CCIE or M.S. Computer Science

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by Gforce11, Feb 27, 2006.

Loading...
  1. Gforce11

    Gforce11 New Member

    I am currently in the process of finishing my BS in Business Administration and I hold several other certs namely A+, N+, MCSA.

    I am on the verge of making a huge committment for the next couple of years and am looking for some input on which is a better path to pursue and finish. I heard getting a CCIE is similar to getting a Masters in CS, but I'd like to know your thoughts on the matter. Which one would you choose? Any input is appreciated. Thank you.
     
  2. siersema

    siersema Active Member

    Unless you have a specific job in mind I would go with the Masters. The degree has the ability to open more doors. Also keep in mind that the CCIE expires after a few years.
     
  3. lspahn

    lspahn New Member

    But if you ask any manager where the skill set is, it is proven in the CCIE, not to mention they do make pretty good money. There is another advantage to certifications that some do not realized.

    Most private companies that do IT/IS work for business have a relationship with vendors such as Microsoft, Cisco, and Novell. These relationship, or partnerships, are usually supply the consultant with technical support time, free materials, and training. Microsoft give ALOT of licenses if you have gold status with them. This add up to value added for their customers. This is based on the numbe of people with certifications and which ones they hold. We have a vendor locally tha thas 4 CCIEs on staff, they all make big buck because they make the company a Gold Partner with Cisco, a tough climb. BUT this is only applicable (sp?) in a setting where you are a profit center and not a cost center. If you work for so a bank, you are costing them money not making money so the Degree is probably better commitment of time. If you work for someone who is out to make money, then certification open doorways for them and makes the cert more valuable.


    One more thing..

    If you put the two side by side AT THE TIME OF GRADUATION/ACCREDDICATION i would take the CCIE hands down. Real world experience is essential in IT, and to get a CCIE you absolutley must have experience. To get a MS requires raw brainpower, but the things that make the "real world" dynamic cannot be simulated in school.

    Just my thoughs....but Im going for both. I should start my MS in about 2 months, finish in 14 and start the CCIE studying now with light reading. Im also fortunate enough to be in a position tha my employeer wants me to get my CCSP via Bootcamp in a couple of months, so that should not interfer with my schedule..

    Good luck...
     
  4. scubasteveiu

    scubasteveiu New Member

    Lou!
    Where the hell are you going to start your MS? Good stuff brother!

    FYI, Capitol is going through some changes - for the better. They are changing their MSNS to a MSIA and adding two classes to the degree (which I plan on doing even though I am finishing this May).
    Also, they plan on offering online, live bootcamps for the CISSP and other top security certs. Double cool.
    As an aside, they have updated their logo and their website - pretty nice looking, I think. Their PhD is still in the works, but is moving forward. I would be my guess they would change their name to Capitol University if they start offering anything over the MS.

    If you are going to Capitol, let me know. I will pass along all the tricks I have learned (who to call, how / when to buy books, how to schedule classes).
     
  5. BlueMason

    BlueMason Audaces fortuna juvat

    Indeed - CCIE is a hard track and there are only a handful of CCIE's on the globe - there are even less that possess two CCIE Certs - when you look at 3 CCIE Certs you are in the double digits globally...

    CCIE's make very good money and, generally, are pretty knowledgable (though I know of a couple who aren't worth their Cert's weight ....).

    While MS degrees are pretty common in this day and age where people are pursuing 2nd and 3rd Masters degrees, they are valuable.

    Net+, A+ and MCSE are mere pebbles on a rocky path to the CCIE. If you want a taste of some of the CCNA/CCNP tests, head over to http://www.techexams.net - it is an excellent resource for many Certs.

    I guess it comes down to what you would rather do - and which Masters degree you plan on pursuing...
     
  6. lspahn

    lspahn New Member

    I agree with Blue, I think the Cisco test for me were the hardest by far. The lab portions insures that you have some level of knowledge.

    Blue, i work with a consultant occasionally that is a double CCIE, Router/Switch and Voice, and he is preping for his third, security. When questioned how he does it, he has a simple answer. He loves it. It is a hobby outside of work, and if it wasnt there is no way possible to absorb the nesecarry information to test they way he has. He passed BOTH on the first attemp. Very sharp...

    Scubs,

    Capitol is it for me. I am portfolioing out of 2 classes at COSC so I am going to go ahead and start over there. They told me i can take 2 classes while finishing up. I would love know anything and everything possible about capitol. I REALLY appreciate the offer!!!
     
