Is an online MS in CS/DS (GT OMSCS or UTA) a viable path into tech from a non-CS background?
I have a BS in Agricultural Economics from a university outside the US. I'm now in the US and trying to figure out the best path into tech/IT/CS — ideally landing an industry role, with the longer-term goal of possibly applying to a CS PhD program down the road.
Due to location constraints, applying to in-person MS programs (which would give me more flexibility on acceptance odds) isn't really an option right now. So I've been looking at affordable, well-regarded online options:
- Georgia Tech OMSCS (~$8.5K total)
- UT Arlington online MS CS / Data Science (~$10K)
My questions:
For someone with a non-CS undergrad from abroad, is one of these online MS degrees a realistic investment to break into tech in the US?
Would it actually help me get interviews, or would I still be screened out without CS undergrad/work experience?
If a CS PhD is a long-term goal, does an online MS like GT OMSCS carry enough weight for PhD admissions, or do I need on-campus thesis research for that?
Anything I should be doing alongside the degree (open-source, internships, projects) to make this actually work?
Any honest takes appreciated — including "don't bother" if that's the real answer.