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Also did OMSCS. Highly recommend it. The problem with self-learning is that sometimes you convince yourself that you understand something when you really don't. Only when you get smacked by an exam or an assignment you realize that you've been fooling yourself. The ML and Systems track is pretty hardcore. If you survive those you have pretty good foundational knowledge. Fair warning though - the program is not a joke…
Where would a masters degree in CS help for someone with 20+ years of software experience? Genuinely - I have no clue. I don’t have a masters. I’ll likely never need one. If there was a specific field that required intense learning and was cutting edge (computer vision or something) then I’d understand a masters (or especially a PhD) but for general work…? Don’t get it. You’d certainly be better off financially from…
I've seen requirements for a master's in CS or related disciplines on job descriptions for technical leadership roles, mostly at larger, older, more conservative organisations.
My work experience gets me roles as director of eng, vp eng or CTO at most startups, but for the national rail company here in Canada, I have a hard time getting considered for any jobs.
Also did OMSCS. Highly recommend it. The problem with self-learning is that sometimes you convince yourself that you understand something when you really don't. Only when you get smacked by an exam or an assignment you realize that you've been fooling yourself. The ML and Systems track is pretty hardcore. If you survive those you have pretty good foundational knowledge. Fair warning though - the program is not a joke…
Does anyone have experience with the step down from this? I have zero formal CS education but two decades of experience at pretty much all types of development. I live within spitting distance of my local state university (UNH) and don’t really care about any piece of paper, but I would love to take formal/ hard CS classes, whether for credit or audit. Is there a “right” way of doing this? Does it make any sense?
Data Structures and Introduction to Algorithms: everyone needs this and it is maybe 50% of leet code problems
Assembly Language Programming and Machine Organization, Introduction to the Theory of Computation: this is the low level of how computers really work
Operating System Fundamentals: concurrency programming plus a lot more useful stuff
I think it is definitely worth it. Good luck!
Consider Oxford’s MSc in SoftEng: http://softeng.ox.ac.uk
The SE program at Oxford doesn't seem to be available for 100% remote study, though. Am I missing something? I love this informal, friendly Web site, and I might be looking in the wrong places.
> The value of a MSCS for me is that I think it would get me more interesting jobs that pay more. Unfortunately no, not really.
All the best for your studies. I also decided to do a mid career masters, but as I did not have a completed undergrad degree I opted for an MBA in AI via a “non prestigious” UK university, as I also wanted part time, online and cheap. I’m a 3rd way through now.
Slightly surprised that Harvard's School of Extension Studies didn't make the cut.