I've a Master's in Information Security and Assurance (WGU). I've many years experience in military, private sector, and as a gov contractor in the information technology/security space. Are there any strong Ph.D. programs out there for information security that can be completed with little to no residency requirements? (I don't mind making a visit or two to campus, but don't want the degree bad enough to stop working for a few years. Preferably ones that won't break the bank, as I've been self-funding, or ones that give some type of veteran break on fees, as I'm ex-military. As I'm ex-military, I'm familiar with the idea that one may have to move because the situation on the ground changes (better opportunities elsewhere), so being stuck in a geographical area doesn't work for me, at all. Not that I'm planning to move anytime soon, but I like having that flexibility. I'm currently in the San Antonio, TX area, if one knows any local options that may fit the criteria.
Capitol College has a DsC in Information Assurance: it can be done mostly by distance. It is a reputable school, and not as expensive as some. Information Assurance (DSc) | Capitol College Nova offers a concentration in Infosec: it is also a reputable university. Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences Capella also has a similar doctorate, and requires just a few colloquia: You might also contact UTSA to see if they meet your requirements: Department of Computer Science Also, see this thread: http://www.degreeinfo.com/computer-related-degrees/41470-research-ph-d-tecommunication-information-security.html
rmm0484 is right on the subject; however, Nova Southeastern University requires 2 weekend residencies per semester. I am currently attending there for Ph.D Computer Information Systems with Information Security concentration. Also, Dakota State University offer Doctor of Science (DSc) in Information Systems with Information Assurance considers the lowest cost. However the program is very competitive in admission. As for Capella University, you might face criticism on solely distance learning school.
I'm not sure that Dakota State is necessarily so competitive (acceptance rate taken from Google search preview, data source is not verified) Acceptance Rate - Estimated Cost - Estimated Years - School Name - Motto 92.0 - 22,448 - 3 - Dakota State University - Technically We're Better 58.0 - 48,000 - 3 - Nova Southeastern University - 56.0 - 37,536 - 3 - Capitol College - Right now, this is my current ranking of them: 1a. Capitol College 1b. Nova Southeastern University 2. Dakota State University I guess cost isn't my number one differentiator after all. I looked over the programs, and just from what I see on the websites, Nova and Capitol are a bit higher-ranking for me. The admissions process for Capitol seems to require a bit more work of the three listed here, and I kind of prefer that it has slightly higher resistance than Nova Southeastern University, and also costs a little less. I know there are probably more programs out there, but comparing between Nova Southeastern University and Capitol College is pretty close right now. Capitol College: Capitol College (StudentsReview) - College Reviews Summary, Student Opinion, Tuition, Application, Sports Nova Southeastern University: Nova Southeastern University (StudentsReview) - College Reviews Summary, Student Opinion, Tuition, Application, Sports Dakota State University: Dakota State University (StudentsReview) - College Reviews Summary, Student Opinion, Tuition, Application, Sports Hah. It's funny reading some of the comments on here. It seemed the Dakota State students didn't like the campus life, necessarily. I guess I'm fortunate that I already did the campus life thing, and feel no desires to be repeating that now, LOL.
I guess you have your own opinion on the schools and programs. Of course, Capitol College offer DSc in Information Assurance, which is direct program. Other schools are just only specialization, which requires core of it particular program. Just keep in mind that Capitol College is less known than Nova Southeastern University, and also Ph.D better known an DSc. Capitol College is located in Laurel, Maryland (suburban of Washington D.C). If you ask somebody if the know where Capitol College in Washington D.C area; most of them do know if the school exists.
