9 Legit Master‘s Degrees You Can Now Earn Completely Online

The world of online education has come a long way since the early days of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses). What started as a niche experiment has blossomed into a full-fledged revolution, with top universities increasingly offering entire degree programs online.

For prospective graduate students, this is an incredible opportunity. You can now earn a fully accredited master‘s degree from a world-class university without ever setting foot on campus. These programs offer the ultimate flexibility, allowing you to complete coursework on your own schedule from anywhere in the world.

As a professional software engineer, I‘m particularly excited about the master‘s degrees focused on computer science and related technical disciplines. Studying part-time while working is much more feasible when you don‘t have to commute to a classroom. And the lower cost of these online programs compared to their on-campus counterparts makes them a great option for self-funding your education.

But the benefits go beyond just convenience and cost. Many of these programs are deeply integrated with the needs of industry, having been developed in close partnership with leading technology companies. The curricula are regularly updated to align with the latest tools and trends, ensuring you gain highly relevant, in-demand skills.

Another game-changer is the fact that you can preview many of the courses that make up these degrees for free on MOOC platforms before applying. Being able to test drive the content, delivery format, and instructional style is hugely advantageous for making an informed decision.

Of course, you still have to carefully research each program‘s specific requirements, which vary quite a bit in terms of prior education, work experience, standardized test scores, and application process. But in general, the admissions criteria are similar to equivalent on-campus degrees.

So without further ado, let‘s dive into 9 fully online master‘s degrees that you can earn from home, no classroom required. We‘ll explore the curriculum, cost, admissions process, and reasons to consider each program from the perspective of a professional software engineer.

1. Georgia Tech & Udacity – Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS)

When Georgia Tech first announced its online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS) program in partnership with Udacity back in 2013, it sent shockwaves through the world of higher education. For the first time, a top-tier U.S. university was offering a full graduate degree in a core technical field, completely online, for less than $7,000 in total cost.

Fast forward to today, and the program has grown to over 4,500 enrolled students as of Spring 2017, with over 200 students graduating in 2016 alone. Admission is highly competitive, with acceptance rates hovering around 15%.

The degree coursework is built off of Georgia Tech‘s existing for-credit MOOCs on Udacity, which leverage the platform‘s signature content delivery model of short, modular videos, embedded quizzes, and auto-graded coding assignments. Online students also gain access to additional services like proctored exams, TA support, and official transcripts.

For experienced software engineers, the OMSCS offers an chance to go deep on advanced computing topics like machine learning, AI, computer vision, and high-performance computing. Students can tailor their course of study through 4 different specializations: Computational Perception & Robotics, Computing Systems, Interactive Intelligence, and Machine Learning.

While 100% online, the program is no cakewalk. Expect to devote 15-20 hours per week to watching lectures, reading textbooks, completing projects, and preparing for exams. Most students take 1-2 courses per semester and finish the 10-course degree within 2-3 years total.

Whether you‘re looking to accelerate your career, re-tool for the latest wave of software engineering jobs, or pursue cutting-edge research, Georgia Tech‘s OMSCS is a fantastic option at an unbeatable price point. It‘s a true pioneer in delivering elite computer science education at scale.

2. Georgia Tech & edX – Online Master of Science in Analytics

Building off the success of its OMSCS degree with Udacity, Georgia Tech recently launched a second at-scale online graduate program. But this time the partner is edX, and the focus is on the red-hot field of data analytics.

Costing under $10k in total tuition, the Online Master of Science in Analytics (OMS Analytics) aims to produce the next generation of data scientists and business analysts. It‘s an interdisciplinary program spanning operations research, statistics, computing, and business domains.

One of the most innovative aspects of the degree is a "MicroMasters" certificate offered through edX. By completing 3 free online intro courses in analytics and paying a nominal fee for verified certificates, anyone can earn transferrable academic credit before officially applying to the degree. If admitted, that MicroMasters counts for 25% of the full master‘s.

This model gives learners a risk-free way to test their aptitude for graduate-level study and get a head start on degree progress. It‘s a win-win for both students and the university.

The OMS Analytics also boasts an impressive lineup of corporate partners, including AT&T, Accenture, IBM, and GE. Capstone projects with industry clients are baked into the curriculum, giving students valuable real-world experience.

For software engineers looking to move into data science roles, this program offers an efficient and cost-effective path to gain essential skills in statistics, machine learning, business intelligence, and more. The combination of academic rigor with practical industry relevance makes it a very compelling option.

3. University of Illinois & Coursera – iMBA (Master of Business Administration)

In 2015, University of Illinois made headlines by partnering with Coursera to launch the first fully online MBA (or "iMBA") from a top business school. At around $22,000 in total tuition, it comes in at a fraction of the cost of most traditional MBAs.

The iMBA curriculum is built around a series of Coursera "Specializations," which are shorter sequences of online courses focused on specific skill sets. These Specializations are open to anyone, but iMBA students get additional live virtual sessions with faculty, group projects, and personalized support.

For software engineers and other tech professionals, an MBA can be a great way to build business acumen and pick up new leadership skills to complement your technical expertise. The iMBA covers foundational management topics like marketing, finance, strategy, and entrepreneurship.

While 100% online, the program emphasizes peer interaction through synchronous global classrooms and team-based assignments. There‘s also a series of three on-campus immersions focused on challenges facing companies in high-demand fields like digitization, globalization, and innovation.

