Nova Southeastern Univ vs. Strayer University

Hi,

I have a decision to make. First let me tell you that I was a student at Devry University. I dropped out because I got bored and felt like the courses had nothing to
do with IT or computer science specifically. I have taken one class at UMUC, which I hate because the professors do not give any contact information. The classes are 13 weeks, but over half of our assignments are due in the first seven weeks. The "paper" is due the week after the mid term in week 7. After that, we have nothing except a group project which I am not included in. My group has voted me out of any discussion because I just don't have enough of a background to contribute. Needless to say, I will get a low grade if I stay and do this group project because I did not participate. The "exams" you cannot study for because they are not related to class or text info. We are given case studies to research, post a response to multiple questions within the case study and document our research. There is no online lecture in the UMUC program.

So, I am looking into other schools. Whatever school I can research online has multiple complaints. Everyone will say every online university sucks.

Strayer is accredited by the middle states association of colleges and schools and their security focus is certified by a national security association. It is very expensive. But, there is no question as to whether I will be admitted. The courses here are more difficult to assess. All I can say is that there are no programming courses.

Nova has the same MS in IT. It has an actual campus in Florida. It is accredited by the southeastern association of colleges and schools, the same association that accredited my undergraduate degree. They boast several certifications to their online MS in IT with a focus on security. I may get into Nova. I am waiting to see. The courses in the program are relevant to IT and computer science.

Anyhow, I wanted to post on here to see if anyone has a good viewpoint on Strayer vs. Nova. Which one would be better for my IT degree? I will complete my degree at one of these schools. I refuse to go back to Devry or UMUC. I really have to say that UMUC sucks as far as I am concerned and Devry has no courses related to the IT major which makes me think they only want money from students. I don't know if Devry graded my assignments or just gave everyone an A.

thank you,

Debbie

 

I would go with Nova. They have a great reputation in Florida and I know people that graduated from their (campus not online) and they are very happy with the school.

 

Any MSIS or MSIT degree is going to be very bigger in business/management and smaller on technology. If you want a more technical degree you will have to go with a MSCS or MS Soft. Eng. type of degree. Always check out the schools catalog for course descriptions to see if they are technical or not.

I have taken classes at Strayer and not Nova, but I have been investigating Nova's MSCS program. Nova is a better quality school than Strayer in my opinion. Strayer would be an easier degree to obtain based on my experience. For example, Nova has proctored exams and Stayer does not.


Here are the 9 required courses at Strayer for MSIS (not very technical).
ACC 557 Financial Accounting
CIS 500 Information Systems for Decision-Making
ECO 550 Managerial Economics and Globalization
MAT 540 Quantitative Methods
CIS 512 Enterprise Architecture
CIS 517 IT Project Management
CIS 532 Network Architecture and Analysis
CIS 590 Directed Research Project
RES 531 Research Methods

Here are the 3 courses is the Software Engineering Concentration
(there are 6 concentrations to choose from)
CIS 510 Advanced Systems Analysis and Design
CIS 515 Strategic Planning for Database Systems
CIS 518 Advanced Software Engineering

 

Not all MSIS or MSIT programs are big on business/management and smaller on technology. I think you're talking more about MS in Management Information Systems (also referred to as Information Systems Management), or MS in Information Technology Management programs, as I know of many MS in IT that are very technically focused. For example, Towson University offers a MS in Applied Information Technology that is technically-focused, and ranks favorably with many MS in Computer Information Systems programs, such as the one that Nova Southeastern University offers.

 

If you want a technically-focused IT degree, Nova Southeastern beats Strayer hands down. But, have you looked at the MS in Applied Information Technology program at Towson University? What about the MS in Computer Information System program that Bellevue University offers? I think these are true IT programs and they are cheaper alternatives that are worth considering, first. By the way, did you take a look at this post?

 

A lot of these Online schools are operated erratically. Unfortunately their main mission is TO MAKE EASY MONEY. Its a shame if UMUC does what you say.

In TAMUC(Texas A&M University-Commerce), professors gave their contct information (both email/s and phone numbers including their office hours). The last class in my MSM, the professor read all the assigments and commented on areas of improvement, every paragraph. Every course had exams. Some classes had contact live classes. You get an opportunity to listen and interact with the professors and students.

Online schools are not in the business of teaching or imparting knowledge, they are more interested in introducing Degree programs that are in demand and make quick money.
I have mentioned on this forum many times urging degree aspirants not to fall into the traps of online schools. There are plenty of public schools offering quality Online degree programs and many times at a lower price compared to Online .com schools.

Nova is a good school. they are have a large campus with one of the largest libraries in Florida. Their CIS and business schools have a good name locally and are known for imparting good education. I would be surprised if the quality of degree programs is low.

 

There is a lot of anti-online school rhetoric on this online forum.
Please take that with a grain of salt.

Strayer is brick and mortar and online. So is Nova. Nova is better respected, however.

I have the contact info for each of my mentors at NCU and I do not have any of the horror stories of the group projects I hear of at the local brick and mortar schools, both public and private.

 

I do think we should not based the quality of the programs run by these Universities simply on a one-off experience of a student. That been said, I would like to clarify the quality of UMUC programs. I did my first masters (MSIT) with the Telecommunications Management track and I must say it was worth the effort. Here is a snap short of the 12 courses i took for that program.

IT Architecture
Telecommunications Industry, structure and environment
IT Project Management
Telecommunications Networks
Economics and Financial Analysis
Network Management and Design
Wireless Communications System
Network and Internet Security
Information System Analysis Modeling and Design
Satellite Communications Systems
Telecommunications Management
Information Systems

It is a loaded content and depending on your background and experience in IT, it could be a easy ride or a steep climb. These are practical based instructions in IT Infrastructure, Project management/SDLC, TCP/IP Network designing and sub-netting, Spectrum design.System design and Analysis. wireless communications, policy regulations, Information Security life cycle etc.

Most of the individual and group projects are built from the ground up. The hardest part is usually the final capstone course where you and members of a group are made to work on life projects. The aim of the capstone is to integrate all what you've garnered from your study and your group is usually assigned a mentor from the industry. You have to plan the work, meet with sponsoring organization, and get the expected results. The group will then make a final presentation before the sponsoring company with the Professor and mentor in attendance. As expected there would be questions and answers after that and if there is any fine turning that needs to be done.

My group worked on a $120k System Wide Information Management (SWIM) - based Aviation Information Management Data interoperability portfolio for the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency - the equivalent of our FAA! I was made the team leader and we were able to offer a practical solution for the agency that they could implement to met the ICAO international standard. we were able to make the A grade for the project because it met the specified requirement.

Tellingly, UMUC is not just an online school, it has campuses in different locations in Maryland. Some students do opt for the classroom format, where exams are proctored, but I prefer the convenience of online studying. I'm back at the school for my second Masters in Cyber security Policy. The only regret is they don't offer a Doctorate in Information Assurance/Security. Which is why I'm looking towards CTU or DSU. There are other students doing different programs and I'm sure their experience will properly info and would-be applicant.