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Searching for a Master's Degree On or Offline?
rstewart asks: "I've been searching for a good school to get a Masters in computer science from. The catch: I want to do it as an online degree since I do not have the time during the day to take classes and am not interested in moving/switching jobs right now. I'm not interested in something like University of Phoenix or one of the other schools like that but a traditional brick and mortar school where I can get a Masters degree that is the same as being at that school's location. I'm wondering what other users experience with online degrees are and if there are any schools worthy of mention for this type of goal." There's another question of the offline variety as well.
jokrswild asks: "As the end of my college career ends, I start to look toward the future. After recieving my BS in Computer Science, I could go on to get a job right away, or continue my formal education and get a Masters in Computer Science. Thinking about it, I've decided that I would like to further my knowledge of Computer Science, and pursue a masters degree. The only problem is that there are too many schools to choose from! What are your experiences with computer science at different schools around the country, and which do you think offers the best program for a Masters in Computer Science?"
Depending on what is the field you would like to specialize in, think about studying abroad. For example, I have heard that studying in Finland in HUT or TUT for example might be a major boost both for your skills and employment opportunities especially if you plan to specialize in wireless stuff. (Why? Much of it originates from Nokia)
I'm sure someone is offering to sell you a degree in your email. If not? get a hotmail account you sure to get an offer you cant refuse. :)
Cheers
I'm working on my masters degree in experience without setting foot on a campus. Too bad I don't get one of those neat little sheep skin hangy-do's with improtant people's autographs.
Someone hates these cans.
A CS professor once described his department to me as "selectively excellent." There are a few places like MIT or Georgia Tech that can educate you on the cutting edge of just about anything technical, but most programs just have a few highlights. Masters' programs tend to require more specialization (e.g., AI, operating systems, graphics, teaching, algorithms, etc.) than an undergraduate degree, so you should decide what that specialization might be and evaluate masters' programs by that criteria. Do keep in mind, however, your interests could shift. (That's why I passed on Georgia Tech for undergraduate study... God help you if you go there and decide you don't want to major in engineering/cs after all.)
For great justice.
i found mine with google ;-)
Use my userscript to add story images to Slashdot. There's no going back.
I've been searching for a good school to get a Masters in computer science from. The catch: I want to do it as an online degree since I do not have the time during the day to take classes and am not interested in moving/switching jobs right now. I'm not interested in something like University of Phoenix or one of the other schools like that but a traditional brick and mortar school where I can get a Masters degree that is the same as being at that school's location
You can't. A Master's degree, a good one, isn't taught like an undergraduate degree, with a lecture hall of students taking notes while a professor lectures at the front. It's much more interactive; lots of small groups, discussions with fellow students and faculty, collaborative learning. The benefits of a well-respected course include the quality of the other students, remember, not just the quality of the faculty and facilities. You aren't just soaking up data, you're exercising the application of new heuristics. The best professors I had during my Masters would start a discussion, then expect the class to arrive at a solution, guiding it along the way where necessary. Active participation makes for a much richer learning experience, one that both gives a good grasp of the theory and can be applied to the real world. All an "online" degree offers is a reading list and a test of how well you've memorized it.
You can get an online Masters if you just want the letters after your name, but if you really want an education, you will have to do it the old-fashioned way, there are no shortcuts.
As the end of my college career ends, I start to look toward the future. After recieving my BS in Computer Science, I could go on to get a job right away, or continue my formal education and get a Masters in Computer Science. Thinking about it, I've decided that I would like to further my knowledge of Computer Science, and pursue a masters degree. The only problem is that there are too many schools to choose from! What are your experiences with computer science at different schools around the country, and which do you think offers the best program for a Masters in Computer Science?"
First question: do you want a "generalist" MS CS or do you want to specialize in a particular area, such as software engineering, AI, computer graphics, or do you want to go into research?
Decide this, then narrow down your potential list of schools using their strengths in the area(s) you are most interested in. If you can't decide, get a job and work for 3-4 years, maybe spend a year or two in different roles, then you will have a much better idea of what your goals and interests are, and you might even have made a dent in your student debt!
For your self-fulfillment / your CV / fill in time ?
From an employer's perspective, I would not give much credit to someone with a bit of paper from a purely online 'university' course.
You do not know
- what the standards are
- that the person who did the 'work' is the same person in front of you.
Therefore I would never spend my money on a purely on line course.I would never spend my money on a course without a final exam.
I would only spend my money on a respected course, with a bit of a track record. This is not just academic snobbery.
- one of the most important benefits is the networking. And networking with other losers is inherantly less productive (so my friends tell me as they are leaving).
- In reality the money is not that important. Your time is actually the most valuable resource you will put into this degree, so if you are going to do it, you may as well do the best course you can afford.
