Capitol College Masters in Network Security

Steve,

I have heard it from several the professors that are working with the college on the PHD program. I'm sure Ken could tell you about this. I even had a professor that said he's looking forward to be one of the first to participate in the program.

I also know that Capitol College works closely with DOD. The government people I know tell me that it's in the works and they are excited about the PHD program. My goverment friends actually got authorized leave for months to finished the MSNS. They are looking at doing the same for the PHD through Capitol soon. It sounds like it will happen maybe as early as next year.

The College is trying to keep their name out there as a top provider in Network Security education since everyone is offering something security related these days. Capitol is doing well off the curricullum.

I would definitely put a PHD in Network Security from Capitol College at the top of my choices. They have almost perfected the online offering. I have other friends that have done online and DL from other schools and they are amazed when I show them the Capitol deliver methods with Centra and Blackboard.

I'm sure if you call Ken Crockett up he'll have some info on it.

Sincerely,

Marcus

 

Marcus and thread,
I just sent an email off to Ken, Director of Graduate Admissions, to see if he could speak to the prospects of a Capitol PhD in NS.

Marcus - thank you again.

-Steve

 

Sounds interesting

 

Has anyone found or heard additional info on the the Ph.D. in NS?
Steve

 

I'll post new information as soon as I get it.

 

Official Reply from Capitol College

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Hi Marcus -

Although CC is definitely interested in pursuing the development of a PhD or doctoral program, at this juncture, it's in a holding pattern. Once we hire a new CAO (Chief Academic Officer), I suspect we'll be able to move forward. At this juncture, no efforts are currently underway. Simply put, we just don't have the resources on hand presently to effectively move forward.
When we do though, rest assured we will begin the process. The process is rather lengthy, so I suspect we're at least 16 months away from possible program inception (if not further).

Best regards,

Ken Crockett
Director, Graduate Admissions
Capitol College

 

Damn Marcus,
I see where I rank. I think you and I sent about the same email ... the only difference mine has yet to be answered. : )

At any rate, this is still great news. I will be done with the MSNS May 2006. I can take some time off then hopefully they will get going on this program!

 

I was thinking the same thing. I will have some time off and hopefully the program will launch.

 

Marcus,
let me know how that CISSP goes for you.
i have my PMP exam here shortly. . . plan on CISSP after my MS has been completed.

Maybe we will end up in the program together. Stay in touch, if Capitol falls through maybe Nova is the answer. I really haven't found any other programs that interest me.

 

Hi all,

I wanted to thank marcuscarey and scubasteveiu for their feedback on Capitol College. Those comments from the two of you were what got me initially interested in CC after many months of searching for a high-quality network security program online. I did more googling and found mostly very positive comments, so I went and applied. I'm hoping all will go well and that my Security+ certification will help get me in the door.

Thanks again for helping me end months of mental anguish. I did *not* want to take the GRE again (I last took it in 1990), and Capitol College's MSNS is all online, so right there I had 2 winning factors pointing me to CC. Their courses seem to be exactly what I'm interested in. I do dread the thought of doing live presentations online, however.

 

Hello "gooby",
I am sure you will be very happy with CC. You will also hear from them very shortly, maybe even soon enough to get registered for Summer (starts next week). Report back and let us know what classes you register for, we might end up taking some together.

I am happy our information was helpful. This board is a lot of fun and very useful.

Gooby - another tip. Join the IEEE, as a student it is $35. As a member, you get 10% off your tuition. It is like getting a class free.

-Steve

 

Gooby is actully my dog. Since I smootch her a lot, the name goobysmootcher seems appropriate.

Thanks for that info. I would have been happy had they contacted me some time in the next month or so. I'm currently enrolled in a summer network security course at a local community college (also online) so I'll wait until Fall for CC enrollment. Besides, I need to gather up financial aid funds as my tuition reimbursement doesn't kick in until after each course is complete.

Thanks for another valuable tip. I had heard about the 10% discount (probably from degreeinfo.com) but initially thought I wasn't qualified. But I found out just now that with my work experience I am qualified, so the 10% deduction will be quite nice. Assuming I get admitted to CC, that is... my only hesitation is that my BS is in psychology and was earned in 1990 (yes, we had universities and degrees back then too....heh). I earned a subsequent AAS in Comp Sci, plus I have CompTIA Security+ certification and current work experience testing security-related host servers, so hopefully that's enough to get me in the door.

 

goobysmootcher,

I'm sure you will enjoy the program. I'm happy to pass on the information.

I still am impressed by the professionalism of the professors at Capitol. Also some of the actual students at Capitol in the MSNS program are equally impressive. So you will learn from other students during the live sessions.

For example, I took a class with Andrew Afifi a while ago when he was a student. Andrew owns and maintains CISSP.com and all related sites. He is well known in information security circles. Of course it was great getting information from someone who speaks professionally on network security issues. There are a lot of other students of which I'd consider experts also.

Not trying to intimidate anyone, but just letting you know the you'll interact with some top notch talent in the program. I think that the live format is good for group learning and personal netwoking since students always swap resumes and job information "live".

Take care and good luck to anyone else who follows.

 

Your BS in Psychology shouldn't be a problem. At the most you'll be accepted under probationary status which means you can take 3 classes and will need to maintain a B/3.0 GPA. After you accomplish that you'll be admitted as a degree seeking student.

That is how I started the program since my BS is in Liberal Studies. I also had several Psychology majors in my classes and they always had the best research which seemed related to the Psych background.

Again Good Luck!

 

Just received word back from Ken. A couple of interesting things;

1. there is an honors distinction, but for 4.0 students only. something to work toward!

2. the phd program is, most likely, two years away.

 

Icing on the cake!

I just passed the CISSP Saturday. After finishing the MSNS I was well prepared. Thanks to Capitol College!

 

Great Job Marcus! That is something to really be proud of. The MSNS and CISSP make a great combo, that's for sure. I think I read someplace you were a network admin, do you plan on moving into a pure Infosec role?


CISSP will be next summer for me. After your program at Capitol, how well do you feel it prepared you, did you have to study much more?

 

Next step is CCIE Routing and Switching. The MSNS, CISSP, and CCIE will hopefully lead to CIO, CISO, or my own company. I will keep on moving.

First I'd suggest Risk Management, Vulnerability Mitigation and the Secure Info Transfer and Storage from Capitol College. Couple those courses with some good network knowledge you should be good to go for the CISSP. I felt well prepared. I was out of the test in 2.5 hours, I believe they give 6.5 hours for the test.

 

Re: Icing on the cake!

Awesome, congratz.

 

Re: Re: Icing on the cake!

Thanks Vonnell!