University of Illinois MOOC Masters in Computer Science (Data Science)

http://chicagoinno.streetwise.co/2016/03/31/uiuc-launches-a-mooc-based-data-science-masters-degree/

Link to the program is here

Master of Computer Science - Data Science | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Online Degree

about $20k for the whole program.

 

Can't imagine why they would charge so much if the courses are taught through MOOCs. That's got to be pretty much pure profit for them.

 

Producing good MOOCs costs money upfront, so there's that.

On the other hand, this is a Master's from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. Top, top school, and Computer Science is their particular strength. So this looks like an incredible deal, prestige vs cost. I can't think of a better one on Master's level, until the time Stanford offers a degree for under 20K.

 

Actually, Georgia Tech's Masters program is top-rated and is just over 7k for the online version... And I just got in yesterday!

Granted that AT&T helped fund the startup, but they say that tuition level is adequate to operate, maintain and continue to develop the program.

 

I feel like you've answered your own question there...

 

Yeah, I think you're right. Georgia Tech has demonstrated that it can be done for much less.

 

Congrats! You'll have to let us know how the program is working out for you as you go through it.

 

Congratulations! Truly cool stuff.

Having said that, UIUC is actually ranked higher that GaTech (though both are currently in the top 10). Besides, UIUC degree is in the trendy Data Science. All told, both are great deals. For someone seeking a generic MS in CS, 7K GaTech Master's is hard to beat. But one can be legitimately pulled to the Illinois brand and/or seek credential in Data Science, specifically. Or apply to both and be admitted to one.

This is exciting news. Not so long ago there were far fewer options in CS on Master's level, and not of this caliber (IIRC, they were Troy and Nova Southeastern - great schools both but no Top 10).

 

OK, so I've got a question. This area in general is one of those where people have said that you can move up in the field without any degree at all. Experience, collecting certs, etc. So then along comes this MOOC-based Masters program and it's pretty cheap and so seems attractive in that regard but does it actually teach you anything useful from a pragmatic, skills perspective or is it just a Masters degree to which employers will say "Hmmm, so what?"

 

Depends on what you're looking for. Computer science at both the bachelor's and master's levels are not about teaching you "skills". Good CS graduates pick that stuff up without hardly trying (and yes, there are also the clueless ones that can't, but that's true of every area of study.) Indeed as my 30+ years in the industry without as a bachelor's attests, you don't need a degree to prosper as a programmer.

However, I want to work on autonomous driving, and you don't pick up the knowledge and theory to do that in some online boot camp. (I'm sure someone will immediately pop up with an online cert in the subject now that I've said that.) So my goal is an MSCS with a concentration in Computational Perception and Robotics. The companies doing that work are not going to go "Hmmm, so what?" they require at LEAST an master's degree and want it to be in the field. I know because I've tried to break in on just my experience in embedded systems, but even great contacts didn't help enough.

Of course, I also just want to stretch myself, and really enjoy learning. Easier to make that decision at $7k, than at $20k.

 

When I hire software developers we like seeing an MS. We will never say "So what?" unless, of course, that person seems to just generally not be a particularly good developer. Half the interview is spent in front of a monitor. The hiring manager is looking at whatever work you've brought to show off. And they are showing you snippets of the sort of thing they are working with. The MS might show a commitment to the craft. But the conversation about code, and the review of your coding portfolio, is going to matter greatly. And yeah, if two solid developers come in and are neck and neck but only one has a Masters then the job tends to go to the guy or gal with the graduate degree. Not always. But it weighs heavily in their favor. But the grad degree never makes up for skill.

So whether you developed and refined your skill as part of that degree or you just happen to be a rock star who decided to get a grad degree it doesn't really matter. Employers want the end result. We don't tend to care for how you got there. We have developers who built their skill through coding boot camps. We have developers who built that skill as undergrads through their coursework and through internships. But CS programs aren't coding boot camps. Universities, for the most part, don't actually build skill. They provide the theoretical construct for you to build skill. Someone who finishes a B.S. in Accounting is qualified to start as an entry level accountant where they will be given progressive responsibility commensurate with their performance. No one finishes a B.S. in Accounting, moves right into an M.S. in Accounting or an MBA and is then handed the reigns as CFO or CAO because school gave them all of the skills they need to function as an accountant. Those skills are developed on the job. Similar situation here.

Also, let's face it. "Coding Camp" sounds a hell of a lot more fun than "Accounting Camp."

 

When I hear "coding camp" I get a picture of a pile of people in a big room trying to break codes from an enigma machine.

 

Form a job market perspective (and in IT field only), my belief is that a degree on your resume from a top-ranking (or well-known) school may get you past the recruiter but beyond that, it's your skills and experience that matters.

 

I always get images of a bunch of kids staying at a summer camp somewhere sleeping in little cabins, engaging in group activities, and eating together in the mess hall.