Everyone says that getting a Master's in cyber isn't worth the time/money. Certs are better. But surely an MS in cyber could benefit in some way. In what career path would a degree like this help?

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1. Allows you to do internships and participate in recent grad hiring/on-campus recruitment
2. Streamlines the pipeline into cyber consulting
3. Helps with eventual movement into management
4. If technically focused, can help with getting security research roles
5. Helps immensely with getting adjunct teaching roles down the line
6. Expands your professional network significantly
7. Further refines your professional profile in combination with certs like CISSP and experience

In my opinion, a solid MS degree from a top-tier school in the field is definitely worth the money. Part-time versus full-time depends on several different factors. However, if you want to stay in consulting, you should consider doing a tech-focused MBA instead to get the higher post-MBA salary/title.

People always want to “pick between” experience, education, and certifications. In an increasingly competitive job market, the best possible answer is possessing all three.

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TLDR; it's up to you personally.

Depends on what you want to do with your career, where you live, etc. Some companies (such as the big banks) require a graduate degree to be considered for an Exec role. For more senior leadersip roles, it gives you an edge over those who don't have formal education but then professional certs may also be needed for regulatory reasons. For more junior tech roles, tech certs only are sufficient enough.

The reason where you live is still important is that some opportunities are still tied to specific regions so having the degree and living (or being able to relocate) would open more doors for advanced roles.

As for me, I definitely think the Cybersecurity grad degree opened many more doors when compared to when I didn't have it. The decision to go back to school was a personal one though and I'm glad I didn't listen to the naysayers. There's this loud mouth at work that once asked our group in chat if anyone had higher than a highschool diploma. He was trying to prove a point that one didn't need a degree to reach upper levels of management. I didn't hesitate to give shout-outs to the folks with advanced degrees as there should be pride in a diverse academic background and no one should be shamed for having pursued higher education.

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Big banks do not require a graduate degree to be considered for an exec role. Even if they do, an MBA would be the preferred degree not a specialized masters.
Source: Have worked at 3 of the top 5 banks

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It's decent if you can do the combo BS/MS in 5 years. It's not that's is bad, it's just not as useful as other things. Many engineering majors are the same way, I'd rather take someone with 2 years of real experience and if I want an expert in a specialty I grab a PhD.

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I personally think they’re useless, in terms of career growth. There’s nothing you’ll learn in a MS program that you can’t learn through certifications, self-learning, or boot camps. The only time it may make sense is, if you have an undergrad in an unrelated field and want to pivot to cyber, even then, I would argue that a MS in CS or IS would be far more beneficial.

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Certs are more relevant and timely for security
Masters is cs teaches core concepts better
MBA is better at business / mgmt

Unfortunately the masters on cyber security is in the middle of a lot of better options.

As for the material....it's almost always several years behind what is relevant and also....it's entry level.

But....if someone really wants that master....do the sans institutes masters on cyber....at least that is all about certs

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I disagree with your statement about the cyber degree being in the “middle of a lot of better options.”

The cyber degree is simply in the middle of several different options. They’re not necessarily “better” options. Perhaps they’re better in a particular domain, but you’re sacrificing breadth of knowledge in return.

You could get an MBA, but then you’d be lacking CS knowledge. You could get the CS degree, but then you’d be missing business knowledge. You get the point.

If you’re trying to develop a solid fundamental understanding of the field, the masters is still a very valid option.

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There are pros and cons to both. MS will provide you with a formal guided education but is expensive. Certs will provide you with the specific knowledge you are looking for but no clear certification path.

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SANS Masters degree gives you graduate degree and allot of well respected certifications in one course. Material at SANS is always bleeding edge, courses are top quality, but it will be no walk in the park.

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Aren’t they like extremely expensive

It’s not that they are bad, but I’d prefer to hire a college degree with 1 year of experience than someone fresh out of masters. Unless you are a masters holder with deep fundamental knowledge and have side projects on the side

If you're already in consulting your MS is trash. Cyber consulting is real life work experience. If you want to advance your career at exec level go get an MBA.

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