Computer Science Masters Degree:Worth anything?

[alnoa]

What do you think the "real world" value of a cs masters degree is today? Excluding those who want to teach(pursuing a phd). Do you think it will get you a better salary, is there a real difference between a ms and just reading a few books on the technology you are interested in?

 

[CanOWorms]

I'm not really sure about CS, but some of it is probably like engineering (real stuff... non-IT, etc.). Having an MS is pretty important because it lets you surpass a "ceiling" which you would have if you only had a BS (that is if you didn't do something pretty amazing). Also, you would probably focus in a certain concentration area and be an expert in there 🙂

 

[ScottMac]

From what I've seen and heard, any "Just Computer" degree is fiarly worthless without something else backing it up: Business, Science, Engineering, Accounting, Actuary, Math/Statistics ...

The reason expressed is that knowing how to compute doesn't do you any good unless you know something about what you are computing.

Being able to design computing devices doesn't do much good unless you understand the purpose.

Having never been to college, I can only speculate, but with ~25 years in the computer / networking arena, the above has been a recurring theme in similar discussions.

FWIW

Scott

 

[Shaftatplanetquake]

Originally posted by: ScottMac
From what I've seen and heard, any "Just Computer" degree is fiarly worthless without something else backing it up: Business, Science, Engineering, Accounting, Actuary, Math/Statistics ...

The reason expressed is that knowing how to compute doesn't do you any good unless you know something about what you are computing.

Being able to design computing devices doesn't do much good unless you understand the purpose.

Having never been to college, I can only speculate, but with ~25 years in the computer / networking arena, the above has been a recurring theme in similar discussions.

FWIW

Scott

What he said. Yeah.

 

[Spamela]

Originally posted by: ScottMac
From what I've seen and heard, any "Just Computer" degree is fiarly worthless without something else backing it up: Business, Science, Engineering, Accounting, Actuary, Math/Statistics ...

The reason expressed is that knowing how to compute doesn't do you any good unless you know something about what you are computing.

Being able to design computing devices doesn't do much good unless you understand the purpose.

Having never been to college, I can only speculate, but with ~25 years in the computer / networking arena, the above has been a recurring theme in similar discussions.

FWIW

Scott

i disagree. you have to know something about the application area in order to
communicate with the domain experts, but you yourself don't have to be an
expert or even have a degree in the area. you frequently find disasters
when domain experts try to do computer science, though.

i have an MS in computer science. i doubt that you can read books & research
papers on advanced CS theory and really understand WTF they're talking about
unless you're in a degree program
because you'll need to interact with the professors.

OTOH, an advanced degree is most valuable if you go to work for an organization
where advanced degrees are appreciated.
if you have a BS and 10 years experience, then an MS won't do much for you, otherwise.

just my 2 centavos.

 

[shikhan]

Originally posted by: alnoa
What do you think the "real world" value of a cs masters degree is today? Excluding those who want to teach(pursuing a phd). Do you think it will get you a better salary, is there a real difference between a ms and just reading a few books on the technology you are interested in?

Which master's are you talking about? A MSCS (Masters of Computer Science) or a MS (Master of Science). At least a UIUC, the difference between the two is that a MSCS is a non-thesis degree while the MS is a thesis degree. Our advisors tell us that the MSCS is not really that good and is only really useful for those people who want to get a masters over the internet (think, have a job and getting masters at same time). Our MSCS is no where near as good as our MS. So if you really asking about a MSCS, go get a MS instead. It is useful, mainly because it gives you a greater degree of specialization.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: shikhan

Originally posted by: alnoa
What do you think the "real world" value of a cs masters degree is today? Excluding those who want to teach(pursuing a phd). Do you think it will get you a better salary, is there a real difference between a ms and just reading a few books on the technology you are interested in?

Which master's are you talking about? A MSCS (Masters of Computer Science) or a MS (Master of Science). At least a UIUC, the difference between the two is that a MSCS is a non-thesis degree while the MS is a thesis degree. Our advisors tell us that the MSCS is not really that good and is only really useful for those people who want to get a masters over the internet (think, have a job and getting masters at same time). Our MSCS is no where near as good as our MS. So if you really asking about a MSCS, go get a MS instead. It is useful, mainly because it gives you a greater degree of specialization.

that's kind of weird that your school names them that way, imo...

and fwiw, i look at people with MS as people who failed the evals (a lot of grad schools make you take tests, or classes when you first get in... you pass, you go on to get your phd, you fail, they let you stay on to get a masters but not a phd)

 

[alkemyst]

a thesis-based Masters is always good to have. You are then a miniority in the degree holder department....a PhD is even better. The main thing to weigh out is the more expensive cost of graduate classes, the amount it will cost you, and then if future earnings can support any loans you take out to accomplish it.