If I were going to use a distance learning univ, I would use one which had been set up and has long experience in the joys of distance learning - in the UK, the Open University. These universities have been in the game a lot longer than U.Phoenix and recognise that pure distance learning with no face to face is not good. At a masters + level, where critical thinking is important, you need to develop a relationship with your tutor.I did an MBA this way - mixed distance with some face to face, and found it worked very well.
There is a lot to be said (from an educational and a practical viewpoint) for doing your further study while you are working. An employer with their head screwed on will support you, and you will be able to relate your learning to real-life.
Over the past decade, many universities have been pressured into setting up distance learning as it obviously increases their income, without increasing their expenditure. They had little interest or experience in managing these students, and much unhappiness has resulted.
[Previous convictions: two bachelors degrees, two masters incorporating distance learning and now on PhD on distance/ web based learning.]
Good Luck!
Humorous signatures are over-rated.
If you get half as much spam as me, you're bound to have had a few offering to sell you a degree.
(nb: I'm kidding - please don't take this seriously!)
(Spudley Strikes Again!)
Although it isn't a MSc in Computer Science, Athabasca University does offer a MSc in Computing and Information Systems... I am presently enrolled for my undergrad BSc in this program - good well rounded course. The school is located in Alberta (Canada). All you need is someone local to proctor your tests - generally a library or a community college will work. It's a great school, interesting philosophy compared to conventional brick and mortar schools.
but from what research I've done, Phoenix *is* a brick and mortar university that happens to have extended their classrooms to online classes.
If you have practical, hands-on work experience and if you, like me, do not have the capability due to work schedule (boss's unwillingness to let you flex your schedule to take a class also fits in here) or your location on this planet; online coursework is the best way to do this. It is my observation that the very fact that you have taken the time to get an advanced education often outweighs the name or nature of the school you got the degree from. Even 'traditional' schools are offering online coursework; and it is observation that many businesses recognize this and accept anything accredited. I do believe if you get your diploma from a 'degree mill', you'll suffer for it soon enough when people realize you don't have the knowledge you claimed you had -- but there is nothing wrong with obtaining an education online.
A considerable number of companies provide most of their training online now through video, CBT or web-based live demonstrations and tutorials. A certain government facility's yearly security awareness brief is not provided online. Another company's GMP and Documentation Standards courses; as well as all the requisite exams following the courses; are all provided in an automated system.
I think with the interesting people, their lives can't possibly be wrapped up into a nice little package.
Master of Science: Information Technology at RIT...
Operator, give me the number for 911!
I just finished up a Master of Science in Internet Engineering at Marlboro College in Vermont (very rural college in a very rural state, but it had an great, cutting-edge graduate program). I couldn't find any info online about it, but they're developing a distance learning program.
Claudine Keenan is the person to talk to:
1-888-258-5665
ckeenan@persons.marlboro.edu
David Cole
www.davidcole.net
Baker College has a fully accredited, online Master's program that corresponds to their brick-and-mortar program. I don't know if they have a CS master's but they do have a 100% online MBA with several CS concentrations. I got an MBA from them a few years ago and was very satisfied.
You can find more info here: I2CS program
In general, there appear to be two styles of masters degrees: those that are more research oriented, and those that are more professional oriented. Different schools offer different ones (some offer both).
Profession masters usually consist mostly of course work. Part of the courses will be a graduate level "redo" (the courses will be more indepth and expand on the knowledge you gained as an UG) of some of your undergrad work (usually a fixed curriculium), while the other courses will be more advanced, allowing you to study things you find more interesting.
A more research oriented masters is similar to the program above, but has a thesis project in addition to (or in substitution for) some of the courses. It is "independent" research, you will be working with a faculty advisor as part of his/her research group.
Usually research masters require you to be a full time student (and some even offer fellowships / assistanceships to help you financially), whereas many professional masters can be done while you are working. For example NYU offers their masters corses in the evening.
The choice between the two types of programs depends on what you would like to accomplish, and what your time and financial limitations are. Both will impress potential employeers. I'd give a slight edge to the research masters, because you will have something very interesting to discuss with interviewers, and if you present them with a copy of your thesis it will be impressive. Also, certain "research" type jobs might want to see proof that you could do research before they hire you.
If you do a research degree, you might be convinced to stay on (or continue somewhere else) and get a PhD (and, you'll have a better sense of what one is like), but it is definitly not a formal stepping-stone. Most PhD program will take people straight out of undergrad, but will require them to do some general course work and obtain a masters en-passant. Having a masters already might help reduce that course load, or at least make it easier.
Good luck.
