#What are possible curriculum designs suitable for people changing fields into Computer Science.
Assume that a person holds an undergraduate degree in some field other than CS, perhaps not even a technical field (art, music, ...). What sorts of curricula are available to such people if they want to become CS professionals.
- Note (caveat). I would ask this question primarily so that I can answer it. I have a few different designs but others may have more.
##Possible Answers
- A residential program at an established college or university. The program could be at an undergraduate or (preferably) a post-graduate level.
This is an expensive option, of course and it requires your presence, but it has the following benefits: You study with a group of scholars including faculty and other students. You have immediate access to a research library. You get an established credential upon completion.
- A partial face-to-face and partial online program with an established institution. A typical program might require your presence on-site for one or two days a month.
This option might be somewhat lower cost, though travel and lodging must be considered. It has most of the advantages of a full residential program but permits you to have a life elsewhere, though a busy one. However, don't consider such a program to be "part time." It can be very intensive, requiring daily communication (via the internet) with classmates and faculty. There are programs that require face-to-face interactions for longer periods (say in the summer) but less frequently, though these are probably less likely to be suitable for someone who must maintain employment while studying.
- Something like a full on-line program. This could be run by a university or a profit-making institution.
This gives you the most freedom of location and has (probably) the lowest cost, but you may not end up with a suitable credential, depending on the sponsor. It also gives you almost no access to the "community of scholars" that many consider important in learning. It is surprising how important a "coffee room" is to an academic department. Without the community of scholars you need to be completely self motivated as you get little support from colleagues within the process.