<p>Hi! I've completed my undergrad in December 2012 (I graduated a semester early) and have been working a steady accounting job for the past year and a half. I graduated with a Finance degree knowing that it wasn't really something I wanted to do but I stuck with it.</p>
<p>Anyway while I've been working I took the time to gather myself and I've decided I would like to get into the tech sector in some capacity either in software development or maybe as a programmer for a financial firm developing the code behind HFT models (maybe this is too lofty a goal?)</p>
<p>As far as my stats go ,as I said I graduated with a degree in Finance with a 3.5 GPA. I have what I believe to be the base line math back ground. (Calc 1,2,3, Diff Eqs, Linear Algebra). A 160 on both sections of the GRE. What I lack is the programming background (barring an intro CS class in college, and some Python. Also due to scholarships and working I have no debt.</p>
<p>Currently I'm a bit lost as to how I should accomplish this, should I be taking classes at a local CC now? I'm looking for masters programs that would be sensitive for people in my situation and that I would be competitive for. I'm looking for a program that is a true CS program, not a IT one, that will provide me the skills and pedigree that will help me in my career. I'm pretty flexible but I would prefer programs either in the New Jersey/New York area or Texas (random I know)</p>
<p>Thank you guys for any help you can provide!</p>
<p>Writing the subject GRE in Computer Science (and doing well on it, obviously) will help prove to the admissions departments that you are also comfortable with the necessary CS background. It is generally strongly recommended for Masters applicants that do not have a CS background.</p>
<p>Get the syllabus for the subject test from the GRE website, and refer MIT OCW or something similar to work your way up to speed. Good luck!</p>
<p>Hi thank you for the advice I’ll definatly look into it! As far as actual programs go would I be competitve for a program llike UT? Its a great school right in a growing tech sector and id love to take advantage of instate tuition. But it seems to be ranked very highly for CS and may be reach for me.</p>
<p>It is too late to take the subject GRE in computer science, since it will not be offered after this month.</p>
<p>Also, in general, Masters Programs for CS are easier to get into than PhD programs. I don’t know much more about Masters admissions, but I would think you have a chance at UT-Austin.</p>
<p>Hi Don I’m looking for (preferably higher ranked) programs that are kind to students without the necessary background. I know a school like CMU has a program but I’m sure its very competitive and VERY expensive. I prefer to go to state schools, particularly ones where I can go for instate tuition like in or Texas such as Rutgers and UT. University of Texas is a well respected program in a location I’d be very interested in living in for a couple years, which is why its at the top of my list</p>
<p>Taking as many computer science (and related classes in the curriculum) right now would be a good idea. Although you’ll find programs that will accept you into their M.S. program without a B.S., you won’t automatically gain the knowledge from an undergraduate computer science program by graduating with an M.S… This differs from other fields such as business where there can be a significant overlap in undergraduate and graduate programs.</p>
<p>In science, engineering and math fields, you’d generally be missing a lot of knowledge in the field if you only completed the master’s level courses and not the bachelor’s level courses. Considering your bachelors was in finance rather than a field related to computer science, I’d highly recommend you try to complete all the classes required for an undergraduate computer science degree so you don’t have any holes in your knowledge. If you actually look at the courses you’d take in an M.S. CS program, you’d see they might be complete irrelevant to your professional goals.</p>
<p>Computer science MS degrees are not designed for people with no background in tech. They’re designed for people with a bachelor’s in computer science or a closely related field with a lot of coursework in CS who want to expand upon that knowledge. UT-Austin is a great university, so don’t assume that it’ll be easy to get into just because it’s a public university. This is what UT-Austin explicitly says about their master’s program:</p>
<p>For admission to the program, however, even those with non-CS degrees must have a strong enough background in CS courses that the admissions committee can make educated judgments about their potential for success in a graduate program. The extent of the background coursework that is required is a decision made by the admissions committee.</p>
<p>Frankly, you don’t have a chance at ANY CS programs if you don’t have any coursework in CS besides the intro, especially if you can’t program.</p>
<p>If you really want to go into computer science, you need to take some undergraduate CS courses. You will probably need the equivalent of at least a minor, or 5 basic classes, and you will need to learn at least one programming language (and probably start on another).</p>
<p>An alternative is getting a master’s in another area that’s designed for quantitatively/technically oriented folk who want to study further. Those programs are often called information technology/systems, but are occasionally called something else.</p>
<p>I’m graduating with a degree in Poli Sci and and decided in my last semester that I wanted to study Computer Science lol. So I applied to UF (my undergrad)'s post-bacc program which will allow me to take the pre-requisites for the UF Comp Sci master’s program. Perhaps you should look into post-bacc programs or something like that. The requisites for the master’s are the same classes you would need for a minor</p>
<p>Thank you guys so much for the honest answers. I didn’t intend on going back to school until Fall 2014 , allowing me to make up atleast some of the coursework that I’m missing in the intermittent year or so. I’m registering for Data Structures, a Computer Architecture class this summer and of course learning to program on my own.</p>
<p>Hi stars thanks for the info. I’m sure its waaaay out of what I can do financially but that U Chicago sounds like it would really be perfect lol!</p>
<p>Is information technology something you’re interested in or just computer science? I get the feeling that CS is something you’ll have to start from the ground up, rather than something you can pick up in grad school.</p>
<p>Just FYI, I got into CMU’s information management program without a tech background (studied international relations and have similar stats as you). Perhaps the Heinz BIDA program at CMU is something you’re interested in? You’re also free to take any CMU courses (if you can fit it into your curriculum, of course).</p>