North Carolina State University offers a "Distance Education" program that is taught via videotape and online. They offer a Master of Computer Science program, both with and without a thesis (specialized or general programs).
See http://engineeringonline.ncsu.edu for details.
// Alan Porter
Columbia University actually has a distance learning program (if you qualify for admission there):
http://www.cvn.columbia.edu/
http://www.cvn.columbia.edu/b/degrees/csms.html
Definitely a little more respectable than your average degree-by-mail solicitation.
Speaking of NTU, does anyone have opinions about it? I'd be curious as to others' experience with NTU.
your forgetting most distance learning schools provide the same education as through their classes just available online. the same start|stop dates apply the only thing you miss out on is physically sitting in class, the one I do has full video conf. of the class.
uiuc.edu is one.
AND more importantly your forgetting that most schools when issuing the piece of papper for your degree dont put
john smith Master of science through our sucky distance learning, 90% look just like a normal masters and you wouldn't notice the difference in looking at it.
Check out National Technological University. They offer Master's Degrees in a number of technical fields including Computer Science.
Homepage
Computer Science Degree
Try these out:
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Master of Science in Information Technology at Carnegie-Mellon (the guys Apple "borrowed" their OSX kernel from)
Overview of the various Distance Learning programs (The MSIT is the one you're looking for):
http://www.cmu.edu/home/education/educatio
The Masters program
http://www.distance.cmu.edu/SE/paths.htm
The requirements for Admission:
http://www.distance.cmu.edu/admission
The requirements for Admission for INDIANS:
http://www.distance.cmu.edu/aboutde/Ind
The cost:
http://www.distance.cmu.edu/admissions/tui
Some more info about the actual school:
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college
Too bad they don't offer a bachelors degree online.
----------------
How about a Masters Degree Online from USC?
http://den.usc.edu/
----------------
How about CalPoly?
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/elearn
-----------------
Or, Stanford?
http://scpd.stanford.edu/scpd/default.
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/elearning/dire
-----------------
That should get you started. Good luck.
I'm surprised there aren't more alum touting their schools! I'm in an excellent program right now working on my Master's in Computer Engineering at USC, and it's all distance education through the internet. Check out http://den.usc.edu for more info if you're interested.
...about ten minutes and you'll get all the information you need to get your degree from a Windows messenger popup ad. I've found them to be really handy!
I think a MS degree is an excelent step but I would suggest getting out and working a bit first. There are many good schools, as well as many diferent types of programs to choose from. I just started going back to school for my MS, but it took me 3 years to decide what I wanted to specialize in. By working it gives you more of an opportunity to see all the different parts of the business world. This will allow you to steer your degree program to help you fulfill your career goals.
On the flip side, if you have already decided that going straight back to school is the right thing to do then may I suggest George Mason University. It is a state school located right in the heart of Northern VA. There are a lot of technical companies located in the area that will give you great internship opportunities and work opportunities after you graduate. Also since it is a Virginia state school the tuition is only about $210 per credit (in state rate). The instructors I have encountered are great too.
According to this article, you're halfway to your Masters Degree in Austrailia if you've got an MCSE. This vendor-specific course work is apparently being considered all over the country. The information you must possess, according to the proponents, is the equivalent of IT expertise.
In-ter-esting.
If you live in/near a city with a major university, see if they offer an evening graduate program. Many larger schools offer professionally-oriented graduate programs at night, giving you both the flexibility of schedule of the online courses and the face time & personal interaction of teh traditional course.
Err, no
You're halfway to a masters degree at Charles Sturt Univeristy. This is like the difference between a state university and an ivy league one.
If you want a degree based on 'Recognition of Prior Learning', look through your spam.
If you want a degree which takes your prior learning, and builds on it, go to a 'more academic' university.
From the course organiser's viewpoint, recognising your 'prior learning' is a convenient way of saying 'less work, more money'.
Humorous signatures are over-rated.
I've been looking into the same thing recently. Here's what I found out: The two best schools I've found (IMHO) that are B&M, accredited and appear well organized online programs that are completely online are UMUC ( http://www.umuc.edu/ ) and Virginia Tech ( http://www.vt.edu/ ). Yes, Stanford and MIT have some online programs, but these programs look extremely specialized from my quick assessment. The two best online resources I've found for researching online programs are US News & World Report ( http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/ rankindex_brief.php ) and Petersons ( http://www.petersons.com/ ). After I narrowed down my choices, I would go to a B&M bookstore and look their ratings in college guides to see how large their offline programs are, etc.
Amazingly, the area of online degrees still appears to in its infancy, but the area is growing as teaching practices are becoming refined. Like any other kind of education, your results depend on what you put into it. If your enthusiastic about what your studying, your skill level will be obvious.