Coursera’s University Partners are Recognized Among Forbes Top 10 List of “New Ivies”

For a second year, Forbes has recognized a top ten list of “New Ivies.” These university graduates are said to be “outpacing most Ivy Leaguers in the eyes of employers” with similarly selective admissions processes and rigorous coursework. 

Among the 10 ranked public schools, Coursera proudly partners with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Michigan, and the University of Pittsburgh to host their degree programs, 100% online. In terms of the top 10 private universities, Coursera partner Georgetown University takes 3rd. 

Employer endorsement

In speaking with over 380 C-suite executives, Forbes deemed that employers might be reconsidering their prior affinity of Ivy League grads. The article notes that out of the executives surveyed, “Forty-two percent said public colleges were doing a better job at preparing entry-level job candidates than they were five years ago.” Egos, groupthink, and lack of job readiness were all cited as rationales for potentially pivoting the hiring pool away from what it might have once been. 

The growing credibility of online degrees

Expanded ways of thinking about talent acquisition don’t start and stop with which university a candidate graduated from. Non-traditional, online learning has also been increasingly accepted by employers, especially post-pandemic. 

Champlain College’s 2023 national survey of 2,000 U.S. adults reported that 84% believe employers are more accepting of online degrees today than before the pandemic and 72% of adults feel an online education is more reputable now than five years ago.

Proving this hypothesis is a 2024 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) which found 87.4% of employers had hired new graduates with an online degree and 100% of those employers paid online degree hires the same starting salary as traditional graduates​. This indicates near-parity in how online credentials are being treated, namely from universities that made the “New Ivies” list. 

Online degree programs built for Coursera

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Michigan, the University of Pittsburgh, and Georgetown University partner with Coursera to offer some of their rigorous and career-aligned degrees, 100% online. Though none of these institutions are traditional Ivy Leagues, these esteemed universities are producing graduates that top employers respect. By partnering with Coursera to deliver their online degrees, these universities are able to offer their students high-quality faculty-led instruction with the support of a platform that is working to upskill and reskills millions of learners across the globe. 

We applaud each of our university partners for the Forbes accolades and for continuing to innovate and lead with forward-thinking approaches to delivering their high-quality instruction, online. These opportunities have paved the way for learners around the globe to achieve a top education and turn their ambitions into real-world success.

Read the Forbes article here

Taking the data science path to a Master of Computer Science from Illinois

How Sreyashi Das upskilled her career while working for Netflix

Sreyashi Das is a 2022 graduate of the Master of Computer Science in Data Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). She’s a senior data engineer at Netflix who prepared to enhance her specialty by building her skills in this program that was recently named the #1 Best Online Master’s in Data Science Program by Fortune.

With computer science and data science flourishing, Sreyashi can look forward to a career full of potential. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), computer and information technology-related occupations are expected to grow faster than average between 2022 and 2032 [1]. The BLS also estimates the mean annual salary for data scientists is $119,040 [2].

Sreyashi’s pathway is one of two available in the program, as students can pursue either the Master of Computer Science (MCS) or the Master of Computer Science in Data Science (MCS-DS). When asked why she chose the MCS-DS, Sreyashi says that she worked closely with data scientists as a data engineer at Netflix and wanted to discover the impact of their data sets. She adds, “The diverse set of courses piqued my curiosity. I had heard great things from my friends that also took the program.”

Realizing that she could complete the program around her work schedule—and recognizing it was a good value for the cost of tuition—Sreyashi decided to apply. Once she was accepted and enrolled, Data Visualization and Data Mining soon became two of her favorite courses. She especially notes how she could relate what she was learning to her real-life experiences.

Looking back now, Sreyashi tells us, “The program had good course materials, the professors were great, and the fact that it was online gave me the flexibility I needed. The online learning environment gave me as much, if not more, than what I would’ve gotten in an on-campus program.” She continues by noting, “There are resources like Slack that allowed me to connect with other students taking the same courses. I was in study groups with people across the world and it provided a global experience and exposed me to different perspectives.”

After completing the MCS-DS, Sreyashi also has full appreciation for the help she received from university staff and the impact she’s made in her career. She says, “The graduate team really supported me throughout the whole program and gave me the confidence to finish. All of the coursework was relevant, and I was able to apply what I learned directly to my job.”

Sreyashi’s story is a great reminder that when you’re seeing interesting work done by others, you can learn how it’s done and find yourself in an exciting new career. If computer science or data science has captured your imagination too, check out the MCS and MCS-DS from UIUC today and consider the possibilities for your own career.

1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook- Computer and Information Technology Occupations, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm.” Accessed June 20, 2024.

2. BLS. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes152051.htm.” Accessed June 20, 2024.

Learn more about the Master of Computer Science.

