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This Week's Topic: 10 sites on higher education |
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Aug 09 - 21 0200 |
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We took a different approach with this editor’s spotlight. Our intention here is not to rank specific programs or even specific articles. What we did was rummage the Web for articles and IT-related programs for those of you who are interested in a degree beyond a bachelor’s. So, we grabbed what we thought were interesting articles, a couple of rankings and some links to specific programs that offer MBA degrees with a unique IT twist. We decided to steer clear of leadership programs and training because we want to offer you more targeted information. This information does lean a bit on the MBA-side. However, business skills continue to be in demand, so we wanted to provide you with the latest in that space. We do include some links to computer science degree information. Good luck!
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MBA? MS in computer science? What works for you? What kind of advanced degree should you get? |
This article brings up some good questions to ask yourself before embarking on a path toward a master’s degree or a PhD. It covers types of programs that you might want to consider if you want to expand your career options through education. Basically, you all need technical skills, but business skills are equally important. So, an MBA may be in order. But there is also demand for IT pros with very technical skills. It really depends on your own ambitions and interests. This article is a good starting point. It includes comments from IT pros who have received degrees in both areas and from those who have not. This is a good read before you dig deeply into specific programs. |
URL: http://www.planetit.com/techcenters/docs/careers_&_training/features/PIT20000223S0051 |
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Virginia School Creates Information -- Security MBA |
This month, James Madison University will begin offering a graduate program designed to train business managers in information security. Although this is a news article, we decided it was worth including in this editor’s spotlight list because information security is such a hot topic. This article gives a basic overview of the program, which is attempting to “bridge a gap between technology and management in the area information security.” Unfortunately, we couldn’t find out a lot of information on this program online. We’ve included a link to the description of the program. And a link to the computer security section on the site. And a link to information on the computer science graduate degree program, which also offers a concentration in information security. |
URL: http://www.planetit.com/techcenters/docs/security/news/PIT20000511S0044 |
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Techno-MBA Top Dogs |
It was not too long ago that the likes of Goldman Sachs, Arthur Andersen and other key financial institutions tapped graduates from the country’s top MBA programs. But with the new economy in high gear, B-school grads aren't always choosing to work for the establishment. Instead, they’re choosing to join the ranks of the thousands chasing start-up options and technology riches. With the change in focus for MBA grads, schools are also changing their tune to accommodate the shift to high-tech, according to this Computerworld article, which includes a survey on the top 25 Techno-MBA schools. These schools have modified their programs to fit the needs of the next generation of business leaders. Not only do these schools break down the business side of things, but they also make sure that those with a diploma from their institution also understand the technology. You may be surprised as to which schools are churning out the best-prepared students for the rigors of the new economy. Computerworld provides links to the top schools and breaks down the top 4 programs in detail, right down to the last byte. |
URL: http://www.computerworld.com/cwi/story/0,1199,NAV63-131_STO42377,00.html |
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CS Graduate School Listings |
Searching for a graduate Computer Science program near you? Look no further because Peterson’s has scoured the ranks of higher education for any school that offers the slightest inkling of a CS department. Surf the hundreds of alphabetical listings on this page to find a program that has exactly what you are looking for in terms of a graduate CS degree. Just click on the school of your choice and find out all of the particulars about their program. Peterson’s highlights all of the graduate programs available, but each of the schools has a link to the computer science department specs, right down to the male-female ratio. Two items from these school summaries stand out: one, an in-depth graduate program description; and two, an instant inquiry feature. The in-depth description outlines the program in detail, what the facilities are like, campus life, who to contact and much more. The other item of note is the ‘instant inquiry’ provided by Peterson’s. After answering a questionnaire about yourself, Peterson’s gets you all of the information about the school, from the school. A fine resource. |
URL: http://www.petersons.com/graduate/select/2348se.html |
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Guide to education for IT professionals |
This is a good listing of links and articles on a wide range of educational topics. However, there is a specific section with articles on MBAs and management training and another section with articles on college degrees. You’ll also find information on online MBAs, how to choose an MBA program and technology MBAs. Some of these articles are a little dated. However, they provide useful information and a good starting point for your search. |
URL: http://www.infoworld.com/careers/cont_edu.html#mba |
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E-commerce is forcing schools to 'rethink the guts' of the M.B.A. |
