I'm going to apply as soon as they open the gates. I've been "attending" a different, more average, online MS in Computer Science but find the thought of imminently affordable tuition and Georgia Tech quality very appealing.
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
#72Earlier quoted context omitted.
Seems like it's explicitly designated "Online Masters" OMS as opposed to simply a regular degree you could complete online, so they're still separating it from the B&M degree. While I feel like this is a step in the right direction for online education, the fact that this has the online designation plus its availability to a much, much wider audience seems like it would be a temporary setback in the eyes of employers…
I do wonder what the immigration repercussion of this is, too. I've often considered taking a Masters simply because it would make it easier for me to stay in the US.
From the Inside Higher Ed article I linked elsewhere:
> Galil and Bras both said they did not think the Udacity partnership would cannibalize its existing master’s degree program. They said the residential college experience would still appeal to students who are on a Ph.D. track, who want a full range of career services and who want visas to live in the United States while they study.
Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech
#73"At present, around 160,000 master’s degrees are bestowed in the United States every year in computer science and related subject disciplines"
Computer science is 7,426, so what are the other 152,574 degrees in?
Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech
#74Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes. Maybe you'd have to take some remedial courses first though. SNHU offers B.S. in CS online. http://www.snhu.edu/ There is nothing in CS that requires your physical presence in a lecture hall to learn.
I would worry about the legitimacy of any MS in CS program that did not make someone without a CS undergrad degree take significant remedial coursework.
In my experience, at least with average state schools, their MS in CS curriculum is--to a degree--a rehash of their undergraduate curriculum. Often times they'll just assign more work, or slightly harder work. I'm sure it depends on the program, but many programs seem to assume that even if a candidate comes into the program with a BS in CS, they'll have to have their memory "refreshed" to a significant degree.
Also, there is an element of selection bias. Those who are likely to apply to an MS in Computer Science self-select according to their perception of the requirements of those programs. This enables programs to capture those without a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science but who still have the level of motivation, acumen, and interest necessary to succeed in an MS program in Computer Science.
Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech
#75Earlier quoted context omitted.
Apparently you can try to apply with another kind of BS : "Formal admission into the OMS CS program will require a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from an accredited institution, or a related Bachelor of Science degree with a possible need to take and pass remedial courses"
I wonder if you can get in with just a BA.
I imagine that it comes down to demonstrated (or expressed) ability, acumen, motivation, and interest.
But it depends on how heavily they lean on their heuristics. If you're interested I wouldn't let your fear that they won't accept BA's stop you from applying. I have a BS in Economics and am currently enrolled in a Master's in Computer Science. I mention that because I know there are plenty of BA in Economics programs around...and I can't imagine they differ that much from the program I graduated in.
Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech
#76The 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 traditio…
+1 to your points except the one about the "Online" in OMS being wishy-washy. I propose that this was not just a way to appease administrators, but is a pilot program that other institutions will be closely observing.
If institutions can persuade students to accept an Oxx designation (online prefix), then administrations are modelling that they can not only increase revenues based on free MOOC numbers, but simultaneously protect on-campus degree branding.
I am guessing that many online/distance-learning degrees are conferred without making it clear that the degree was earned in this way. Although this is great for students, I'm sure this causes angst in administrations for fear of brand dilution and obvious revenue threats.
The O-prefix would be a great experiment to see if it sticks. As rsanders said, this really appeals to a certain demographic (older, family/multiple jobs, flexibility, striking distance of employee tuition assistance programs, etc). I am part of that demographic and am sorely tempted to sign up.
One unintended benefit of reducing the cost of such degrees is that it will become (much?) more common for people to hold multiple graduate degrees, which may help offset the perceived 'weakness' of the O- designation.
Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech
#77Earlier quoted context omitted.
I wonder if you can get in with just a BA.
I imagine that it comes down to demonstrated (or expressed) ability, acumen, motivation, and interest. But it depends on how heavily they lean on their heuristics. If you're interested I wouldn't let your fear that they won't accept BA's stop you from applying. I have a BS in Economics and am currently enrolled in a Master's in Computer Science. I mention that because I know there are plenty of BA in Economics progra…
BS Econ to BS CS is exceedingly common, though. Not so much for, say, East Asian Arts.
Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech
#78The 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.
I'm surprised you interpret it that way. How else are they supposed to market it? All they're doing is being clear about the delivery platform. If they didn't say it was "online" how would you know it was online? The degree you receive will be identical to the one you'd receive in person. This is all that matters. Your degree will be the same, the classes taken will be the same, etc. Besides, studies have shown that employers actually highly value candidates from reputable online programs--because they have apparently discovered that candidates who have persisted in online programs are highly motivated. "Online" isn't a stigma these days.
Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech
#79"At present, around 160,000 master’s degrees are bestowed in the United States every year in computer science and related subject disciplines" Computer science is 7,426, so what are the other 152,574 degrees in?
Humanities? Now THOSE degrees are a waste of money.
Re: Announcing Online MS in Computer Science in Collaboration with Georgia Tech
#80On 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.
This is a fair complaint. The students from 1995-2020 will have paid over-market fees for their education. However, it is precisely because of this insane inflation and greed that MOOCs have become an option.
As someone who has suffered alongside you (though 6-8 years ago, when it wasn't so bad and scholarship money flowed a bit better), I feel your pain. But if I have overpaid for my education, knowing that I contributed in some small way towards the globalization/openness of post-secondary classwork was well worth the price.