need some advice on a Master's degree program

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big daddy fatsacks

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i am an IT manager at a small place (only been in this position 6 months), and i've got 5 years experience in IT. i am pretty much all self taught since i have 1 BA in philosophy and 1 in sociology/anthropology which i received in 1999, and they obviously don't apply much to my current career. i've taken a few undergrad math and computer science classes in the last year. so i was thinking i'd try to get into an MS of computer science program at the university of MD (go terps!!). but i don't think i want to become a programmer. all my experience is in networking and IT and after spending last week at the SANS security essentials training i am pretty sure i'd enjoy a career in network security. that would be the most interesting specialization to get into from where i am now, so i'm re-evaluating my education plans and need some advice. here are my options:

1) get a BS in computer and information systems from UMUC. some of the current classes are listed here: http://www.umuc.edu/studserv/isis/schedule/semester2/ugdeptfrmsrc.html
the program offers a mix of programming classes, database design, unix programming and admin, etc. the problem with this is that i really don't need yet another bachelor's degree. i really would like to get an MS. so on to options 2 and 3.

2) get an MS in computer science from John's Hopkins
this seems like a good program and has an "information security" track of courses. the problem is that it's computer science and hence = programming. not that i hate programming, but i'm not sure it's what i would be happy doing. also, i'd still need to take about a year of undergrad math and computer science classes since my philosophy and SOAN degrees didn't require calculus or an java classes.

3) get an MS in information systems and technology from JHU
this seems perfect except all the infosec classes are in the computer science division so i can only take 2 of these since they're "outside" of my department. still, it seems like a good program and fits me perfectly. also, i can start ASAP since i've gotten the much less demanding pre-reqs done.

basically i don't know what is good for me though. i mean if you were in my shoes- a young guy with network support/troubleshooting experience- just getting some management experience, and i want to go into network/information security - what is better? do employers feel that IS degrees are sort of soft, and the computer science degree is preferred? or is CS really geared towards people who want to become programmers?

any advice is appreciated.

TIA,
big daddy fatsacks
 
I have a BS in network and communications management and got a network analyst position right out of college. At this point I don't want to get my masters but may someday. I really want to go more into security and become a high level network engineer. So for me I am looking to get some Cisco certifications to go with my A+ and MCP. In the future I would look into getting a masters in network security. I don't know if this helps at all but what exactly would you like to be doing 5 years from now?
 
i'm currently only gonna be a junior in high school, but thanks to the local vo-tech at Hannibal, MO i will be starting a computer networking class and programming. The vo-tech will also pay for my ccna test. What a deal. Then I get 12 credit hours to attend a vo-tech college called Linn State.
Any vo-tech could be a viable option for you since it's cheaper, quicker and heands on instead of book based, cause that's what i don't like is reading a book about how to do it, i gotta get my hands on the computer.

Brandon
 
I am currently a senior getting a BA in Computer Information Systems. I was looking at some MBA programs because I much prefer the business based Information Systems to the Scence based Comp Sci. classes. This would be useful If you intended to get be a CIO/CTO someday. I have also found that the business based majors require much less programming. You may need your undergrad degree to be Business Administration based though I am not sure.
 
When i was looking at M.S / M.A programs, i liked the programs at Carnegie Mellon. They are 1 year intensive programs that specifically deal with Information Security. And as you guys know Carnegie Mellon is well known within the infosecurity space (they run cert.org)
 
For a masters program, I think you'd be doing more theory of programming rather than intensive programming.

I graduated with a BS in Management of Information Systems from University of Wissconsin - Eau Claire in Dec of 2001.

http://www.uwec.edu/cob/departments/mis/acdpro/MIS major0203sheet.pdf will show you most of the classes I had to take. I had light programming along with conceptual classes. From what I've heard in the last few years, database programming has become more emphasized as that is where the market is taking people.
 
okay, so yeah i don't want to have anything to do with classes like "principles of accounting" or "diversity in the workplace." that's what i'm afraid of. i like the technical stuff, yet i'm a network administrator so the need for intesive programming classes is only minimal. i don't feel the need to have taken calculus 3 in order to be great at programming firewall rulesets and doing penetration testing.

so i'm between those 2 places- the too much "management" degree and the hardcore programmer degree. i want something in between. it seems to me that the IS&T degree at hopkins is right there. i'm just nervous i guess because if i have to lean to one side i'd like to lean towards the strict computer science degree. i'd rather go too technical than the other way. i definitely have no intentions of getting an MBA (though my GF is going for that).

also, i spoke with an advisor at JHU yesterday. the catalog is actually somewhat confusing because all those info sec classes i thought i couldn't take as an IS&T major are actually cross-listed as IS&T classes. so i CAN take them all i want.

anyway . . . .
 
