Long story short: I really want a career change and I want to learn coding. Rather than going back to get a 2nd bacc in computer science, I want to just get a masters. Problem is, I don’t know anything about coding. Where do I start, and how do I build up a strong application? Right now, here is all I have going for me:
a social-sciences undergrad degree
three years of administrative work experience at a university (ongoing)
spent the last 7 months volunteering at a hospital (ongoing)
been involved with my university’s public speaking club for the last month (ongoing)
I really really want to go into CS because I am really interested. I’ve tried C++ many years ago, and it’s like solving a puzzle which I love. It’s hard, but I see it as a challenge and I know if I put my mind to it, I can do it. I am going to be 27 in a few months and I’m not getting any younger. Other colleagues my age already have their masters’ degrees in other fields and I feel like I’m losing out on many opportunities without one. Any advice on how to get started will be appreciated.
It sounds like you want a program in software engineering. This is possible at some universities but you will need to take remedial work to get up to speed. if you did not take a lot of Calculus in college, then you will need to take those courses. In addition, you will probably have to take a coding boot camp course or sequence to just have a basic background in object-oriented programming.
You can start by seeing what the requirements are for the degree you are seeking at a local UC or Cal State school and figure out how to take the required base courses to be able to apply.
Upenn has an online Masters in Computer Information and Technology (I think that’s the name). It’s designed for people without an undergrad degree in CS. It’s been a commuter program housed in the Engineering graduate school but they recently started up an online option. https://onlinelearning.seas.upenn.edu/mcit/
I don’t know about reputation but my ex did it and liked it and there were a ton of students like you.
If you simply want to learn how to code, here are lots of ways to learn coding/computer programming without getting a master’s in CS. You could try a certificate program, or a coding bootcamp, or you can take classes as a non-degree student at your own pace. A master’s in CS is so much more than just coding, so you should only do it if you are genuinely interested in the field of computer science in general.
If you do want one, as was mentioned, there is prerequisite classwork you’ll have to do. It may end up being equivalent to a second bachelor’s in CS, so it might be worth it to explore getting the degree if you are going to essentially do all the work for it. With a social sciences background, you might also be interested in human-computer interaction (HCI), and may find it easier to get into a program without extensive coursework.
Also, 27 isn’t that old You have plenty of time. Don’t worry about what other people have done at your age - some people choose to work first before getting a graduate degree, and that’s fine.
Georgia Tech offers a very good on line CS masters degree for only about $6000 dollars. You will need to take prerequisites maybe at UC Irvine since you work there– http://www.omscs.gatech.edu
Check the math requirements for a CS masters. Besides calculus, programs may require discrete math and linear algebra to study CS at the graduate level. Advanced CS is as much about applied math as it is coding.
With your existing business background, an Information Systems or Operations Technologies program might also be of interest to you. You’d still get to do plenty of problem solving and technology and you could probably take the programming/CS courses that you enjoy as part of it.
You have plenty of time. Don’t worry about what other people have done at your age - some people choose to work first before getting a graduate degree, and that’s fine.