Advice on PhD track

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by SnafuRacer, May 13, 2019.

Loading...
  1. SnafuRacer

    SnafuRacer Active Member

    I would like some advice from the community.
    I'm about to retire from the military in a couple of years. I will be 47 then.
    I already have a master's from WGU in Information Assurance, and currently enrolled in an MBA from LSU Shreveport. I also intend to enroll and complete a master's from Boston University in Computer Information Systems. By the end of 2021 when I get my retirement papers, I intend to be done or close to finishing both of these degrees.
    My post-military transition plan is to seek employment in the Middle East, somewhere in one of the GCC countries.

    I still intend to earn a doctorate in Information Technology or Management Information Systems (for personal reasons, it has to be a PhD, not a DBA, DIT or DSc...). I will be paying for it with personal funds, student loans or potential employer tuition reimbursement.

    Reasons for earning the PhD: personal goal, use it for climbing the corporate ladder, teach online as an adjunct (plan to transition to that more as I grow older and gain more teaching experience) and do some consulting, concurrent with corporate work.

    I am debating between online or resident.
    - Online: I can do it at my own pace, start a new career and continue earning money.

    U.S schools that I saw (culled from reading various sites)
    * Nova Southeastern University: they have both a PhD in Information Assurance or Information Systems.
    * Capella University.
    * University of the Cumberlands (though student experiences vary about their program)

    - Resident: drawback is that I have to give up on career earnings while I dedicate 4-5 years to the university and subsist on approximately a $30,000/year stipend.
    * University of Texas at Dallas
    * University of Texas at San Antonio
    * University of Houston
    * University of Georgia
    * University of Arizona

    I will have to take the GMAT (I don't mind). I know that I could be competitive for either.

    The drawback from the resident programs is that I don't intend to become a full time university professor.
    I want the ability to work in industry, consult and not be beholden to dedicate every waking moment to research papers, publishing or the politics of academia.

    What should I consider or what would you advise?
     
  2. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    I feel sick every time I see Capella mentioned.

    Nova Southeastern charges too much. For an online program, I recommend University of Arkansas - Little Rock's PhD in Computer and Information Sciences.

    https://ualr.edu/online/programs/cis/
     
  3. nyvrem

    nyvrem Active Member

  4. Jonathan Whatley

    Jonathan Whatley Well-Known Member

  5. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    I forgot to mention that, even though the University of Arkansas program is 75 credits, it's designed to admit people who only have bachelor's degrees. I think they give advanced standing or transfer credits to those with related master's degrees. Tuition is only $383 per credit hour. Even if you have to complete all 75 credits, which you probably won't, the program is less than $29k.

    Unless you're worried about your graduate GPA or not having the appropriate prerequisites, I think the additional master's in computer information systems would be a waste of money. You could just go straight to a PhD program.

    Last year, I corresponded with two of the professors, and one of them answered questions at Degreeforum.net since we had several interested members.
     
  6. SnafuRacer

    SnafuRacer Active Member

    Thank you. I will definitely look into Arkansas and Dakota State some more.

    I know next to nothing about UK or international degrees. I saw various mentions around here of different ones like HW, Manchester and such but always shied away since they're not usually funded by tuition assistance.
    Since this terminal degree will be self-funded (and well, terminal) I want to make the right choice, and not end up with something that will need to be explained once I send a CV for adjunct positions (although I can parlay the international degree stature for consulting later...)

    @sanantone, I don't mind studying for the BU degree (I'm still looking further into it) since it will be a nice counterweight to the WGU degree. I completed the WGU degree during one of my deployments and it has been good for learning but want to have something else in place for my post military transition.

    Thank you for your advice.
     
  7. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    Nova Southeastern University changes it program from Ph.D in Information Assurance to Ph.D in Cybersecurity Management looks so tasty to me. I am moving to FLorida this summer, I want to see if I could return back to the program to continue where I left off since I could attend residency now.

    Also, Purdue University offers Doctor of Technology online...not by Purdue Global, but rather by the Polytechnic Institute. https://online.purdue.edu/online-programs/doctorate-degrees?cmgfrm=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
     
  8. chrisjm18

    chrisjm18 Well-Known Member

    Return back?? Noooooooooooo!!!! I hope you're an ESL individual. If so, you're pardoned.

    The OP is only interested in a Ph.D., not a DT, DIT, DBA, etc.
     
  9. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    Well, I need to see if there is a return on investment.

    Yes, sir! Yes, I am! Sometimes I do not feel to proofread my post.

    I withdrew the program due to family circumstances, and the Dean and program director told me that I could return to the program where I left off. In this summer, I am relocating to Central Florida. The bi-semester residencies requirements are no longer an issue.
     
    chrisjm18 likes this.
  10. chrisjm18

    chrisjm18 Well-Known Member

    I was messing with you because you said "return back" which is redundant/repetitive in English. Return or go back would be fine, just not both. Anyway, I hope you do return to the program since you already completed some coursework and will be Florida resident soon.
     
  11. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    Hey, at least these are two different terms. I have seen people think they speak perfect English, but they use the following phases in writing.

    "CAC Card"= Common Access Card Card
    "CSFC Fusion Center" = Cyber Security Fusion Center Fusion Center

    All y'all! = All you all! ;)
     
    chrisjm18 likes this.
  12. chrisjm18

    chrisjm18 Well-Known Member

    True.. others include ATM machine = Automated Teller Machine Machine, SSN number = Social Security Number Number, and PIN number = Personal Identification Number Number... lol :)
     

Share This Page