I graduated last may with a BA in communication studies (liberal arts degree).
However, I am struggling to find a job. I want to return to school for computer science / software engineering.
The university, here in my hometown, offers a masters in software engineering. However, I have only taken an “intro to java,” course.
Can I take enough “deficiency” courses (undergrad level course) to get up to speed, or should i do a second bachelors instead?
I spoke to the advisor, and he said they have taken psychology students, etc. However, I am concerned I do not have enough background.
What should i do: second bachelors in computer science, or masters in software engineering?
My gut is the bachelors – i just don’t feel prepared for a masters despite the director that seemed to be pushing me more towards the masters.
The director is not american, so i felt we had some communication difficulties. I could not get a clear answer on how many courses i would need to take at the undergraduate level. He said one other course in java, but i don’t see how that could prepare me for a masters…
advice please. thanks!
What you described used to be standard operating procedure even decades ago when I did my BS and MS CS at the same school (Cajun State). Generally you get admitted, take something like 3 semesters of prerequisites, and the MS CS program is another 3 semesters for a non-thesis program, with summers etc you’re looking at 3 years.
I did a second bachelors degree (had a degree in Civil Engineering from beautiful Elbonia) and figured 3 semesters of prerequisites vs 2 years (after transfer credit for me) for a BS degree, no brainer.
The biggest catch here is whether you’re ‘made out’ to write software. A lot of people are, a lot are not. It’s like art, much as people who teach software engineering try to convince us otherwise. I would suggest you find the prerequisites (or deficiencies) and take a couple of those and see how well you do. There may be other prereqs that you need to take in math or statistics depending on your program.
Initially CS students were not all that happy to see non-STEM majors in the grad program, and a few TA’s had a devil of a time teaching classes, but the non-CS undergrad students often brought expertise from other areas that really helped us see where our stuff is used. A friend had a BS in Nutrition, couldn’t find a job, did an MS CS with her thesis being an Expert System for nutritional counseling for hospitals, an awesome project.
In other words, work hard and you should be OK.