Ask HN: What online CS degrees would you recommend?

26 points by amorphid 9y ago ↗ HN

I'm applying to the OMSCS program at Georgia Tech. Any other CS programs worth considering?

If it matters, I'm a self taught developer looking to take advantage of my employer's tuition assistance benefits.

9 comments

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I couldn't afford this one but it's one of the strongest universities in Oregon for such a thing: take a look at the online CS degrees offered from Oregon State University (http://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/online-degrees/undergraduate/...). They also operate osuosl -- a popular mirror for linux and oss projects: http://osuosl.org

amorphid 9y ago ↗

Thanks, I'll take a look.

NonEUCitizen 9y ago ↗

UIUC has this:

  https://cs.illinois.edu/academics/graduate/professional-mcs-program

kidproquo 9y ago ↗

I did this (2010-2014) and recommend it.

The courses are all top notch. There's no distinction between on-campus and online students - all take the same courses (the courses that are online-enabled) and are graded on the same curve. Video recordings of the class are posted for the online students.

Cost: ~30K USD.

I recommend contacting past students of the programs you are interested in and ask for access to past classes - the online coordinators/admins will help you.

Another decent option is http://www.online.colostate.edu/degrees/computer-science/.

RUG3Y 9y ago ↗

Oregon State has a post bacc program that I've heard good things about, I'm considering that myself.

mlwarren 9y ago ↗

NCSU has something similar to the OMSCS. I took a few courses and had a positive experience: https://engineeringonline.ncsu.edu/grad_degrees.html

For those that need some background in Computer Science (say you have a B.S. in something else but want to learn Comp Sci fundamentals) there's also the programming certificate course: https://engineeringonline.ncsu.edu/PS/CPC.html

urahara 9y ago ↗

What about nanodegrees from Udacity, does anyone have experience?

huehehue 9y ago ↗

You mention you're self taught -- do you have an undergraduate degree?

The OMSCS FAQ[1] is vague about whether such a degree is required:

> "significant professional or other work experience with supporting recommendations may qualify as an adequate substitute for the appropriate academic credentials, however work experience will not take the place of an undergraduate degree."

hackermailman 9y ago ↗

Univerity of IL is also vague about this on the degree requirements page: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13385544

I would assume it's a hard dependency for any US school Msc offering. I do know in many European countries you can take a Pre-Masters which is a 2 semester program to make you eligible. For example TU/e has an english taught Msc in security with some classes taught by Tanja Lange and DJ Bernstein https://www.tue.nl/en/university/departments/mathematics-and... with the requirements being that Pre-masters program for non degree holders (sadly, not online option as you do research and conduct a Masters Thesis).