 

[LordMorpheus]

worth plenty! My uncle has a PhD in CompSci, taught for a few years, and now works at the Houston Medical Center on the Genome project. Don't know his salary, but he just bought a house and his wife is getting a mini-cooper. So it can't be too shabby.

 

[funks]

I personally believe Master in CS degree is worthless..

It's best to get a BS in CS instead coupled with a masters degree in business. The only way one get's rich is to become the boss, or the owner of the business, not as a subordinate.

You have to look at the natural progression of an employee..

Basically, engineering - promotion -> management..

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: funks
I personally believe Master in CS degree is worthless..

It's best to get a BS in CS instead coupled with a masters degree in business. The only way one get's rich is to become the boss, or the owner of the business, not as a subordinate.

You have to look at the natural progression of an employee..

Basically, engineering - promotion -> management..

Agreed. The only thing you can get with a degree past a Bachlor's is something in Academia, either teaching or doing research(ex: LordMorpheus's relitive). Such knowledge simply isn't needed for most "traditional" software programming. A minor or a double major on the other hand will do you far more good. It's up to you in the end though.

 

[Zebo]

What it's great for is India/chineese kids with just a BS from thier country can come here on a grad assist, get paid, learn and look for a job, eventually getting an H1b.

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: Zebo
What it's great for is India/chineese kids with just a BS from thier country can come here on a grad assist, get paid, learn and look for a job, eventually getting an H1b.

Well, it's pretty difficult to reccruit qualified domestic students into graduate programs in engineering here. Most people just want to stop at their BS. It's pretty much essential to bring people over for MS and PhD programs.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: Zebo
What it's great for is India/chineese kids with just a BS from thier country can come here on a grad assist, get paid, learn and look for a job, eventually getting an H1b.

Well, it's pretty difficult to reccruit qualified domestic students into graduate programs in engineering here. Most people just want to stop at their BS. It's pretty much essential to bring people over for MS and PhD programs.

Agreed it's a great opportunity for both sides. I forgot to add it's also good if you have a degree in another field and want to change. Like History to CS. and to teach or do higher level R&d of course.

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: funks
I personally believe Master in CS degree is worthless..

It's best to get a BS in CS instead coupled with a masters degree in business. The only way one get's rich is to become the boss, or the owner of the business, not as a subordinate.

You have to look at the natural progression of an employee..

Basically, engineering - promotion -> management..

Agreed. The only thing you can get with a degree past a Bachlor's is something in Academia, either teaching or doing research(ex: LordMorpheus's relitive). Such knowledge simply isn't needed for most "traditional" software programming. A minor or a double major on the other hand will do you far more good. It's up to you in the end though.

you can do research outside of academia... like for intel, microsoft, google, etc

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: funks
I personally believe Master in CS degree is worthless..

It's best to get a BS in CS instead coupled with a masters degree in business. The only way one get's rich is to become the boss, or the owner of the business, not as a subordinate.

You have to look at the natural progression of an employee..

Basically, engineering - promotion -> management..

Agreed. The only thing you can get with a degree past a Bachlor's is something in Academia, either teaching or doing research(ex: LordMorpheus's relitive). Such knowledge simply isn't needed for most "traditional" software programming. A minor or a double major on the other hand will do you far more good. It's up to you in the end though.

An MS is post-bachelor's and it's considered a professional degree. You usually concentrate in one area and become an expert in there. I don't think most people consider it a research/route to teaching type of degree. It's more of a go into industry and work in your field type.

The PhD is considered a researcher/academia type degree.

 

[vegetation]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: funks
I personally believe Master in CS degree is worthless..

It's best to get a BS in CS instead coupled with a masters degree in business. The only way one get's rich is to become the boss, or the owner of the business, not as a subordinate.

You have to look at the natural progression of an employee..

Basically, engineering - promotion -> management..

Agreed. The only thing you can get with a degree past a Bachlor's is something in Academia, either teaching or doing research(ex: LordMorpheus's relitive). Such knowledge simply isn't needed for most "traditional" software programming. A minor or a double major on the other hand will do you far more good. It's up to you in the end though.

An MS is post-bachelor's and it's considered a professional degree. You usually concentrate in one area and become an expert in there. I don't think most people consider it a research/route to teaching type of degree. It's more of a go into industry and work in your field type.

The PhD is considered a researcher/academia type degree.

True, but a masters will enable you to be a lecturer at a community college. If you have some desire to be a teacher but only part-time, then this is another option.