Hacker News Reader

Comment by lechiffre10 | Hacker News Reader

I'm 31 and considering getting a degree. Wondering if I should go for a masters in CS or do a bachelor's. Coming from a non-cs background and doing a career change at this point isn't easy. Master's would be much shorter and the Bachelor's obviously would take much longer. Any suggestions?

View on HN

> Wondering if I should go for a masters in CS...

That strongly depends on what you plan to do with it once you have it. Is it just for the credential? Is there some specific area of knowledge you feel you need to know to advance your career? Is it for the sake of personal curiosity?

Usually Masters degrees require Bachelors first. Maybe you mean Associates?

It's conceivable he had a non-CS Bachelor's, and could either take a second bachelor's or try to go straight for a CS Masters. Second bachelor's programs often, IIRC, have more minimum coursework than Masters programs (though that can be offset by needing to take undergraduate courses outside of the minimum to meet prereqs in the Master’s program that someone with undergraduate CS background wouldn't have to.)

Some programs in Canada allow you to get a masters in CS without having a CS background. It would require taking certain prerequesites.

The (reputable) programs I am familiar with in the US are the same.

He probably has a bachelor's in a different subject.

Yea sorry should have mentioned I have a Bachelor's in Finance

Thought masters comes after?

Reply on news.ycombinator.com