How an MCS grad chose his pathway with Illinois—a top-5 computer science school

Rahul is a recent graduate of the Master of Computer Science (MCS) program from The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Illinois) on Coursera. With U.S. News and World Report naming Illinois’ Department of Computer Science in the top 5 in 2023, Rahul could confidently pick the MCS. Rahul had also earned his bachelor’s degree from The Department of Computer Science and taken machine learning courses on Coursera, so he was sure he could succeed with an Illinois program on the platform. “I knew the quality of the professors. I also knew the recognition and value of the degree in the market,” he says with conviction.

With the MCS, there are two pathways for different interests and goals. You can either select general computer science or data science as your pathway. For Rahul, the decision was clear. “I wanted to go back because the data science component was attractive,” he reveals, adding, “I wanted to catch up on all the new technologies since my undergrad.” Having been in his computer science career for approximately two decades, including tenures at both small and big companies, he also knew he wanted to gain additional experience in the ever-changing field. Ultimately, he says, “I wanted to land a job that would allow me to build on my previous work experience.”

Rahul earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science on campus at Illinois. However, when he returned for his master’s degree, he knew the online program would be the best fit for his family’s work-life balance. He notes, “The online program is not much different than being on campus. You get the interaction with instructors and peers, and the flexibility worked really well for my schedule.”

In addition to the fact that it supported his lifestyle, Rahul saw other benefits to learning on Coursera. “The tuition wasn’t as expensive, and I wanted that TA support,” he remembers, while also mentioning, “We had a Slack channel. It was a helpful resource to be able to network with other students and also get questions answered. It’s very much a collaborative program.”

Having graduated with his MCS in the spring of 2023, Rahul has now had the opportunity to reflect on his time in the program and appreciate the impact he’s made on his career by earning his master’s degree. He proudly states, “I got a job in Hollywood because of the knowledge I picked up in one of the courses. It very much qualified me for my role.” Rahul also has this advice for others who are considering the MCS: “It’s good to understand your WHY when you’re applying to the program. It’s going to be work, but it’ll also be rewarding.”

Rahul’s story shows us how you can learn on your terms with Coursera and earn a computer science degree with Illinois—whether that’s through the general computer science or data science pathway. If you’re thinking about a career in computer science, check out the Master of Computer Science from The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign today and learn more about the two pathways you can take.

Learn more about the Master of Computer Science from the University of Illinois.

New Opportunities to Solve Healthcare Challenges with AI

An Interview with Dr. Jimeng Sun about the new Deep Learning for Healthcare Specialization on Coursera

Artificial intelligence and deep learning are being used to solve important challenges in the field of healthcare, and these innovations are being made possible through the groundbreaking efforts of visionary practitioners who work at the intersection of health and computer science. 

With the launch of the new Deep Learning for Healthcare Specialization on Coursera, anyone interested in solving real-world healthcare problems can now explore how deep learning methods can be applied to these pressing global issues.

Dr. Jimeng Sun, a professor with Illinois Computer Science and the Health Innovation Professor with the Carle Illinois College of Medicine at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, leads the new Specialization. 

With his dual expertise in computer science and healthcare, Dr. Sun is a highly influential voice at the intersection of technology and healthcare. He was recently recognized as one of the Top 100 AI Leaders in Drug Discovery and Advanced Healthcare by Deep Knowledge Analytics. Through his roles as both researcher and academic, he is not only driving innovation in the field but is also helping to train new generations of talent.

We spoke with Dr. Sun recently about the new Deep Learning for Healthcare Specialization.

Professor Sun, how does your background in both industry and academia inform your interest in teaching Deep Learning for Healthcare on Coursera?

My previous work in academia was at the College of Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Prior to that, I was on the industry side through my work at IBM. 

I have been teaching big data for healthcare for years, and I find that students have always been interested in knowing more about deep learning and its real-world applications. My PhD students are able to do a lot of research and publish their work on the topic of deep learning for healthcare. I think I’m ready to offer this topic to a broader student population.

What background does a learner need to succeed in the Deep Learning for Healthcare Specialization?

This is designed to be an introductory graduate-level Specialization. Students will need a strong Python programming background, but while a machine learning background is recommended, it is not essential. And, students do not need a background in healthcare. 

Previously, I have worked with students who are coming directly out of a bachelor’s program, and I have also worked with students who are CEOs of large medical record companies. This Specialization is designed for almost any learner around the world.

The goal here is to help students develop a basic understanding of deep learning and how they might apply it in their own careers. 

What excites you about teaching deep learning on Coursera?

I have been providing my courses in an online format for years, but the potential scale and quality of coursework that I can provide via Coursera are particularly exciting. In the past, I’ve had to put a cap on the number of students in my classrooms because I couldn’t find enough teacher assistants, but this Specialization will give me access to broader student populations and relieve that pressure. 

Plus, I am able to provide quality content in a condensed time frame through the online delivery of these Coursera modules, which will give both my students and myself more time to focus on our research and projects.

That’s a great segue to our next question—what are some of the key ways learners will benefit from this Specialization?

