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Comment by basseq | Hacker News Reader

EDIT: The awarded degree is the same (M.S. Analytics) as the "residential" program. The below assertions are false, but I have left the original comment intact for posterity.

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I laud continuing, online, and affordable education options, but this degree is still very much a second-class citizen. It is not the same degree that's awarded to "residential" students (that would be M.S. Analytics).

It's unclear whether the granting institution is Georgia Tech itself, one of the "collaborating" colleges (i.e., Scheller College of Business, the College of Computing, or the College of Engineering), Georgia Tech Professional Education, or even EdX.

All this affects the "value" of the credential.

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>> It is not the same degree that's awarded...

False.

"How will this degree appear on my diploma and/or transcript? The name "Online Master of Science (OMS)" is an informal designation to help both Georgia Tech and prospective students distinguish the delivery method of the online program from our on-campus degree. The degree name in both cases is Master of Science in Analytics. The track designation does not appear on the diploma or transcript." [1]

[1] https://pe.gatech.edu/online-masters-degrees/analytics/faqs

Thanks for the correction, and I've updated my original comment to note the same.

Interestingly, I went looking for this information, including skimming that FAQ section. This disparity between online and traditional degrees awarded is common, so I'm surprised (or maybe biased is a better term) that GT uses this "informal designation" everywhere, including phrases like: "... Online Master of Science in Analytics (OMS Analytics) degree will be available..."

It may affect the "value" of the credential for the small set of resume readers who are up to speed and have a real opinion on it, but I would also think that the name "Georgia Tech", which has quite a legendary status in Georgia, affects that value more. A whole lot of people see "You have a degree from GT? That's what I like to see!" around here.

I would argue as a Georgia Resident that a Georgia Tech OMS Analytics would be viewed in higher regard than a Kennesaw State University M.S. Analytics (if they offered it, I know they offer other similar competing programs)

If anything GT is viewed better outside of the state than within it.

Few realize that a significant part of the reason that Georgia (for all its problems) isn't Alabama/Mississippi/South Carolina is because of GT and Atlantas rise from regional prominence to national and international recognition in technology, business and culture the last 30 years.

Never a prophet in your homeland and such.

>> It is not the same degree that's awarded...

This is just inaccurate and a falsehood.

>> It is not the same degree that's awarded

Very easy to disprove this. And as an OMSCS graduate I can tell you that at least the CS degree is not a second class citizen.

It's these sort of stereotypes, which have been reinforced by schools like Ashford and University of Phoenix, that we need to shirk. Online programs of this caliber enable the higher education of thousands who would otherwise not have the opportunity.

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