MBA/TM versus Master's in Information Security

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by BigFish, Sep 20, 2004.

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  1. BigFish

    BigFish New Member

    My career goal is to become the CIO of a small but growing oraganization [1500 employees or less would be ideal].

    I have twelve years of experience in the Information Technology field primarily in the area of System Administration and networking.

    I recently completed a bachelor's of science degree in IT at the University of Phoenix and now I plan to pursue a MBA/TM or a Masters in Information Security.

    If I pursue the MBA/TM I will attend either Seattle University or the Unversity of Phoenix. However, if I purse the Information Security program my choices are Colorado Technical University or Capella.

    I would appreciate any insight this forums readers have into the colleges list above or the pros vs cons of a MBA degree versus an Masters in IS.

    -Ron
     
  2. My $0.02...

    If you're truly looking to become a CIO as opposed to a CTO then I'd get the MBA, preferably with a concentration or some courses in Finance. A couple of reasons:

    - CIOs are more and more being held accountable to the business, and as a result they need to be able to relate to the business

    - CTOs are the chief techies while the CIOs are the business enablers of technology. Many CIOs that I know who are from midsize firms (1500-5000) are not especially technical (or at least not for a number of years). They have IT Directors who handle that stuff.

    - CIOs quite often report into the CFO in many organizations (especially if it's manufacturing or other non-IT core companies)

    You have the technical background and an IT degree, so that's the prereq for technical competency.

    What you need, and what you haven't mentioned, is the business angle. You'll spend more time with budgeting and assisting the management team formulating strategy than tweaking bits.

    Cheers,
    Mark
     
  3. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

  4. I'm looking at Marist as well - the MBA along with the Advanced Certificate in IS (which you can parlay into a MSIS). The nice thing is that with the MBA/IS Cert option there is a 9-credit overlap so that's 3 courses less you need to take.

    Cheers,
    Mark
     
  5. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck


    Mark,

    similar to your thoughts. The UNA MBA-IS has 5 classes with the CIS designation and is an excellent course compliment to move on to the MIS or CIS ( as in Information Systems) degree (cheaper than Marist but not as highly accredited)

    Regards,

    Kevin
     
  6. jimnagrom

    jimnagrom New Member

    At the risk of giving good advice...there are good arguments for both. Either way, do it at a school that is a CAEIAE (http://www.nsa.gov/ia/academia/caeiae.cfm)either a MS in IT (or related) or an MBA with elective courses in IA. The CAEIAE has great credibility and it's growing.

    OTOH - Capella and UoP won't be one anytime soon - perhaps yet another plus.
     
  7. Gary Rients

    Gary Rients New Member

    Re: Re: MBA/TM versus Master's in Information Security

    I'm happy to see Capitol College listed. :) Capitol has online MS programs in Information Architecture, Network Security, and Computer Science, and the cost compares favorably to most of the other options.
     
  8. Arby

    Arby New Member

    Bigfish,

    I was in the same situation you were this past summer. I have 13 years of experience in the IT industry (Systems and Networking) and a BSIT from UOP (2003). I am also interested in a CIO role in a medium sized organization sometime in the future. I decided to pursue the MBA option rather than continue down a technical MS track. I thought it would be much more productive for my career to learn more about the business side of things. I think most organizations are looking for well rounded execs that understand both the technical and the business impacts of their decisions. I'm currently enrolled in the Norwich University MBA program and I'm planning on getting an IT related Post MBA-Certificate (perhaps in Information Assurance) once I complete the degree. I'm currently 3 months into the program and very happy with the decision. I would personally avoid UOP for a Masters degree especially since you received your BS there. There are many other RA schools available that offer an MBA program online.
    --
    RB
     

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