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Accelerated Master's Program vs Minor

I will be attending college to study computer science this fall, and while I have time before I can apply to be part of the accelerated master's program, I want to plan out my college path in advance. I do plan on getting a master degree in the future, but I am also considering to do a minor in cyber security. However, I do not want to do more than I can handle. I would like to know whether I should do an accelerated master's degree or a minor in the coming years. #college #july20

july20
Thank you comment icon I am in an accelerated Master's program, and it takes a lot of work and time! While I cannot tell you what to do, I would encourage you to take into consideration the time you will have to invest weekly in your reading and homework. I spend about 15 hours on my work during the week. This includes reading time and discussion and assignments. If you are new to college, I would say start small and add more once you are comfortable with your work/life balance. Sara Shaw
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Christa’s Answer

Start with your general CS classes and sprinkle in some cybersecurity electives and see if that's a path you want to take. I would suggest doing a minor (like cybersecurity) to dive deeper into a topic that you're interested in learning vs an accelerated Master's program. What I thought I wanted to do in College was very different than what I actually do now. If you want to obtain a Masters, I would wait a few years, gain industry experience, and then decide what is the best path to take for your career! Many companies offer education assistance if you decide you want to go back to school, which will help with the financial burden.
Thank you comment icon Thank you! Chandresh
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Linda’s Answer

Hi Chandresh - I can sense your motivation and that is great!! I agree with Sara's response, suggesting you start college first to understand your workload. Also, do you have other commitments that will take time, such as sports, job, family, etc?

My personal suggestion would be to attain your 4-year CS degree. Then find a job that offers educational assistance to help you pay for your masters degree. Since cyber security falls under computer science, take a cyber security course(s) as an elective. That will give you an idea of how interested your are in pursuing a master's degree.

Best wishes in your future!
Linda
Thank you comment icon Thank you! Chandresh
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Anna’s Answer

Chandresh,

People usually leverage a Master's Degree better in terms of career growth, etc. when they go into the master's having already some professional experience. You get more out of the master's this way...If you start your master's right after your BS, when you finish it, you will still be applying for an entry-level position (unless you work and study at the same time), and the Master's will not give you the same career boost as when you do it later. Also, the perspective from the world of work that people with experience bring to a Master's program often allows them to know better what to focus on, what electives to choose, what research to pursue that best aligns with their interests, goals, etc. Also, a Master's later allows you to learn some new stuff, new developments, etc...midcareer it is really a good strategic move. And you may, for example, decide to switch focus...i.e. your BS might be in computer science, but you may want to focus on Software Engineering or Data Science or do an MBA for your graduate studies.

So I suggest that you complement your CS degree with a minor. If cybersecurity is what you are interested in, and at your school there is a separate minor for that, great. If you want to do a minor in philosophy, psychology....any other interest that you have, that is also great.

This is the gist of my advice. I could expand, but feel this would be redundant. I am writing from the perspective of an advisor for a College of Computing, and what I am saying is not just my opinion, but actually that of many faculty and industry professionals I have spoken to. From the perspective of adult/lifelong learning (what my Master's is in), the rationale is still the same.
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