Online MSc Computer Science Merrimack College

[Teabula]

That Masters is not from TESU, but from a Canadian University.  Before I disclose it, I'd like to make sure it's suitable for you as it does have 'entry requirements'.  So, technically, you would want a CIS/CS type of degree OR prerequisite courses taken before applying... So, as I asked in a previous post #14.  Where did you get your undergrad?  Why the change to Comp Sci from Neuro Sci & Pysch?

I got my undergrad from the University of Toronto. I am in my mid 20s and I am considering a career change into CS. I took a few online courses online through coursera as well as Harvard’s CS50x and I found I enjoyed CS. I’m curious to know which Canadian university offers that masters, right now I’m still in a planning stage so I appreciate any sort of input. Thanks!

[smartdegree]

That Masters is not from TESU, but from a Canadian University.  Before I disclose it, I'd like to make sure it's suitable for you as it does have 'entry requirements'.  So, technically, you would want a CIS/CS type of degree OR prerequisite courses taken before applying... So, as I asked in a previous post #14.  Where did you get your undergrad?  Why the change to Comp Sci from Neuro Sci & Pysch?

I got my undergrad from the University of Toronto. I am in my mid 20s and I am considering a career change into CS. I took a few online courses online through coursera as well as Harvard’s CS50x and I found I enjoyed CS. I’m curious to know which Canadian university offers that masters, right now I’m still in a planning stage so I appreciate any sort of input. Thanks!

My son is at UofT St George CS currently doing his PEY internship (pays 65K a year).  There was a point a couple of years ago he was not sure about getting into CS Post but he eventually got in.  At that time I had asked him what he would have done had he not gotten in to CS Post.  He said he would have just transferred to a place like Ryerson or York as those are still good CS schools.  

You seem like a smart and ambitious kid.  You are young and can take your time and pursue a well established path to a CS career in Canada.  Perhaps just get a second bachelors from York or Ryerson either full or part-time?  Just get OSAP to fund you for tuition+living expenses.  You'll probably get more funding (maybe even full funding) because you will no longer be bound by your parents' income.   You can also get a co-op/internship while you are studying (like what my son is currently doing).   

Or alternatively, if you really want a masters, go to the US full-time to do the masters.  There are more choices there for non-CS undergrads.  And you get a 3-year work visa if you graduate with a CS masters in the US.  

But I feel an online masters from a UK/US school is not really the best option for you (given your age) unless you are tied down by having to take care of your family etc.  Suggest you also post your question on the UofT reddit board as there are a lot of CS grads there who might be able to provide more options.

[Teabula]

My son is at UofT St George CS currently doing his PEY internship (pays 65K a year).  There was a point a couple of years ago he was not sure about getting into CS Post but he eventually got in.  At that time I had asked him what he would have done had he not gotten in to CS Post.  He said he would have just transferred to a place like Ryerson or York as those are still good CS schools.  

You seem like a smart and ambitious kid.  You are young and can take your time and pursue a well established path to a CS career in Canada.  Perhaps just get a second bachelors from York or Ryerson either full or part-time?  Just get OSAP to fund you for tuition+living expenses.  You'll probably get more funding (maybe even full funding) because you will no longer be bound by your parents' income.   You can also get a co-op/internship while you are studying (like what my son is currently doing).   

Or alternatively, if you really want a masters, go to the US full-time to do the masters.  There are more choices there for non-CS undergrads.  And you get a 3-year work visa if you graduate with a CS masters in the US.  

But I feel an online masters from a UK/US school is not really the best option for you (given your age) unless you are tied down by having to take care of your family etc.  Suggest you also post your question on the UofT reddit board as there are a lot of CS grads there who might be able to provide more options.

Thanks for the thorough tips and insight! You have definitely given me lots of information to think on before deciding on my next steps.

[bjcheung77]

You're young! There are so many options for you, it may be cheaper, easier, and faster to get a second BACS degree at TESU. Then ladder up to a Masters at NYU, UT-Austin, or GT. This would be my first choice, seriously you will need some time to "learn" computer science anyways, it's not a degree you can progress without spending time on the basics and/or prerequisites.

