Looking to get your Masters or PhD degree in cybersecurity? Unsure when or if it is appropriate to get either one? We will demystify these choices and more in this article!
You will see a variety of opinions on the subject, but the summary is that a PhD is a great job for those interested in research, but takes longer to obtain than a Masters. The advantage of getting a PhD is that one has a super advanced degree and has skills researching, presenting, and such that a Masters doesnt necessarily have, the cybersecurity field provides a unique opportunity that a PhD Degree might not necessarily be the best option.
This is because if someone gets a Masters Degree in 1.5 to 2 years, and the PhD takes 3 to 7 years, there is wide variety of career that one can use. If someone were to get their PhD in 5 or more years, someone else could not only do their Masters Degree part time, but they could work in the cybersecurity field and then have enough experience for the CISSP. If one were to get their CISSP in this time, one would have the gold standard certificate, which is makes one marketable to almost every single position on the market. The CISSP is a highly sought after certification.
PhD Breakdown
Let’s start with the PhD as that’s the easiest! There are only a few instances in which a PhD is required. Teaching or certain roles require PhD. It’s better use if ones time to get a Masters, work experience, and the CISSP. Getting a PhD and not being a teacher or research could put someone at a disadvantage in regards to salary. A PhD is more tailored for research and teaching, but can also do any role that anyone with a degree at any other level can do. A PhD is great for a research or focus role. The PhD degree can get any position that is available on the market, as the PhD is the highest degree that one can get.
Masters Degree Breakdown
Masters degree is great to help set one apart if already in the field, help bolster a resume if trying to move into the field, and help continue ones learning in the cyber security field. Surprisingly, a masters degree from somewhere like Johns Hopkins could be cheaper than taking some SANs courses, and one doesn’t need to renew a masters degree and can network. Masters degrees can be a way to learn about a variety of fields in a short period of time in a structured fashion that doesn’t require trying to make sure dates overlap with other trainings. Helps bolster if trying to get into the field, it can work the same or more as a bachelors degree if already in the field. If not in the field, makes one stand out.
Comparison Of Traditional Candidates
3 different things to note for each type of degree: Bachelors, Masters, and PhD. Regardless of where one went to school, work experience, and job being applied too, there are many things that one can tell right away. These arent always true, but can be considered as where the majority of traditional avenues for many professionals.
1) Bachelors Degree Candidate could either someone right out of college with limited work experience.
2) Masters Degree Candidate could be someone with work experience trying to get into cybersecurity, someone who has worked in cybersecurity furthering their career, or someone who has continued their bachelors degree. It is more likely that they have work experience as it not only makes a better experience for those going, but also
3) PhD candidates are super smart and dedicated to learning. Unsure how much work experience they have but will probably command a high salary regardless because of the PhD. The average salary for a PhD candidate is $177,000 in 2021 per PayScale.
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