I think you are looking at the wrong data points when it comes to acceptance rate. That 92% acceptance rate for Dakota State applies to their undergraduate program, NOT their doctoral program. The high acceptance rate for undergrads makes sense considering that the majority of their undergraduate applicant pool is probably limited to South Dakota. Because of the online option for their doctorate, DSU is pulling applicants at a national level for that degree. While we don't know the exact acceptance numbers (I suppose you could call and ask them), I can make a few inferences based on this and other web boards. One observation I have made is the shear number of people rejected by DSU over the past 2-3 years. If you read on this forum, you will see SEVERAL folks applying to this program and most being rejected. My suspicion is because this is the least expensive RA online Doctorate in information assurance AND it is being offered by a state university, as opposed to a for-profit. Here is an interesting thread about people being rejected from DSU. http://www.degreeinfo.com/general-distance-learning-discussions/38719-denied-adminssion-dsu-dr-science.html Just a quick note, the original poster of the "Denied.." thread was accepted to Capitol College's doctoral program about a month later. Doing a quick search, I found 9 posters on this forum who stated that they applied to DSU and told their results. Of the 9, 4 were accepted and 5 were rejected. What is even more interesting is that of the 4 accepted. 3 applied before 2010, and of the 5 rejected ALL applied in 2010 or later. I am betting that as the program became more well known, it became MUCH more competitive over they years (especially the security track). This is actually pretty common. My wild-ass, un-scientific, completely unfounded, gut instinct guess of their acceptance rate for the doctoral program is probably around 20%, although I would not be the least bit surprised if it was lower.
Good point. I was also thinking that the data point was for the university as a whole, and didn't single out any of the programs. I did try to clarify that I didn't have a source. Also, as far as it being harder to get in, because it cost less. ... that makes a lot of sense. Now, as far as the point of Doctor of Science vs. Ph.D. ... believe me when I tell you that I went around the net trying to figure out what the big deal was there, and the only thing that I could come up with is that most people know what a PhD is, but no one knows what a DSc is. It even got to the point where I'm reading something about PhDs are the real doctors, and MDs just stole the title, etc. .... it just turned into mindless old-school web browsing and researching at that point. Anyway, back on topic. I'm still un-decided. I had brought up the PhD vs DSc internally to just myself, and if I'm thinking it could be an issue, and someone posting in the thread thinks it is an issue (and if I had to look it up myself in the first place) .... then, yeah, it could be an issue, LOL. Their program looks very strong, too. A shame to skip it 'cause of the title. Not that the title necessarily matters to me, but ... it would matter to others, so that, I guess, makes it matter to me. I don't have the goal of being a teacher. I feel that I could enjoy the research thing, just not full time. I prefer having a regular job. Also, there is a perception issue: Piled Higher and Deeper. Or, people might feel that you enjoy researching more than getting things accomplished (from my perspective, research is getting something accomplished, but that's not a debate for hear nor there). One guy said that he had a PhD on staff before, and the guy was teaching his other employees all the time. From my perspective, that was strengthening the entire team, but maybe from his perspective, the guy was slacking off other duties. No idea. I guess that I've reached the point where I don't want to be seen as "too technical" if that makes any sense to anyone. I don't want to get stuck into the mold where I can't manage the place because I'm seen as too important for keeping the place running. It's just ... I feel hungry to go to the doctorate level, and it doesn't feel sensible right now to stop while I feel so enthusiastic about it .... but I also want to exercise common sense about things. That is, I don't want to go all the way to the doctorate level in my field, only to remove it from my resume.
So, based on the rejection rate, is DSU the "school you can't get into" of Online PhD in IA? (Referring to that UNC online MBA ad that pops up in my browser so often.) Bringing up the PhD vs DSc point gives me major pause. I researched on it so much the other day to the point where I convinced myself it was only in my head, then I come on this forum, and someone says the exact same thing I suspected. It pains that the most focused program doesn't offer PhD, but I guess that's just how things are. I thought that Capitol College's application process was the biggest ordeal, as it required jumping through several hoops. As far as knowing it exists, I first heard of Capitol College at work (from other people who work in IA, and one who attends there). I heard of NOVA all over the place (so it does have good name recognition). I did look at UTSA, but the focus there (as far as I could tell) seemed to be Computer Science. Then I had the discussion with myself of whether or not Computer Science PhD would be better than an Information Security PhD, and then I start having the discussion with myself as to whether or not I am already too technical, and maybe I should just get an MBA to balance myself out. .... Yeah, back to the thread title: What Next? LOL.
