Master's degree in Computer Science

A Master’s degree in Computer Science generally focuses on a more in-depth coverage of core topics studied during the bachelor’s degree and the elective subjects available to choose from. These may traditionally culminate in a master’s thesis defended by a student at the end of the course or an exam or a project depending on the programs available at the University.

The core courses generally consist of topics such as Algorithms, Data Structures, Advanced Programming Languages, Software Engineering or a Systems Engineering topic. Electives consist of a wide range of topics within AI, Data Science, Systems, Software Engineering, etc. Some Master’s programs often provide specialization options and have a curated list of courses to complete your specialization.

Given a standard two-year program, a student is expected to complete around 10-12 courses with a satisfactory grade, defend their thesis or clear an exam and shell out approximately 40,000 USD (estimated average in USA) for a full-time on-campus course.

A Master’s degree is quickly sneaking into the preferred requirement lists of most job descriptions. A casual browse through job listings for roles in Software Engineering, Technical Program Management and in some cases Product Management will establish the fact that a master’s degree is a new necessity for preferred candidates.

So, what really is the allure of a Master’s program?

A Master’s degree is quickly sneaking into the preferred requirement lists of most job descriptions. A casual browse through job listings for roles in Software Engineering, Technical Program Management and in some cases Product Management will establish the fact that a master’s degree is a new necessity for preferred candidates.

For students interested in Academia the master’s programs offer a sneak peek into what research work would look like in a Ph.D. setting. Their thesis during the master’s program is a gateway to great Ph.D. programs around the world.

A Master’s program is often a way to switch careers or locations. For example, some students complete a Master’s degree to switch to Computer Science from an Electronics background.  Some do it to explore or immigrate to another country in the hopes of a more lucrative career. Based on my experience, a master’s degree in Computer Science holds great value provided it satisfies both financial expectations/constraints and industry knowledge gained which you can effectively use in your research or workplace.

If you are contemplating about enrolling in a master’s program, some of the first questions you should ask yourself is:

• Why do I wish to do a master’s degree and what do I hope to gain from it?
• Have I done enough research to understand if a master’s program is the right fit for my goals?
• What track am I more suited to – research or industry professional?
• Is an integrated track or part time program more suited to my needs?
• What are my financial constraints?
• Am I planning to move countries?

Although these questions seem obvious, we often forget to have a clear notion of our intent and the consequences our decisions amongst the clutter of shoddy online program ads, peers flying away to foreign lands and backdrop of a radically changing job market that demands you to stay updated to be relevant.

I hope to address some of these concerns through this series of articles and help someone along their journey.