When preparing to apply for an online MCS, students often ask the essential question – am I prepared for this degree program? In part two of this “Getting an MCS” series, we will be going in-depth on how to prepare for the MCS program once you have applied.

Once you have applied to the program (this may have involved applying the first day you heard about the program, or working on your math requirement, mastering prerequisite skills, or improving your GPA to prepare your profile), it is typical to wonder what the program will be like. 

What is an MCS and can I earn it online?

Many students want to understand exactly what an MCS is, and what it is like to earn it online. The MCS program is a master’s degree that aims to educate its students around the most topical, important subjects in the computer science field. This means students will spend a total of 30 credit hours (which translates to 10 courses) mastering advanced computer science topics such as AI, Software Engineering, Cloud Computing, Big Data, and Cybersecurity. All online MCS students take one foundations course, one systems course, one applications course, and any seven additional courses. Students in the ASU online MCS program earn the same degree as students who study on-campus upon graduation. 

For students in the online program, the day-to-day learning experience includes attending live classroom sessions with professors, participating in group projects using Zoom and Slack, and accessing instructors during live office hours. The Coursera platform provides students with features like interactive video transcription, in-course note taking, and seamless learning across multiple devices. Faculty in the online program are hands-on and interactive in classes and projects, and hold weekly live class sessions that cover multiple time zones across the world.  Online ASU MCS students have access to many of the benefits of ASU that make the program unique. For example, as an online student, you can opt to work with on-campus organizations such as the one-of-a-kind Blockchain Research Laboratory, which offers a rich ecosystem of partners including private companies and government agencies. 

Is it hard?

Students often want to know how difficult the MCS program is. The answer is that the MCS program has rigorous coursework, but also has systems and people in place to support its students and empower them to succeed. 

The coursework is challenging; students are assessed by ASU faculty and staff on a rigorous set of assignments, projects, and exams required for university degree credit. Each course is about a 15-20 hour commitment. However, the MCS program is also set up to support its students at every stage of the degree program. One crucial piece of this support system is the role of the Success Coach. Each student who enrolls at ASU online is assigned a Success Coach. Success Coaches are segmented based on student affiliation, and work one-on-one with students to tackle time management, goal attainment, and connecting to ASU resources. Coaches are experts in asking the right questions, uncovering challenges, and working through difficulties that may arise during one’s time in the program. Many ASU students cite success coaches as instrumental to their success. The Success Coach has two components to their role. One is to provide coaching sessions that cater to the student’s personal, professional, or academic goals. These coaching sessions are unlimited to students in the online degree program. The second component is to perform proactive outreach based on a list of critical flags, such as not being registered for a course as the registration date approaches. 

The MCS program’s goal is to prepare its students for success in the world of computer science, which means that the program is proportionately rigorous in its academic expectations to what will be required by a career in computer science and that the program is structured to allow students to gain mastery and confidence in the field over the course of the program, often with the help of faculty, staff, and success coaches. 

Where can my MCS degree take me? Is it worth it? Why should I earn an MCS?

Finally, students considering the MCS program often want to know where the MCS degree will take them. The ASU online MCS program is focused on making certain that its students will succeed in the current computer science field. The degree’s coursework includes applied problems that are relevant to modern businesses. Students submit a project portfolio, which is a great tool for students to showcase their experience to prospective employers. When thinking about their educational plans, students should also consider what options they hope their education will open up for them. The ASU MCS program focuses on preparing its students for the computer science jobs that are in the world today by teaching cutting edge topics and by guiding each student through their career search. This holistic preparation and guidance means that ASU Online Master of Computer Science graduates have (but are not limited to) career opportunities for jobs in Computer Networks, Computer Programming and Science, Software engineering, Computer systems, Database administration, Information technology, Computer Software Quality Engineer, Computer System Architect, Computer Systems Analyst, Geospatial Information Technologists, Information Technology Manager and more.

ASU plays a very active role in the career search process. All students enrolled in the online degree program have access to the Fulton Schools of Engineering Career Center, a one-of-a-kind dedicated career center for ASU’s engineering students with a robust offering of online services and resources. Their office is designed to help strengthen student’s job search skills, build their resume, enhance their interview skills and more. These career advising sessions are easy to access for all online students, as the office provides virtual services like online resume reviews, online tools to practice interview questions, online chat with career advisors, and downloadable information and sample resumes. 

ASU’s MCS program will prepare you to thrive in whichever computer-related field you should choose. 

Part I – Can I get in?

When preparing to apply for an online MCS, students often begin by asking themselves if they have the right background for this degree. In part one of this “Getting an MCS” series, we will be providing in-depth answers to some of the typical questions students ask during the application process.

