In January 2024, I began my online Master’s program in Computer Science at Georgia Institute of Technology. This article introduces my motivations for enrollment and what I did leading up to it.
Introduction
Currently, I am taking classes in the Master’s program at Georgia Tech while working full-time. It is called the Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS), and my major is Computer Science (CS). The program is designed to take about three years to complete if courses are taken at a moderate pace.
Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS)
About Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech is located in Atlanta, USA, and is recognized globally as a leader in the field of CS. The university has been very proactive in providing online courses, and it has been ten years since this course began.
In addition to the master’s program in CS, other courses such as Analytics and Cybersecurity are also available online. There are already various resources that compare this program with others, which may be helpful for reference.
A Struggle from a Liberal Arts Background to Georgia Tech’s Master’s Program in Computer Science
A notable feature of this online program is that it offers the same master’s degree as one obtained on-site in the U.S., yet the cost is significantly reasonable. Each course spans approximately 16 weeks, and the cost is around 100,000 yen (approximately $900). Since graduation requires completing 10 courses, the total estimated cost would be about 1 million yen (approximately $9,000). Despite being known for high tuition fees, American universities offer a remarkably attractive price for a master’s degree compared to some Japanese universities.
Objectives
While obtaining a master’s degree from an American university at a low cost is a benefit, my primary aim is to gain a systematic understanding of CS knowledge through this program. Although I work in an IT company, I often feel limited in my understanding due to the lack of formal education in CS. I believe technology is utilized to achieve certain objectives, but I feel that I cannot accomplish anything solely based on my existing knowledge.
Thus, I intend to eliminate this gap in my confidence by acquiring systematic knowledge through lectures and practical experience via extensive assignments.
That said, if I truly felt a sense of crisis about my situation, I could have independently studied using the many resources available. However, I honestly didn’t know where to begin. Therefore, I hope that by progressing through the courses and completing assignments, I can broaden my perspective and clarify my future direction.
Requirements for Admission
To enroll in this course, I needed to prepare for the application. Since I wasn’t proficient in English, it took about a year to get everything ready. The main requirements were as follows:
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation were required, with one preferably from someone related to academia. I requested one from my academic advisor during my undergraduate studies in Japan and the others from my supervisors at work. Thankfully, all of them submitted their letters despite their busy schedules, allowing me to succeed in my application.
TOEFL Score
Students not from English-speaking backgrounds were required to submit scores from English proficiency tests like TOEFL. The official threshold is set at 100 points, but I learned that a score above 90 might still qualify for admission. I aimed for over 90 but struggled to raise my score. Ultimately, I submitted a score of 94, which allowed me to be accepted.
Resume
I submitted a standard resume commonly seen when transitioning to foreign companies, ensuring that my background supported my reasons for applying.
Statement of Purpose
Although previously a Statement of Purpose (SOP) was required, for my application, there was a web form to fill out my motivation for applying. This included questions like why I wanted to take this program and how I believed I could overcome its challenges. There was also space to list relevant CS courses or MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) I had taken, which seemed to help assess my suitability.
Application Criteria
There are specified qualifications for admission, including holding a bachelor’s degree in CS or a related field (such as mathematics, computer engineering, or electrical engineering) with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Preferred qualifications for admitted OMSCS students are an undergraduate degree in computer science or related field (typically mathematics, computer engineering or electrical engineering) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants who do not meet these criteria will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
For other cases, decisions are made based on CS knowledge on a case-by-case basis. Especially recommended is participation in the following MOOCs offered by the university. Since I do not hold a bachelor’s degree in CS, I completed the “Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming with Java” course before applying. I aimed to finish “Data Structures & Algorithms” but couldn’t complete it in time, so I noted my progress in my application. After gaining admission, I finished the remaining coursework.
- Introduction to Python Programming
- Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming with Java
- Data Structures & Algorithms
Graduation Requirements
There are three options for graduation requirements:
- Course Option: Complete 10 courses.
- Project Option: Complete 7 courses and a unique project.
- Thesis Option: Complete 6 courses and a thesis.
Master of Science in Computer Science
The academic year consists of three semesters: Spring, Summer, and Fall, with Summer being slightly shorter than the others. If I take one course per semester under the Course Option, it will take about 3 years and one semester to complete the 10 required courses.
Future Plans
As I aim to graduate through the Course Option, I plan to steadily proceed with taking the 10 required courses. While it may take around three years, I hope to take multiple courses in a semester if possible, enabling me to complete the program ahead of schedule. I intend to provide periodic updates on my learning throughout this process.