MS Information Assurance Iowa State vs Capitol College

Hello all, I have read through alot of posts referring to the CC MSIA Program and some on the ISU Program. It sounds like both programs are good, but I wanted to get some opinions from others who have gone through either program. If you had the choice of one of these programs which would you choose. I am a really technical person and I prefer the hands-on labs/projects as opposed to the more theory driven courses. I wouldn't mind a program that has a nice mix of both. If anyone has experienced either one of these programs please provide me with your experience or thoughts.


Thanks in advance,


mdorn66

 

I have not researched anything about either MSIA program. However, I vote for Iowa State simply on namesake. You are comparing a tier 1 university with a 25k undergrad enrollment (2008) to an unranked university with less than a thousand undergrad enrollment (2008).

Capitol College may be a good school, but I don't think it can compare to Iowa State.

 

A few things to add to my previous post (its not posted yet and I don't want to forget).

First I made a mistake, in 2008 ISU had 21k undergrads, not 25k.

Second, I really don't have a good basis for evaluating Capitol College. It seems several people on this forum have degrees from there and are satisfied. However, I was just making the point that in the academic world ISU will be more widely accepted.

Good luck with your decision, I am making a graduate school decision of my own as well.

 

I haven't had experience with CC or ISU, but I have had an excellent experience with Dakota State University (DSU). I just completed their online MSIS program. They also offer an online MSIA program.

http://www.dsu.edu/msia/

Sorry to add to your current list, but I figured DSU would be another good option for you to consider.

 

Iowa State University vs Capitol College = Iowa State University winner
Ranking: 88 as National Universities
State School & "University" over "College"

 

I have no experience with either school.

Iowa State and Capitol College are both recognized by NSA. However, Iowa State is also recognized for research in this area. I would opt for Iowa State.

 

Isu

Thanks all, for your responses! I will be enrolling into Iowa State's MSIA program this Fall. I have recieved alot of positive feedback from others who went through the program as well. The online program is goes through their Computer Eng. department and they are known to have a pretty good engineering programs as well. I know it will be tough (as I have been out of school for atleast eight years), but it will also be rewarding once I finish.

 

Capitol Grad here.

In short, it is hands-on, technical, and live - real time classes using Centra. Plus it is just right around the corner from Fort George G. Meade (there are some ties there).

I am sure Iowa State is a great program, but you might be overlooking a few important points with Capitol.

 

I never looked into any programs from ISU, but I did research various IT-related offerings from Capital College. Capital College's programs appear to be technically focused and real-world applicable. Like they state on their web page, "Capital isn't for Everyone. Although Capital started as a technical correspondence school in 1927, they seem to have largely succeeded in making the transformation from tech school to legitimate academic institution specializing in technical degree programs. They have been regionally accredited since the 1970s. I have never heard anything negative about them although I've heard lots of horror stories about other schools with a similar background. Anyone know how the academics at Capital (rigor, quality, etc) compares to the average state school with comparable programs?