Hi everyone! This is my first post and my first question. I recently finished my BS in ITM from TUI University this past semester and thinking of pursing my Masters degree. After looking around at other schools, I decided to either stay at TUI or apply to Capella University. If I stay with TUI, I would pursue my masters in MS ITM with a concentration on Information Security/Assurance and Digital Forensics (http://www.tuiu.edu/cis/msitm.html). At Capella, I am interested in their MS in IT with a focus on Information Security Specialization (http://www.capella.edu/schools_programs/business_technology/masters/information_security.aspx). If anyone has input on any of these schools or programs, I would appreciate it.
Digital Forensics If you want to focus your studies in the area of digital forensics, the University of Central Florida (UCF) offers a graduate certificate (15 credit hours) in digital forensics. There are three (3) intakes per year. The MS ITM at TUI University has only one real digital forensics course in the curriculum. The MS ITM Information Security/Assurance and Digital Forensics degree coupled with either the graduate certificate from UCF or the undergraduate certificate in digital forensics offered by Champlain College is a good combination. Capitol College is another fine school offering a graduate degree in information assurance. I know... decisions, decisions.
Also to add what Sentinel said it wouldn't hurt to get some training in either EnCase and work towards their certification or FTK.
Based on the experience I had with FTK and EnCase during my coursework at Champlain College, I would highly recommend you download the free, though limited, versions of each of these forensic tools and spend at least 6 months with them. These tools are powerful and complex and cannot be mastered in a week. You should also check out Helix and Penguin Sleuth Kit. We barely scratched the surface of any of these tools during the certificate programme (7-week course schedule) due mainly to their inherent comlpexity.
Thanks for all the great responses. I need to take time and go through some of the links you guys provided. I guess this broadens my choices. Decisions… decisions
Please check out the very informed comments about Capitol College by seanst in this thread. Capitol College arguably teaches the most comprehensive Information Assurance graduate program available via distance learning. Further kudos to sentinel for mentioning the UCF digital forensics grad certificate program. It's quite affordable, workable, and also ranks on my list of future endeavors for my remaining GI Bill. I've also heard that UCF plans to offer the entire MS in Digital Forensics professional track online beginning Fall, 2008.
The University of Rhode Island www.uri.edu also offers an online Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics.
I think the professional track is going to be offered via distance education (online delivery), but from what I read the computer science track is still only delivered in the classroom. Can anyone confirm whether both tracks will be available via distance education?
Sorry to bring this post back from the dead, but I wanted to give you guys a little update. I decided to stick with TUI, since they incorporated Information Security/ Assurance and Digital Forensics as one of their concentrations to MSITM (http://www.tuiu.edu/cis/msitm.html#infosec). As of right now, I am almost half way through my first class, which is IT security and Disaster Recovery Management. I can tell you that I am really enjoying the information gained through this course. I would also like to add that I am excited that I decided to go ahead with my master degree and cannot wait to finish. thanks again for all the good advice.. -cheers
You might want to check a library for the book that my daughter and I did, with Tom Head: Get Your IT Degree and Get Ahead . . . a huge doorstop of a book for the McGraw-Hill "Get Ahead" series. A bit out of date, but still a lot of useful stuff therein, I think, on choosing a path, etc. (I see that it is on Amazon for $4.74, used. Such a deal.) (For the record, I pledged my royalties to worthy causes, so I do not, and never did, get anything from the sale of this tome.)
Hey J3RR3L! How incredible that I found this thread! I am actively weighing whether or not to pursue the TUI MSIT (Management) or the TUI MBA in IT. My only dilemma: I have a liberal arts degree for an undergraduate degree. I have the ability to pursue my masters now, and thought these two would be interesting, but I am wondering how much prior knowledge of IT or Business I would need to stay afloat (successfully/ with A's). From looking at the discussions I have found on the internet, it looks like everyone pursuing this degree (MSIT) has already gained some professional experience in IT, or they have a technical undergraduate degree. In the business area, comparing TUI to other online degrees, by the description of their courses for their classes, it seems as though they expect you to have already taken some macro/micro economics, finance....I've had statistics already but, again, I'm wondering how much prior knowledge I am missing to successfully engage in this line of study. My goal? To have some marketable skills, since obviously, my liberal arts degree limits me in the job market. Even with prior service experiences gained. Also, I am like you and have some (2 years)of GI Bill left to use, and I would like to have something to show for my time in the next 15 months, while my husband will be gone on training and deployment to Iraq (again). So please, please....send me your opinion of the TUI experience as it relates to the Masters program MSIT or the MBA if you know anything about that one. Also, if you know anyone who can give me their perspective on the TUI experience as well, please send them my way! Thanks a gazillion! Shelly
