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Ask HN: Is Georgia Tech's Online Master in CS Worth It?

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Re: Ask HN: Is Georgia Tech's Online Master in CS Worth It?

#13
post #6

Worth it -- based on what metric? My wife did an online master's degree (at a legit university that also had an online program). You have to be very good at self-pacing, diligence, and learning autonomously. You have to be so good at it, in fact, that the type of person who would succeed in an online master's program is the same type of person who would succeed in self-learning without the master's program. So if you…

There's a lot to be said for the pacing of classes. I embarked on getting a Masters in EE through my alma mater's online program. If I had tried to get through the same content at my own pace,then it would have taken significantly longer than a semester to cover the same content.

Re: Ask HN: Is Georgia Tech's Online Master in CS Worth It?

#15
As a secondary question, for those who did complete the program, what was the general time commitment per (semester or class) vs. how long you were in the program? I see that you must take 2 classes in the first year, but didn't see any other further requirements on speed of completion.

edit: Answered my own question - You can't have two consecutive semesters "off"[1]. I.e. the slowest possible pace would be 2 classes in the first year, then 1 class every other semester. So I suppose it would be: spring/summer 'xx: 6 credits, 24 remaining, spring 'xx + 1: 9 credits, fall 'xx +1 : 12 credits etc.

[1] - per https://www.reddit.com/r/OMSCS/wiki/index

Re: Ask HN: Is Georgia Tech's Online Master in CS Worth It?

#17

Don't you need an undergrad degree in computer science to be admitted? http://www.omscs.gatech.edu/program-info/admission-criteria

No, they admit people without a BS in CS but I think they want to make sure you'll be able to succeed in the program. So it helps to have professional software engineering experience or some other coursework.

From: http://www.omscs.gatech.edu/program-info/admission-criteria

> however, work experience will not take the place of an undergraduate degree.

Re: Ask HN: Is Georgia Tech's Online Master in CS Worth It?

#18

Don't you need an undergrad degree in computer science to be admitted? http://www.omscs.gatech.edu/program-info/admission-criteria

For reference, I had an undergrad in mechanical engineering with some self taught CS, and I was admitted a few years ago.

Re: Ask HN: Is Georgia Tech's Online Master in CS Worth It?

#19
As someone currently in the program and graduating this Spring, I have found this program to be incredibly rewarding. GT has done a fantastic job turning their on-campus courses into an online format. At first I was skeptical, but I have found this program extremely challenging and have learned a great deal. It has been fantastic in my career development as well, allowing me to land a job in ML before I have graduated.

The program does have its hiccups here and there. Some courses have been reported as being poorly organized, but this is certainly the minority. Also, you may not receive as much individual attention as you would in a on-campus program. This is aided by the fantastic community of students in the OMSCS program which provide a support system for each other through online forums/chat. If you are not much of a self-starter and need specific guidance, this program may not be for you.

Re: Ask HN: Is Georgia Tech's Online Master in CS Worth It?

#20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, they admit people without a BS in CS but I think they want to make sure you'll be able to succeed in the program. So it helps to have professional software engineering experience or some other coursework.

From: http://www.omscs.gatech.edu/program-info/admission-criteria > however, work experience will not take the place of an undergraduate degree.

You need some undergraduate degree, preferentially CS.

You can get it with a non-CS degree + work experience (see sibling threads).

Some schools accept master's students without an undergrad degree at all but AFAIK most don't. This program doesn't.

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