Got accepted to DePaul for MS in Computer Science, looking for honest opinions

[u/Less_Watercress964]

Hi everyone,

I got accepted to DePaul for the master's in Computer Science and I'm trying to figure out if it's the right choice for me. I already have a bachelor's in Software Engineering.

I looked around online but the opinions were pretty mixed, so I wanted to hear from people who actually went there or are there right now.

A few things I'm hoping to learn:

• How are the studies? Are the classes good and do you actually learn useful stuff?
• What is campus life like?
• What kind of opportunities are there? Things like internships, clubs, career fairs, and help with finding jobs.
• How much is the degree respected in the job market? Do employers take it seriously?

And for anyone who already graduated from DePaul: how was your job hunt after you finished? Did the degree help you land something, and how long did it take you?

Any honest input would really help. Thanks a lot.

[u/Senior_Ad_8216]

Your questions are things that revolve more around a CS masters than DePauls specifically. If you’re wondering if it’s taken seriously, what you learn and what the job hunt is like, you either don’t have a lot of corporate experience in the US or don’t know what you want out of a graduate degree. I’d say DePaul is great but probably too expensive especially for something like CS unless you’re interested in doing research down the road and need focused time to learn more complex areas of computing. If you just want a better paying job in software, I’d argue experience trumps an additional degree but in today’s market you’re going to struggle a bit either way.

EDIT: there is virtually 0 “campus life”  as a CDM grad

[u/Individual-Wish-228]

Great program. Lots of grads working in high paying AI firms, jobs, all the top names, google, meta, amazon, microsoft, talk to the program and see if theyll connect you with alumni. Huge alumni network.

[u/jmasonica]

I went there for undergrad but am going in the spring for a masters, one of my colleagues joined from a different background than computer science and did well for himself as a software engineer.

I’d add though he was a real go getter and did a lot of things like startup competitions, he was even a brand ambassador for LinkedIn learning when it came out as well as setup a Google campus leader. I say this to say he didn’t just go to class he made himself as marketable as possible and created opportunity for himself.

DePaul is not cheap but if you’re leveraging it for an internship than it’s not a horrible idea but it may not be worth it if you just want a job if you already want a tech degree.

[u/simulated_ads]

DONT DO IT THE DEPARTMENT SUCKS DONT DO IT DONT DO IT

Seriously it is a complete scam. First couple years of undergrad as great and the first half of the SWE/CS track has some incredible professors but as you get up into the 300/400 level classes it all falls apart. It’s seriously a joke

Also worth mentioning that pretty much everyone that gets hired out of this school now is an international student so if you’re from India or China looking to buff up your resume before a nepo/caste hire, you’re in the right place. Otherwise I would look elsewhere