Instead, it might be better building something like an OS from scratch. I think that would encompass nearly everything valuable you can learn from a Master’s.
Master’s Degree in Computer Science
151–160 of 265 posts
Re: Master’s Degree in Computer Science
#152I've gone and gotten a mid-career masters (or five). I went because I needed the self-validation. Terrible impostor syndrome. I carefully evaluted every programme. I spent probably a year or two looking at different programmes, not through analysis paralysis, but because I was looking for programmes that had things that interested me and weren't either simply a shake-down for money or getting lost in proofs and theor…
That's quite amazing! For Open Classroom s, my impression is that it is more like Coursera or Udacity and not a "real" degree? I also recall the same thing with Structuralia and the Titulo Propio
It depends on the programme you study. Structuralia hands out mostly EQF 7, but backed by a number of Spanish universities that are wholly recognized by the government, and also several British universities. There may be other universities and countries they are working with, but those are the only ones I know of. These are "Master's diplomas", for all intents a Master's degree without thesis, I have a couple of those.
OpenClassrooms also does EQF 6 (Bachelor's) and EQF 7 (Master's) diplomas, some of them are backed by Universities in France (Ecole de Management, Central Supelec, and others), and again, may be a degree or may be a diploma - but if it is a degree or diploma backed by a University with a charter, then it is a real qualification. Same goes for Structuralia. You need to check the programme. At the end of the day, if you have an EQF 6 (Baccalaureate) or EQF 7 (Master's), and it is underwritten by a university with a charter, you're golden. It only matters if you need the thesis for going on to a terminal degree (and even then) or want to be in academia. I don't. I'll take the five master's and be happy with it. If you do any of those courses, you're still going to get put through the wringer, it ain't a walk in the park. I'd say the AI one, though easy because I knew the subject pretty well, was the hardest because I really stretched far beyond what I had grown comfortable with.
I have studied at nine different European universities/colleges at various levels, one in Asia, and four in the US. I feel I got value out of all the education (except that one MBA with a concentration in HR that I absolutely hated), but I prefer the European system most.
Footnote: When my wife mentions my qualifications in conversation, I correct her and say "two master's degrees, three master's diplomas." I still have that conscious bias myself. But every time I check the paperwork and every university I've shown them too for my next educational step, the university has come back with "that'll do nicely. These look good." It's that impostor syndrome kicking in again.
And one more thing...
Bachelor's and Master's with and without thesis doesn't delineate degree or diploma. It comes down to how the certificate is awarded, not what you had to do to get it. My Master's degree in Computer Science was a "without thesis option." Education above grade-school gets muddy, which is why you need to do research on the subject.
Re: Master’s Degree in Computer Science
#153I studied for my MSc in the UK mid-career. I didn't really do it for the potential payrise (there is/was none), I just did it because I enjoy learning about computing and wanted to do something structured so that I stuck with it. It cost me about £10,000 and I paid monthly over the 2 years so it wasn't so bad financially. I think you can take a loan in the UK to cover postgrad stuff, but I didn't bother, I was in the…
Which Uni you had the masters from? Would you suggest them?
Re: Master’s Degree in Computer Science
#154I obtained a MS in CS online from DePaul and I really enjoyed it. I got it as a backup plan as I wasn't working as a programmer at the time (but I am now a FT programmer). To be honest the course work felt like a glorified BS degree but it served its intended purpose.
Honestly I would love to get another MS in data science and/or statistics. I could go the self-learn way but I need the structure and accountability that is required to obtain a degree. Otherwise I get side tracked in my self-learning path ... SQUIRREL!
Re: Master’s Degree in Computer Science
#155I've gone and gotten a mid-career masters (or five). I went because I needed the self-validation. Terrible impostor syndrome. I carefully evaluted every programme. I spent probably a year or two looking at different programmes, not through analysis paralysis, but because I was looking for programmes that had things that interested me and weren't either simply a shake-down for money or getting lost in proofs and theor…
I'm currently looking into this area (for similar reasons as you :)), these weren't on my radar at all. I'm EU based and flexible in what I'm looking for so they sound appealing. I'm curious what the "several others" you refer to are? I want to look into those too
Re: Master’s Degree in Computer Science
#156I studied for my MSc in the UK mid-career. I didn't really do it for the potential payrise (there is/was none), I just did it because I enjoy learning about computing and wanted to do something structured so that I stuck with it. It cost me about £10,000 and I paid monthly over the 2 years so it wasn't so bad financially. I think you can take a loan in the UK to cover postgrad stuff, but I didn't bother, I was in the…
I did the same! It fitted well with a career break I wanted to take, and it's been helpful in rounding out some of the more theoretical parts of my knowledge. I suspect it's viewed positively by some employers for some roles, but mostly not as positively as staying in a job for the two years instead. Not everything has to be viewed purely as a career investment though.
Re: Master’s Degree in Computer Science
#157I'm personally in the Georgia Tech Online Master's in Computer Science (OMSCS) program right now and can't say enough good things about it. The coursework is rigorous, deep, and varied, you really do learn quite a bit through the program and more than just random learning on your own, you get a degree out of it. Plus you get the opportunity to do some research and publish papers.
I’m curious whether anyone here is doing/has done OMSCS with a family in addition to a day job. I would love to do the program, but I’m not sure how realistic it is to take it on with young kids in the house. Does all of your non-work time end up being consumed by coursework?
I did my degree online with a "day" job and young family. My kids were 6 and 3 at the time. But my job wasn't a 9-5 so I didn't have that burden. Also, it got to the point where the day after lectures were posted, which were around 9 pm to midnight, I would get up at 3:30 a.m. to watch a 3 hour lecture.
The old adage "where there is a will there is a way" is definitely true.
Re: Master’s Degree in Computer Science
#158I know I'm gonna get downs for this but they could've just written that they want the degree for free, without doing anything that is required for a proper Master's. All in all, it looks like the author wants convenience and the cake too.
Re: Master’s Degree in Computer Science
#159Earlier quoted context omitted.
The problem is when you have paid the tuition, and finished the degree, it's so hard to objectively rate it. I have a Bachelor's degree from a decent state school in California. At the time, I felt the courses were too easy, and my four years were a bit of a waste of time. I remember going to a graduation party, and you would think we graduated from med school. The graduates were carrying on like it was so rigrigrous…
I have no idea how one flunks the kindergarten, but I’m pretty sure that it does not reflect one’s intellect in anyway. Am pretty sure there’s an interesting story there somewhere :)
I flunked kindergarden PE.
Too many times, the class was supposed to line up at one side of the gym, then one at a time each kids was supposed to do the thing.
I was never good at waiting in a "useless" line.
Re: Master’s Degree in Computer Science
#160Getting a MSc mid-career usually won't make any significant difference in your pay as a software developer. I've hired lots of developers and the degree didn't make any difference mid-career for the offer but your professional experience. For some niche jobs it might make a difference but for most jobs it won't.