Georgia Tech's OMSCS offers a prestigious, affordable path to a top CS Master's.
Analysis of the discussion reinforces the view that Georgia Tech's Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS) is a well-regarded credential. Participants, including those with hiring experience, suggest that the degree is seen as equivalent to its on-campus counterpart from a top-10 ranked CS school, and the diploma doesn't differentiate between the two. Concerns about a stigma associated with online learning for OMSCS are largely unfounded, according to graduates and some hiring managers; the focus tends to be on whether a candidate has a CS background rather than the modality of the degree.
This presents a significant opportunity for:
- Professionals looking to switch into computer science from unrelated fields (e.g., those with a non-CS Bachelor's degree).
- Individuals already in tech who want to boost their qualifications and formalize their CS knowledge with a degree from a prestigious institution.
- Those who need to keep working full-time while pursuing advanced education, thanks to the program's flexibility and lower cost compared to on-campus alternatives.
Key Skills, Tools, and Qualifications:
- Primary Qualification: Master of Science in Computer Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
- Implied Skills: Foundational and advanced computer science knowledge imparted by a rigorous curriculum. The discussion emphasizes the value of the degree itself as a qualification, though it doesn't detail specific technical skills like Python, Java, or ML algorithms.
- Key Attribute: The ability to earn a degree from a top-ranked CS program while working, showcasing strong time management and dedication.
Possible Job Opportunities & Resume Direction:
- Job Opportunities: Roles requiring or preferring a Master's degree in Computer Science, software engineering positions, data science roles (depending on specialization), and other technical positions where a formal CS education is valued. It's particularly beneficial for those transitioning into the CS field.
- Resume Direction: Highlight "Master of Science in Computer Science" from "Georgia Institute of Technology" in the education section. There's no need to specify "Online" or "OMSCS," as the credential from a top-tier university carries significant weight. This can be especially impactful for individuals looking to meet requirements for roles needing a formal CS degree or to bridge an educational gap from a non-CS undergraduate background.
Expected Return:
- Improved access to interviews, especially for roles where a CS Master's is preferred or required.
- Enhanced credibility in the eyes of hiring managers and during technical interviews, particularly for those changing careers.
- The ability to make a career transition into computer science or advance within the field without interrupting current employment and income.
- It serves as a strong signal of a formal and rigorous CS education from a prestigious institution, potentially opening doors that might otherwise be closed, especially for individuals without an undergraduate CS degree.
Origin Reddit Post
r/cscareerquestions
How “Prestigious” is Georgia Tech’s OMSCS when compared to in person Masters from lower ranked / unranked schools?
Posted by u/Common-Pitch5136•06/11/2025
Title; trying to understand the best path for me to take forward and was hoping to gather some opinions and perceptions if I could. Trying to get a masters while working full time but don’t w
Top Comments
u/stabmasterarson213
an MBA, even from an ivy, is much much easier than any CS program anywhere
u/[deleted]
[removed]
u/Nofanta
Waste of money in a cooked industry.
u/DakotaMaker
I went through and graduated from OMSCS. No one has ever made mention of it being online
u/Common-Pitch5136
I have an unrelated B.A. degree right now, I think adding a CS degree of some kind would open many doors for me personally
u/Comet7777
I did this program and honestly it’s solid. That said… as a hiring manager nowadays I can say that most masters degrees don’t really stand out much today unless it’s like an MBA from an Ivy L
u/welshwelsh
>I’ve heard mixed things about the OMSCS and feel there’s a stigmatism towards online learning
You're missing the point.
If you get a master's degree through OMSCS, your diploma will s
u/OnlyLooney
Some people get worried about the acceptance rate, but remember, most people don’t finish if you look at the graduation rate. It is the same education and program as the in person. It is a gr
u/Illustrious-Pound266
Most technical hiring managers will know OMSCS. It's very famous. Also, it's not hard to tell you did the master online if you were not in the Atlanta area during the time of your masters and
u/mh2sae
Why would a MBA stand out for a career in tech? I worked with MBAs (and some of my peers had), none were particularly great at anything tech.
u/pacific_plywood
in general, master's degrees aren't terribly prestigious
u/EverBurningPheonix
Isn't masters in general only useful in 3 cases
First, you just love academics
Second, want to pivot to cs from another field
Third, you're an immigrant trying to break into another country a
u/Common-Pitch5136
Do you show any preference towards interviewing candidates from higher ranked schools vs lower?
u/Boring_Neighborhood
I personally don’t believe a masters in CS or any prestige that comes with it is worth the price tag, or even the effort. Also don’t think the rank of your school matters as much these days e
u/ChanceHuckleberry376
Don't waste your time. If it's not ivy league it means nothing nowadays especially for a masters let alone a cash cow program that everyone knows is online with a ton of graduates.
u/Illustrious-Pound266
The quality of the education itself is good. I wouldn't be concerned about the quality. You will get a fine education.
But as for *prestige* (not quality), I would say it's not really a wow
u/Illustrious-Pound266
The quality of the education itself is good. I wouldn't be concerned about the quality. You will get a fine education.
