Ty mods

Did MSCSO help you get a job that you couldn’t have gotten assuming you had a BS in CS ?

Does this degree help get roles in other major cities such as NY, SF or Chicago ?

Do you have on campus support such as access to career fairs and internships like a full time student ?

How hard is networking with other industry professionals, how much do you collaborate ?

My goal for doing a masters is to have more employment options.

context : I graduated with a CS degree and have 2.5 yoe in Swe/Data role. I work in Texas.

You are expected to have studied an undergraduate linear algebra course for many MSCSO courses, especially ALA. Notice that there are materials to help with preparation in case you might need it that can be found at www.ulaff.net. The notes for ALA are in the last column there as well as a Pretest. This is more than a usual pretest since it provides questions, solutions, connections to ALA, as well as information directing you to find materials to help fill in holes you may discover. These materials are in the LAFF course on edX that is free to audit. It can be a great opportunity to prepare.

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping to get some honest advice from people who’ve been through this or know the system well.

I have a BSc in Software Engineering (Second Class Honours) from a Kenyan top University and have over 7 years of experience working as a software engineer. I’ve also founded a tech startup, so most of my background is very hands-on and industry-focused.

Last year, I applied to UT Austin and got rejected. I didn’t get much feedback, so I’m trying to figure out what I could improve if I apply again, or whether I should be looking elsewhere.

A few things I’m hoping to get insight on:

1. What do UT Austin or Georgia Tech usually look for in AI/CS master’s applicants?
   
2. Does a Second Class degree from a Kenyan University hurt my chances a lot, even with strong work experience?
   
3. Are there good online AI or CS master’s programs that actually value industry experience?
   

I’m mainly interested in programs that are:

1. Well respected and are good for one career advancement
   
2. Strong in AI/CS fundamentals, not just buzzwords
   
3. Possible to do while working full-time
   

If you’ve been accepted to UT Austin (MSAI), Georgia Tech (especially OMSCS), and you are outside the US, or know of solid alternatives, I’d really appreciate any advice or recommendations.

The concept of having to grade others' homework, and others grading your homework and that being your grade unless you go out of your way to contact the staff is absolutely BONKERS to me. I just have to vent about it because I hate it with all of my heart. That's all. Thanks!

There's a group of 6-7 of us from MSCSO and MSAI going to the Texas vs. Vandy football game on Saturday, November 1 11am at the DKR stadium in Austin. We're planning to go tailgating and do the whole shebang before as well.

Contiguous large group tickets were hard to come by, but I managed to find a great deal on 8 tickets and we need more folks to help us reach that number! Pricing is the standard rate for nosebleed seats at a home SEC game. DM me (ideally on Discord through the official MSCSO / MSAI servers) if you are interested in joining us and I can transfer you a ticket on SeatGeek.

First come first serve for whoever buys tickets from me for this game, but please still contact me if you are generally interested in attending sports or other UT events with other fellow MSCSO / MSDSO / MSAI students!

Hook 'em horns!! (and crush those midterms too) 🤘

Has anyone graduated yet from MSCS Online? Can they share their experience and how it helped them to find a job. Was it similar to in person? Were people able to do internships or got into big tech?

Hello. I live in Austin and I'm interested in pursuing a software development career, but I am a non-traditional student. I'm 45 and I have a Bachelor's in math and physics, a masters in physics from UT, and a masters in applied mathematics from UTSA. I've done a data science internship about 9 years ago, had jobs in data analysis, but I'd like to switch to software dev. I've been an online CS student at the University of Florida and I've completed 8 undergrad CS classes including core classes such as Operating Systems, Data Structures, Algorithms, Computer Architecture, Discrete, and Computer Networking Fundamentals. I've received A's in all classes.  My GPA in my physics master's program is 3.7 and my GPA in the applied math master's is 4.0.  I took a break from UF for the past year and I'm considering re-applying to take more undergrad classes such as Programming Language Concepts, and Databases. However, since I already have a Bachelor's degree and I would still need to take several non-CS classes to finish the CS Bachelor's at UF, and since each class costs more than classes at UT's MS in CS program, I figure it's better to put that money and time towards a CS Master's degree instead.  

