Second Degree in Computer Science vs Masters Degree in CS/Software Engineering? (bachelors, psychology)
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I have a degree in Psychology that I got from a California State School about 6-7 years ago. I'm trying to figure out whether to get a 2nd Degree in CS, or to get a Masters degree. I already took about three classes last fall (Programming, Web Design, etc.), and have Calculus, Java, C, Web Development scheduled this spring (I'm taking these at a CC).
In California, the UC's are the elite schools, and they are my preference as far as where I would want to get my degree. They also pretty much don't accept second degree's (a select few do), and the California State schools typically do.
I've been pretty busy lately, so I haven't been able to talk directly to these schools in regards to the requirements for their masters programs, but in general, I found it a little hard to find specific course requirements to get into these masters programs. Just wanted to see if anyone here had any thoughts.
I have a degree in Psychology that I got from a California State School about 6-7 years ago. I'm trying to figure out whether to get a 2nd Degree in CS, or to get a Masters degree. I already took about three classes last fall (Programming, Web Design, etc.), and have Calculus, Java, C, Web Development scheduled this spring (I'm taking these at a CC).
In California, the UC's are the elite schools, and they are my preference as far as where I would want to get my degree. They also pretty much don't accept second degree's (a select few do), and the California State schools typically do.
I've been pretty busy lately, so I haven't been able to talk directly to these schools in regards to the requirements for their masters programs, but in general, I found it a little hard to find specific course requirements to get into these masters programs. Just wanted to see if anyone here had any thoughts.
I would go for the Masters.
The only thing is you might have to do many prereqs to get that masters, you might as well do the bachelors...
That's just an example. That's 8 classes and they usually can't be taken all at the same time, so you might be looking at 3 semesters. At that point, might consider just doing the bachelors.
My second degree is a cs undergrad because I didn't feel prepared to tackle a masters, and the local universities at the time had accelerated masters 'leveling' classes which were compressed and meet longer than typical classes. I took the slow and deliberate route which was hard enough, although tons of foreign students with engineering degrees were successful with the accelerated masters format. Anyway, you already have some cs background, so the masters sounds like a good route for you. I think the entry requirements vary from school to school though. At the place I went it was basically the cs courses you take in your first two years as prerequisite. I loved cs by the way, but I was not one of those that just 'got it' without lots of studying.
Thanks, guys. Really appreciate the input. I think the really important thing here is that I just don't want to take classes that end up wasting my time/money. I think for a lot of the UC's, they want you to take a sequence of Physics or Chemistry, and I would obviously rather spend my time on IT/software related classes. Even the math, I feel, somewhat takes away from the time I'm able to learn/practice programming, especially my last pre-calculus class, which I took during the winter break and finished a few days ago (4.5 hours a day, plus 3 hours/day studying). Hardly did any programming at all in that period of time, and I really don't like that.
@jobaba, thanks for the link. Those look like very sensible pre-requisites. Although I know they aren't the same for every school, I assume they probably won't differ too much.
@DanielWayne, thanks for your input. May I ask how easy/difficult it was for you to find a job afterwards?
When I finished with CS, it was a different time than now, so my results will not be reflective of the current economy. Back then it was easy to land a job. I went to a lesser known state school for CS, probably even a tier below your California State schools, and I ended up with a large NASA contractor. I wasn't some whiz kid from a top program. I am sure it's harder now, but there are always job openings in CS somewhere.
That's just an example. That's 8 classes and they usually can't be taken all at the same time, so you might be looking at 3 semesters. At that point, might consider just doing the bachelors.
This is probably what you're looking at. Most master's programs will want you to have a closely related degree. While you might be admitted conditionally, if you go straight to the master's program, you could take as much or nearly as much of the material as if you had just gotten a traditional bachelor's. If you have to take a bunch of the prereqs, I would just get the bachelor's, so you wouldn't be left empty-handed if you cannot complete the master's for whatever reason.
CS seems to change so often, I'd work to get experience in that field rather than a Masters.
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