out with an IT job are CS majors.
Just by reading aspins site you can tell its a con. #1 is the faculty, they simply tell you "OH OUR faculty are the greatest." If they had good researchers they would be listed. The bottom line is they cannot even afford to hire faculty. Personally, I would stick to traditional school. It may cost more, but atleast you will get what you paid for: that is knowledge and a degree that stands out.
Purdue doesn't accept all, sorry if I implied that. The only one I'm aware of is the A+ (oh and Network+ but I don't recall for what I'll see if I can find it) and it's in place of another related hardware course (a friend used it, so I'll see if there's a link but I don't know if there is one). As for ABET again alll I can say is that according to their own website only a few IS programs are even approved under their program, and not a single one was a masters program. I'm not sure how you can compare a Non-ABET Graduate IT/IS program to an ABET one when, according to the ABET website, there is no such program. Aspen's courses are similar to courses I've seen in several other graduate programs (both RA and DETC) are they as complex or as technical as an engineering program or a computer science program? Probably not, but I don't think they're pretending to be. I've honestly never read anything bad about Aspen (formerly ISIM) or its' programs from its' former students. I'll agree that their website leaves a bit to be desired, and having e-mailed them questions I'd even say that their online customer service is also a bit lacking. I'd be hard pressed to describe any accredited school as a con. I too have issues with Aspen, but they primarily stem from the fact that they are DETC accredited, which in itself isn't bad, but is a limiting factor if you want to teach.
Having said all that. Accrediation is a complex and important matter, it's good that people see your viewpoint on the importance of ABET so they can see if it's something that's important for them as well.
BLS CIS & Psychology Excelsior, MS IT & MS IM Aspen University, Pursuing MBA Columbia Southern.