[nathansmith]

"Who cares if you have an undergraduate degree when you have a masters?"

I'd turn that around and ask: "Who cares if you have a masters, if you have requisite experience?"

Ultimately, undergraduate and masters level degrees are just pieces of paper without the career track record to show for it.

Personally, I'd hire the individual who's smart and can get stuff done, who spent a comparative amount of time building his/her skill-set, than someone who spent the same number of years in a classroom doing instructor-driven tasks.

And, for what it's worth, I have both an undergraduate and masters degree (though neither in software or CS).

[rudenoise]

I'd like a master's degree because I enjoy learning and learning makes you better at the tasks you apply it to. I can earn good money with or without it, but taking the time to truly expand my CS knowledge (at an age where I can truly appreciate it, not the case when I got my degree) would be fulfilling.

A course like this would suit me while I continue with a job that pays the mortgage.

Edit: having read the course description it does seem geared towards career development. A more academic approach would appeal more.