Can I Complete an Additional Major/Concentration After Graduating?

squashisawesome
Sun, 25 Feb 2024 14:29:32 +0000

I had originally thought about going the masters route. However, I did not take the most challenging courseload in undergrad (finished with a 3.7 GPA with an admittedly easy major) and am worried about where I could feasibly get admitted. Almost a quarter-third of my credits were from language classes, which are obviously not the most challenging courses, and especially less relevant to proving why you are interested in studying Computer Science.

Some of the CS and Probability courses I took, I didn’t do well in, which might also hurt my chances of admission. I also do not have a Bachelor’s in CS, which is required for admission to most programs. While tech is definitely less credentialist than other industries for sure, I think a BA from an Ivy would definitely count more than a masters or post-bac certificate from a random school that I am probably capable of getting into (just being realistic with myself).

The ideal program for me would be a program like Georgia Tech’s or UIUC’s online programs which can be completed part time so I can keep working, however these programs require a CS degree or having completed appropriate pre-work. Knowing the tech field, the Bachelor’s vs Masters vs PhD distinction isn’t as relevant for Software Engineers who can prove their worth by their portfolio compared to say an AI researcher who really needs to know the math and be on the cutting edge of research.

Additionally, getting the company to pay for a masters degree entails a 2 year commitment to stay, and I was hoping this might help me lateral to another tech company and get a substantial raise. I had thought about pursuing this option because, based upon the math and intro CS classes I already completed at Columbia, earning my concentration in CS would only require about 5 additional courses, and would enable me to do one of those programs like the Georgia Tech one or to just start building projects and interviewing if I feel like my skills are where they need to be to do so at the time.

The company will only pay for non-matriculated academic credit (with a yearly limit) or a full degree program if you commit to not leaving/paying the tuition back if you do. Thus, is my best option likely just to take classes at a cheaper online school, and then either start interviewing/building projects or to use that as appropriate pre-work for entrance into a master’s? I don’t think I am likely to get approved for a post-bac.