You are not the only one, I am in the same boat with you. I live 30 miles away from Capitol College, but I chose Capella University because of Ph.D vs DSc. I was a Capella University's Ph.D in Information Technology, and dropped out because of the school. Now, I am with Nova Southeastern University, and yes...I am still under GI Bill at least for 40% of the program. After that I would look for scholarship, employer's tuition assistance, and student loans as I don't have any yet. The only Professional Doctorate I would like to have is Doctor of Engineering Science from Columbia University. The problem that it is hard to get in, perhaps a bridge from Professional degree. Besides, $5,000.00 per class is really expensive. One is never too technical; because there are lot of technology out there. A CISSP certifies does not know everything in security. But it is not a bad idea to get an MBA.
You don't need it to teach, and you don't need more technical knowledge. You're not interested in transitioning to an academic career. I'm not sure why you're interested in doctoral study at all, but if you are then I don't know why would you think twice about DSc vs. PhD when they're functionally identical. I'm not knocking Capella; people I respect have done well with degrees from there. But Capella is manifestly more expensive than Capitol College or Dakota State. I could maybe see it if there were two programs at the same price, but is the difference really worth ten thousand dollars per letter?
It's a multi-sided thing, as far as the issue of getting the degree. 1. Primary motivation is for promotion potential. Maybe not at my current job, but if I ever work as a government civilian in the future, it would help in the screening process to have a Doctorate in IA. So, striking while the iron is hot makes sense from this standpoint. 2. Name recognition does matter. Everyone on this board talks about the great degree of work they go through to get their doctorate. That's a lot of work for it to not be recognized. 3. I'd not have much of an issue getting a DSc later on, if I already had a PhD first. 4. Personal goal to get a PhD (do I really need any other reason than this?) On the issue of never being technical enough ... I've not held a supervisory position since I left the military 7 years ago (I did IT in the military also), which, to me, has me feeling that I'm pegged as a "technician" and not a "manager". Not sure where the CISSP thing came from, but that's probably the least technical certification that I have, if you've seen my profile at techexams.net.
Thought I'd just into this forum and offer my two cents. I work for the Federal Government in Cyber, but an more on the business side of the house in IT Governance. I have an MBA in Information Assurance and was actually in Capital College's DSc program, but left the program during the first course and am now enrolled in WGU's MS in IT Network Management. Since you are considering Capitol College, here is the reason I left the program. My reason for leaving the program is that is was not structured enough for me and I had the feeling it was more of a "fly by the seat of your pants" program. There was no formal orientation into the program for my incoming cohort nor was there a doctoral student guide that I could refer to as I progressed through the program; moreover, only one student has successfully defended their dissertation - so the program is still quite young. We briefly had a 1 hour Q&A question during my first class session and that was it. I am very logical and need things to be structured so it was not the program for me; moreover, for approximately $2,600 per class I expected much more in term of program design. Not to say it is not a good program, it just wasn't for me. So just some food for thought for you. Also, since you are interested in pursuing a doctorate, why a PhD if you are not interested in teaching? A PhD is really designed for academic research, whereas DSc a and DBA is designed for practical solutions outside of academia. I know you are interested in DSc programs, but have you also considered a DBA with a concentration in Information Systems Management? Walden University has a DBA program with an Info Sys Management concentration. The great thing about Walden is that they have campus-based, hybrid, and online options for their programs. The reason I throw a DBA into the mix is that if you are considering a doctorate I assume you will eventually be moving into a mid-to-high level management role in your career. IS and IA naturally must align with an organization's strategic business objectives so a DBA might suite your career needs and aspirations quite well. Oh and as a quick note - I am in WGU's MS in IT Network Management program so that I can officially show that I have an IT degree and not just certs with an MBA and Biology degree to help make me more marketable for IT management roles. Plus the program is a breeze for me thus far, since most of the work aligns with what I either have experience in or have been exposed to in my MBA. I hope to have the program completed in a total of 6-8 months. If I finish the program in that time frame, it will only cost me around $6k too.
On Dakota State's program - (DSc) I can advise after further review and conversation with those in the program and some of the faculty: 1. That after 2009 they were getting a lot more applications. 2. That around 2010 they were getting a more deferrals to the next year. 3. That they are more likely to take candidates from their own undergrad and grad programs due to familiarity. So they're a legit program just like every other legit program. I am one of the 5 that were declined admission without a previous DSU pedigree, ridiculous GRE scores, and good academic scores otherwise. This said, I'm also absolutely sure that the admissions process was entirely fair and those who did get in, were great choices.
