Masters of Engineering Online vs Part-Time

College Search & Selection Online Degrees
1

Hey,

So I have the option of taking courses on the weekend at my local university where i got my BSEE (UT Austin) towards an MS Software Engineering([The</a> University of Texas at Austin - Center for Lifelong Engineering Education](<a href=“http://lifelong.engr.utexas.edu/pme/swe.cfm]The”>http://lifelong.engr.utexas.edu/pme/swe.cfm)) or I have the option of taking courses online thru Columbia CVN for an MSEE.

Is the flexibility gained by taking things online offset by the ability to actually meet your peers and classmates in a physical course? Does anyone actually have experience with the Columbia CVN program? I haven’t seen many “first hand” testimonials regarding the MSEE program at Columbia CVN

I’m trying to make the decision soon, and have been looking at this from every angle, let me know if any of you guys have any advice!
Here are my feelings
Pro UT MSE SWE - “higher ranked” graduate engineering program
part time degree is in person, so i would interact with peers
10k cheaper
Cons - so I would have to work my schedule around it, have to come in 1 Friday and 1 Saturday a month, preventing me from responding as well at work or with my personal life
MSESWE limits job roles in the future to software related roles only

Pros Columbia MSEE Online- or getting a more “pure” engineering degree -> i am of the opinion more technical roles would prefer you to have an MSEE vs a Software Masters
“ivy league” university
work on my own schedule, 1am, 4am, noon, etc.
Cons- looks like classes are not scheduled very often
won’t meet anyone in person for networking
10k more expensive

2

I was looking into CVN awhile back. I can’t remember where I found it (probably on here), but somebody with first hand experience with CVN said it was terrible. There was absolutely no student interaction, and the online message boards for the program were dead.

More than likely it comes down to the Columbia degree might look better on paper, but you would probably benefit more from a learning standpoint at UT.

3

<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/online-degrees/1305956-columbia-video-network-cvn.html?highlight=cvn[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/online-degrees/1305956-columbia-video-network-cvn.html?highlight=cvn&lt;/a&gt;

There it is.

4

There are a lot of different online engineering schools out there. Have you tried to look at others? Here is one website that I can think of off the top of my head: <a href=“http://purdueonlineengineering.com/[/url]”>http://purdueonlineengineering.com/&lt;/a&gt;

I would do some research to see what other schools are available out there.

5

Engineering is an applied discipline, the part-time option will be better suited versus online. I suggest, you go for part-time if circumstances permit … there is no replacement of an in-class experience…