Is a masters in cs worth it?

GLOBALTRAVELER
Wed, 16 Oct 2013 13:10:54 +0000

Unless you plan to do research and get a PhD, then I personally do not see the need of a MSCS. My reasoning is based on:

1) A typical MSCS degree program will be 10-12 courses and NO CS focus area is that many courses.

2) Many MSCS programs will require you to take graduate-level courses in the SAME core areas of the BS program. If one happens to start a MSCS program after a few years of real-work experience, a graduate-level “Data Structures” course probably will not teach you anything more that you have already seen (and done) in industry.

I would opt for a M.S. in Systems Engineering or even Engineering Management where either program will still allow 3 or 4 courses in a CS focus area while giving you the project management and “total engineering process” training that may come in handy in more senior positions.