Online College Degrees in Information Assurance
Work and Study in the IT Field with Online Universities
Aug 28, 2009
Information assurance is the protection of information systems. This includes ensuring privacy, data integrity, availability to authorized users, user authenticity and appropriate use of system resources. Why earn an online degree in IA? According to Northeastern University’s website, there is “a critical shortfall of trained professionals in information assurance across the nation”.
Who Wants Information Assurance Online College Degrees?
Northeastern University offers a Masters of Science in Information Assurance (MSIA) available as an online degree. According to the program website, students in the program come from many fields, including computer science, criminal justice, engineering, mathematics and business. A Masters in Information Assurance is also a good choice for an IT professional who wants to advance his or her career with a graduate degree.
Where to Get an Online University Degree in IA
Both Northeastern University and Capella University offer masters level online university degrees in information assurance. Nova Southeastern University offers an online Masters of Science in Information Security (MSIS). Nova Southeastern has a Doctorate program in Information Systems with a concentration in IA, and Capella offers a PhD in IA.
Northeastern, Nova Southeastern and Capella are all designated as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAE IAE) by the National Security Agency. If looking at a different online university, check that the school is accredited in the Council for Higher Education Accreditation database. Also be sure that the university degree can be earned completely online. For more information on the basics of pursuing an online degree, read How to Get an Online College Degree in IT.
Requirements for an Information Assurance Online College Degree
Students working towards a Masters or PhD in information assurance need to have strong IT and mathematical skills. Northeastern University expects program students to have experience in computer systems and discrete mathematics. Nova Southeastern requests undergrads with majors in IT, IS, engineering, physics or math. Capella will give course credit for students with a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) designation.
Besides strong math and science skills, information assurance students also learn about legal issues and law enforcement. Since many professionals with a Masters in Information Assurance end up working with law enforcement agencies and national security, IA may be a good choice for someone in law enforcement or the military. Recent US veterans may be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program.
Work for Professionals with Online College Degrees in Information Assurance
Many IA professionals work with law enforcement agencies at the local, state and national levels, as well as the military. There are many other groups which also require IT security professionals as either full-time employees or consultants. These groups include:
- Healthcare
- Industrial corporations
- Financial organizations
Other Post-Graduate Online University Degrees in IT
Currently working IT professionals or IT students may decide a masters or PhD in information assurance isn’t the right choice. Consider these other IT fields which offer masters and doctorates:
Online College Degrees in Information Assurance
Information assurance, the field of securing information systems, needs IT professionals, especially for the law enforcement, military, health and financial industries. Earning a post-graduate online degree in IA can be done by IT students or working IT professionals. Always make sure that the program being considered is offered completely online by an accredited university. The National Security Agency has a short list of online colleges it considers exceptional at teaching IA. Graduates are likely to work as full-time employees or consultants in law enforcement, military, government, health care, finance or industry.
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