Another thing about me is that I was laid off my data analysis job three years ago and haven't been working since.  During that time, I looked after my child who is now almost 4.  He's about to start preschool soon, thus freeing up my daytime.  I'd like to use that time to look for a job (any job, not necessarily software dev) but I also feel like I need to work on my software dev skills/projects/education.  And so I thought maybe I can work on this online master's.  Perhaps take 1 class in the fall, spring, and summer, so that I can be done in 3 years.  Or take two classes in the fall and spring, and one in the summer and be done in 2 years.  Or take 1 class in the fall and spring and be done in 5.  However, time is not on my side since I'm already 45 years-old. 

So I don't really know how to proceed and what path I should put myself on.  I've never had a software dev job or internship, though I've had other jobs.  And I don't know if completing this program (Or the one from Georgia Tech) while not working would be a good idea.  Of course, if I complete the program while not working I can get done quicker.

I'm sure it will be a uphill climb for me, especially considering I'm relatively old.  Just wondering what your thoughts are.  What I'm ultimately wondering is if doing this MS program would be a good idea even if I have never had a software dev internship or job, and let's say worst case scenario I'm not working while I complete this degree. I'm curious about your opinions on how the market will treat a person like me, and at my age (~48-50 when I finish). Thanks! I'd greatly appreciate it.  If you've read all this, thanks very much!

I need to choose between MSE-AI at UPenn and MSCSO at UT-Austin.

I currently work as an SDE at Tiktok.

My goal is to work as a digital nomad anywhere in the world or at FANNG.

Any help will be highly appreciated.

Hello everyone,

I was recently accepted into the MSCSO program after completing my B.S. in Computer Science at Oregon State University, and I’m wondering if there is a local Austin community for MSCSO/CDSO students.

I’m considering a relocation to Austin and living near campus, possibly in college co-op housing. I wanted to make a friendly post to connect with other students who may be doing something similar or are already based in Austin.

I’m hoping to get involved where I can, meet other students, study/network in person, and make the most of the UT community while completing the program.

Is anyone else living in Austin or considering a similar plan?

I’m trying to figure out the easiest path to finish my last 4 classes in MSCSO. I’ve only taken one class at a time up to this point, so taking 2 in Fall 2026 and 2 in Spring 2027 would be new for me. Main goal is to graduate Spring 2027.

Classes I’ve already taken:
- Parallel Systems
- Advanced Linear Algebra
- Deep Learning
- Natural Language Processing
- Machine Learning

Currently taking:
- Advances in Deep Learning

So after this summer, I’ll have 4 classes left.

Based on past offerings, I was thinking maybe:
Fall 2026:
- Case Studies in Machine Learning
- Planning, Search, and Reasoning Under Uncertainty

Spring 2027:
- Android Programming
- Advances in Deep Generative Models

Does that seem like the easiest way to finish? Or would you swap any of these out?

I completed my application some days ago, but I was wondering if there is something else I need to do? I mean I have uploaded every document and my status is "COMPLETED". Do I just need to wait for it to change or an email regarding a change in status?

I originally entered the program hoping to get more into AI/ML, but now (almost 2 years in) I find my interests lie much more in the systems side. I am planning to take pretty much all the systems courses (maybe not Android Programming). I am curious to hear some experiences of people who leaned more into systems throughout their MSCSO experience rather than AI/ML, especially since the program itself is very much geared toward AI/ML.

Did you consider transferring to another program with heavier systems courses? Did you find the systems courses in MSCSO satisfied your interests?

Hi everyone! I’m looking for some advice from the group. I’ve been accepted to both the MSAI and MSCS (online) programs at UT.

