[XenophileJKO]

They require a previous undergraduate degree, which is a no go for me. I'm already a high level software engineer at a top tier company. I have no desire to go back and take an undergraduate degree. But I do like collecting certificates... Currently taking Udacity's self-driving nano-degree, pretty fun for someone with no robotics background.

[jedberg]

How closely do they check the undergrad degree? Some second rate universities will trade you a degree for experience plus cash. Most of them are non-accredited though.

[alnitak]

Do you happen to know any accredited university or institution that would do that? Maybe with some examinations?

[dsacco]

I don't think any actual accredited university would allow you to "test out" of an entire four year degree, let alone simply buy it because you have comparable experience.

[dsacco]

You might be interested to know that it's possible to enter a Master's program without completing a Bachelor's degree. This is not openly advertised, but I am aware that even universities with high signaling value like CMU and Oxford are open to this arrangement.

[grayshirts]

In general Masters in CS programs require either a BS in CS or coursework in areas like operating systems, data structures, algorithms, computability/complexity etc. These courses generally have prereqs such as 1-2 semesters worth of programming courses, discrete math etc. Someone without a CS background most likely would not be accepted to a standard MS program.

[aerioux]

i'm sorry but this is not correct. CS Masters programs are more money-making then credential caring. Georgia Tech's MS as well as CMU's both accept non-CS traditional backgrounds.

This is trivially verifiable on linkedin. That said they do require high ugrad GPAs frequently.

Source: Knowing Georgia Tech Phd TA's and being a CMU TA for Master's classes

[grayshirts]

> Georgia Tech's MS as well as CMU's both accept non-CS traditional backgrounds.

There are exceptions but in general CS Masters programs look for sufficient coursework/background in Computer Science and Mathematics. An art major with 0 math/programming courses will find it difficult to be accepted to a Masters program in CS.

[dsacco]

Yes, of course. But that's moving the goalposts a bit. When I originally made my point, it was to another commenter here who is presumably a self-taught software engineer without an undergraduate degree, not an "art major."

For other commenters reading this thread down the line: my point here is that yes, while it's an exception, it isn't exactly stunningly difficult to get admitted to a good CS graduate program without an undergraduate degree. You don't need to be a prodigy who is so inarguably talented that you're just skipping the bachelor's. You'd be shocked what you can bypass by convincing a real human with decision making ability that you can do the work, instead of relying on every rote admissions page.

Admissions pages for graduate degrees are like job posts - almost all say they want an undergraduate degree at minimum, but when you open the kimono many are willing to silently drop that requirement without advertising it to others.

[aerioux]

again i disagree - i know for a fact of cs masters students with undergrad degrees in biology, neuroscience, and humanities (though with high gpas in those)

[ajdlinux]

One of my colleagues dropped out of his undergraduate degree and went back to do his Masters in his 40s. Given his experience as an operating systems architect in the meantime it's not surprising he was accepted without a bachelor's degree.

[dsacco]

For posterity's sake, do you mind telling us which university it was? Or at least what "tier" university it was?

In my experience I've found (ironically), that it's generally the more reputable universities that are actually willing to do this, because "celebrity" (and I use that word very loosely) professors can talk a promising graduate student in over admissions department's veto at those institutions.

[dsacco]

I am directly familiar with students accepted to CMU and Oxford for CS graduate programs (and other universities, but they aren't as noteworthy) without a Bachelor's degree. It's true that they had a CS background, but they demonstrated that with experience and one or two specific Coursera courses in areas that were lacking.

[grayshirts]

My comment was aimed more for someone without a CS background entirely. If you have sufficient CS preparation, then of course you can be admitted to a MS program (assuming you satisfy whatever other departmental admission requirements). I'm sure there are exceptions out there/programs that accept non-traditional students. Even if you lack a CS background (assuming you already have an undergraduate degree), you can make it up in postbac programs and the like.

[XenophileJKO]

Thank you for the information. I had thought this was possible. In my initial queries to several institutions, they did not seem receptive at all even with extensive experience and solid knowledge back fill. I think I probably just didn't talk to the right people at the time.

[sqldba]

Any undergrad degree or only CS ones?