Hey BDF, I am also a UMUC student getting ready to complete my last year in IT/ network/system admin track. By looking at your choices I would say if youre mostly interested in money and having a great resume go with an CS in IS at JHU (with all the viruses, hacking, terrorist issues going on today SECURITY is a big thing, especially if you can get gov't clearance). UMUC is a well accredited school but JHU blows them away, plus I know a few people in their IT/IS department who are young and make very good money. My experience is more so revolved around being a PC technician (A+), small time web designer and minor networking. Once I graduate I want to get myself into system administration, development and network infrastructure design. Although I did recommend CS for you, I know its not for me, I've been good at math all my life and I dont have any problems picking programming or learning new languages...but its just not something I like. I would much prefer to be the brains behind the implemetation and design or even the 'go to guy' for solving a problem whether it be for 1 workstation or a total network over multiple locations. What you should really ask yourself is what you like the most about what youve studied and what you think you'll enjoy doing for a long time- Find your passion about your work, I know its a hard thing but if you can find it- it will definitely help you out. Good Luck and GO Terps!
 
I'm currently pursuing a Bachelor's in CS (Junior year coming up), and the field itself is not principally programming, though there is a lot of programming involved in most cases. It's mostly theory of computation and the mathematics behind computing, analyzing algorithms, as well as some software/hardware, programming languages and the concepts and theories behind them. So in essence, mainly theoretical subjects, some concrete subjects. If this doesn't sound fun, you'd probably want to look into a degree in a field that features more concrete ideas and application of these ideas.

I'm sorry I can't really recommend a school for something - I'm currently only beginning to think about pursuing my Master's at Carnegie Mellon, UC Berkeley, Stanford, Caltech, MIT (and yes, some are probably a long shot, but it's always good to have a dream to work towards).

I'd say the John Hopkins program sounds good, look into it a little more.

I'm more of the research type of guy, but I love programming too. Not too big into IT and management and such.
 
ultrajournin, are you in an MS or BS program there? also, when you said ". . . go with an CS in IS. . . " which degree were you talking about? CS? or IS? heheheh :)

thanks for all the replies so far. at this point i'm leaning towards just sticking with the classes i'm already signed up for at UMUC in the fall- calculus 1 and intro to computer science 2. basically it lets me get 2 more MS in CS pre-reqs out of the way and put off making a decision till the winter. at that point i can just jump into the IS&T at JHU or i can knock out the rest of my undergrad pre-reqs at UMUC which should be done by summer or fall 2005.

also, if i DO decide to get an MS in CS i have another option i forgot to mention- go to maryland (probably full time).
 
big daddy fatsacks said:
ultrajournin, are you in an MS or BS program there? also, when you said ". . . go with an CS in IS. . . " which degree were you talking about? CS? or IS? heheheh :)
Click to expand...


Oops sorry about that I meant IS @ JHU. I'm in the BS program at UMUC.
 
Picking the 'right degree' is a night mare, also not being totally sure of what to specialise in doesn’t help either. I've got experience fixing computers and networking (biggest ive done is a domain with 6 clients). Currently in a programmer/analyst and whist i'm good at it, i dont really enjoy programming. So i'm not sure what to go for so i'm going down the middle ive enrolled for Information Technology and Computing its quite a balanced course and i get to pick what modules i want to do and can adapt it to how i want as i go alone. Also i get to work at the same time and get more experience (i know too many people with good degree working in bars and shops. Is there anything you can do like this in the US?

I'm doing degree coz i feel i need one to get to the level i need (may do a masters after) but for the mean time (around 6 years) i'll just strive for a nice Honours degree

I'm i started this post i did have a point but its got lost alone the way, anyway back to work:(
 
as a side twist...

without kollege greatness is possible. I think Uncle Bill (Gates) is a Harvard drop out? And there is that high school drop out rascal by the name of Eric Raymond: Co-founder of VA Linux & Sourceforge, author of many Unix and Linux books, and the goodwill ambassador of the whole Linux community... [ps; this guy is a trip(in a good way) check out his books or website... he is also in a Discovery Channel hacker documentary..]

one of the smartest networking dudes I've ever worked with had dual CCIEs; but his college degree was a two year associates in computer science from a local community college... He is now the chief information security officer for a national financial institution based in Philly

i think the key is that no matter where you wind up you leave that situation with as much passion, knowledge, and skill as possible...
 
true, but on the other hand i worked with a guy who was in computers for 17 years and is one of (if not THE) best guys i ever worked with. he hit a glass ceiling that was well below his potential simply because he had no college degree at all. he had more experience and knowledge and good refs than anyone he would compete against for a job, but because he had no college degree he could never reach top management positions.

no i'm not in that situation- i do have a college degree. but i'm lacking a computer related degree and it would definitely help. every little bit helps.

thanks for all the responses btw. i didn't think i'd get any feedback on this.
 
they each have their pros and cons. if i go to UMCP for the masters it will have to be full time. they do not offer evening or weekend classes. at JHU i'd be doing it nights and weekends while working.
 
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