After you get your BS in Computer Science, how do you get your Masters and your PHD?

[Nocturnal]

How many classes do you have to take in order to receive both?

 

[TallBill]

still havnt got my bs.. but plan on going further

 

[Koing]

Masters as long as your BSc was good enough the Uni will accept if you apply to them. PhD well you could just go straight in to that depending on the Uni and what field they are researching in.

I know a few guys that have gone straight to PhD because the Uni needed some PhD guys to do the research. He applied and he got it.

(I live in England btw)

 

[chizow]

Its a bit more complicated than that, as graduate programs have pre-reqs and entrance exams that need to be taken similar to your SATs for undergrad. Also, some graduate programs like an MBA require/prefer work experience. Some grad program's are shorter as well, and may give preferential admission to currently enrolled students (which appears to be a seamless continuation of your undergrad curriculum).

The general progression is BS (undergrad, ~120 credits), Master's (graduate, 30-60 credits or 1 to 2 years), PhD (doctorate, varies greatly but requires lots of research in place of actual classes).

Chiz

 

[white]

first you have to put your application together. this includes the GRE's, transcripts, letters of rec and an essay. they will look at your undergraduate grades. generally they look for those above a 3.0. in grad school a B is a bad grade since you have to maintain a 3.0 in order to not get kicked out. at most schools there will be two options for the master's: a comprehensive option and a thesis option. the first is just coursework and then a test at the end. the second requires research and a thesis to be written. for a phd there are a bunch of tests you have to pass in order to complete it including oral exams, prelims, and a defense of your dissertation. this is all general and each school is a little different. basically they want to make sure that when you finish and get out there, you don't embarrass them by calling yourself a CS PhD.

 

[gopunk]

PhD programs at the good CS schools (research institutions) will look at research potential, not high grades. Lesser-ranked schools (not research based) will place emphasis on GRE and GPA. They might have some sort of formula that puts people into the "want" group and the "do not want" group. The higher ranked schools really don't care what classes you take, and don't require very many.

 

[sciencetoy]

Whoa, don't forget the ever-popular "who you know". The best way to get into a program is to be recommended by one of your professors who has some kind of connection. If you're not already into this, start asking around. Your profs expect you to do this - how do you think they got their degrees?

MS or PhD will require being a research associate. Ask lots of questions before you commit yourself to a program. You will be working under someone who will have a lot of power over you - you will have to please them in order to get your degree. Make sure you know beforehand what you are getting yourself into.

 

[psianime]

Make sure you keep your grades up or else people won't accept you into their program. Your grades will reflect how motivated and talented a person is... so don't give them that "im smart but just really lazy". That won't cut it.

Just hang in there... the market for people with CS degrees arn't in real demand right now.. but maybe after graduation.