Major in liberal arts and minor in computer science: worth it?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
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<p>I'm aware there are minimal job prospects for liberal arts majors after graduation, but would a minor in computer science possibly help? </p>

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<p>Also would like to mention: I want to major in English and minor in computer science and then I would like to pursue a masters in computer science and work in the tech field. Would this work out?</p>

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<p>Then, why not major in CS and minor in English?</p>

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<p>Because I’m interested in doing a liberal arts undergrad and plan to go to grad school one day. And a CS major would most likely lower my GPA.</p>

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<p>I don’t understand. You don’t want to major in CS even though you want to go to grad school for CS, because it might lower your undergrad GPA? I’m not sure how you expect to go to grad school for CS without knowing nearly as much as a CS major would. Please explain?</p>

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<p>@willtohelp, Grad school means a lot more to me than undergrad. During undergrad I want to major in whatever I’d actually be passionate in (in this case, it’s the liberal arts) rather than gaining skills for employment. On the other hand, I want to go to grad school to gain professional skills for employment. Also, aren’t non-CS majors allowed to pursue a master’s in CS as long as they meet the requirements?</p>

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<p>Yes, your may do master in CS after whatever bachelor degree if admitted. However, there are probably just several courses different between Eng/CS and CS/Eng in major/minor. Both can be in LSA.</p>

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<p>What you suggest isn’t impossible but it’s stupid. You’ll be at a big disadvantage when you start a masters in CS, and when you’re looking for a job with your master’s, it’ll be your master’s GPA that matters, not your undergrad. Then you also kill the opportunity to do the master’s later to transition to a new industry, and you gain very little having a masters over an undergrad degree in CS. </p>

<p>If you’re really passionate about English but want to work a CS job, then you should double major IMO. </p>

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<p>^ Definitely. I forgot the possibility of double major.</p>

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<p>Yeah, I’m thinking about double majoring now. How much longer would it take to graduate compared to just having one major? Would the course load be brutal?</p>

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<p>You just fill the requirements. How long it takes or what course load you take is up to you. The less time you take, the harder your courseload will be. </p>

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<p>Thanks</p>

<p>Vlad, have you taken any of the upper level CS courses? How were they?</p>

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<p>It is hard to say how long would it take as some students may come with many AP credits and starts at sophomore standing in terms of credit already.</p>

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<p>What type of work do you want to do? You can still work in the tech field without a degree in computer science.
However, if you want to do a lot of programming, then you should major in CS.</p>

<p>I’m pretty sure you can still take English classes even if you don’t major/minor in English.</p>

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<p>My goal is to work at a silicon valley startup, preferably doing a tech-related job.</p>

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<p>I think internship opportunity would be very limited if you are not a CS major, and internship experience may be crucial for your career.</p>

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<p>Yeah… They vary, and they may have changed some since I took some of these. There’s really not much I can say. </p>

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<p>Survey from 2012:
<a href=“Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan”>Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan;