Is Northeastern University MSCS Align worth it for someone already working as an ML/Software Engineer?
Hi everyone,
I'm a 25-year-old from India with a non-technical background (BBA, 3-year bachelor's degree). Despite that, I managed to transition into tech and have been working as an ML/Software Engineer for the past 3 years at a well-known company. My work involves building production-level software systems and machine learning applications.
Although my career has gone well, I've often felt like I missed out by not having a formal Computer Science education. I sometimes struggle with imposter syndrome when working alongside colleagues who have CS degrees, even though I'm able to perform well in my role.
Because of this, I applied to several master's programs in Canada, ranging from highly competitive to less competitive universities. Unfortunately, I was rejected by all of them, mainly due to my 3-year bachelor's degree and non-STEM academic background.
The only offer I received was for the Northeastern University MS in Computer Science (Align) program at Khoury College.
I'm now trying to decide whether it's the right choice, and I'd love to hear from current students, alumni, or anyone familiar with the program.
A few questions:
- Is the MSCS Align program worth it for someone who already has 3 years of industry experience as an ML/Software Engineer?
- Since I already have hands-on experience building production software and ML systems, how valuable is the curriculum likely to be? My primary goal is to strengthen my CS fundamentals, fill in knowledge gaps, and gain the confidence that comes with a formal CS education.
- What is the student profile like?
- How diverse are the academic backgrounds (business, humanities, engineering, etc.)?
- What's the typical level of work experience?
- Are there many students from non-STEM backgrounds?
- For graduates of the program, do you feel it was worth the time and financial investment?
- Did it significantly improve your career opportunities, particularly in software engineering, machine learning, or AI?
I'm looking for honest opinions—the good, the bad, and anything you wish you had known before enrolling.
Thanks so much for your time!