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Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

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Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

#31

Post by gt565k »

manglav wrote: post #12

I'm so happy to see this - it's a sign of progress of the education system, and it gives me so much relief to see that someone gets it at the top of the education totem pole. I discussed this with a master's degree student a few years ago, because the cost (especially for computer science, no labs) seemed too low to ignore. I will sign up for this as soon as possible. Also, having a master's in Comp Sci will really h…

It usually ranks top 10 in CS for undergrad. It might be in top 5 for graduate school.

The robotics lab at GT's College of Computing is insane.

Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

#32

Post by johngalt »

I'm surprised they started with a masters, but I guess it makes sense. They are only targeting people who've already gone through an accredited degree program. Makes the program more likely to be taken seriously.

Udacity already issues credit for a fewer lower level classes via SJSU. I wonder how soon the gap will be closed and a whole online degree available.

Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

#33

Post by fiatmoney »

The fact that they qualify it as an "online master of science" makes it significantly less attractive. It implies they're not willing to put their name & reputation behind its equivalency (in terms of rigor & qualifications of outgoing students) to an offline degree.

Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

#34

Post by clicks »

recuter wrote: post #4

http://www.omscs.gatech.edu/faq/ > How much does the degree program cost? We’re not yet ready to announce a specific program cost, but the plan is to offer the Georgia Tech OMS CS for a total cost of under $7,000—a fraction of the cost of Georgia Tech’s on-campus program and even less than that of comparable private universities. > The total workload is the same as the residential program; the weekly or hourly worklo…

Agreed, revolutionary. In a way, it costing $7000 (rather than being free or nearly free) goes further in lending it credibility. I do wonder though that still for those who would have trouble affording even that, would FAFSA provide aid/loans? And moreover, is an undergrad degree a pre-requisite? I wonder if college dropouts can enroll in this program.

Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

#35

Post by Zombieball »

rsanders wrote: post #25
wfunction wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same here, I think it's a really easy way to devalue their degree unfortunately. A Bachelor's would be easier to accept, but a Master's? I don't think people are ready for that yet.

I think the Masters degree is an excellent place to start. MOOC-style education requires more of the student than traditional teaching formats. A lot of people don't have the necessary skills leaving high school, but they are likely to have developed them during the course of an undergraduate degree.

+1 This mirrors my thoughts exactly.

Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

#36

Post by waterlesscloud »

Sindrome wrote: post #29

I take it this degree will be accredited by the same body that administers Georgia Tech. Has anyone heard otherwise?

It doesn't directly say that, though they do say it's a degree from an accredited institution, which is likely intended to mean the same thing.

Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

#37

Post by rayiner »

wfunction wrote: post #20
timtamboy63 wrote: post #15

On one hand, I think it's ridiculously awesome that Tech's doing this. Our CoC department is incredibly innovative, and one of the only administrative departments that recognize the need for innovation. However, I wonder if this would devalue a degree from Georgia Tech. You'd obviously have a lot more people taking the course than you would if it wasn't an MOOC. Thoughts?

Same here, I think it's a really easy way to devalue their degree unfortunately. A Bachelor's would be easier to accept, but a Master's? I don't think people are ready for that yet.

I actually disagree. Masters degrees are much more about just getting the knowledge than are bachelors degrees, which are more about signaling. Lots of very highly-ranked institutions have masters programs that are relatively "easy to get into" (compared to their undergraduate programs). E.g. Columbia, CMU, Penn, LSE, etc.

Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

#38

Post by rsanders »

clicks wrote: post #34
recuter wrote: post #4

http://www.omscs.gatech.edu/faq/ > How much does the degree program cost? We’re not yet ready to announce a specific program cost, but the plan is to offer the Georgia Tech OMS CS for a total cost of under $7,000—a fraction of the cost of Georgia Tech’s on-campus program and even less than that of comparable private universities. > The total workload is the same as the residential program; the weekly or hourly worklo…

Agreed, revolutionary. In a way, it costing $7000 (rather than being free or nearly free) goes further in lending it credibility. I do wonder though that still for those who would have trouble affording even that, would FAFSA provide aid/loans? And moreover, is an undergrad degree a pre-requisite? I wonder if college dropouts can enroll in this program.

Unfortunately, at least for the moment an undergrad degree is a prerequisite. More generally, you have to be admitted to Georgia Tech as would any other graduate student.

I think there will be quite a few companies willing to pay $7000 in tuition assistance so their employees can get a MS.

Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

#39

Post by waterlesscloud »

clicks wrote: post #34
recuter wrote: post #4

http://www.omscs.gatech.edu/faq/ > How much does the degree program cost? We’re not yet ready to announce a specific program cost, but the plan is to offer the Georgia Tech OMS CS for a total cost of under $7,000—a fraction of the cost of Georgia Tech’s on-campus program and even less than that of comparable private universities. > The total workload is the same as the residential program; the weekly or hourly worklo…

Agreed, revolutionary. In a way, it costing $7000 (rather than being free or nearly free) goes further in lending it credibility. I do wonder though that still for those who would have trouble affording even that, would FAFSA provide aid/loans? And moreover, is an undergrad degree a pre-requisite? I wonder if college dropouts can enroll in this program.

Well, they also plan to offer certificates, I assume based on the same program, which they say will cost substantially less.

And the materials themselves will be free, like a regular Udacity class.

Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech

#40

Post by waterlesscloud »

rsanders wrote: post #38
clicks wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed, revolutionary. In a way, it costing $7000 (rather than being free or nearly free) goes further in lending it credibility. I do wonder though that still for those who would have trouble affording even that, would FAFSA provide aid/loans? And moreover, is an undergrad degree a pre-requisite? I wonder if college dropouts can enroll in this program.

Unfortunately, at least for the moment an undergrad degree is a prerequisite. More generally, you have to be admitted to Georgia Tech as would any other graduate student. I think there will be quite a few companies willing to pay $7000 in tuition assistance so their employees can get a MS.

Tech's MSCS is pretty competitive in terms of admissions. I assume this will be somewhat broader in its acceptance?
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