2nd Master's - Graduate Certificate or Full Degree?

I'm looking to enter the world of online adjunct.

I have 20 years in the IT field (Systems Administration, IT Security, Project Management)
I have a BSIT (Bachelor of Science in Information Technology)
I have a MA (Master of Arts in Administration)
I have several industry certifications including MCSA and MCSE (NT4.0, 2000, 2003, 2008, 2012) and others including ITIL and PMP.

I'm looking to get into a Master's Program or Graduate Certificate program in Information Systems that will allow for Transfer Credit (I have an IT Management and Project Management graduate course completed) for graduate studies and for certifications.

I need at least 18 graduate credits in the IT field to teach undergrad in IT.

Does anyone know of such a program that could be completed relatively quickly and relatively inexpensively?

I'm undecided on a Doctorate route at this time, but something that supplements a Doctorate would always be great as well.

 

Western Governors University's Masters in IT? Charles Shurt University

 

I researched WGU yesterday, they do not allow any credits to transfer into their graduate programs. I will research CSU today.

 

Usually, you do not allow to transferred any credits, when credits were deemed for a degree award. Most academic institution avoid double dipping. Does National Accreditation school matter? If it is not, then Aspen University allows 9 credits from MCSE certifications for Master degree.

Here is Charles Sturt University's IT Masters degree.

 

I know that many institutions allow for graduate credits to transfer into their masters programs. AIU for example, will allow up to 25% (2 out of 8 classes) for their program, but they are not exactly inexpensive.

NA schools are out. I want to teach RA schools.

 

Agreed, the MA I have applied to my career, the online adjunct, for me is supplementary. My preference is Regionally Accredited American Schools. What I have been told is that if you apply for a program, instead of non-program learning, you are eligible for FAFSA. I have been looking at Dakota State, especially since they have 2 graduate certificates (Information Assurance and Ethical Hacking). I will be giving them a call this week.

 

I second Steve. Others to look in to:
• Western New Mexico University (Note that the courses for the MIS concentration in their interdisciplinary studies MA are from the Department of Math & Computer Science, coded CMPS.)
• The University of Illinois at Springfield.
• Any school from GetEducated's list of relatively low-cost online master's in CS or IT.

 

Excellent! to add to the "Any School" from GetEducated, APUS has several programs including http://www.geteducated.com/profiles/search/Compare%20Online%20Graduate%20Certificate%20Degrees%20in%20Computer%20Science%20%26%20IT/?sort=minOutOfStateCost%2C+enhanced+desc%2C+enhancedStartDate+desc and accepts transfer credit.

 

I have more info related to APU Degree Program: Graduate Certificate in IT Project Management

This Graduate Certificate program is 8 credit hours in length and allows up to 9 credits transferred (officially as long as 9 credits are attained at APU)

They have a Transfer Credit Evaluation Center and a Pre-Admission review of your previous learning, certifications, etc.

 

Exactly! ;o)

 

FYI, all of the IT Graduate Certificate programs from AMU/APU qualify for FAFSA.

 

Why not an advanced certificate in IT Management from NorthCentral? It is 18 credits so you will have exactly what you need. If you decide to continue with the PhD, you can transfer the 18 credits towards the PhD.

If your ultimate goal is to become a full time faculty, I would rather do a PhD from a established school like Nova. If you want to stay part time adjunct, the NCU certificate an PhD would do fine.

 

Why is an advanced certificate in IT Management from NorthCentral better than the Graduate Certificate in IT Project Management from AMU/APU? Its almost 3 times the cost of AMU.

 

New Informaton

I just received this info today about the PMP counting toward up to 9 credits in the 18 credit IT Project Management Graduate Certificate at AMU.

 

I have a couple of recommendations for you. The first program is Minot State's Online Master of Information Systems Program. It is a 30 unit program (10 3 unit courses) that would most likely waive their BIT 560 and BIT 561 courses for you since you have already completed similar graduate level courses, leaving you 8 courses to complete. It would cost you about $8k and 2 years to complete. I was actually admitted into the program but decided to not pursue it at the time. Here are the links:
MSU - College of Business
MSU - College of Business

Another good option for you is WGU's new MS in IT Network Management. This program doesn't allow any transfer credit and is completely competency based. If you are unfamiliar with the way WGU works, there are no classes, just domains of study with requirements for successfully completing a domain such as a research paper, exam, project, etc. You move at your own pace (as fast as you would like). The program includes 10 domains with a capstone project and oral defense. To be eligible for the program, you must hold a CCNA or have 3 years in the past 5 years in network admin / management experience and be able to show so on your resume. I am actually planning on starting this program next month and hope to complete it in 12 months, with a cost of around $7k.
Online IT Network Degree | MS in Network Management