With 3 cohort start dates per year, accelerated scheduling options, and performance-based admissions that waive standardized test requirements for qualified applicants, the iMBA offers a great deal of flexibility. For tech professionals looking to rapidly scale the corporate ladder, it‘s definitely worth considering.

4. University of Illinois & Coursera – Master of Computer Science in Data Science (MCS-DS)

Following on the success of its iMBA launch, University of Illinois has doubled down on MOOC-based online graduate programs. Its latest offering on Coursera is a Master of Computer Science in Data Science (MCS-DS), which aims to prepare the next generation of data scientists and analysts.

The program brings together world-class faculty from across computer science, statistics, information science, and the social sciences. That interdisciplinary approach is reflected in the curriculum, where students gain exposure to both the mathematical underpinnings of data science and the practical applications.

Over 32 credit hours, students dive deep into machine learning, data mining, cloud computing, statistics, visualization, and more. In true data science fashion, hands-on projects using real-world datasets are heavily emphasized.

Like the iMBA, the MCS-DS curriculum is built on Coursera Specializations that can either be taken standalone or combined for the full degree. This modular structure makes it easy for students to customize their learning and spread out costs.

The program targets both career-changers looking to break into data science and experienced practitioners aiming to formalize their skill set. Strong programming skills and an undergrad degree in CS, math, stats, or a related field are recommended but not strictly required.

For software engineers interested in moving into data science roles, getting a full Master‘s degree is probably overkill. But the program is still worth checking for anyone who wants a deeper academic foundation to complement their professional experience.

5. HEC Paris & Coursera – Master‘s in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OMIE)

Switching gears to the business side of things, HEC Paris (a top European b-school) recently launched a Master‘s in Innovation and Entrepreneurship on Coursera. At €20,000 (around $21k), it‘s comparable in cost to University of Illinois‘ iMBA.

As the name suggests, the degree focuses on the knowledge and skills needed to drive innovation – whether that means launching a startup, developing new products, or effecting change within a large organization.

The program kicks off with a 5-day in-person stint on the HEC Paris campus, followed by 18 months of online coursework, capped off with an independent final project. Course topics run the gamut from design thinking and new product development to digital transformation and social entrepreneurship.

One distinguishing feature of the program is an optional €5,000 certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship that can either be earned standalone or counted for credit towards the full €20,000 degree. It‘s an intriguing model that lets students test the waters before diving into the deep end.

For software engineers looking to build innovation and leadership skills, this offering from HEC Paris is worth a serious look. While not cheap, the school‘s global reputation and Coursera‘s online reach make for a powerful combination.

6. FutureLearn Degrees with Deakin University

FutureLearn, a UK-based MOOC platform owned by The Open University, recently made a big splash by announcing a full suite of online postgraduate degrees. They‘ve teamed up with Australia‘s Deakin University to launch 6 masters programs and 4 post-grad certificates, across topics like cyber security, IT, humanitarian aid, and more.

Having looked through the options, a few stood out as particularly relevant for software engineers:

• The Master of Cyber Security offers a deep dive into digital forensics, data analytics, system security, and org risk management. At £30,620 (around $35k) for 16 courses over 4-6 years, it‘s a serious investment. But for devs keen to specialize in security, it could be well worth it.

• On the more general side, there‘s the Master of IT at £10,706 (around $12k). Aimed at experienced IT professionals, it focuses on filling key skill gaps in communication, project management, emerging tech adoption, etc. The degree culminates in a portfolio that gets assessed for both academic and industry cred.

• Finally, the Master of Humanitarian Assistance caught my eye as an intriguing crossover option. Developed in partnership with Save the Children, it‘s all about leveraging technology for social impact on a global scale. At £23,012 (around $27k), it‘s not cheap. But using your coding skills to tackle humanitarian issues could be hugely rewarding.

One nice thing about FutureLearn‘s degree model is the ability to earn transferable certificates as you go. You can knock out a few courses, claim a postgrad certificate, and then decide whether to continue on with the full master‘s. That flexibility is definitely a plus.

The only downside is the relatively high price tag compared to some other online degrees we‘ve covered. But for specialized disciplines like cyber security, the total cost is still way less than equivalent on-campus programs.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to earning a legit master‘s degree online, software engineers have more options than ever before. From computer science fundamentals to data analytics mastery to niche specializations like cyber security, top universities are stepping up with innovative programs to meet industry demand.

The common threads among all the degrees we‘ve explored are lower costs, increased flexibility, and modular designs compared to traditional on-campus options. Many also incorporate real-world projects and valuable industry certifications to further boost your career prospects.

But perhaps the biggest game-changer is the deep integration with MOOCs and the wider world of free online learning. Being able to preview courses, earn transferable credit, and spread out costs through certificate programs makes investing in a full degree feel much less risky.

Of course, you still have to weigh the significant time commitment and out-of-pocket expense against your own career goals and learning needs. Graduate school is no joke – even when you can do it from the comfort of your living room.

For experienced software engineers, a full degree may be overkill, especially in a field where self-directed online learning can take you quite far. But if you‘re aiming to move into a more specialized technical role, transition to the business side of things, or stand out for competitive leadership positions, these programs are well worth exploring.

One thing‘s for sure: the future of graduate education is online. And from the looks of it, that future is going to include a lot more options for ambitious software engineers looking to level up their skills and credentials. Get ready for an exciting ride!