Online MSc Computer Science Merrimack College

[MNomadic]

I think the two "bootcamps" are these zero-credit courses that I found in their catalog.

CSC 1010 - Problem Solving with Java Bootcamp: https://catalog.merrimack.edu/preview_co...coid=17182

CSC 1011 - Data Structures Bootcamp: https://catalog.merrimack.edu/preview_co...coid=17183

Interesting, if the "bootcamps" are literally provided by that school, you'd think they would be willing to tell prospective students...

[smartdegree]

I am considering switching careers into computer science but I have a non-cs bachelors degree. I prefer to do a program completely online. 

I came across Merrimack College online MSc Computer Science degree. I have some mixed feelings about the program and would like to hear others’ opinions before investing in the $20,000 degree. 

It is a new online program that does not require one to have a relevant bachelors degree to apply. There has not been a graduating class because the first cohort began in Fall 2021. Upon entry, students will have access to two bootcamps to catch up on materials as needed. I have mixed feelings about this because bootcamps seem to have a bad reputation in the CS field. I have yet to hear of another university that encourages the use of one in their masters program. 

The website claims the program can be completed in 1 year part time. This is not entirely true. Upon speaking with advisors, the reality is students enroll part-time; completing one course at a time in 8 week long semesters. At that pace, students complete their program in approximately 16 months. If a student wishes to be “full-time”, they can take 2 courses in certain semesters. 

I don’t like their use of bootcamps and the dishonest program description. Am I overthinking though?

An online degree can be used to enhance your current career, but I'm not sure they are very beneficial for changing careers. I'd recommend enrolling in a full-time bootcamp (3-6 months) instead.  You can also do a full-time co-op graduate certificate at a local college (note to Americans: a college is not the same as a university in Canada), which will give you a network and connections to start a new career.  Canadian college tuition is also cheaper (probably 5-6K for an entire program). 

However, assuming you already work on something relating to computer science, such as web development, I guess getting an online degree in CS can't hurt you.

[carrythenothing]

The case against CS master's degrees: https://ozwrites.com/masters/

Hacker News discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22937759

[bjcheung77]

@OP, just wondering, where did you get the double major from? Neuroscience & Psych double major is interesting, why the switch to Computer Science? If it's well within your budget, since you don't have much computer science experience, I suggest a TESU Bachelors in Comp Sci and a Masters in Applied Comp Sci for the price under $25K USD.

There are so many options out there to get a Computer Science degree at the undergrad and graduate levels. Computer Science is a "harder" subject to grasp ahold of... It's not like a liberal arts degree or something similar where you can use your current credentials and ladder up to a Masters easily. It depends on your commitments, energy, money, time...

[ss20ts]

An online degree can be used to enhance your current career, but I'm not sure they are very beneficial for changing careers. I'd recommend enrolling in a full-time bootcamp (3-6 months) instead.  You can also do a full-time co-op graduate certificate at a local college (note to Americans: a college is not the same as a university in Canada), which will give you a network and connections to start a new career.  Canadian college tuition is also cheaper (probably 5-6K for an entire program). 

However, assuming you already work on something relating to computer science, such as web development, I guess getting an online degree in CS can't hurt you.

Merrimack College is in the US. Diplomas don't typically say they were completed online so no one knows unless you tell them. I've completed 2 degrees so far online and am on my third right now and I'm making a career change. These degrees WILL help me in my career change. Maybe things are different in Canada, but this is how it is in the US where Merrimack College is. It's in Massachusetts. Certificates in the US aren't viewed as nearly the same as a degree. Undergrad and grad certificates just don't do much for a career here for some reason.

[bluebooger]

The case against CS master's degrees: https://ozwrites.com/masters/

...

from the article 
"Around half of all software engineers are self-taught, ..."

from his source ... 

