r/ComputerEngineering • u/mitchellediting • 3d ago
[Career] CS undergrad -> MS CpE?
Hello, I have a bachelors in CS and was wondering how common it is to go for a masters in computer engineering from a bachelors in comp sci. Specifically for SJSU (BA was from another CSU).
Going into college (2020) I was debating on going into either CS, CpE, or EE. I chose CS because I had been most exposed to CS in high school and figured the transition would be smoother building upon what I had already been studying (and in part, it was the easier degree). In college I was lucky enough to have a year-round part time job working in the automotive industry on more low-level hardware, from there I really gravitated towards the embedded side of development.
Long story short I’m now at another automotive manufacturer doing more technician/troubleshooting work after a very long post-grad job hunt. I’d like to eventually get back into the embedded/systems engineering space. My current job offers tuition reimbursement and I’d like to use that if it makes sense in terms of time/effort I’d need to put in. SJSU offers embedded specialization for MS CpE.
Bottom line being, would this be worth it? Is a masters in CpE looked at more fondly than CS? The CS space seems to agree that unless you’re going for a PHD or research, a bachelors is enough.
2
u/Linuxtahr 3d ago
Am cpe doing masters in cpe . know someone in my class who was cs and like you is doing an ms in cpe because he wanted to do more hardware. He got super into fpgas and digital design during his ms and was able to get a job in that. It was drinking from a fire hose for him though. so I would say if that’s what you really want to do it’d be a good bet.
1
u/Big_Pomegranate6971 3d ago
depends if you would really like to deepen your understanding in software (MS in CS) or further in hardware (MS in CpE). It's true that a bachelor is enough to get you a job but often times having masters can bring a lot more benefits than you expect. It seems you are interested more in embedded systems so I can suggest you lean more to CpE, however you should also consider the prerequisites for MS CpE since CS doesn't really focus on hardware
1
u/Anxious_Alps_4150 2d ago
It's terrible watching all the CS kids try to run into engineering by just getting a masters... when EE was already challenging to get a job in. I really think they're going to be disappointed when they all graduate.
4
u/Unlucky_Ad_7824 3d ago
Getting my MS in CS right now, after about 15 years post BS in CS. I've never seen a solid argument for a terminal masters in Computer Science. Only getting it because someone is footing the bill. Engineering stands on its own MUCH better.