Hello all!
I am a rising Junior, and am planning on pursuing a Math and Computer Science double major with the intent of going to graduate school for a Masters in Cyber Security. Ideally, I would like to be able to get internships, and maybe a job with the government (as it is the most exciting place to work in cyber security). A big plus is taking electives about cyber security during my pursuit of a bachelors in Computer Science.
At the University of South Carolina, there is a cyber-security program, but it is mostly masters-level. Only three courses maybe be taken at the undergraduate level, and I do not know if I would be able to take a few grad-school-level classes in Cyber Security without pursuing a Bachelors and Masters at USC. Obviously, I do not want to pursue a Masters in Cyber Security at USC, preferring a better school instead (one with a reputation in the cyber security field).
What colleges have a good reputation in Cyber Security? And, do they allow the attainment of a Bachelors and Masters within four years (in which, courses in cyber security are counted in meeting the requirements for both)?
Thanks in advance for your feedback!!
NSA hires all sort of people if I remember.
@DrGoogle That is a possible avenue for employment, but I am looking at universities here.
https://www.nsa.gov/careers/cyber/index.shtml
I don’t think any school specific. But find out where it’s located and I’ll bet you they hire locally too. There was one CCer who used to work there as a contractor and he said it didn’t matter where you go to school.
Look under NSA careers and there are lots of jobs in MD. So go to University of Maryland, good computer science program.
That is what I am thinking.
How good is University of Maryland for out of state scholarships? My concern is money, especially for a bachelors.
I know that if I go to University of South Carolina (maybe even the Honors college), I can get a full ride because of my class rank and the palmetto fellows program.
Go to where it’s the cheapest. Full ride is good.
So then maybe University of Maryland for my masters. Just considering that.
Apply to West Point. Cyber security will be the Delta Force of 2020 and beyond. West Point has either the Army or a DOD cyber security group on campus
Also if you work for NSA, the organization will pay for your Masters. You don’t need to go to West point if you are not interested in a military career.
College of Chaleston has a 4+1 program in their BS in computer science in conjunction with the Citadel. The Citadel has a cybersecurity specialization . You would probably also qualify for merit at CofC given your Palmetto Fellows status and they also have an Honors College. My son is from SC and looking at this program. Go on CofCs computer science web page for a better explanation of the program. They also have a cybersecurity club on campus that has been doing fairly well in completions. Good luck in your search .
I only see this regarding the cybersecurity program at CofC: http://compsci.cofc.edu/graduate-programs/cybersecurity.php
I do not plan to go to the college of charleston as in my opinion USC or Clemson is far better. More rigorous, and college of charleston’s honors college is not that great. Especially, I am not interested in getting a masters from any south carolina college, so the 4+1 program is useless to me.
I am considering applying to university of maryland to see what type of financial aid I get there, and if possible, continue on to do a 4+1 program there.
I do not want to go to west point as I do not want a military career. The thought of having a break between my bachelors and masters (well funded by NSA) is a bit appalling to me. I will forget what I have learned in bachelors, and then have to remember it again for masters? Not interested.
NSA and USCYBERCOM hires from all over. But NSA has a special relationship with UMD (many NSA employees are UMD alum). They also have a preference for CMU grads.
As a rising junior, you still have time to complete research on colleges. Have you visited any of the schools that interest you or their websites to see where your stats fall in relationship to recently admitted students. I would also recommend visits to both Clemson and USC Columbia to speak with representatives from their computer science departments so they can provide you with specifics regarding their programs that may not be available on their websites. Just a suggestion .
I went and visited USC’s Department of Engineering and Computing on the Big Friday open house. Did not learn anything I did not learn from their website. Walked around the campus also.
Did not do anything of that sort with Clemson, but that is on my bucket list.
Planning to email the professor of the cybersecurity dept. at USC to figure out what is going on.
@NoVADad99 I agree with you that the NSA and FBI hire from all over. A close friend works for the bureau and emphasized that they recruit from all over. All of the schools that we have visited for CS programs have has those opportunities.
NSA has internships available for local area (to Fort Meade) high school students, and also summer intern positions for college students. Plus is they will sponsor the student for a TS/SCI clearance (worth $$$$) for those internships.
Also this article in today’s NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/18/us/nsa-summer-camp-hacking-cyber-defense.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=second-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0
We did not visit USC Coumbia, but did attend an invitation only day at Clemson . Their CS department was impressive as well. Their Calhoun Honors College was also impressive , but quite competitive for admission. You may want to research that as well.
Don’t worry about a break will make you forget. It’s hard to forget something on e you’ve learned it. Have confidence in you. If you get money to go to UMD then that’s great if not the free ride is very good too. Don’t forget Edward Snowden worked at NSA without any degree as a contractor, not even high school degree.