According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2021 nearly 2.7 million people worked in computing and information technology, a labor market projected to grow “much faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032.” Continued advances in computing capabilities and power portend continued boom times for the computing labor market.Â
To qualify for the industry’s top jobs (and the attractive salaries they typically command), you will need an advanced skill set and expert knowledge; the BLS reports that 30 percent of computing and information technology professionals hold an advanced degree. Earning a master’s degree in computer science can help you gain the expertise and experience necessary to advance your career, pivot into a new field, or specialize in in-demand technologies.Â
At Tufts University, you can earn your Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) online without relocating or putting your professional development on hold. Continue reading to discover what online students should expect from the Tufts online MSCS program.
Advance Your Career With a Valued Computer Science Degree
Build Cross-Disciplinary Computing Skills
Degree Advantages: Why Students Choose to Learn Online
The more students know about online learning, the more popular it grows. Remote online study delivers several prominent benefits. They include:
- Accessibility: You can earn your degree from anywhere.
- Flexibility: Most online master’s programs cater to working professionals, allowing you to study part time and after hours.
- Continued professional development: As an online student, you can continue working (and earning a salary) while earning your degree. You can also apply what you learn immediately in a real-world setting.
- Networking opportunities: Online degree programs attract students from across the country, enabling you to expand your professional network significantly.
- Affordability: Studying online is often more cost-effective as you don’t have to spend money on transportation or accommodations.
- Time savings: Not having to commute to and from campus means more time to study and attend to other essential responsibilities.
Curriculum Insights: What Will You Learn Online at Tufts?
At Tufts, you can enjoy the benefits of online learning integrated into a world-class curriculum and program design. The MS in Computer Science program is 100 percent online. Most students complete the program in less than two years.
The Tufts online MSCS curriculum aligns with the needs of today’s tech industry, preparing graduates for advanced specialist roles. These roles include computer and information research scientist, database engineer, information security manager, artificial intelligence specialist, and machine learning engineer. The curriculum spans disciplines and equips students with the core principles, fundamental concepts, and critical theories necessary to excel in these dynamic fields.
The four-course core curriculum covers algorithms, computation theory, software engineering, and operating systems or security. In addition to these requirements, students either choose four electives and complete a two-course capstone project or opt to complete six elective courses. Electives cover such in-demand skills as big data, database systems, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and web programming. Students who pursue the capstone option complete a hands-on culminating project, demonstrating their mastery through project planning, design, implementation, testing, and presentation of their projects to faculty and peers.
Deep Dive: Explore the Tufts Computer Science Learning Experience
At Tufts University, how you learn matters as much to program leadership as what you learn. Tufts online students access the same faculty and course content as on-campus students. The only difference lies in the presentation. Online MSCS students fully immerse themselves in the Tufts community through interactive online learning experiences. Students attend real-time virtual classes where they collaborate with innovative faculty and a diverse cohort of peers. Small class sizes encourage engagement. Students can also speak to faculty during live online office hours.Â
Outside of real-time virtual classes, online MSCS students complete self-paced asynchronous learning modules. Tufts computer science faculty members lead the learning modules, bringing course topics to life through engaging multimedia content and instruction. Students can access the learning modules anytime through the Canvas Learning Management System. Tufts online students also benefit from access to various student support services, including faculty advisors, tech support, and career services.
Reach Your Career Goals with an Online Master’s in Computer Science That Works for You
An MSCS program can help you accelerate your computer science career by upgrading the skills and expertise needed to achieve your goals. At Tufts, you can earn your computer science master’s degree online in a flexible setting while still benefiting from an industry-relevant curriculum and guidance from renowned computer science professionals.Â
To learn more about the Tufts online MSCS, attend one of our online events or connect with an enrollment advisor for one-on-one guidance. Interested in computer science but don’t have prior experience? Explore our post-baccalaureate certificate program.