For a short time I studied physics at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, then completed a degree in business informatics at the University of Applied Sciences Gießen-Friedberg (today Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen) and afterwards did my master's in security management at FH Brandenburg (Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences).
I have had my master's degree since 2013 and currently teach the PCI DSS elective at FH Brandenburg for the business informatics and security management master's programmes. I teach the elective free of charge and also cover my travel costs. The primary reason is that I experienced the security management programme as very good and wanted to be involved in teaching after I graduated.
What I found particularly positive:
- The SecMan master's programme can be combined with a full-time job optimally, ideally as a part-time degree. Lectures are on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays. All in blocks and without the typical fragmentation of classes across the week.
- It takes only 3 semesters (2 semesters of lectures, 1 semester for the master's thesis)
- Compared to other commercial programmes, the tuition fees of a few hundred euros per semester are negligible.
- The number of places is heavily limited (currently 25 places). It is the opposite of a mass programme and it shows in a good group dynamic.
- Admission requires a minimum of professional practical experience. As a result, the students bring the most varied practical specialisms to a semester.
- The general cost of living in Brandenburg an der Havel is low compared to big cities.
- Some of the lecturers and the adjunct professors come from the private sector. Here a genuine transfer of experience takes place on occasion.
- Feedback, responses and factual criticism are welcome: I do not know any other programme where the programme management sits down with the students and asks for feedback.
- If any problems arise - which they do, again and again - at least a solution is sought within what is possible.
- It is not an IT security programme and you do not need in-depth IT knowledge. Currently there is only a single compulsory lecture where knowledge of IT networks would be helpful. Otherwise you can shape your focus within the extremely broad general field of security management however you like.
Okay, there are also two disadvantages I consider worth mentioning:
- Brandenburg an der Havel is not the centre of the universe, but at least Berlin is close by.
- It is a state university of applied sciences. With all the advantages and disadvantages that brings. Occasionally things are shaky when it comes to organisation and not every process runs smoothly. It is a university, after all.
All in all I think the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages of the programme. Overall I was very satisfied with my studies and would study there again. Were that not the case, I would not be contributing to the teaching there as a lecturer.