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Master of science or just Master?

 
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I stay in front of choice to get Master of Science in Computer Science or just Master in Computer Science. What do you think, which is better to get to the work in Europe, Canada or USA? MSCS is more academical, but MCS is more practical.

At the moment I have BS and work in a small international company by Java developer.
 
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Vlad,

I am currently finishing my Masters of Science in Computing and Information Systems. This degree is more practical than acedemic (compared to Computer Science), but still acedemic nonetheless. But anyways, I think it really matters what direction you want your career to go. If you are interested in research or pursuing a PHD the more acedemic degree is what you should choose (although you can pursue a PHD with either). I chose Computing and Information Systems because it was not purely algorithms, but how IT relates to the enterprise as a whole and how to leverage and manage it (plus all the cool algorithms as well). I felt it would be easier to move into management one day with this degree.

Mind you, I have never heard of just "Master in Computer Science". Are you sure this is correct?

-Mike
 
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Everyone has a master degree these days
 
Vlad Golodov
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It's a standart in Europe, if i'm not mistaken. I can choose to study by old program and get Master of Science or by new program and get just Master. Even if i study by old program and do a practical project for master degree work(not research), then i'll get also just Master.

If i'm not mistaken, then in Europe it's no matter, but in USA seems to be. In the future would like to move to the Central Europe and continue studies or maybe get one more Master in some well-known university.
 
Mike Hogeboom
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Billy,

At least in Canada, only about 10% of the IT workers have a post-graduate degree. http://www.shrc.ca/

It's a good thing to have to stand out in the job market.

A good number of people have only taken 6-8 month courses and are programmers, so I don't think it's fair to say that everyone has a Masters these days.

Thanks,
Mike
 
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Originally posted by Billy Tsai:
Everyone has a master degree these days



Maybe, but from what university?
 
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Everyone has a master degree these days


Agree. Master degree is nearly a must nowadays, in terms of better job opportunity.

Nick
 
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Vlad,

If you are planning to work in a European or Canadian employer for European or Canadian customers, I think the Master of Science (MSCS) degree may make you more employable ... depending upon your area of concentration. If you are planning to continue your studies for a PhD in Computer Science, I think the MSCS would provide better preparation than the MCS. Only consider a second Master's degree if you plan to earn an MSEE with a computer engineering or digital signal processing emphasis or an MS in Computer Engineering, something very practical.

If you are planning to work for an American employer for American customers, I think the MCS degree with as much business or project management coursework as possible. Make the degree as immediately practical as possible.

Too many advanced degrees, as well as industry certifications, can be detrimental to your professional advancement. If you have to choose between and advanced degree and spending time as part of an open source development effort, choose the open source development effort -- keeping a portfolio of the code you wrote. You can count the time you spend on the open source effort towards your years of experience.
 
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What about Master of Science in Software Engineering? Actually I am pretty interested in it... But I could not find such program in Thailand... That's why I am studying in MSCS...

I think Master of Science in Software Engineering is better than so-called MCS mentioned above...
 
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