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Ask HN: What are good distance learning Bachelor's/Master's degrees one can do?

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Re: Ask HN: What are good distance learning Bachelor's/Master's degrees one can do?

#21

Post by gshubert17 »

This site,

https://www.abet.org/accreditation/find-programs/

lets you search for distance learning programs for ABET-accredited degree programs. (ABET stands for Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. They've been leaders in the field of engineering education, accreditation, and professional development for a long time.)

I've taught online computing classes at Regis University, which is ABET-accredited, and offers BS degrees in Computer Information Systems, Computer Networking, Computer Science, and Information Technology; but any of the programs listed have passed their accreditation process.

Re: Ask HN: What are good distance learning Bachelor's/Master's degrees one can do?

#22

Post by npmanor »

The University of Texas at Austin has begun offering an online Masters in Computer Science (https://www.cs.utexas.edu/graduate-program/masters-program/o...). I've noticed a few other universities offering online programs through edX in areas other than computer science like Purdue's Electrical or Computer Engineering (https://engineering.purdue.edu/ECE/Academics/Online)

Re: Ask HN: What are good distance learning Bachelor's/Master's degrees one can do?

#23

Post by montenegrohugo »

montenegrohugo wrote: post #17

Harvard's Extension School offers a variety of Bachelor and Masters degrees, and whilst not fully online, you can fulfill most of the requirements without setting foot on campus.

Can't edit my comment on mobile, so I'm adding relevant info here:

https://www.extension.harvard.edu/

It's not exactly cheap (tuition can cost ~50k$ for a bachelor's). Quality of tuition also varies, there's some fantastic courses and some less stellar ones. Still, I recommend taking a look if you are interested in completing your bachelor's/master's degree mostly online.

For a CS oriented degree, I'd definitely recommend the following courses:

CS50 https://cs50.harvard.edu

CS61 https://cs61.seas.harvard.edu

CS20 https://lewis.seas.harvard.edu/pages/csci-e-20

CS40 https://www.extension.harvard.edu/course-catalog/courses/com...

CS121 https://cs121.boazbarak.org/

CS124 http://sites.fas.harvard.edu/~libcs124/cs124/index.html

Re: Ask HN: What are good distance learning Bachelor's/Master's degrees one can do?

#24

Post by adam1210 »

jaredtn wrote: post #3

I'm currently enrolled in Georgia Tech's OMSCS program - http://www.omscs.gatech.edu/ . 2-3 years of part-time work for $7000, and it's a fully accredited degree with no distinction from the on-campus degree. It's no pushover, a lot of work is required. But the opportunity to get a top-10 CS degree for under ten grand total is unparalleled.

I graduated from this last year! It is definitely a lot of work, excellent value for the price.

Re: Ask HN: What are good distance learning Bachelor's/Master's degrees one can do?

#25

Post by spzb »

vishbar wrote: post #10
JoelMcCracken wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you studied here?

I've studied there for an MSc in Computing. It was good. The classes are a bit business-schooly but I got some good support from tutors. Obviously it depends on the individual tutor--the one for my project module wasn't as clear and supportive--but some are really fantastic.

I'm two-thirds of the way through the same course at the moment. To be honest, I've been pretty disappointed with it. I've found the modules to be much more geared towards the management of IT rather than computing and the technical stuff has been largely skimmed over. The only decent module I've done was one of the Cisco CCNA ones and I'm pretty sure you can get the exact same content direct from Cisco for about quarter of the price (and the OU course fee doesn't include the CCNA exam)

I've also had some very disappointing tutors. One in particular was an arrogant arse whose own highest qualification was a BSc yet he was allowed to judge my Masters level assignments

Re: Ask HN: What are good distance learning Bachelor's/Master's degrees one can do?

#26

Post by perplex »

Something I've looked for a few years now is Oregon State University has undergrad program that is 100% online: https://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/online-degrees/undergraduate...

I'm not enrolled but it it is accredited and (at least in my opinion) OSU has a good CS program.

They also have a postbaccalaureate program that gives you a a CS Degree if you have an existing undergrad.

Re: Ask HN: What are good distance learning Bachelor's/Master's degrees one can do?

#27

Post by tonyedgecombe »

JoelMcCracken wrote: post #6
tonyedgecombe wrote: post #5

The Open University is pretty good for mathematics. http://www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/

Have you studied here?

Yes, I completed a BSc in Mathematics about five years ago.

Re: Ask HN: What are good distance learning Bachelor's/Master's degrees one can do?

#28

Post by mattferderer »

adchari wrote: post #19

University of Illinois also runs an online MCS program, similar to the Georgia Tech one. The curriculum is very comparable to the on-campus degree, and is supposed to take 2 years or less, I believe

I tried some of the U of Illinois MBA courses & found them lacking in quality compared to the Wharton ones on Coursera & MIT on EdX.

Obviously that's a completely different program & faculty though.

Re: Ask HN: What are good distance learning Bachelor's/Master's degrees one can do?

#29

Post by tonyedgecombe »

mnw21cam wrote: post #8
tonyedgecombe wrote: post #5

The Open University is pretty good for mathematics. http://www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/

The Open University is pretty good for a heck of a lot of subjects, and there is absolutely no requirement for you to be in the UK to "attend".

Maths has always been a priority for them though.

Re: Ask HN: What are good distance learning Bachelor's/Master's degrees one can do?

#30

Post by tequila_shot »

Last semester OMSCS. One of the best Masters Program. Loved it.

It's not easy, I had to spend 60 hour weeks sometimes while taking the harder classes. There are easy classes as well, where I spent between 3-5 hours every week. You can take a look at the courses here: https://omscentral.com/courses

Bonus: My Employer pays for it and I work evenings.

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