Best Information Security/Assurance/Network Security Program?

Bachelors or Masters:

The ones I know of that are supposed to be fantastic:

Norwich University: Masters of Information Assurance, Bachelors of Computer Security & Information Assurance

Capitol College: Masters of Science in Information Assurace, Bachelors of Science in Information Assurance.

 

Capitol College is one of the top ones to say the least... I'm sure sentinel will have a few others to add to your list for infosec programs.

 

Capella University offers the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Information Technology (Information Assurance and Security) degree and has been approved by the DHS and NSA. If at all possible, complete the general education requirements at a less expensive school. Afterwards, earning the Master of Science in Information Assurance from Capitol College would be a great complement; the MS(IA) is also approved by the DHS and NSA.

Capitol College offers a Master of Science in Information Assurance degree. The NSA and DHS have designated Capitol College as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education.

The University of London External offers a graduate degree and graduate certificate in Information Security.

The University of Dallas offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Information Assurance (IA) as well as a series of graduate certificates in information assurance. The University of Dallas has been designated by National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance.

Iowa State University offers a graduate degree (Masters of Science in Information Assurance) and a graduate certificate (Information Assurance Graduate Certificate). In 1999 the National Security Agency named Iowa State University one of the seven charter Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education.

TUI University offers a Master of Science (MS ITM) with a specialization in Information Security/Assurance and Digital Forensics that has only one real digital forensics course in the curriculum. The MS ITM degree coupled with either the digital forensics graduate certificate from University of Central Florida or the security management graduate certificate from Capitol College is a good combination.

Fort Hays State University offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Information Networking and Telecommunications (INT) degree which provides a solid foundation for graduate study in information assurance.

If and when I come across other suitable programmes (certificates or degrees at the undergraduate or graduate level) I will post them.

 

The University of Liverpool offers a Master of Science (MSc) in Information Technology (IT) degree with a specialization in Information Security (IS).

Fort Hays State University offers a Master of Liberal Studies in Information Assurance degree.

UTICA College offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance.

 

Dakota State University offers a Master of Science in Information Assurance degree. The National Security Agency and The Department of Homeland Security have designated DSU as a national center of excellence in information assurance education.

James Madison University offers a Master of Science in Computer Science degree with a specialization in Information Security. James Madison University is one of the original seven centres of excellence in information assurance education.

 

Western Governors University offers a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a specialization in Security degree.

Strayer University offers a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems with a specialization in Computer Security and a Master of Science in Information Systems with a specialization in Computer Security Management.

 

University of Dallas also offers a Master of Science in Information Assurance, Master of Management in Information Assurance, and two IA graduate certificates. The degree matrix is fairly informative. All UD IA degrees are available via DL.

Due to course rotations, I will not finish with my IA grad certificate from UD until 2010. I am, however, taking a third IA course this coming fall.

 

Thank you for the clarification.

What is your opinion of the courses?

 

Thus far, I've taken two IA courses through UD. The foundations course seemed very easy from my perspective. In one form or another, I've worked in security-related positions for over 20 years.

TECH 6350, Cryptography and Network Security, turned into a most challenging experience. We delved into many areas in which I had some exposure, but in other topics, I admittedly struggled to catch up. PGP went well, although I am the lead PGP desktop analyst at my company. Email was't hard -- I worked as a Linux/Sendmail admin for 4 years. Number theory & PK ciphers proved difficult. Of course, I haven't had math at that level in forever, even though this section wasn't math-intensive. Other sections require significant effort, such as elliptic curve cryptography. We also worked two team projects.

This course probably seemed more demanding for me because I also attempted to maintain good standing in two other concurrent courses through Duquesne. For a short time, my average in TECH 6350 dipped below a "B", especially when we covered elliptic curves and number theory. I finished with an A-. When spring semester concluded, I felt truly drained.

 

It seems that Capitol College is really the place to go for a Masters in Information Assurance. Seems they have been at it the longest and have the best rep. (being in the VA, DC, Maryland area)

I have also heard the Norwich could be considered the top program in Infromation Assurance as they had the first degree titled Information Assurance and have you take the CISSP on your final week before graduation. That is a good combo!

 

I am currently in Iowa State's IA program, and I really recommend it. The first course that I took was really hard, to the point where I almost discontinued the program. It is definitely challenging but very rewarding.

 

Wow, sounds like a great program!

 

The University of Denver offers a graduate certificate and a Master's degree in Information Security;

http://universitycollege.du.edu/grad/smgt/degreeplan.cfm?degreeID=295

 

Another vote for Capitol --- as it has live, real time classes.

A fair vid here: http://www.capitol-college.edu/newsevents/8920_237.shtml

Norwich is good too, if you enjoy the Audit / Risk side.

 

Another vote for the Capitol program as well. The program has strong ties to the NSA; the college itself is less than 9 miles away from Ft. Meade (NSA Headquaters). I strongly suggest you take a look at the video that scubasteveiu linked above. It covers allthe major points of the program and the college itself. Probably the biggest highlight of the Capitol Program is that it is fully mapped to the all 6 NSA Information Assurance Standards at the ADVANCED level and al 10 ISC2 industry standards. The only other school that is a National Centers of Excellence designated program with the same qualifications is the University of Tulsa's in resident IA program.

 

Sorry to bring back an "old" thread, but I was wondering if Sentinel (or someone else with good knowledge of IS/IA) could elaborate on this statement. Since I don't want to "specialize" too early, and I like this field, I would like to know, is Fort Hays truly the best option to "get your feet wet"? And what exactly makes the INT program (or any other program, for that matter) a solid foundation for the graduate study of information assurance? Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

 

I'll just bump this for you in the hopes someone working in IS/IA can proffer there views.

I will say though that Fort Hays BS INT with the integrated certification preparation does provide a good basis upon which to continue studying at the graduate level in the areas of information assurance and information security. In these specialized fields I see employment requirements listing various certifications so you might as well get used to them early on.

HwyRogue is currently enrolled at Fort Hays so maybe he will offer his thoughts on his experience with the BS INT.

 

Just an FYI, but according to this job announcement, University of Dallas might seriously be considering AACSB accreditation.

 

Must admit I didn't know that. Thanks for the bump and the prompt answer.

 

ISU or James Madison

I was recently accepted to both Iowa State and James Madison and am having a difficult time deciding between the two since they are both great programs with similar credentials. So I would like to know:

1. What were some of your deciding factors in choosing ISU?
2. Are your professors readily available? How is communication between the students & faculty?
3. Are the professors reasonably flexible concerning exams. For instance, are you given say, a 2 or 3 day window to take an exam?
4. That leads me to my next question, have you had any communication problems between the faculty and your designated proctor? (I had a couple problems when I earned the CPC from NCSU.)

I appreciate any feedback that anyone can offer concerning either of these programs that might help me make this decision.