MBA and Info Security Question

Discussion in 'Business and MBA degrees' started by aliciak, May 12, 2015.

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  1. aliciak

    aliciak New Member

    So I am needing some MORE advice...

    I graduate this month (WOOHOO) from Charter Oak thanks to this forum and all the helpful information over at instantcert with my BS in Information Systems Studies. Now I am moving on to grad school because if I don't knowing me, I won't go back.

    Background about me is I am a Product Manager for a software development company that provides financial services applications that are widely adopted and has several different divisions. I have been in software development for 10 years and in the financial services industry for 20. My role is equally IT based and business knowledge.

    Over the summer I am pursuing my PMP project management certification, which I started two years ago and stopped because of some health issues and wanting to concentrate on finishing my degree. This would be very helpful in my current role.

    I would like to move into a management or VP level role here at my organization but am not opposed to other local companies in the same field and there are several.

    My dilemma is I would like to move into a more compliance/fraud prevention/investigative/audit response role within IT or Business and I am at loss as to which Master's track to pursue. I was thinking the most open or widely applicable would be an MBA with an IT assurance or Security concentration. I cannot locate many programs like this though. But maybe an MS in IT Management could work.

    I have actually applied at Utica College to their MBA in Economic Crime and Fraud Management but they are not AACSB certified. Their relationship to ACAMS is what drew me in. However, the program is pricey at 855$ per credit hour. I am paying out of pocket for my degree so cost is a factor.

    Within the company there is no tuition reimbursement option and members selected by management for degree programs are sent to the Executive MBA program at the local Jacksonville University.

    I have reviewed programs at WTAMU and ENMU and USFSP. The USFSP looks the most appealing since I think I could waive the GMAT requirement and get in state tuition and they have both Information Systems and Forensic Accounting concentrations.

    Does anyone have any suggestions on which I should pursue or other options out there?
     
  2. WR213

    WR213 New Member

    Hello Alicia,

    I am also in Jacksonville, FL and just applied to USFSP's online MBA program. As I was reading your post I was going to suggest USFSP, but you already saw it. UNC and FIU both have Fraud Management MBAs and both are AACSB. They are both more costly than USFSP though. I am hoping to start in August or October. When are you looking to start?
     
  3. aliciak

    aliciak New Member

    I am hoping to start in August. I hadn't looked into UNC because the cost is just ridiculous and I don't have stellar undergrad performance. I still managed to end up with a 3.2 GPA. I will take a look at FIU and while instate is a pretty good option financially, there is a lack of concentrations in the MBA programs offered in my opinion. I still dont know if if would just be better to pursue the IT Management track in my case.
     
  4. major56

    major56 Active Member

    Fort Hays State: MBA in Information Assurance (online)
    Earn your MBA Online - Fort Hays State University
    https://www.fhsu.edu/mba/concentrations/MBA-Information-Assurance-Concentration/
    Leadership - Fort Hays State University

    Saint Leo University: MBA in Information Security Management (online)
    Online MBA Information Security Management Concentration | Saint Leo University

    James Madison (AACSB): MBA in Information Security ("This program uses a "blended" format of instruction where the students meet with faculty face-to-face once every eight weeks in Reston, Va., on a Saturday at the beginning and end of every course. The rest of the course is completely Web-delivered..."
    James Madison University - Business - Information Security M.B.A.
    James Madison University - Business - About Inforsec MBA

    Norwich University: MS in in Information Security & Assurance ("The program culminates in a required one-week residency and a graduation ceremony at Norwich University in June.")
    Online Information Assurance Degree: Master Your Information Security | Norwich University Online

    Northcentral (ACBSP): MBA in Computer and Information Security
    Computer and Information Security MBA Online | Northcentral University
     
  5. major56

    major56 Active Member

  6. jhp

    jhp Member

    I am not sure an MBA would move you in the direction you are attempting to go.

    I would pursue a MS in Security, Audit, Forensics, Investigation, Law or similar before an MBA.

    But, I am biased as I always preferred STEM education to business...

     
  7. aliciak

    aliciak New Member

    I decided upon the MBA because its more marketable with a concentration in Information Systems at USF - St. Petersburg. They have an option to waive the GMAT with the PMP credential which works for me and they also offer International Business electives which provide a study abroad option for 10 days. The tuition is also pretty reasonable as an in state student and their accounting and business programs are AACSB accredited. They also offer MBA Essentials courses for non business majors in undergrad at a discounted tuition but I was also advised that CLEP/DSST testing could be used in place of these if I chose. This makes the program really appealing. (they also have a forensic accounting option should I choose to pursue that but its on ground only and I dont think I would like to move to Tampa anytime soon). Thanks for all your help!
     

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