Lately I've been considering further study in information/computer/network security ... so I've been researching online information security/assurance degrees. Most of the ones I've found are in the $18-20k range. So far the three more reasonably priced & RA options I've found are: Fort Hays State University Master of Liberal Studies, concentration in Information Assurance http://www.fhsu.edu/mls/conc/ia.shtml $6,975 31 hours Western Governer's University Master of Science in Information Security and Assurance http://www.wgu.edu/online_it_degrees/information_security_assurance_degree $11,560 (2 years tuition) Dakota State University Master of Science in Information Assurance http://www.dsu.edu/msia/ $12,133.80 36 hours Both WGU & DSU seem like very good options, however FHSU is nearly half the price of even its cheapest competitors ... of course, "cheap" isn't the best reason to earn a degree. Also I'm particularly worried about their chosen nomenclature of "Master of Liberal Studies, concentration in Information Assurance" ... I can't imagine that would look great on a resume to a potential employer in the IT world. Thoughts? I have found one old thread re this program from FHSU, and also some other threads which I've read through, I'd really appreciate your thoughts on these programs if you've taken them and/or work in the info security field ...
From memory, the FHSU MLS IA takes awhile to finish, because not all the courses offered each term: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Still, it looks like a deal for graduate credits in a technology field.
Thanks for the feedback! I'll add one more to the list, for anyone who finds this in the future ... Columbus State University Master of Science Applied Computer Science, concentration in Information Assurance http://academics.colstate.edu/catalogs/2007-2008/reqs/COS_MSapcompsci.htm $7,584 36 hours That tuition figure is based on the line "Tuition for the online M.S. in Applied Computer Science is charged at $194 per credit hour plus the technology fee." found here: http://registration.colstate.edu/tuition_fees/tuition_fees_2009.asp#graduate Perhaps a person could earn some credits through CSU to finish at FHSU faster ... or vice versa!
But what do you think about Master of Liberal Studies instead of Master of Science or Master of Arts? Do both workforces and academia treat MLS same as MS or MA? I have thought about getting a second Master degree from Georgetown University - MLS in International Affairs, but most people said it is not the same as Master of Arts in International Affairs. Any opinion????
I'm not worried about the MLS designation itself, in my mind at least it's not that much different than an MA. I don't know how academics would regard a MLS, ex, if someone with a BA & MLS applied to do a PHD at a school, would they be considered "lower" on the scale than someone with a BA & MA? I don't really know, I recall asking that same question in another thread somewhere here on degreeinfo but didn't get any replies. The reason I was a bit concerned about the MLS designation in this instance is that for a tech role (ex. networking security) I was concerned that a "Liberal Studies" desgination would sound to "artsy" or soft ... not hard tech, "Master of Science" would likely sound better for a technical position. This wouldn't apply as much or at all when compared to an arts degree.
