I have been researching this pretty intensely the past few days and feel like I am going in circles. Thought I’d come here and maybe someone can help me out.
I am looking into online undergraduate computer science programs from real colleges, not a for-profit scam. I already have a B.A. from Berkeley, but want to get a B.S. Pretty much no reputable colleges in California take second bachelor applications and I am not willing to relocate, thus online undergraduate programs. An M.S. isn’t an option because even with the prereqs done for the B.S., I still wouldn’t get into a good program.
I have looked at pretty much every “Best Online Programs” or “Best Online Computer Science Programs” there is. I have looked at just simply “Best Computer Science Programs” and checked each college to see if they have an online program. It still doesn’t answer a question: Are these programs competitive?
They all pretty much say you get the same degree as if you were in the classroom hence why the degree is the same. My fear is spending the time and money on a program only to have an employer toss the resume after seeing the program I attended.
My other concern is this. I have narrowed my choices down to University of Maryland and University of Florida. The former is ranked lower overall (#68 as opposed to like #48), but is ranked significantly higher in computer science (#15 as opposed to #48). However, that is for UM College Park or something. Just as UC Merced isn’t the same as UC Berkeley, I shouldn’t expect the University of Maryland online program to carry as much weight as the College Park.
So does anyone have any insight as to what a good online program that will make me competitive in the job market?
Either Maryland or Florida should be fine. It’s unlikely an employer is going to make a big distinction between the two. An online degree still doesn’t have the heft of an on-campus degree, but given the market for programmers right now, an online degree is good enough.
You don’t actually have to have a degree with the word “Computer” in it to get a job as a programmer. Given that you already have a degree, you might be able to get a job with something like a one-year certificate in computer science or software engineering.
Hi, thanks for the helpful feedback. Yea, I thought about going the certification route as I am currently doing that for IT, but like 99.9% of the job listings I see here in the Bay Area require a four year degree in Computer Science.
Looking into it more, it looks like the majority of reviews for UMUC are pretty negative, so I think I’ll probably go down the UF Online route. I was about to write SFSU about their M.S. program, but most of what I read suggested not to even bother.
Why wouldn’t you get into a good program if you got the prereqs?
Also I think there is no online program that is equivalent to the brick and mortar route. Even UMCP will not transfer units for CS from UMUC so that tells you it is a watered down program. I may be sufficient though.
If you are looking for work related program I would suggest a reputable boot camp. These have good track records, the ones I read about are placing all students. You already have a Bachelor’s degree so that will satisfy people, now you just need current skills. Likely the CS degree is too broad for what you need anyway.
Btw, there is an online degree forum here but it is probably pretty sleepy.
The CSU schools offer a MS, a better degree to have anyway. They can accept you in what is called conditional status, during which time you take all the undergrad CS courses you need to enter the MS program. Then finish the MS. Perhaps at the CSU, perhaps apply to transfer to a different program once you have all the prereqs for entering as a MS satisfied. I know someone that did this for a EE degree, finishing up at a UC.
Are you sure about that? I work in the Bay Area, and never recall a requirement that new hires must specifically have a CS degree. Many bigger companies require some kind of 4-year degrees, but start-ups are more flexible.
Many jobs say they want a 4 year CS degree but many will take the technical skills in liu. The boot camps says they are placing people in jobs that list 4 year CS degree as requirement. Is your background in any quant area and do you have any math skills? Id look into these closely, they all in Bay Area I think: Maker Square, Hack Reactor, devbootcamp.com. hacker coding academy, General Assembly, GSchool, Codercamps, Zipfian (Data Science), Product School (Product Management)
Thanks for all of the helpful feedback. I have a lot to digest as I am working on prereqs these coming semesters, while I I am concurrently working on my M.A.
Going the CSU route and trying to transfer to a UC after the M.S. prereqs are met is enticing. I wouldn’t mind having a few classes in C.S. theory, particularly A.I. as it is interesting and would complement my humanities degree (philosophy with a focus in epistemology and mind).
The bootcamp route sounds good because they are reasonably priced, don’t seem to require much of technical background, and I could probably start relatively soon.
I think I am ruling out the online thing after looking at class schedules, reading reviews, and getting your feedback. Expensive, the classes don’t seem much more informative than the prereqs I am working now, and none of them offered even one class in a theoretical aspect of CS as an elective.
now the caveat, which I want to pass along. Before starting on a path like this I strongly recommend that you call the CS grad advisor at a few UC’s you are considering and make sure this is still a viable path.
now the caveat, which I want to pass along. Before starting on a path like this I strongly recommend that you call the CS grad advisor at a few UC’s you are considering and make sure this is still a viable path.