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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

#41

Post by rsanders »

fiatmoney wrote: post #33

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.

Yeah, I find that a little wishy-washy, too. I guess that's part of the buying decision you have to make -- are you willing to risk the lesser cachet for the convenience and affordability?

I'd do it in a second, but then I'm probably the target audience (other than not having completed my BS). I'm almost 40 years old, with a wife and child, and the flexibility is crucial to me. This isn't an alternative to a traditional MS program; the traditional MS just isn't even an option for me. I see it as a way to get credit for the MOOC work I'm already doing for fun and fulfillment.

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

#42

Post by rsanders »

waterlesscloud wrote: post #40
rsanders wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

Well, there's no real scarcity of teaching faculty and other resources in a MOOC format, so that pressure will be removed. But I don't know how the standards will be set. I'm not sure Georgia Tech knows that yet, either.

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

#43

Post by wfunction »

lawnchair_larry wrote: post #24
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.

> Same here, I think it's a really easy way to devalue their degree unfortunately. This only makes sense if you consider degrees to be collector's items. Maybe the problem is not with the degree.

Are you living in a world where no one cares where you got your degree from?

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

#44

Post by caw »

Sindrome wrote: post #29

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

From the FAQ: This program has been approved at every relevant level of the University System of Georgia, up to and including the Board of Regents.

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

#45

Post by rsanders »

totalrobe wrote: post #18
rsanders wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you chase the links you end up on the Georgia Tech site about it: http://www.omscs.gatech.edu/faq . 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. All the content will be free to everybody, but you have to…

Agreed - this is not really "Massively Open" IMO, because it still requires a bachelor's in CS for admission. They do hint at it, but hopefully they will allow an option B for admission. That would somewhat validate their stated goal of increasing STEM education.

The course materials and participation are MO, just not the Masters degree itself.

At the next family-attending Georgia Tech Professional Education function I'm going to petition everybody who'll stand still to allow people without a BS to earn the degree. But I think I'll actually be preaching to the choir.

Anyway, it's a huge step for them to create this program as is. And once the concerns about "degree devaluation" have passed, and enough demand has become apparent, maybe they'll be ready for the next step.

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

#46

Post by cdrxndr »

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.

Except no GRE, which is removing another unnecessary barrier to entry. The admissions process also seems to be an effort-based process of testing out of some initial curriculum. Much better than studying for a standardized test.

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

#47

Post by cloverich »

johngalt wrote: post #32

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.

> They are only targeting people who've already gone through an accredited degree program. Makes the program more likely to be taken seriously.

I think not only that, but also allows the curriculum to be more focused. Likely they weren't prepared to throw in all the non-major related classes that typically go with an undergraduate degree. Its a great start.

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

#48

Post by rsanders »

Sindrome wrote: post #29

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

I can ask about that (my wife works at GT PE), but this video implies a pretty strong equivalence. The relevant part is right at the beginning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zihmiLx3Xlk

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

#49

Post by sliverstorm »

rsanders wrote: post #26
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?

The word "devalue" comes up a lot in conversations about this sort of thing, but I'm not sure exactly how that works. If half the student body at GT died before graduating, would your degree be worth twice as much?

I think dilution is less of a concern than reduced rigor, which is a completely valid thing to worry about IMO.

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

#50

Post by s_baby »

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?

It doesn't devalue the prestige of my degree but it devalues the thousands of dollars I've spent and the opportunity costs paid by not having a remote option. It's de-moralizing being midway through my degree knowing future students will not have my debt or be constrained geographically and temporally. It's like an externalization of costs where my debt will be used to frog hop the next class(es) ahead of me.
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