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+--- Forum: Degree Planning Advice (https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Forum-Degree-Planning-Advice)
+--- Thread: Path to MSCS (/Thread-Path-to-MSCS)
Path to MSCS - pineapples - 01-11-2025
Your Location: NYC
Your Age: 28
What kind of degree do you want?: CS or Software Engineering
Current Regional Accredited Credits: Unsure. I had about 130 credits when I completed my BA.
Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: 0
Any certifications or military experience?: CompTIA A+ and Net+
Budget: $150,000 (for BS + MS)
Commitments: Work > 45 hrs/week
Dedicated time to study: 15-20 hrs/week
Timeline: 5 years
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: 90%
Update: In addition to the basic template above... It may be a good idea to expand the information you provide us to include the following, this will provide some insight into your particular situation. We can either recommend the alternative test-out options COSC, EC (soon to be EU), TESU or competency based education providers such as PUG, UMG (UMASS Global - formerly Brandman), UMPI, WGU or another institution.
Budget: I don't want to spend more than $15k of my own money, but I can be flexible. Work will pay 90% so my total budget for program costs is $150k
Commitments: I work full time, that's it. I spend time studying/learning regularly already. Not planning on getting into any other serious long term time commitments any time soon.
Dedicated time to study: I'm estimating 2 hours per week day and at least 4-6 on Sat/Sun.
Timeline: Not the most important factor to me. I just want to learn the material well. If I have a BS and MS within 5 years I'd be happy. Less would be nice but not necessary.
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: 90%.
ADDENDUM:
I have a non-CS/technical BA from Rutgers. However, my GPA sucked (2.5 I think)--I was having a very hard time in my life. Things are different now (I think I can succeed in an academic program), and I want to get at least a BS in CompSci. If possible and I find one that fits, I'd also like to progress to an MS program. Willing to start with an Associate Degree if it would be better. My bachelor's GPA is low enough that I pretty much feel like starting over with an AS is my best option.
My main struggle with this online degree idea is that a lot of people blast through Study.com courses and say the material isn't that great. While I program at work, I'm not a software engineer, so I can't claim experience has taught me things that some online courses may not. I'm willing to sacrifice speed and money for better courses. Any recommendations with that in mind? Or should I just accept the courses as they are and look to supplement with (even more) outside sources (e.g., teachyourselfcs.com)?
Thanks for any help, lmk if any more info would be good to include.
RE: Path to MSCS - origamishuttle - 01-11-2025
It really depends on what your goals are. The CS degrees we talk about the most are TESU, SNHU, and WGU, but mostly because they accept a lot of easy-to-plan third-party transfers and they're faster/cheaper to complete overall.
TESU is generally the fastest/easiest, especially when you already have a bachelor's degree:
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Sample_TESU_BA_Computer_Science_Plan
SNHU typically takes longer because you need to take at least ten 8-week courses with them, and you're limited to two per session to start:
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/SNHU_Computer_Science_Degree_Plan
They also have different concentrations that you can choose, like Software Engineering:
https://www.snhu.edu/online-degrees/bachelors/bs-in-computer-science
WGU currently has less transfers available, but they probably have the strongest CS program of these three:
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/WGU_IT_Computer_Science_Degree_Plan
They also have a SWE-specific degree, which is much more focused on practical skills than theory:
https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/WGU_IT_Software_Engineering_Degree_Plan
There are other online CS degrees from various state schools. Just a few examples:
LSU
https://online.lsu.edu/online-degree-programs/undergraduate/bs-computer-science/
ASU
https://asuonline.asu.edu/online-degree-programs/undergraduate/bachelor-science-computer-science/
Oregon State
https://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/online-degrees/undergraduate/computer-science/
There is also a BSCS degree anticipated at UMPI, but it's still not clear when that will begin.
For MSCS, the two most well-known degrees are Georgia Tech and UT Austin:
https://omscs.gatech.edu/
https://cdso.utexas.edu/mscs
CU Boulder also has a strong program that you can start anytime you're ready:
https://www.colorado.edu/cs/academics/online-programs/mscs-coursera
However, WGU is expected to start a master's in CS and possibly a master's in Software Engineering within the next few months.
RE: Path to MSCS - bjcheung77 - 01-12-2025
Welcome to the board, great initial post to get the ball rolling... nice addendum and template along with extra info. Great options listed as well in the reply... It really boils down to what you're looking for and how you want to re-route your pathway to that educational journey. My suggestion is to get the balanced mix/match trifecta of certs, degree, experience, you also want to minimize or maximize the cost, energy, time to getting those goals completed.
There various pathways to get there, here's my list of suggestions, and it starts with the cheapies/freebies first to verify if you're really into CS and/or Software Engineering. I suggest getting all the Coursera Certs that grant ACE recommend for college credit, this gets you the knowledge and fills learning gaps... Take a few months and get the Google and/or IBM certs of your choice completed. Link: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Coursera
From the looks of things, you're willing to start from the beginning and work your way up...
TESU ASCS> BACS> Coursera/Edx Masters or recommended public/state ones in the graduate subforum
Alternative Backup Option: Excelsior AAS Comp Tech> BSCS > Coursera/Edx Masters (as above)
CUNY SPS BSIS> MS Data Science - A one and done option from an in-state university
It's not a CS degree ladder, but in a very similar related subject area and is more specialized
Note: If you're looking at Applied CS/DS/IS or similar programs, you don't need the undergrad CS degree