Finish Second B.S. or Go For M.S.?

Since I last was active on DI, I jumped back into undergrad to pursue a second bachelors in Computer Science because I want to go into cybersecurity. I recently finished my first year, having done well. Now, with a year of upper division CS courses under my belt I'm wondering if I should finish the CS degree or go ahead and enroll in a M.S. degree in Cybersecurity (or Information Assurance).

I have options ranging from Masters of Science in Computer Science with cybersecurity/information assurance concentrations to, as I already wrote, Cybersecurity M.S. programs. Most programs are designated CAE by the NSA and the one that's not models their program on the NSA's guidelines.

I'm thinking that since my ultimate goal is cybersecurity and that I can get into graduate programs now, I don't need to finish the second bachelors degree because in that 1.5 years I can have the M.S. I mean, if I find I need Calculus* I can take that on my own, right?

So, should I go for the M.S. in Cybersecurity or is that too narrow/specialized? Would the general B.S. in CS with an internship in cybersecurity have more utility?

*I had to drop Calc I b/c of a lupus flare, which made me have to drop Calc II, which I was pre-registered for. But, I still took Discrete Math (made a B) and Numerical Methods (made an A), both of which at most schools have Calc I and/or II as prerequisites.

 

Get the MS. If you think it's too narrow, supplement it later with a certificate if you have to. I just don't see any value or utility with a second undergraduate degree.

 

Agreed. I am a firm believer in pressing on with the MS instead of getting a second undergraduate degree in most cases.

 

Thanks! I submitted my application for the M.S. in Cybersecurity at UMUC just before checking back in here, LOL. Do you have any opinions about American Public University? I like their graduate tuition rate. But, their M.S. in Cybersecurity isn't accredited by the NSA and neither is their M.S. in IT with the IA concentration.

I know the NSA designation is a huge plus, but the majority of cybersec, infosec, and IA programs do NOT have this designation and those graduates are getting jobs. So, just HOW important is that CAE designation from the NSA in the grand scheme of things, do you know?

 

I disagree with this as a general proposition because one shouldn't be going for a second BA without an excellent reason and then in most cases it is necessary to finish the undergrad work in order to be able to tackle the grad work successfully--math and chemistry being two obvious examples.

However, Cybersecurity is an exception to that rule as what one would get in a second year undergrad would be almost an exact duplicate of what one would get in a first year masters. This is NOT a compliment to the field of cybersecurity, which is a field designed to provide cannon fodder for real hackers. So in this case, I would go on to get a masters.

 

I came back to update this thread. I enrolled in the online M.S. in Cybersecurity at the University of Maryland University College. Classes start Monday, Sept. 21. :fing02:

 

I think you made a good decision. Best of luck with your program. Keep us updated.

 

Thanks, Kizmet. I will!