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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?

#31

Post by repsilat »

ordinaryperson wrote: post #26

At 5K, the price is right (my in-person master's was 22K, although my employers covered most of it) but be aware it's not the missing piece to catapult you into superstar developer earning 170K/year. Honestly I think your time is better spent working on real projects. In my CS master's program I met many students with no real-world experience. One was a paralegal before school, and after he graduated he became...a pa…

> algorithms and data structures being the most applicable

There's really not much off that to be had -- one introductory theory + algorithms course, one course on algorithms and complexity for parallel and distributed programs, and after that just a few domain-specific things -- image processing and machine-learning algorithms.

I thought the program was worthwhile because it was cheap and flexible. I could watch lectures on the train on my commute. Quality is mixed, though, and other degrees or (as you say) real-world experience could prove more valuable, depending on their own quality -- I wouldn't assume that any programming experience is better than this program.

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

#32

Post by davidreiss »

> I believe this program is a good complementary source of knowledge to become a better software developer.

That's something you could learn on your own. But your knowledge of "technologies" are more valuable to employers than CS degree - especially if you have work experience.

The tech industry isn't like academia ( economics ) where you have to build up credentials. Work on projects that deal with web technologies or even better learn the back end ( databases ) or even the middle tier/server code if you are a front-end developer.

Becoming a full-stack ( front-end, middle-tier and especially back-end ) is going to be far more important to employers than if you know what undecidability is or computational theory.

Degrees are very important if you want to break into the industry ( especially top tier corporations ). But if you are already work in the industry, employers want to see the technologies you are competent in.

If your employer is willing to pay for it and you have free time, then go for it. Learning is always a good thing. But if you want to further your career, go learn SQL ( any flavor ) and RDBMs technologies - SQL Server, Postgres, etc ( any you want but I recommend SQL Server Developer Edition if you are beginner on Windows OS as it is very beginner friendly from installation to client tools ).

A full-stack web developer is rare and you could even sell yourself as an architect/management. That's a difference from being a $60K web developer and a $200K full stack developer/architect.

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

#33

Post by arpieb »

decimalst_us wrote: post #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 classe…

As I recall, you have to complete (2) "foundational" courses (there is a list on the main OMSCS website) within the first 12 months with a grade of B or better. After that, you need to graduate within 36 months after you started.

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

#34

Post by vikascoder »

Current working professional and an OMSCS student here. It highly depends on the context. Biggest pros are: 1. This is perhaps the cheapest Computer Science masters in the United States from a premier school. The degree is exactly the same as offered to the residential program and the credits acquired are all legit and transferable to other universities. I had friends who transferred from OMSCS to a regular school and skipped one full semester due to the credits earned. 2. An OMSCS qualification holds way more water than if you do random MOOC qualifications on Coursera and others. 3. The coursework is the same as the residential program. So if you dont believe in studying an MS at all, then this program is nothing special. Its a Masters in Computer Science. So It's pros and cons are the same as a regular MS. 4. If you are international, then having an OMSCS degree is equivalent to having a Gatech MS degree. It is a superb add-on to your profile and also qualifies you as a graduate level tech specialist for future Visa processing. 5. If you are international and looking to stay and work in your own country, then your mileage may vary depending on your circumstances. OMSCS provides no visa support and no career counselling. It does have an online portal for jobs but its more geared towards residents. 6. Other than that, it forces you to think and study new areas of research while you work so its extremely enriching. 7. The program is more or less extremely well run with regular assignments, proctored exams, 1-1 sessions with professors and what not. 8. Some companies reimburse your tuition, so its virtually free (at least for me)

Cmon guys, a US Masters for 7000 USD? Are you kidding me? Its totally worth it. In fact I feel blessed that such a thing even exists. GaTech has been a trailblazer in this regards.