This article from U.S. News and World Report covers some e-commerce programs in place at business schools throughout the country. For example, five years ago, Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management launched the country's first electronic-commerce concentration with only one student. Today, half the school is pursuing the e-commerce concentration. Other schools are simply incorporating e-commerce into existing programs, rather than creating a special program. It’s up to you which type of program you prefer, but either way, plan to incorporate e-commerce studies into your program. You’ll find it as a topic in most of MBA programs these days. This article describes some of the programs out there and how schools tackle teaching the subject. U.S. News also provides several useful links to other MBA articles about getting in, admissions tests, MBA acceptance rates, the customized MBA and the career outlook for grads. |
URL: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/beyond/grad/gbecom.htm |
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MBA Info |
Taking the next step in your business career is a major decision. Here to help is a deep site that offers you a great way to familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of getting into a MBA program that is best suited for you. While this site may not be IT-specific, scanning the vast resources available at MBAInfo.com will help you locate a school that offers an MBA program dealing with technology-related issues. The forte of this site is not in the school database search feature, which we felt came up short on the amount of school information, but its external information surrounding MBA entry and issues. Within this external information, the advice pages really stuck out. Here, you’ll find top-notch hints about selecting a school, a glossary of terms, what to look for in a business school, helpful hints on admission plus tons more. Another bonus on this site is the MBA graduates network. Sign up for this feature and tap into the knowledge of someone who has graduated a program that you are in (or are considering). Also of note on MBAInfo.com page is the nice smattering of links and the questions and answers page that is a useful message board of B-school types. |
URL: http://www.mbainfo.com/ |
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Best B-Schools |
BusinessWeek provides rankings of these schools and let’s you click onto a school and find more information about the program and its offerings. You can also find out if any of these programs offer a specialized IT concentration. Granted, you do have to dig a bit to find this information, but it is available. For example, we found out that Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management offers an e-commerce specialization. There is information on admissions and financial aid, and there are forums. In addition, you can sign up for a twice monthly MBA Insider newsletter, which provides summaries of BusinessWeek’s top B-school stories; advice from admissions, placement, and financial aid directors; advice from MBA grads; and personal finance tips from Standard & Poor's analysts. There are also rankings of executive MBA programs, or EMBA programs as they are called. |
URL: http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/index.html |
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IT Graduate Degrees |
North, South, East or West, this site takes you to all corners of the world to expose you to any and all IT graduate programs. The simple search capabilities of Gradschool.com bring up a world of schools (literally), all offering the best post-graduate programs in the US and around the globe. After you look up a region or part of the world you’d like to attend graduate school, this site pops up with dozens of results that may be short, but are to the point. The short summaries are worthy for the contact names and a listing of degrees available. This site also links to other, more specific areas of interest, including Computer Science, Information Systems and Software Engineering, to name a few. Aside from the search capabilities, Gradschool.com also hosts a number of other resources for anyone thinking about furthering their education. Aside from the great search feature, the creators of this site give you an in-depth look at the graduate school with the ‘Graduate School Handbook’. These invaluable sections have insight into the grad school community that could sway you towards applying and passing on a costly education. Find tips for financial aid, learn to sort out what you want to get out of graduate school, and find advice on how to make it through grad school. These guys are trying to ultimately sell their book to you, but the free information on this site makes it worth visiting. |
URL: http://www.gradschools.com/listings/menus/infotech_menu.html |
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10. |
Wharton School |
Generally regarded as one of the top business schools in the US, the Wharton business school at the University of Pennsylvania is no slouch when it comes to training the leaders of new economy. There are several programs, on campus and off that make the grade when coming to IT education. Aside from its world class business curriculum, Wharton has three distinct IT programs that we felt were worth pointing out. The first is an executive training program that does not run a whole semester -- but just a few days. These 3-5 day crash courses in topics such as e-commerce strategy, Web Metrics: Making the most of your E-commerce strategy and Marketing high-tech Products and Services are just a few of the intensive learning sessions that are offered. The second program of note allows you to turn your home into a learning center. Wharton is offering distance learning classes for the IT professional that probably doesn't have enough time to stop and eat lunch. With these one-hour-a-week online classes, top-notch professors can guide off-site users to the next level of the technology business world. Class topics and schedules are listed at here. The third resource worth a mention is the Knowledge@Wharton site. Knowledge is a bi-weekly online reader that offers a series of articles that follow the pressing matters of high-tech business world. Features range anywhere from Finance Investment, Executive Education, Business Ethics and much more. The best thing about this site is you don’t have to spend your child’s college savings on the lessons taught here, because with a simple registration -- the information is Free! If you want to be schooled by the leaders of the industry, or want to read about the issues plaguing the IT trailblazers, check out Wharton’s vast amount of tools. |
URL: http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/ |
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