ECPI or Community College

[unc92sax]

I am looking to get a Network Security Associate Degree. before you all jump on me, I know that a 4-year degree would be best, but with a family of five and a mortgage, I simply don't have the freedom to do that. My wife (bless her heart) will be working full time so that I can finish ASAP, hopefully in five sessions. I live in Charlotte so I can choose Central Piedmont CC (Network Sucurity program still developing) or ECPI (program already exists). Would one be preferred over the other or does it matter?

Thanks for any input.

 

[SQLSister]

Funny you should ask. I used to teach at ECPI in Virginia Beach. I don't know about the Charlotte program, but up here ECPI is accredited to grant college credits just like a Community College. It is one of the very few technical schools that has been granted that status. They have a very good program. I would choose a mature program over the community college one if both count for college credit. But check that out locally, because I don't know if they went through the same accreditation process for all their campuses. It is better if you can transfer the credits to a 4 year program later if you want. At any rate ECPI is a cut above most technical schools.

Not only did I teach there, but I have worked with several of their networking graduates in other jobs and they were much better prepared than entry level networking people we got from other places.

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[11011110000]

Transferring credit to a 4 year college along with accreditation would be among the most important things to look at when choosing between the two programs. It is possible that after you graduate and get a good job, that you can attend night school to complete your bachelors degree. So tranferable credit is important.

Another would be the status of the programs, just as a degree from Princeton would be looked at as "better" than Boise State. Which is looked at more favorably by business in your area?

Also, look at the experience the instructors have, as well as their educational achievements.

Even though they ECPI offer a Bachelor's degree, be sure to verify this with 4 year schools. Bachelor's degrees offered at tech schools may not be accepted by traditional 4 year schools.

I tend to lean toward traditional brick-and-mortar colleges over online and tech schools. But, then, I hope someday to complete my PhD so I can get a full-time tenured faculty position at a state college or university, so I am biased, and have taught as an instructor at 4 year colleges.

But, as I said earlier, look into both programs and what businesses in that area prefer. As well, as the other "things" mentioned.

Good Luck.

 

[SQLSister]

ECPI offers an AS degree just like a Community College. It is one of only a handful of technical schools nationwide which can offer college credit courses. In Virginia Beach they are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, the same organization that accredits community colleges and universities. AS I said, I don't know if they pursued this accreditation for all their campuses.

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[unc92sax]

On another forum (financial web site), a few posters suggested doing some self learning (books and such) and finding a Cisco Academy to get certified. They claim it would be just as easy to get into the profession but a lot faster. What about that advice?

 

[SQLSister]

There's a lot more to networking than just Cisco certification. I personally would not be inclined to hire someone who only had a cert and no experience. I would be much more likely to hire someone who has a degree from a tech school or a college for an entry level position. Every person I ever met who got a certification to break into networking had a great deal of difficulty finding a job. ANd when they did find jobs they were usually with the companies that didn't pay well enough to attract a graduate of an accredited insitution. Plus the schools have good local industry contacts and generally provide alot of assistance and leads to help people find jobs.

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[DTSMAN]

I went to ECPI in Va Beach also. Yes it is an accredited school, but as I have learned it is a long hard road from there. Education is every thing. 2yr degree puts you a little over those without, salary wise. I had found myself competing with self learners who knew more than me and didn't go to school. As Sqlsister said, she would not be inclined to hire someone with a cert and no experience. I left a 15 dollar\hr carpenters posiston to make 9 an hour entry level posistion. It was tuff, but I have grown a little. ECPI does own up to sending you on job interviews as the say they will. I recommend the school to anyone wanting a change as I did.