Master of Software Engineering: CMU or Elsewhere?

nestea247 asks: "I graduated from CMU 3 years ago and have since worked in a very good company and gained quite a lot of solid software development experiences. Now I'm thinking of moving on, to learn more about software engineering i.e. management/methods/processes. CMU has a very good program. I have been comparing it against other schools like MIT, Stanford, Berkeley...etc., and it seems like only CMU has very specific concentration on software engineering and a tailor-made cirriculum. Other schools are just general masters degree in CS that might require me to re-learn or polish a lot of concepts in undergrad. So CMU sounds like a good choice, but I hope if someone could tell me what's good about the other schools. What should I take into consideration (academically) when I select a grad school for MSE?"

Comments

PHB Potential

[Anonymous Coward]

"just general masters degree in CS that might require me to re-learn or polish a lot of concepts in undergrad."

God forbid you learn anything more about the trade practiced by those you will eventually manage. Unless you think getting a Master's will get you more money or a better job, you can learn all you need to know from reading some books. Practice your coding skills and your employees will respect you. No Master's degreee will earn a programmer's respect.

Another PHB, comin' up!

[devphil]

I graduated from CMU 3 years ago and

now you think you're ready to manage us? Oh crap.

In 3 years, you've just about filled in the gaps left in your undergrad education. And you're not willing to learn any more about CS, you just want to get into the management role. Okay, here's the only recommendation you need for schooling: with your mindset, it doesn't matter which school you attend.

Every single person I talk to who says they know software management in terms of "processes" reminds me of the Dilbert cartoon: "We improve your software process! We don't know how to do anything, we only know how to do it better!"

(I like how he puts down the "general masters degree in CS" like it's somehow inferior to a program of study which specializes in the latest management fad. Like it's not called a Master's degree for a reason.