Online MBA in Informaion Security

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Tarbuza, Apr 8, 2007.

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  1. Tarbuza

    Tarbuza New Member

    I am looking for totatlly online MBA in Information Security with no residency requirement at all. It should be accredited.

    I would appreciate your recommendation. The course format should be such that I should be able to complete within 12 -18 months.

    Is there any MBA course that grant course exemption for CISSP/CISA or other industry certifications?
     
  2. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member


    Since Information Security is really more an IT subject rather than a business one, you will be more likely to find a master's in Information Management or IT with focus on security rather than an MBA. The University of Livepool offers one with focus in Security but not an MBA.
     
  3. Tarbuza

    Tarbuza New Member

    University of Liverpool

    I looked at University of Liverpool curriculum. It is totally screwed up. They are just trying to cash in on the wave of Information Security. I was not impressed with their curriculum. They certainly need to revamp their curriculum.
     
  4. Daniel Luechtefeld

    Daniel Luechtefeld New Member

    This query piqued my curiosity. As ridiculous as it sounds, lo and behold there are in fact several online MBA programs out there with IA specializations:

    James Madison: http://www.jmu.edu/mba/aboutinfosec.htm

    U. Dallas: http://www.thedallasmba.com/ia/programs.cfm

    Jones International: http://www.jonesinternational.edu/schools/business/mba/125.php

    Walsh College:
    http://www.walshcollege.edu/pages/109.asp

    The IA curricula of the first two schools are NSA-certified - the gold standard. The business curricula are not AACSB-certifed, however.
     
  5. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    Have you tried with NorthCentral? They offer an MBA in Info Security and might be willing to give some credit.
     
  6. SteveJM

    SteveJM New Member

    If you're willing to consider an MS, Capitol College is a regionally accredited B&M school, and is recognized by the NSA and DHS for infosec. The program is 100% online, but is unique in that it operates more like a B&M program with lectures you attend online (also recorded for later review), very little use of discussion boards in most classes. The courses are either 8 weeks or 16 weeks in length, so 18 months should be doable. I’m 60% done the MS there, and would recommend it to others.
    Steve
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 8, 2007
  7. monte

    monte New Member

    SteveJM,

    Are you required to view the online classes live, or can you see them later?
     
  8. SteveJM

    SteveJM New Member

    That depends on the person teaching the course, but most require live attendance.

    Also, each course has one proctored exam, usually the final, but sometimes it's the midterm.
    Steve
     
  9. SteveJM

    SteveJM New Member

    That depends on the person teaching the course, but most require live attendance.

    Also, each course has one proctored exam, usually the final, but sometimes it's the midterm.
    Steve
     
  10. sentinel

    sentinel New Member

    Iowa State University offers a graduate degree (Masters of Science in Information Assurance) and a graduate certificate (Information Assurance Graduate Certificate).

    "Iowa State faculty have a national reputation for education in computer security. In 1999 the National Security Agency named Iowa State University one of the seven charter Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education." (Iowa State University web site)

    Additionally, University of London External offers a graduate degree and graduate certificate in Information Security.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 9, 2007
  11. Tarbuza

    Tarbuza New Member

    Thanks and Is JIU accredited?

    Thanks everyone for your response.

    The following Universities look good from the curriculum point of view:

    a) University of Dallas
    b) Northcentral University
    c) Jones International University (JIU)

    I was just wondering whether JIU is accredited or not. Capital College MS is a little bit weird for a person like me who travels quite a lot and might be totally in a different time zone. You are required to attend a series of live lectures.

    I would like to hear people's experience with above three universities from the flexible point of view and cost wise.

    I will take a look at Iowa program. University of London is more traditional where you read and read and then take 3 hours exam to pass each subject. At the end of the course, you are also required to submit dissertation.
     
  12. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator


    I am enrolled in NCU's PhD program and I enjoy it. The cost is $500 per credit so it is not cheap. The staff is great and I have had only one instructor that I was not really impressed with. There is little interaction with the instructors and you can complete the courses as fast as you would like. With 36 credits (12 classes) for the MBA, you could complete one course per month and get it done in a year. It would require A LOT of work but it is possible if you have a good understanding of some of the concepts already.
     
  13. Tarbuza

    Tarbuza New Member

    Jones International University

    I spoke with Academic Counselor of JIU. It is 700 dollars per credit. It is too expensive.

    How about University of Dallas? Has anyone taken their MBA?
     
  14. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Australia's Charles Sturt University has two, although they are Master of Management degrees, not MBAs as such:

    http://itmasters.com.au/managers_security_MCSE.htm
    http://itmasters.com.au/managers_security_multi.htm

    If you earn relevant technical certifications, you can be exempt from up to half of the coursework. In that case the cost is reasonable and so is the timeframe for completion.

    Good luck,

    -=Steve=-
     
  15. Tarbuza

    Tarbuza New Member

    Charles Sturt

    I found this Charles Sturt University too funny. They are offering exemption to few "vendor certifications" (not all. It is like cherry-picking :)). Not all vendor neutral certifications that are globally acclaimed like CISSP, CISA, CISM or even the gold standard Security certifications of SANS are even considered. Surprisingly enough, they are not even aware of when you exchanged emails with them.

    We all know the current value of MCSE in today's IT market. I have a very serious doubt how this degree will fly in front of the employer provided they are offering 6 courses exemption for MCSE and discounting the real Information Security global certifications.

    You end up thinking that they may have designed their course in an ivory tower by someone who is obsessed with MCSE :)
     
  16. FLA Expatriate

    FLA Expatriate New Member

    I'm enrolled in the University of Dallas Information Assurance grad certificate program. My first class, "Foundations of Information Assurance", begins next month. New student orientation is on May 5th, and I look forward to attending. UD lies about 3 hours from my house.

    UD runs a trimester system. From my understanding, all trimesters are 12 weeks in length. Most of the syllabi for the IA courses are already posted on the website and appear up to date. Thus far, the UD admissions staff has been quite helpful.

    Tuition for this course is expensive - $1,566 + $200 in other fees. The book costs around $100 through Alibris.

    I may or may not use my GI Bill for tuition at UD. I'm also looking at the MSLIT program through Duquesne (DU has special rates for vets still eligible for the GI Bill) , and may take both programs - UD and Duquesne - concurrently. I've also been accepted to the Tarleton State MSIS program.

    Decisions, decisions.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 9, 2007
  17. Tarbuza

    Tarbuza New Member

    University of Dallas or Northcentral

    I have boiled down to two now:

    a) University of Dallas
    b) Northcentral Univesity

    I would like to hear pros and cons of these two programs.
     
  18. SteveJM

    SteveJM New Member

    Of those two, I lean towards the University of Dallas since they are listed as one of the NSA's Centers of Academic Excellence.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 10, 2007
  19. flightofpenguins

    flightofpenguins New Member

    But, if you miss or want to review a class, it is available for review. . .

    Bill. . .
    (I'm 9 weeks and three classes away from graduation at Capitol, BTW)
     
  20. Tarbuza

    Tarbuza New Member

    <<But, if you miss or want to review a class, it is available for review. . >>

    Bill, are you sure about this? I spoke to them and I was told that I will have to attend live classes. It was not possible when I am in Japan most of the time. It is almost 13 hours difference.

    It would be great if they burn DVD of their classes and get away from live attendance.
     

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