Another possible option is to take a similar degree than your original post, there are a few Public/State or Research institutions that do not require an undergrad in Compute Science or similar degrees, but will require at least a programming course and math/stats course as prerequisites for entry. Others may require a bridge set of courses as they vary in conditional acceptance of applicants. Some of these state universities are globally ranked, not just nationally, and can get the TESU + Masters for under $20K USD.

As a "backup option", you're in the province of Ontario, I would skip the schools you mentioned earlier in Alberta/BC, as they'll be less recognized than in province institutions. WLU (Wilfrid Laurier) is in your own back yard, they have both a butt-in-seat Masters in Applied Computer Science I mentioned AND an ONLINE option for Masters in Computer Science, the caveat is they DO require a bridge set of courses. Total cost is $21K USD/$28K CDN for this Masters

[Pats20]

You're young!  There are so many options for you, it may be cheaper, easier, and faster to get a second BACS degree at TESU.  Then ladder up to a Masters at NYU, UT-Austin, or GT.  This would be my first choice, seriously you will need some time to "learn" computer science anyways, it's not a degree you can progress without spending time on the basics and/or prerequisites.

Another possible option is to take a similar degree than your original post, there are a few Public/State or Research institutions that do not require an undergrad in Compute Science or similar degrees, but will require at least a programming course and math/stats course as prerequisites for entry.  Others may require a bridge set of courses as they vary in conditional acceptance of applicants.  Some of these state universities are globally ranked, not just nationally, and can get the TESU + Masters for under $20K USD.

As a "backup option", you're in the province of Ontario, I would skip the schools you mentioned earlier in Alberta/BC, as they'll be less recognized than in province institutions.  WLU (Wilfrid Laurier) is in your own back yard, they have both a butt-in-seat Masters in Applied Computer Science I mentioned AND an ONLINE option for Masters in Computer Science, the caveat is they DO require a bridge set of courses.  Total cost is $21K USD/$28K CDN for this Masters

Yes, being in your twenties you have plenty of time to learn cs. I dont think you can make a bad decision other than just not doing it at all. Good luck to you on your new adventure.

[frankc]

Bootcamp + Master sounds interesting, few of my friends attended bootcamps such as HackReactor, Codesmith and got developer jobs few month after. Their bootcamp tuttion alone was around $20k...

[Cofffeee]

You can get skills without paying this huge amount . There are resources which will allow you to get skills and find job. $ 20k can be used for Bachelor + Masters with some money left.

[mahaganapati]

What is your previous Bachelor's in? I don't have a degree at all and have worked as a software engineer for the past six years. At a previous company I worked at the Director of Engineering had a degree in... English Literature. Instead of an additional degree, you could self study, build a portfolio and apply to startups. Your current degree is likely enough to already start working in the industry after some time training. That's what I did, though again I don't even have a degree at all. And then later you could still choose to pursue a Masters.

(So why am I here? Well, not having a degree hasn't held me back as far as I've seen, but I feel incomplete in my self confidence without SOME degree.)

[bjcheung77]

It's going to be different for everyone, for most people, it's a strange balance of certifications, degree, and experience. Everything depends on several variables, the more certifications and experience the person has in that field or industry, a degree in that subject matter won't be weighed as much. If the person has no certifications or experience, then I highly advise getting a degree in the field or industry you plan on going into... At the end of the day, it's just advice, you decide which path or route is best for you to tread, you'll get there your way.

[Pats20]

It's going to be different for everyone, for most people, it's a strange balance of certifications, degree, and experience.  Everything depends on several variables, the more certifications and experience the person has in that field or industry, a degree in that subject matter won't be weighed as much.   If the person has no certifications or experience, then I highly advise getting a degree in the field or industry you plan on going into... At the end of the day, it's just advice, you decide which path or route is best for you to tread, you'll get there your way.

Well said. Bjcheung