Can I get in?

The two components that students must consider when applying to a master’s program are their testing profile and their educational background. For ASU’s MCS degree, considering one’s testing profile is simple – the ASU MCS degree does not require the GRE to apply. Thus, the bulk of one’s time preparing to apply to the ASU MCS should be spent reviewing their educational background. 

For the ASU MCS program, students often want to know if they can get an MCS without having majored in Computer Science in their undergraduate degree. While the answer to this may initially seem like no – to be in the ASU program, you must be able to demonstrate prerequisite knowledge (on official transcripts) of the topics Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming, Data Structures and Algorithms, Operating Systems, and Principles of Programming Languages OR Introduction to Theoretical Computer Science: Principles of Programming Languages – the answer is actually yes, you can apply to the ASU MCS program if you do not have a computer science background. ASU offers the ability to demonstrate your CS knowledge through low-cost testing environments or by enrolling in a full pre-requisite course. Read more about this oppoortunity on the ASU website.

Another piece of student’s educational background that they must consider when applying to the ASU MCS program is their undergraduate GPA. The ASU MCS program requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (3.25 recommended) in the last 60 credit hours (last two (2) years) of a four (4) year undergraduate degree. Again, this requirement should not be a barrier for any student aspiring to apply to the ASU MCS program, as the MCS program has a performance-based pathway to help students that don’t have the required GPA enter the program. If you complete all three pathway courses with a 3.0 GPA on the first attempt within 18 months, you will have demonstrated an ability to succeed in the subject matter and can apply to the degree program using this new GPA. 

Getting an MCS without a background in mathematics

Students also want to know if you can get an MCS without a background in mathematics. The MCS program does require two (2) semesters of advanced math in Calculus I and Calculus II and a background course in Discrete Math, so if you did not complete those requirements in your previous education, you will need to either take the prerequisite courses at a local accredited University or enroll as a graduate non-degree seeking student at ASU to complete MAT 265 and MAT 266 online. 

The answer to the question “Can I get an MCS degree without the GRE, an undergraduate degree in Computer Science, a GPA over 3.0 or prerequisite math courses” is YES! If you are willing to put the time into preparing your education to align with the ASU MCS requirements and you are excited to learn about computer science, then you are eligible to apply for the MCS degree. 

Continue to Part II of Getting an MCS – What is the program like?

Whatever you think about the ups and downs of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, it’s undeniable that blockchain engineering is one of the hottest job fields in computer science. Demand for blockchain engineers increased 400% from 2017 to 2018, with blockchain developer salaries ranging between $150,000 to $175,000 a year, on par with artificial intelligence developer salaries.

Still, blockchain companies have found that outdated regulations at the federal level (as well as in some states) can hamper development. That’s enabled Arizona to establish themselves as a leader in blockchain innovation with laws designed to encourage the development of this technology. Arizona State University has followed suit with blockchain courses as part of its Online Master of Computer Science degree.

Supportive Regulations for Blockchain Innovation

Arizona has been called Silicon Valley Southwest thanks to its booming tech economy, and Phoenix has been named one of the fastest-growing cities for tech jobs by ZipRecruiter. This boom builds on a history of investments in the state by tech giants like Intel, Motorola, and Apple, as well as the intellectual capital of schools like Arizona State University.

This is also due to a tech-friendly legislature and organizations like the Arizona Technology Council and StartupAZ, who worked together to provide a favorable regulatory environment for startups. That includes passing a pair of laws that provided assurances blockchain companies need to move forward with new business models.

• Smart Contract Law: Because blockchain provides an immutable record and support for self-executing contracts, the technology has the potential to reduce fraud as well as improve efficiency for a wide range of transactions. And in March 2017, Arizona became the first state to pass a “smart contract” law guaranteeing digital signatures recorded on a blockchain. This clarity is critical for startups, allowing them to move ahead with smart contract applications that are protected under law.

• Corporate Blockchain Law: Similar to the rules protecting smart contracts between individuals, an April 2018 “Corporate Blockchain Bill” provides legal recognition for data stored and shared by corporations on the blockchain. This will allow companies to use this technology for all types of recordkeeping and provide legal certainty for both business and consumer-facing startups.

Arizona’s Blockchain “Sandbox” Attracting Startups

Last August, Arizona took its support for the blockchain ecosystem a step further by becoming the first state to create a “sandbox” for startups working in fintech. Based on a model first developed by Britain’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in 2016, Arizona’s sandbox will allow startups to test their fintech products for up to two years and serve as many as 10,000 customers before applying for the formal licenses usually required for finance companies.