Undergraduate Major of Professional Developers  

63.3% - Computer science, computer engineering, or software engineering
 8.3% - Another engineering discipline (ex. civil, electrical, mechanical)
 6.9% - Information systems, information technology, or system administration
 4.3% - A natural science (ex. biology, chemistry, physics)
 4.3% - Web development or web design
 3.9% - Mathematics or statistics
 2.2% - A business discipline (ex. accounting, finance, marketing)
 2.1% - A humanities discipline (ex. literature, history, philosophy)
 1.7% - A social science (ex. anthropology, psychology, political science)
 1.6% - Fine arts or performing arts (ex. graphic design, music, studio art)
 1.1% - I never declared a major
 0.3% - A health science (ex. nursing, pharmacy, radiology)

if you add up the numbers from 
* Computer science, computer engineering, or software engineering
* Information systems, information technology, or system administration
* Web development or web design

you get 74.50% 

i don't get how he gets "Around half of all software engineers are self-taught, ..." when 75% have degrees involving CS or programming  
even if he's going with the strict wording of degree in "software engineers" that's still 63% which is way more than half 

to me "self taught" means someone who has never taken a CS course in school, someone whose major is 
* A humanities discipline (ex. literature, history, philosophy)
* A social science (ex. anthropology, psychology, political science) 
* Fine arts or performing arts (ex. graphic design, music, studio art) 

and then learned CS through youtube, udemy, edx and coursera

the article goes on to say 

This third point is what Aline suggests may account for the poor performance of MS grads in interviews:

Part of the problem is that CS fundamentals instruction tends to happen in undergrad computer science courses. 
If your undergrad degree was in some other field, you can get through an MS in CS without ever taking an algorithms or data structures class. 

the article also says 

 I’m confident that most people can just teach themselves,

DOH ! 
wouldn't someone who's teaching themselves be in the same situation as someone who has a BS in Psychology, but is now enrolled in a MS in CS program ?

neither would have taken CS fundamentals instruction during their undergrad courses 
but at least the person in the MS program is now getting lessons in a structured program and is working on graded homework and projects 

notice at the bottom of the article he says 

But let’s say you were looking for a structured, instructor-led option instead. What should you seek? ... This is what we have designed the Bradfield Computer Science Intensive to be.

HA HA HA 
the entire article is a freaking ad for his school  
and how much does it cost ?  
https://bradfieldcs.com/csi/

• Price: $19,500, with payment plans available
  

LOL

[carrythenothing]

from the article 
"Around half of all software engineers are self-taught, ..."

from his source ... 

Undergraduate Major of Professional Developers  

63.3% - Computer science, computer engineering, or software engineering
 8.3% - Another engineering discipline (ex. civil, electrical, mechanical)
 6.9% - Information systems, information technology, or system administration
 4.3% - A natural science (ex. biology, chemistry, physics)
 4.3% - Web development or web design
 3.9% - Mathematics or statistics
 2.2% - A business discipline (ex. accounting, finance, marketing)
 2.1% - A humanities discipline (ex. literature, history, philosophy)
 1.7% - A social science (ex. anthropology, psychology, political science)
 1.6% - Fine arts or performing arts (ex. graphic design, music, studio art)
 1.1% - I never declared a major
 0.3% - A health science (ex. nursing, pharmacy, radiology)

if you add up the numbers from 
* Computer science, computer engineering, or software engineering
* Information systems, information technology, or system administration
* Web development or web design

you get 74.50% 

i don't get how he gets "Around half of all software engineers are self-taught, ..." when 75% have degrees involving CS or programming  
even if he's going with the strict wording of degree in "software engineers" that's still 63% which is way more than half

To be fair, that 63% to 74.50% is of the people who had an undergraduate major (i.e., it doesn't include people who didn't go to college).

[Teabula]

since you don't have much computer science experience, I suggest a TESU Bachelors in Comp Sci and a Masters in  Applied Comp Sci for the price under $25K USD.  

Is the Masters in Applied Comp Sci available at TESU? I can’t seem to find that program. Is there another school you would suggest for that? Thanks!

[Pats20]

I would do a program like this or similar before I would pursue another bachelors.

[bjcheung77]

since you don't have much computer science experience, I suggest a TESU Bachelors in Comp Sci and a Masters in  Applied Comp Sci for the price under $25K USD.  

Is the Masters in Applied Comp Sci available at TESU? I can’t seem to find that program. Is there another school you would suggest for that? Thanks!

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 would do a program like this or similar before I would pursue another bachelors.

It's 50/50, for individuals who have certs, experience, going directly to a Masters program might be a good option depending on their age. I'm not sure how young OP is, but if they're a bit younger than a certain threshold, I would recommend a second bachelors and work on a masters afterwards, this is to get them "up to speed" in that industry.