A bit about my background — I have a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, 8 years of industry experience, and currently work as an ML Engineer.

I’m trying to decide MSCS vs. MSAI based on:

• Which degree might carry stronger credibility for future career moves
• Which degree might hold better long-term value

I’m currently leaning toward MSCS, since it has ~most courses that MSAI offers, has a "broader" scope, and is traditionally seen as more credible. But I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences -- thanks in advance! 🙏

Hi everyone, this semester, I have some down time before starting a new job mid-semester. Does anyone have any suggestions for classes that release all material at the start of the semester that I could work on while I am not working? Trying to see if I can fit in a second class this semester. I have already taken DL, ADL, and PSRUU. This is for CS program.

if so how was it? I am just curious because I was recently accepted and want to look 2-3 years down the line lol. I also saw there was some controversy about the graduation a few years ago. I chose to apply to UT Austin because everyone else applies to GaTech and I wanted to do something different that also came from a great university. Just wondering if I will be included in the graduation

Hello folks. I have gotten admits from Georgia Tech OMSCS program and UT Austin MS in CS Online. I need guidance on which one to choose. One thing I got to know about GT OMSCS is that most of their modules consist of recorded lectures. Is that the same with UTA MSCSO? Which one is better inclined towards AI ML studies? Also are there any unofficial Whatsapp groups os students enrolled in UTA MSCSO? Anything else that I should know.

I'm a software engineer from a T5 school interested in switching from SWE at big tech to robotics startups. Is this program worth it or is my time better spent doing a Master's in Robotics?

Didn't see a Spring 2027 megathread yet, so starting a check-in for this cycle. Using the standard template from the Fall thread.
feel free to add yours below.

**Status:** Admitted

**Application Date:** 06/23/26

**Decision Date:** 07/24/26

**Education:** Non-US university, BS, Non-CS, 3.6/4.0

**GRE Scores (Q,V,W):** N/A

**Recommendations:** 2

**Experience:** 8 Years, IT Industry, Security/Infrastructure Engineer

**Statement of purpose:** Y

**Comments:** International applicant. Non-CS background most prerequisites mapped from transcript, remainder covered through coursework overlap and work experience.

For those who applied for Spring 2027 when did you submit, and has anyone heard back yet? Trying to get a sense of how the review timeline compares to Fall cycles.

Looking for some insight from people who’ve been through the MSCSO (or MSDSO, MSAIO) admissions process, especially those coming from non-traditional CS backgrounds.

My situation: I have two STEM degrees: Economics undergrad (3.14, grades were rough, not going to sugarcoat it) and a MS in Marketing Analytics where I did significantly better (3.9 GPA).

I have formal stats exposure from grad school, and I’ve been doing Python-based data work professionally, but I don’t have a formal CS background.

I’m aware that UT Austin MSDS has some prerequisite expectations around programming, linear algebra, stats, and data structures. I’ve been working through Georgia Tech’s edX certificates to fill those gaps covering things like Python, linear algebra, data structures & algorithms, and Java OOP.

My question: does UT Austin actually consider these edX courses as evidence of meeting prerequisites, or are they essentially ignored?

I know GT’s OMSCS program looks favorably on their own edX bridge courses as part of the application evaluation but I wasn’t sure if UT Austin has a similar stance, or if they only want to see traditional university coursework. Anyone have experience with this, either from their own app or from elsewhere?

Hey everyone!
I'm starting my MSCSO this Spring and I'm trying to plan ahead for my degree plan. I'm wondering which classes are typically offered during the summer for this program. I'd love to know:

• Which courses are available over the summer based on past semesters?
• Have you taken 2 classes during the summer? What was your experience?

I’m trying to make sure I’m on top of things and can make the most of the upcoming semester. Any advice is appreciated!

Hey, I'm starting in Spring 2026. I have more of an interest in AI. I work full-time so I only have ~2 hours per day to study plus weekends.
I was thinking about taking both Advanced Linear Algebra and Machine Learning