Can I work while studying for my masters degree in computer science?
It is definitely possible to work while studying for a traditional or online masters in computer science (MSCS), though it is important that you find a balance between the amount of coursework you take on and the number of hours you work per week, as earning a top computer science masters online or on campus can be very demanding. Luckily, since computer science salaries are very competitive, if you are already employed in your field you may be able to work reduced hours and still support yourself and finance your education.
Because most students pursuing a computer science masters degree online or on campus already possess a bachelors in computer science or a related field, they are qualified to begin their computer science careers at entry-level or higher positions without having to compete with undergraduate students for lower-paying jobs.
In fact, many masters students may already have years of experience in the field and are simply increasing their knowledge, so it makes sense for them to continue in their careers as they earn their masters.
Finally, 1 of the best ways to balance working and studying is to pursue an accredited computer science online masters, which is more flexible in scheduling, rather than taking classes at a traditional university.
Are there any scholarships for traditional or online masters students in computer science?
While you can apply to a variety of general scholarships, there are also several scholarships specifically intended for students enrolled in a bachelors or masters program in computer science.
If you are interested in earning a MSCS online or on campus and have already decided on which university you will enroll in, first check with the financial aid office as well as the computer science department to see what school and department scholarships you are eligible for. An example of a university-specific scholarship is the ExCEL Program from Loyola University, which awards scholarships worth over $7,000 per year for graduate students in computer science, software technology or information technology.
As far as nationwide scholarships go, several private technology and Internet companies offer scholarships specifically for on-campus or online computer science masters degree students, such as the Microsoft Scholarship program or Google scholarships for students studying computer science and IT.
The U.S. government also offers several scholarships, such as the Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship, which all scientific graduate students are eligible for. Another government scholarship available to students pursing a traditional or online masters degree in computer science and related scientific fields is the NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program for masters or doctoral degrees in the fields of science, mathematics and engineering related to NASA research and development.
Are there any notable people who have earned masters degrees in computer science?
Though computer science is a considerably young field, there have already been many notable figures who completed their masters in computer science. Whether you are considering an on-campus or online master in computer science program, you could do worse than looking up to these visionaries.
One notable computer scientist who earned not only a masters in computer science but also a doctorate in the subject was Anita Borg, founder of the Institute for Women and Technology, a nonprofit organization that supports women in the field. Though she contributed to computer science itself through her research, which includes several patents, her largest contribution is in encouraging other women to enter the field.
Two more notable computer science graduates are Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, who both earned their masters in computer science from Stanford University. After completing their masters, they dropped out of the PhD program to found Google together, which is now 1 of the largest Internet companies and the most popular search engine in the world.
Finally, another famous figure in modern computing is Linus Torvalds, a Finnish computer scientist best known for developing the Linux operating system. Torvalds earned his masters in computer science in 1996 from University of Helsinki.
Are there any brick-and-mortar colleges that offer an online computer science masters degree program?
If you are interested in earning an online master degree in computer science, there are several brick-and-mortar colleges that offer an online option. One such institution is Regis University, a private college based in Denver, Colorado. Regis offers several of the best online MSCS programs in computer science related fields, including MS degrees in database technologies, software engineering, systems engineering, information technology management and information assurance.
Regis University’s graduate programs are specifically designed for working professionals, and its online classes have flexible schedules to accommodate your career. The school offers traditional, online and mixed course formats.
An excellent hybrid masters program requiring both classroom and online instruction is Stanford University’s computer science MS degree. The 2-year program covers the broad topics of mathematical and theoretical foundations, computer systems and artificial intelligence. It also requires a specialization in 1 of 10 available areas, such as systems, human-computer interaction or computer and network security.
While the masters in computer science program is very demanding, graduates enter the workforce with a broad grounding in computer science principles as well as specialized knowledge in a chosen field. In addition, Stanford University is considered 1 of the top 10 best universities in the U.S., which always looks impressive on a resume.