First off, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has one of the leading graduate Computer Science programs in the country (most recently ranked 5th by US News and World Report in 2018). This is a large, very strong, integrated computer science program that provides ample engagement between students and professors.

Secondly, this Specialization is very method-oriented. In the past, other courses that have focused on AI and healthcare have had more of a “follow-the-problem” approach. But in this Specialization, we will be focusing on methodology. Students will first learn the deep learning method and then apply that method to a healthcare setting.

You mentioned other settings where these skills can be applied. Can you tell us more?

Because the deep learning methods I teach can be applied to any industry, students who have completed my Deep Learning for Healthcare courses have gone on to roles in finance, manufacturing, technology, and more—not just healthcare. 

As someone who is leading the way when it comes to applying these transformative technologies to pressing global challenges like those we see in healthcare, is there a message you’d like to share with learners who are interested in building their careers in this field?

I would say that while much of deep learning and the processes within it are still in their early stages, the future of this work—and its real-world impact—is boundless.

~

We are so grateful to Dr. Sun for sharing his insights, and in addition to the many benefits associated with this new program that we discussed above, we also want to highlight the fact that when you enroll in the full University of Illinois’ Master of Computer Science program, the work you complete in this Specialization can be applied towards your degree.

The University of Illinois was the first North American university to offer a full degree on the Coursera platform, and we are thrilled to expand our offerings together to include Deep Learning for Healthcare as one of our newest specializations. Learn more and register today!

Why a Quality CS Degree Matters to Employers

Are you considering earning your master of computer science? Get insider advice from John C. Hart, Professor and Director of Online and Professional Programs in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Professor Hart recently participated in a Quora session, sharing advice on everything from the hottest trends in computer science research to what to consider when pursuing an advanced degree in computer science.

What are the hottest trends in computer science research in 2018?

In general, data science has been one of the hottest trends but it is a broad area that intersects computer science. We offer a general Master of Computer Science (MCS) degree program both on campus and online via Coursera that allows students to focus on four core areas from a list of nine areas of CS. We also offer a specialized track that focuses on data sciences called the MCS-DS (available online via Coursera), which sets those four areas to be machine learning, data mining, data visualization and cloud computing. All four of those are among the hottest trends in computer science research in 2018.

Of these, machine learning is by far the most popular area of CS research, because the methods are working better than we expected. We used to think artificial intelligence was all about simulating the human brain, but ML showed us that combining probabilistic models with optimization algorithms has been a more successful way to make computers act more “intelligently.” These methods have outgrown AI and we use ML now in some form in almost all of the different areas of computer science.

One of the reasons ML works is because of Big Data, using unsupervised machine learning to discover patterns from lots of data points, or supervised machine learning to create a model that can generalize from some known “answers” (human labeled data points) to a larger collection of “questions” (unlabeled data points). When you apply those techniques to databases, you get data mining. In order to get this to work on very large databases, you need to use cloud computing to spread the computation (and network bandwidth) over a larger array of processors.

Then there is data visualization, which I like to think of as the opposite of machine learning. Fred Brooks stated it very nicely in his Turing Award acceptance speech that “Human + Computer > Computer.” We’ve learned that there are things that computers can do better than humans, and ML is making that list longer, but there are still insights and patterns in large datasets that require human intuition to discover. Data visualization shows us how to format data so it can be efficiently transmitted to and effectively processed by the most powerful compute engine we are currently aware of: the human mind.

Does it really matter where you get your C.S. master’s degree?

It can matter, but in subtle ways. I think CS classes are taught well in any accredited colleges or universities. But when you take classes for masters degree in a top ranked CS program, you’re getting the same courses that professors are using for their doctoral students to come up to the state-of-the-art in an area. You’re also often learning material from professors that had a hand in the development of the field, which leads to some interesting insights and perspectives on the field. Also, top ranked programs are more selective and the resulting master’s degree can signal to a future employer that a student is stronger in the area. But the most important thing is to find a master’s degree program that is structured in a way that best works with your learning needs.

For example, our online MCS program uses the Coursera platform to deliver a master’s degree in a more flexible, asynchronous manner. The entire course is available to the student from day one so the student can work arbitrarily far ahead as needed, especially if the student knows they need to take a week or two off for a scheduled event, such as a family vacation. The courses are also based on our open-enrollment Coursera MOOC courses, so a student can “audit” one of our courses (informally sitting in for the lectures) by taking the MOOC version of the course, and then later enroll in the for-credit version and complete the projects and comprehensive exams (and get help from the instructor and teaching assistants as needed) to work toward our MCS. This works great for some people, especially when they have a full-time job, family or caretaker responsibilities, whereas others may learn better in the focused classroom lecture environment on campus.

These questions originally appeared on Quora – the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world.

Apply for your Master of Computer Science or Master of Computer Science in Data Science from the University of Illinois today or get started in one of these Specializations to start earning credit toward your degree: