RE: A degree in MSIA - the various programs

["Kimberly F. Adams" <KimberlyF.Adams () vbschools com>]

I am a 2005 graduate of the Norwich University Information Assurance
graduate program. I researched numerous graduate degrees in the area of
Information Security, spoke with a good number of graduates from several
different universities and based on the input I rec'd, decided to apply
to Norwich University. It is an extremely comprehensive program. Small
cohorts, excellent professors. The director of the MSIA program at
Norwich is the well-known Information Security Specialist, Mich Kabay.
Adjunct professors include highly respected and widely published
specialists such as Stephen Cobb, Chey Cobb, Peter Stephenson, Jim
Maloney, Mike Levine, Michael Miora, Don Holden, and Gary Bridges, just
to name a few. If you have read many Infosec books, you will probably
recognize these names.

Norwich University is designated by the National Security Agency and
Department of Homeland Security as a 'Center for Academic Excellence in
Information Assurance Education'. This prestigious evaluation is based
on stringent criteria and review, judged according to the standards and
guidelines set by the Committee on National Security Systems.

Probably the most unique ingredient of the MSIA program is the series of
individual projects that is required of each MSIA student. All incoming
students are required to obtain an agreement from their employer to
permit and support their active involvement in the analysis and, to the
extent possible, improvement of information assurance within their
organization. From what I understand, in rare cases, students are
accepted with study agreements from organizations other than their own
employers. 

During each week of each MSIA seminar, you are required read about and
discuss (on the online discussion board) the topics included in your
readings; as you study various aspects of information
security/assurance, you will analyze the state of affairs at your
workplace with respect to what you have learned. You are required to
submit a topic paper for each week's findings, and use them to prepare a
report with recommendations for specific areas of IA improvement, to be
submitted at the end of each seminar to your MSIA instructor. After your
online facilitators have graded and commented on your work, you are then
expected to submit your report to the appropriate information security
contacts/director within your organization. If all goes as planned, your
IA education will continue through discussions with your own colleagues
about your findings. The program culminates with a one-week residency
and graduation ceremony at Norwich University in June. This provides you
with a wonderful opportunity to meet the instructors and classmates with
whom you've been interacting for the past 18 months in a face-2-face
environment. This experience also instills pride in your institution and
is a great reward for all your hard work!

You will work your fingers to the bone in this program, but you will
gain a tremendous amount of knowledge in the field. It is well worth the
investment. Norwich U pulls from an international student base and you
will receive a global perspective on our field. Go to
http://www.graduate.norwich.edu/infoassurance/ for details.

-----Original Message-----
From: listbounce () securityfocus com [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com]
On Behalf Of Trance Kat
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 11:47 AM
To: security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: A degree in MSIA - the various programs

Hello All,
I am in the process of selecting a school to pursue a Masters in
Information Assurance.  I've been told that Norwich University's
program is very good and very demanding (but you can complete your
degree in just 18 months).  I haven't heard or seen any other
individual feedback on other programs out there and I'm hoping that
some of you on this list have some experience with them.

I'd love to hear what you know about the other schools out there that
offer a MSIA degree.  Good, bad, time invested vs. education gained,
etc.

Thanks in advance for your time and help!
Alex