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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?

#91

Post by jlamberts »

pierrebeaucamp wrote: post #17
lemonghost wrote: post #10

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.

I'm currently in the program with a BS in Industrial Engineering. I highlighted the CS side of my job in my application, and had done a lot of learning on my own time between my BS and application. So it's definitely possible if you're interested.

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

#92

Post by rosstex »

vikascoder wrote: post #34

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 an…

>"This is perhaps the cheapest Computer Science masters in the United States from a premier school."

Actually, there are funded ones! Princeton and Cornell both have 2 year thesis-based M.S.E CS programs which are fully funded + stipend. I'm starting Princeton's in the fall. These are small programs though, I believe there's 12 of us incoming.

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

#93

Post by gitgreen »

jupiter90000 wrote: post #62
root_axis wrote: post #45

Anyone know of similar programs for undergrad? i.e. an online accredited CS bachelors from a real university.

Oregon State University has an online 2nd bachelor's program if you already got another undergrad degree. Not sure how 'good' the program is or anything though, and it doesn't look nearly as inexpensive as the GA tech program if I'm not mistaken: http://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/online-degrees/undergraduate/...

There is an active and well moderated subreddit for anybody interested in this degree, /r/osuonlinecs. Several current and former students have been talking about the GaTech program so I linked this discussion in our slack channel.

The degree is good in the sense that every alumnus I've talked to has found employment as a full time dev. It also does a good job of quickly washing out those who are trying it on and aren't ready and/or interested.

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

#94

Post by pc86 »

root_axis wrote: post #45

Anyone know of similar programs for undergrad? i.e. an online accredited CS bachelors from a real university.

The problem you'll run in to is that you'll be charged full tuition despite not using nearly the amount of services. I looked at one (I believe in Illinois but I don't recall) that was over $60k for the degree, all online, with minimal access to your professors, and no rights to the physical campus.

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

#95

Post by mukhmustafa »

I joined the program in Fall 2016, and I am half way now. So far, i can say that the program is very useful for workers who are looking for a part-time degree, or for people who can't afford the on-campus program. However, the knowledge you gain and experience you get can't be compared to the on-campus program.

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

#96

Post by mukhmustafa »

I joined the program in Fall 2016, and I am half way now. So far, i can say that the program is very useful for workers who are looking for a part-time degree, or for people who can't afford the on-campus program. However, the knowledge you gain and experience you get can't be compared to the on-campus program.

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

#97

Post by sxv »

nheskia wrote: post #70
throwawayaug15 wrote: post #47

Logging in as a throwaway. The program only costs $5k but it was one of the most expensive things I've done in my life. Got a job at Google directly because of this program (a few classes like CCA helped a lot with interviews). I'm aware of at least a couple dozen of us from OMS here. The program cost me dearly. It cost me my relationship with the SO and it cost me my health (staying up late nights, lots of coffee).…

while the degree has led to you getting a job at Google, you're saying it's a throwaway because it costed you your mental health/relationship? not trying to question your assessment- just wondering whether or not you think you could have gotten a job at Google otherwise and that's why the program was a throwaway?

A "throwaway" account means that he/she created a temporary hacker news username for this one-time post for anonymity. "Throwaway" does not refer to the degree or program.

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

#98

Post by nolepointer »

Buttons840 wrote: post #81
mathattack wrote: post #71

Only a few data points as an outside observer, but... 1 - The people I've seen doing it are learning A LOT - more than another online program I've seen. 2 - They're also working A LOT - it intrudes on all aspects of their personal life. It's as much or more work than doing an in person CS degree. 3 - The folks I know don't have CS undergrads, which also makes it more difficult. Net - it can be worth it if you missed…

They're getting a Master's degree without having "CS undergrads"? What does that mean?

They don't possess undergraduate (bachelor's) degrees in Computer Science.

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

#99

Post by rripken »

Buttons840 wrote: post #81
mathattack wrote: post #71

Only a few data points as an outside observer, but... 1 - The people I've seen doing it are learning A LOT - more than another online program I've seen. 2 - They're also working A LOT - it intrudes on all aspects of their personal life. It's as much or more work than doing an in person CS degree. 3 - The folks I know don't have CS undergrads, which also makes it more difficult. Net - it can be worth it if you missed…

They're getting a Master's degree without having "CS undergrads"? What does that mean?

I was in an informal study group for Knowledge Based AI and one of the brightest students was a journalist. She had no undergrad CS background. She obviously had a hard time on the programming assignments but she started early, asked TA's for help, developed a clear plan. Her agents performed very well. Another student I know is a medical doctor at Kaiser.

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

#100

Post by pc86 »

ll931110 wrote: post #46
davidreiss wrote: post #32

> 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…

True, but it should not have been mutually exclusive. Getting both the theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge would boost a person's career many folds.

"Many folds" is very unlikely unless you're already grossly underpaid. A small percentage? Maybe. Enough to justify the cost of attendance? Again, maybe if you're going the OMSCS route and you're only out $7k. If you drop $30k on a master's you'll be lucky you make that up even before considering inflation, opportunity cost, etc.

I have a BA in Political Science and about a decade as a software developer. The next step in my career would be better served by an MBA than an MSCS. I'm not even sure I could break even if I did GT's OMSCS out of pocket as I'm about as high up as I can get and still use data structure and algorithm knowledge on a daily (let's be honest - weekly at best) basis.

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