I think I've narrowed it down! Haha.

I've looked through all the online and B&M MSIA (or equivalent) programs that I could attend to in person (I live in Maryland), or would be interested in pursuing via DL. I know certifications and experience are more important than a master's degree, but I don't have an IT background (I do intelligence work in the military) and am getting my undergrad finished in computer networking.

I'm going to go out on a limb and assume the B&M programs I've chosen will be rigorous and rewarding, but I would like some help in determining which online ones would give me a similar experience.

For DL, I'm interested in Capitol College (because of the more hands-on focus), DSU, IA State, and Florida Institute of Technology, but am open to other suggestions/recommendations.

I'm not too concerned about prestige, but would like a decent school on my diploma.

Information Assurance (MS) | Capitol College

Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences

Information Systems Security master

Information Assurance Master

Core Courses - MSIA - Master of Science in Information Assurance - Dakota State University

MS - Information Assurance & Cybersecurity | Florida Institute of Technology

MS in Information Assurance and Security | Graduate Catalog 2011-2013 | Sam Houston State University

Information Assurance, MSIA | Davenport University

Cybersecurity | Office of Advanced Engineering Education, Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland

JHU Information Security Institute - Program Requirements

 

I applied to several schools, so that I could have a backup, just in case, although I got accepted to all the ones I applied to. Davenport University was fairly aggressive in trying to lure me to attend, almost like how I would expect a for-profit school, and the woman who emailed and called me did not appear very educated, uttering banal generalities like, "It's an awesome program," etc. and other comments devoid of any specific information about their IA program. I would avoid that school.

If you wish to do IA, you should look into a school with a CyberCorp program and attempt to do that if possible. With your military intelligence background, that may work to your benefit.

You will want an NSA-Certified Center of Academic Excellence school.

Of the ones you listed, my top choices would be ISU, DSU, and Capitol College. UMD and JHU don't look too bad, looking at their web sites. I never seriously considered those two, so I cannot comment further. Since you live in Maryland, you may wish to have a local school, so that should be a consideration. I cannot comment on the rigor of all the schools you have listed.

You should also decide if cybersecurity is a specialization you wish to pursue. If it isn't, then UMD may not be a good choice.

At this point, I would encourage you to also look into CyberCorp before going further.

 

What exactly is the CyberCorp program?

My top pick right now is Capitol, followed by IA State and DSU. What program did you decide to get into?

 

I went with DSU.

CyberCorps is program that provides full scholarship for your IA education, as well as a stipend, although it requires you to commit to working for the federal government for a period of time in a job related to IA. You must be able to work full time and be able to obtain a security clearance. It is merit-based and decided by the participating institutions, and not all schools will consider online programs as acceptable for meeting CyberCorps' requirements.

https://www.sfs.opm.gov/

Cyber Corps program trains spies for the digital age - Los Angeles Times

 

I'll have to keep that in mind.

What are your thoughts about DSU? Im assuming youre enrolled in the MSIA program

 

A few programs in MD.

Applied Information Technology Degree Master of Science (M.S.) - Towson University
Online Master's in Information Systems

 

I saw those a few weeks ago, and I just wasn't terribly impressed with Towson's program. That's just my personal opinion.

 

Thought I throw in it there to see. I was actually looking over Towson's graduate certificate in interactive media design and noticed it.

 

It has been a good experience. I sent a private message.

 

Thanks for the PM's. They were very helpful and insightful. My only question is that is the DSU program accelerated? Or will it take two years to complete?

Right now, I am leaning toward Capitol College, just because of the proximity to me (being able to physically go play at the Cyber Lab, etc), the accelerated format (8 and 16 week classes), and that based on the course descriptions, to be more heavily technically focused.

I'll still probably apply to DSU, however. I'm also curious about Regis' program, but I don't know anyone who's been through it.

For any Capitol grads out there, have any words of wisdom, experiences, and/or thoughts about their MSIA program? I'd love to hear what your experiences were/are like.

 

DSU has Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. I don't think there is anything to stop you from taking a heavy course load. You can go to the web site and view what courses are available and when, and figure out if you can handle the course load with your other commitments. Keep in mind though that the foundational courses are constituted by two upper level undergraduate CS courses, so that may take up more time and make it more difficult to do it in an accelerated fashion if you had to take many of them.