In fact, two of the three companies that have joined the sandbox are developing blockchain products:

• Omni Mobile, the sandbox’s first participant, uses blockchain to underpin digital wallets for quicker payment transfers. Thanks to the friendly regulations of the sandbox, Omni will be able to test its platform by handling guest payments at the Westward Look Grand Resort and Spa in Tuscon.  

• Sweetbridge is using blockchain to reduce costs and risks for consumers taking out vehicle title loans. As recognized by regulators, title lending is too often characterized by predatory lending practices like disguised fees and inflated rates. Sweetbridge believes that blockchain’s ability to provide transparency and cut out middlemen will allow them to lower APRs from an industry average of around 300% to approximately 20%.

An Innovative Education from a Blockchain Hub

Just as Arizona has opened its doors to blockchain startups, Arizona State University has made itself a hub for blockchain innovation. Its Blockchain Research Laboratory launched in 2017 and conducts foundational research on this technology with corporate and government partners. The student-led Blockchain Innovation Society provides opportunities for additional collaboration with students around the world.
ASU’s blockchain leadership is no surprise; it has been ranked the #1 most innovative school in America for four years in a row by U.S. News & World Report. Its Online Master of Computer Science provides an opportunity to gain an advanced education in areas including blockchain engineering as well as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and more. With an unparalleled combination of expert faculty and a flexible, affordable degree program, the ASU MCS is as innovative as the technologies it covers.

Computer-oriented jobs have grown 338 percent since 1990 according to a recent study, and the ideal computer science education has changed dramatically since then as well. But with the right skills, a computer science degree can be a passport to an incredibly exciting career on the cutting edge of industries like artificial intelligence, robotics, biomedicine, and cybersecurity.

If you want to be a part of the future of computing, here are 5 of the most important skills that a CS grad needs today that they didn’t need 5 years ago.  And if you want to acquire these skills through a flexible, affordable, and 100% online program, check out Arizona State University’s Online Master of Computer Science degree, offered in partnership with Coursera.

Data Mining

Given the vast amounts of data produced by our increasingly-digital, increasingly-online world, computer science has had to develop new data processing tools to make sense of it all. Data mining techniques allow programmers to extract patterns from massive datasets, glean critical insights from these patterns, and put these insights to work. Closely related to statistical machine learning as well as database management, data mining is a key foundational skill for jobs in industries ranging from digital marketing to biomedicine.  

Machine Learning

Machine learning (ML) is the use of algorithms and statistics to improve the performance of computers at a specific task without the need for continuous human supervision. For example, with the right training, a computer can learn to distinguish images of a car from images of a bicycle without needing a specific algorithm programmed for this purpose. As you can imagine, machine learning is essential for artificial intelligence applications, but it’s also invaluable for pattern recognition in industries such as finance and cybersecurity.

Knowledge Representation and Reasoning

Effectively harnessing the raw algorithmic power of techniques like machine learning depends on skills in Knowledge Representation and Reasoning – also known as KR, KR², or KR&R. KR&R is the what programmers use to represent information about the world in a way that a computer can understand, which is crucial for the success of real-world artificial intelligence applications in fields such as biomedicine. It also encompasses the use of logic to automate processes requiring certain kinds of reasoning, such as the application of rules.  

Data Visualization

In the age of Big Data, the ability to present massive amounts of information in a useful, accessible way has become an essential skill for careers in fields as diverse as business, design, and journalism. Data visualization techniques help users navigate large, complex datasets through interactive exploration, allowing them to quickly locate and make sense of the information they need to make critical business decisions – or simply to better understand and appreciate our increasingly data-rich world.

Blockchain

No discussion of hot new topics in computer science would be complete without a mention of blockchain, the technology underpinning digital currencies like Bitcoin. Blockchain isn’t just about cryptocurrencies, however – with the ability to create unalterable distributed ledgers and self-executing contracts, blockchain’s decentralized approach to security has the potential to revolutionize a wide range of industries. Skills in this rapidly-evolving field can open up doors to careers in supply chain management, energy, cybersecurity, and even real estate, and ASU’s Blockchain Research Laboratory has made it a leading university for blockchain education.

Advancing Your CS Skills Online

If your computer science education could use an expansion pack with some or all of these skills, you’re in luck. Arizona State University’s Online Master of Computer Science (MCS) degree, offered through an innovative partnership between ASU’s School of Computing, Informatics, and Decision Systems Engineering and Coursera, is a rigorous computing degree with the skills you need to compete for the jobs of the future. Make 2019 the year you level up your career and gain a deep understanding of cutting-edge topics like AI, cybersecurity, blockchain, and big data.