I've noticed that these degrees are always in the continuing studies school at major universities. Do these degrees require someone to have a computer science background. The one I am looking at doesn't seem like it but I am going to call to make sure. Also, are they that difficult to get in? I am looking at the one at Northwestern University. Anyone have any info about this one?
Most of these programs are for folks, like myself, who have been working in IT but do not have degrees in the field. In the late '90s, there was a HUGE influx of people with liberal arts degrees that got into tech because of the extreme shortage of qualified people during the dot com era. Also, tech was traditionally someplace where you didn't "need" a degree, especially if you had certs and experience. That is changing. A lot of the programs are in the continuing studies department, in part, because that is the best place to put them. Many top universities don't have part-time, evening Masters programs for ANYTHING outside of the continuing studies division. For instance, Northwestern has VERY FEW part-time graduate degree programs outside of the School of Continuing Studies (the one I can think of is the Executive MBA). The Northwestern program was one of 4 that I was looking at. I was deciding between Harvard's ALM in IT, University of Chicago's MS in Computer Science (non-distance), Northwestern's MSIS (I think at the time I first saw the program it was an MSCIS), and either Johns Hopkins MS in CS or their MS in ISE. I wound up choosing the Harvard program. The curriculum at Harvad more closely fit what I was looking for (LOTS of software development classes), plus it was SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper. Even now, Harvard classes are less than half the cost of Northwestern classes ($1,950 per class at Harvard vs $4,340 + $115 for every online class at Northwestern). The Master of Liberal Arts vs Master of Science thing was one downside for Harvard, but not enough of an issue to warrant paying twice as much. Any of the schools that I mentioned would be excellent choices. Pick the school that best fits what you want. If I was a heavy duty network or security guy I would probably not chose Harvard, since they have VERY few courses in that area (1 security course and 3 networking courses, none hands on). For databases, they are a little better (especially if you can do classes on campus). For management issues they are even better, but most of the best management classes are on-campus only. However, they absolutely shine in software development/coding. Northwestern has a more traditional application process (you apply for admission before you take any classes), whereas Harvard's is a bit strange. With Harvard, you have to take and pass 3 classes with a B or higher and maintain a 3.0 average for admission. It SEEMS simpler, but it requires dropping $6K upfront BEFORE you are even formally admitted into the program. Also, I have seen MULTIPLE people take one, two, even three or four courses only to come to the conclusion that the classes are way to hard and they cannot get the 3 B's and 3.0 GPA needed. Lastly, Harvard REQUIRES and on campus residency for at least one class in their ALM in IT (you have to do 6 classes on campus for the ALM in Management). Some folks fly in for the summer session (7 weeks), others do the January session (3 weeks). Still others fly back and fourth EVERY WEEK for at least one semester. There are a lot of variables in making this decision, but just be happy that you have so many options. P.S. I am hoping to finish my ALM in IT next May, and I am considering taking on Northwestern's MS in Predictive Analytics afterwards.
I am really looking for a career change.... There was nothing mentioned in the admissions page on the Northwestern website about needing a comp. sci. background for the MSIS. I was wondering about the difficulty of getting admitted into the program? Is it hard to get in without a comp sci background?
These programs are cash cow for those schools. For example, my program at Georgetown University in MPS in Technology Management w/ Information Assurance. Almost half of students in the program are in non-technical professional field. Some of them are from the healthcare industry and real estate field. When the program refers to INFORMATION technology/systems; it is more likely referring human INFORMATION (technology interacting with human) not entirely technical. I went to Georgetown for my second master because of the school name and it cost me NEGATIVE $20,000.00 (I was paid to attend school with zero tuition). All the materials I learned from the program were possessed prior entering the program. But it looks good in my resume with top school. :veryhappy:
Hello? So in other words I can apply without a CS background? Are the programs fairly easy to get into?
Yes, you can apply without a formal CS background. Many of the folks are self taught. As far as whether you can apply without ANY prior knowledge of CS (e.g. not knowing how to program, etc), that depends on the school. As to whether the program is easy to get into, I have no idea. I don't think they have "competitive admissions" per say. There is no "We will only accept the top 30 students who apply to our program." It is more along the lines of "does this person have the GPA, experience, and test scores (optional) that say he will do well in the program." To put it in context, there requirements for the MSIS are similar to what they ask for in the MS in Predictive Analytics, and I KNOW that people have been rejected from that program. So, if you are floating around with a 2.0 undergrad GPA, no GRE scores and little work experience, you MIGHT have a problem getting into the program. The one thing I have found about top schools (Northwestern is currently ranked 12th in the country) is that EVEN in their continuing studies department, they do not just hand out degrees. That degree means something important to them because it makes you an alumnus of their university. They take that seriously and do not give out the degrees lightly. Your BEST course of action is to call them up and speak with an admissions advisor. Ask them what they are looking for in a candidate. Give them an overview of your credentials and ask if you would be competitive in the admissions process. They have MUCH more info than we do.
