MS from Florida Tech or Boston University or Capella?

The end goal is to get a federal government job, and if not, any sort of cyber or info security type job in the private sector. I have a BS in Business Administration and have no computer related work experience. So my questions revolve the MSIT with specialization in Cybersecurity from Florida Tech vs a MSIT in Information Assurance and Security from Capella vs a MSCIS with a concentration in Security. My concerns are as follows... Florida Tech program starts off with 3 business finance type classes, not sure why I'm paying for business classes in a MSIT program, I would think that is a waste of 3 courses that could be spent on more CS type classes. Capella is a for-profit online only school and the program takes about 3 years to complete (I qualify under the 'career change' path and have to take 3 additional foundational classes for a total of 15 courses, taking 1 class at a time back to back the program is 3.75yrs, I was told by the adviser that most can finish in about 3yrs with some overlapping classes). BU is about $10k more than Florida Tech, and I'd have to take 2 pre-requisite classes (Discrete Math & a programming class in any language) before I can apply. At this point I'm really leaning towards Florida Tech and BU, I just did not want to throw out Capella in case it gets recommendations. Florida Tech is 11 courses and BU is 10 courses (12 if I include the 2 pre-reqs that I need to apply) and both can be completed relatively around the same time (around 2 years). The literature on the BU website states the BU MSCIS will prepare you to pass the CISSP exam, although I've read that requires 5 yrs of IT work experience. What say you?

 

I've decided to cut out Capella, they're program is too long. So it's between BU and Florida Tech. I like that BU appears to be a bit more technologically in depth where as Florida Tech's program is a bit more management based.

 

I looked at both MSCIS programs. The BU cost was just way too high, so I went to FIT. The program is fantastic in terms of learning how to program and general IT systems. My recommendation is to look at the costs and also the courses offered. See which courses interests you and go from there!

Good luck.

 

anyone? Bueller?

 

I say Boston if you can afford them.

 

Of the choices you listed, I would go with Boston if the cost is not an issue. You can find other cheaper alternatives as well. I would explore other possibilities personally. Boston University does have a great name and reputation.

 

Some gubmint jobs pay based on experience, tenure, and degree level and don't even care if its an NA degree. If that is the type of job you are looking at then why not go with the cheapest RA degree you can get?

 

In the federal arena, the degree is often just a check mark to meet a requirement. Maybe try finding a program that integrates security curriculum to help take the security+ or many of the other cents. Security seems to be a field hard to define.

 

BU is recognized by Dept of Defense..1 of only 23 Universities in the US. Compare BU and Florida tech credentials to see if florida tech is also recognized.