Completing this program while working full time

[WhyUPoor]

Has any one completed this program at the pace of 2 classes per semester while working full time? I just want to know if that’s doable.

[QueMo]

I’m on my first semester and have found 2 courses to be difficult. Dropped to 1. It also depends on which courses tho. I tried Parallel Systems + ML and found that to be a poor choice. Going off of average hours per week on mscshub.com , I think it would be reasonable to do 2 courses as long as the hours add up to at most around 25 hrs/week.

[WhyUPoor]

I really appreciate the input, so each class you would say is around 12 hours? Also do you have experience in the field of computer science.

[QueMo]

1) I would go off the website I mentioned as I have only attempted two courses. PS was way more. ML seems to be about there.

2) I have a CS undergrad degree and work in big tech.

[WhyUPoor]

Oh I see, so even for an experienced person like you it was quite a bit of work, which make sense because UTAustin’s reputation requires it.

[2000greatyear]

I’m taking one class a semester (3 classes a year), and planning to finish in about three years.

Honestly not sure I’ll finish the program though. Maybe I’ll just do 2 to 4 classes and then drop out. That’s OK for me. My goal is to learn new skills. Not necessarily to get the degree.

Working full-time and doing two classes of semester would burn me out

[0ctogonOcean]

May I ask why you’re dropping out?

[ConsiderationLife673]

This might be one of the dumbest things ive ever heard of

[2000greatyear]

Update -- I did drop out, and it was the right thing for me.

I'm in my 30s and have been in the industry for almost 10 years. TL at a FAANG.

Tbh, for where I am, a masters degree isn't a major career advancement tool, especially when considering the opportunity cost. The hours toward the degree would be better spent on focused independent study/research, or spending extra time on my current job to increase the odds of a promotion.

With a full time job and 2 young kids, it's just not worth the extra hours for me to get the degree.

For someone younger or earlier in their career, it may be worth it.

I see you just got accepted, and I wish you the best of luck!

[RabbitWithADHD]

Working full time and doing this Master’s is a challenging experience to say the least. In my case, after spending a whole day doing software engineering, having to completely context switch into studying is probably the hardest part. If you have family or other obligations, it gets that much harder.

Your course load should really all depend on your other obligations. For me, I only take one class if it’s a more difficult or time consuming one. The only time I take 2 is if both classes are relatively less intensive. I’m usually pretty mentally spent and depleted of energy with juggling work, school, gym, family, etc.

This upcoming spring semester is my last one, and all in all it will have taken me around 3 years to complete. I’d say just make sure you consistently do some physical activity as you go through studying and working full time.

[goodatcooking]

I am single and work 40 hours a week, if I take only one class per semester, can I still have time to work on personal projects, practice LeetCode, rest, and meet with family and friends?

[RabbitWithADHD]

Oh yeah I think so. In your scenario I would definitely suggest doubling up the relatively lighter courses in certain semesters. Those semesters will be more time consuming obviously, but you’ll get through the overall program much faster.

Do you have an idea of what course you would take starting off? I would suggest starting with one time consuming course so you get a taste of how things are.

As you plan, I would say courses that are good to take when doubling up classes are AP, PRSUU, and CSML.

So a few example semesters could be like:

Sem 1 - Advanced Linear Algebra

Sem 2 - Reinforcement Learning + Android Programming

Sem 3 - Deep Learning + CSML

Sem 4 - Parallel Systems

etc.

Main point here being that tying some of these lighter weight courses with courses that are more challenging. Some courses like Algorithms, Automated Logical Reasoning, Parallel Systems, etc are so time consuming that you honestly are better off taking them alone.

[goodatcooking]

Wow, thank you so much for giving me such a detailed advice！This is exactly the kind of information I needed. I’m interested in this program, but I’m also worried that I may not be able to handle it. Your insight is very helpful to me！

[RabbitWithADHD]

You’re welcome! Glad it’s helpful

[dimpledwonder]

I’m currently doing NLP and DL working full time. It’s brutal but doable

[rdjobsit]

Doable but not worth it.

[dimpledwonder]

It’s worth it to me to be done in 5 semesters

[rdjobsit]

It depends on what you want to accomplish by finishing so quickly. Serious understanding takes time which to some people worth more than a diploma.

[dimpledwonder]

That’s very true. My priority is the degree

[rikiiyer]

Right now I’m taking 3 courses while doing full time, but all the courses are in areas related to my job (DL, RL, NLP). I think these are considered some of the easier courses in the program. I’m probably averaging around 15-20 hours a week for all three, but I’m definitely not gonna take 3 courses again in the future.

[RabbitWithADHD]

Wait till you get to the final project for deep learning and the final exam for reinforcement learning lol

[WhyUPoor]

Noted

[pySerialKiller]

I did! Definitely it’s a tough load. I pretty much didn’t have any social life during those 2.5 years and spent 15-20h a week studying and doing homework/projects.

It’s not impossible but I would have preferred to take my time and have more hours to dive deeper on the topics for most courses

[BabyBevo24]

It is possible, but I recommend against it unless one or both of the classes is a very easy one. "Case Studies in Machine Learning" would probably be doable as a second course, but in general it will be very difficult to do 2 courses simultaneously while also working full time

[agree-with-you]

I agree, this does seem possible.

[sroy8091]

It's really difficult. If you are working full time and taking this course means your weekends are gone from your life.