But as for *prestige* (not quality), I would say it's not really a wow
u/StrategyAny815
It sounds like you are implying that OMSCS is less prestigious than on-campus. Is that how you view the program as a hiring manager? (I assume you are one)
Which I understand by the way, in
u/welshwelsh
>I’ve heard mixed things about the OMSCS and feel there’s a stigmatism towards online learning
You're missing the point.
If you get a master's degree through OMSCS, your diploma will s
u/stabmasterarson213
an MBA, even from an ivy, is much much easier than any CS program anywhere
u/poipoipoi_2016
I mean yeah, but the University of Michigan doesn't do night school.
u/Common-Pitch5136
It’s a top ten school too! But I’ve heard mixed things about the OMSCS and feel there’s a stigmatism towards online learning. Was hoping to better understand how it stacks up against an in pe
u/DorianGre
I have the OMSCS degree, still TA for a class there, and am a hiring manager at a fortune 500.
It’s a top 10 school, full stop. Only about 30% of people admitted graduate. I absolutely noti
u/poipoipoi_2016
I mean yeah, but the University of Michigan doesn't do night school.
u/Independent-End-2443
The best thing about OMSCS for me was that I could keep my job (and my income) while I did it. It was also far cheaper than the on-campus program. Further, I did it during COVID, so everythin
u/crytol
Iirc it results in just a straight up masters degree from Georgia Tech
u/crytol
Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a stigma towards online learning. But at least in the case of the OMSCS, I don't think there's a separation from their standard Master's program in
u/Comet7777
I did this program and honestly it’s solid. That said… as a hiring manager nowadays I can say that most masters degrees don’t really stand out much today unless it’s like an MBA from an Ivy L
u/Common-Pitch5136
It’s a top ten school too! But I’ve heard mixed things about the OMSCS and feel there’s a stigmatism towards online learning. Was hoping to better understand how it stacks up against an in pe
u/Illustrious-Pound266
This. OMSCS is a fine program for learning's sake but it's just not prestigious.
u/CanYouPleaseChill
It is, but prestige is based on how difficult it is to get accepted, not how difficult it is to graduate. Also easier to get an A at Harvard than Georgia Tech, but Harvard has far more presti
u/Independent-End-2443
The best thing about OMSCS for me was that I could keep my job (and my income) while I did it. It was also far cheaper than the on-campus program. Further, I did it during COVID, so everythin
u/Original-Poet1825
The program is known, and it basically accepts everyone. If someone would actually care about school brand (most people dont) they may ask. Ex. elite hedgefunds
The key is that most people d
u/StrategyAny815
It sounds like you are implying that OMSCS is less prestigious than on-campus. Is that how you view the program as a hiring manager? (I assume you are one)
Which I understand by the way, in
u/Goingone
No, it’s more skills/background based.
Education is usually a quick glance to see if there is a CS background or not.
u/Goingone
I’ve interviewed candidates from most of the top CS programs in the country.
Honestly, haven’t noticed too many trends (plenty of great and not so great interviewers from all the schools).
u/pacific_plywood
in general, master's degrees aren't terribly prestigious
u/NeedleworkerWhich350
I don’t even look at the school, I know like 3 named schools and that’s it, I honestly get annoyed when resume too long or if a Harvard candidate shows up then I’m not impressed as the 5 year
u/Additional_Sun3823
It’s not really about the difficulty of completion (unless it’s directly applicable to the job, which it usually isn’t esp for course based masters) , it’s about what being able to get in sig
u/mh2sae
Why would a MBA stand out for a career in tech? I worked with MBAs (and some of my peers had), none were particularly great at anything tech.
u/OnlyLooney
Some people get worried about the acceptance rate, but remember, most people don’t finish if you look at the graduation rate. It is the same education and program as the in person. It is a gr
u/CanYouPleaseChill
Your employer will almost certainly know it was online. Firstly, they can see the overlap in dates between employment and education. Secondly, if you’re working in a state outside of Georgia,
u/mechpaul
A piece of paper is a piece of paper. At work, there are many guys with PhDs and masters. Beyond knowing they have a masters, I have never known where they went to college.
I wouldn't worry
u/crytol
Iirc it results in just a straight up masters degree from Georgia Tech
u/DakotaMaker
I went through and graduated from OMSCS. No one has ever made mention of it being online
u/Illustrious-Pound266
Most people and hiring managers won't care it's online, but it's not hard to tell if you did online masters on a resume.
Frist, it's a well known program in the industry. Second, if you wer
u/mechpaul
A piece of paper is a piece of paper. At work, there are many guys with PhDs and masters. Beyond knowing they have a masters, I have never known where they went to college.
I wouldn't worry
u/crytol
Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a stigma towards online learning. But at least in the case of the OMSCS, I don't think there's a separation from their standard Master's program in
u/Goingone
I’ve interviewed candidates from most of the top CS programs in the country.
Honestly, haven’t noticed too many trends (plenty of great and not so great interviewers from all the schools).
u/kater543
Sadly people love MBAs for some reason, especially from top schools, even when they may know nothing lol. Not saying they all know nothing or that most of them know nothing, just sometimes yo