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

#35

Post by BOBOTWINSTON »

lemonghost wrote: post #8

I'm halfway through the OMSCS in the machine learning specialization. It has been a great experience so far and definitely worth it for me. A couple of things to consider: As you mentioned, it is more focused on Computer Science than Software Engineering/Development. There are a couple of Software Engineering/Architecture/Testing courses but I haven't taken them so I can't comment on how relevant I think they are to…

Can you think of any comparable programs that are more focused on Software Engineering? I am about to apply for this program actually, but if there was an SE focused alternative I would lean that way.

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

#36

Post by SEJeff »

repsilat wrote: post #31
ordinaryperson wrote: post #26

At 5K, the price is right (my in-person master's was 22K, although my employers covered most of it) but be aware it's not the missing piece to catapult you into superstar developer earning 170K/year. Honestly I think your time is better spent working on real projects. In my CS master's program I met many students with no real-world experience. One was a paralegal before school, and after he graduated he became...a pa…

> algorithms and data structures being the most applicable There's really not much off that to be had -- one introductory theory + algorithms course, one course on algorithms and complexity for parallel and distributed programs, and after that just a few domain-specific things -- image processing and machine-learning algorithms. I thought the program was worthwhile because it was cheap and flexible. I could watch lec…

If you want to learn about Algorithms, you need to buy the entire series on Algorithms from Robert Sedgewick:

https://www.amazon.com/Algorithms-Parts-1-4-Fundamentals-Str...

https://www.cs.princeton.edu/~rs/

I don't think there is a single better source on algorithms than everything from Robert Sedgewick.

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

#37

Post by forrestbrazeal »

heymijo wrote: post #25
forrestbrazeal wrote: post #24

The answer is highly context dependent. If you think the degree will magically open up a lot of job opportunities for you, you might be kidding yourself. However, if you love to learn and don't mind putting in the long hours, it can be rewarding for its own sake. (Source: current OMSCS student, hopefully graduating in December) I made an "informed decision tree" awhile back that goes into much more detail about my th…

I'm a sucker for visualizations so that informed decision tree got me. What did you use to make it?

Honestly, I can't even remember now. Probably LucidChart.

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

#38

Post by learc83 »

If you haven't been working as a software developer long and you don't have a background in CS, it's going to be difficult.

I'm about halfway through and many of the classes assume that you have the equivalent of an undergrad CS degree. It's not intended to replace an undergrad degree.

That doesn't mean you can't do it, but your going to spend a lot of time catching up. From what I've seen, the students without a CS degree, even those with significant industry experience, have had a much harder time with the more theoretical classes.

It's also a graduate program, and the classes are pretty rigorous compared to what I did in my undergrad CS degree.

Also keep in mind that admission is fairly competitive. And admission is only probationary. You have to complete 2 foundational classes with a B to be fully accepted.

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

#39

Post by learc83 »

arpieb wrote: post #33
decimalst_us wrote: post #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 classe…

As I recall, you have to complete (2) "foundational" courses (there is a list on the main OMSCS website) within the first 12 months with a grade of B or better. After that, you need to graduate within 36 months after you started.

You definitley don't need to graduate within 36 months after you started.

You have up to 6 years to complete it.

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

#40

Post by ordinaryperson »

repsilat wrote: post #31
ordinaryperson wrote: post #26

At 5K, the price is right (my in-person master's was 22K, although my employers covered most of it) but be aware it's not the missing piece to catapult you into superstar developer earning 170K/year. Honestly I think your time is better spent working on real projects. In my CS master's program I met many students with no real-world experience. One was a paralegal before school, and after he graduated he became...a pa…

> algorithms and data structures being the most applicable There's really not much off that to be had -- one introductory theory + algorithms course, one course on algorithms and complexity for parallel and distributed programs, and after that just a few domain-specific things -- image processing and machine-learning algorithms. I thought the program was worthwhile because it was cheap and flexible. I could watch lec…

> I wouldn't assume that any programming experience is better than this program.

I don't. Just want the OP to not get degree fever, assuming they'll be flooded with job offers b/c they have a CS masters.

In developer interviews I've never had anyone even bring up my education once, mostly I think it helps get me past the HR filter at big cos.

But I loved my master's program, I'd recommend school to anyone if they can do it without spending a ton of money, like this program.

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