  7. scubasteveiu

    scubasteveiu New Member

    To give you an idea of the books used at Capitol, take a look at this link
    http://direct.mbsbooks.com/capitol.htm

    Check all the "NS" classes and then submit your query. Please note, some of these texts might change.

    I have also attached the syllabus for NS 680 - Perimeter Protection.

    FYI - my first lab took maybe 18 hours to complete. The second deals with Snort.

    Also, depending on the time frame, if you are going to do 3 classes a semester, do two eight week classes and one 16 week class.

    … more to come.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. lspahn

    lspahn New Member

    Thanks! I have several of these books already, the Hacking Exposed 5th Edition and the Maximum Wireless. Most of these books are useful and signifigantly less than standard textbooks.

    It looks very solid, thanks for the heads up!!!!!
     
  9. AirborneRanger78

    AirborneRanger78 New Member

    The Master's and the CCNA (one exam).
     
  10. BlueMason

    BlueMason Audaces fortuna juvat

    lspahn:

    I had a link to a chap who has a BA in Journalism and, has 3 CCIE Certs and is working on his fourth - same as your colleage, he loves the stuff...

    In order to absorb the wealth of information required for CCIE you have to have a love for it... even sheer labour and will power will break you down if you don't live it :)

    I can't wait to get my BS done at FHSU so I can head over to CC and work on the Masters ... I suspect it'll another 1.5 to 2 years before I can ( just added a 2nd major to my BS ) .. but hey, I'm only young *g*
     
  11. lspahn

    lspahn New Member

    3 CCIEs ouch.......networking is a passion for some. I would like get mine, but I want to finish my degree first, and as you see I have a couple already..Although I am considering getting a PMP because of the market for the cert.

    Cram Session has free study guides that are pretty good


    Cram Session

    I have used them for several certs with nothing else.


    As tough as the material is, it is absurd to me that CCIE is not worth some college credit. From what I have gathered from the list of certs for credit, the easy ones are worth way more than the harder certs. CNA is 3 credit. Can anyone say piece of cake! Most of the design test for Microsoft are pretty easy drag and drop test and they are usually upper level!! COSC limits me to 5 certs so I used all upper level and got 10 UL credit for them.

    The CCIE should be worth somewere int he neighborhood of 15 credits, 9 lower 6 upper.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 27, 2006
  12. dl_mba

    dl_mba Member

    Thismight fot your needs. You can make use of your cisco certs and end up getting a Masters degree from Charles Sturt University (CSU), Australia

    http://www.itmasters.com.au/cisco_stream.htm
     
  13. lspahn

    lspahn New Member

    Is that transferable back to a US School for PhD work like Nova??? CSU has always interested me because they give alot of credit for the cissp...
     
  14. siersema

    siersema Active Member

    Beyond Charles Stuart is anyone aware of another accredited school that will also take IT Certifications for Masters Credits? I know Aspen (DETC Accredited) will take the PMP and MCSE. I believe TESC may also take PMP, but are there other non-PMP IT Certs that count towards graduate level degrees out there?
     
  15. dl_mba

    dl_mba Member

    You should be able to get your CSU masters considered at NOVA as a pre-req Masters degree. Call and ask them to be sure. I would be surprised if they dont.
    CSU degrees are equivalent to RA degrees here.
     
  16. Testing

    Testing New Member

    Also some seems to believe that CCIE is going out of fashion.
     
  17. lspahn

    lspahn New Member

    I think it is a saturation issue. There are only so many 100k jobs. Also, its becoming more difficult to find a company that needs a ccie since hardware is pretty reliable. If i had mine i would do consulting.
     
  18. Gforce11

    Gforce11 New Member

    Thank you all for the great responses. Some good info on here and I appreciate it.

    I should have put this on the title, but the other option I was looking at is going into Project Management and looking at either Project+ or PMP. So either way it will be one of those three things...Thanks again.
     
  19. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I expect you'd have no problem at all. NSU would probably have you have it evaluated by a transcript evaluator, maybe Josef Silny & Associates. It's easy and inexpensive.

    -=Steve=-
     
  20. brussell_32

    brussell_32 New Member

    I noticed this post was from 2006 so I was wondering if anythings changed as far as colleges accepting CCIE's for credits. I'm very close to having my CCIE R&S and was thinking of pursuing an BS in computer science or computer networking and security although I could probably teach most of those classes lol.

    I do own an IT Consulting business, Riverside ITS so I don't need a job and I'm financial stable but I think creditability wise it wouldn't hurt...
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 11, 2011

Share This Page