Help! Please help me figure out what to do next.

Hello,

I have found your site off google, I have been spending many many nights up until 6am researching for colleges.

I am a 17 year old home schooled student. I plan on graduating by getting a G.E.D. early next year, so if I do things in a timely enough manner, hopefully start school next Fall.


But, I don't know where to go, or what kind of degree to get! I do know what I want to do though.


I want to go into Network Security/Admin.

I would like a bachelors degree as well, I don't want to skimp on anything.

I was interested in ITT-Tech until I heard that it's a nationally acredited school, and that's not good or something. They have a bachelors in Network Security though!

My family doesn't have a lot of money, so rich schools are out of the question, I am a pretty bright kid, so heres hoping my ACT/SAT scores will be good enough to help me get into a school I want [haven't taken them yet].

I just want a good degree, from a good school, to help me get a good job in the field I mentioned.

I live in Kentucky and I'd prefer things close to home, as in, east coast side of the country.


Please, anyone.. help me, give some advice.. being home schooled, I don't have anyone to turn to for this kind of thing.

If you all have any questions, I'll respond as soon as possible, so you can better answer my questions.

Thanks!
-Andy

 

Through your site, I have found a school called DeVry.


They have a campus in Virginia that offers Network and Communcations Management. Which says that a career in Network Security can be had with that degree.


How is that school?

 

I went to the NJ campus of DeVry 1986-1987. It is RA and I think it is a great school. I am sure others will disagree.

Here is a place to look- don't know how much it will help.
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/

Here are some Grad programs -
http://listings.gradschools.com/tango/distance.taf?_function=list&<@USERREFERENCEARGUMENT>&_start=1&pagenum=1&school_type=357

They my offer BS degrees also.

 

Sorry the last link does not work. Try this -

http://www.gradschools.com/listings/menus/security_menu.html

and select distance learning programs

 

as far as I know Devry is very expensive

 

Troy State University Florida Region has a B.S. in Computer Science online. They also have Business, Psychology, and a few others. The tuition looks pretty good for a DL program - $140 per credit. TSU is RA, but I don't know anything about the reputation of this particular program. I just found this myself a couple of weeks ago.


http://www.tsufl.edu/distancelearning/

 

It doesn't have to be Distance Learning, I will go there if it's remotely close.


I think it's 44k for the whole bachelors program at DeVry, and I really like how you can get the bachelors in 3 years.


Why would others say it's not good? It's featured on your site, it's regionally accredited..

I know you can't please everyone, but I am open to why it's bad.. I thought I might have found something really good.

 

I forgot to mention, I all plan on getting all the computer related Certs that would help me in this field I can get, hey.. it's gotta help, right?

 

I forgot to mention, I all plan on getting all the computer related Certs that would help me in this field I can get, hey.. it's gotta help, right?

 

Certs do you no good if you don't have the experience to back them up. There is a ugly nasty label called paper mcse out there that means you took the tests but can't do the work. I designed my own network while studying but I am probably still conisidered a paper mcse because i don't work as a network admin. Oh well, screw those idiots......

 

Though I would not prefer this, how about going to a state University?


Example, University of Kentucky, or Maryland.. and getting a Computer Science degree?


I'd really prefer the DeVry though.

 

DeVry is expensive. Much more expensive than most state universities. A CS degree from a state university will have more prestige and utlity than a degree from DeVry. Most RA universities will let you cut a year or more off your degree with CLEP and DANTES tests. Troy State is a great recommendation in my mind. If I were in your shoes I would investigate all very closely but would definately lean to Troy State. Remember DeVry will have counselors that are paid a hefty commission to enroll you in their program.

 

Andy,

First, I want to commend for proactively pursuing your educational opportunities. I think that many (most?) high school students base their college choice on where their friends are going, or where their parents went, or who has the best football team, etc.

IT Security is one of the fastest growing job fields in the U.S., and there are very few qualified applicants for those jobs.

Network adminstration is certainly also a growing field, but it is not growing nearly as quickly, and the competition is fierce. There are lots of people with degrees, certifications, and experience who are out of a job.

Of course, these situations will change, but if you are interested in network security, I would think that would probably be the better option.

So, if you DO want to go into IT Security, I think you would be far better off getting a degree in IT Security, rather than Network Administration, or something similar.

If money is a significant factor (and when is it not?) I would highly recommend starting with an Associate's degree from a community college. Your least expensive options will probably be in your home state, and as close to your residence as possible. If you do well on your ACT/SAT, you can likely get a scholarship at a community college that would make it almost free.

(Of course, if you can get a scholarship to a prestigious university that would make the price comparable, that is a better option. But keep in mind that such scholarships are very rare.)

As for certifications, they certainly can't hurt. If you want to go into network security, I would highly recommend COMPTIA's Security+ (probably in addition to the A+ and Network+). But the previous comments regarding certifications are true. Certifications alone have questionable value. If it comes down to spending your time on earning your certifications versus spending time earning on-the-job experience (plus a salary), you are probably better off with the experience.

Also, I want to agree with Dave's post about Devry. I don't recall hearing anything bad about Devry, but I think that a state university would likely have more prestige at a lower cost.

Jeff

 

Jeff, your post has been most helpful.

Now, when I said we don't have a lot of money, I mean a really expensive one, I really don't know what we could budget, but right now.. I'm not looking into anything over 20k a year, and that's max right now.. 15k or so, or less..


So I don't think I need to go to a community school, a state should be fine.


Now, I would be the happiest man alive if I could find a degree in IT Security from a state school, but I can't find one anywhere!


Closest I can find is Information Systems from University of Maryland. Look at this

That's the break down of the courses for the major, they have one class in security. Better than none at all I guess.

I have a mom that lives in Kentucky, and a dad that lives in MD, so I can go to colleges in either state for cheaper.


Thanks again for your post.

 

OMG I am sooo happy!

I was looking through page after page of colleges on the East Coast as usual, and what do I find?!?!

Capitol College, Laurel MD.

It's a private school, that has Bachelors and Masters degrees.. and a brand spanking new degree in "Network Security"!!!!

Also, Laurel MD is the same city my dad lives in! I couldn't be happier! YES!

So unless I hear anything bad, this is it baby, it's regionally accredited, and like I said, it's a private school.. those are a lil more fancy, right?

 

I would say that capital college is a good choice for you. It is RA and ABET accredited.

I would stay away from ITT, Devry and any other school that has publically traded stock. Their #1 goal is to make money for the stock holders.