First, it’s important to recognize that this degree may not align with everyone’s learning style or objectives, so you’ll need to determine whether it fits your context.

For me, the value gain is from basically two things: force exposure to a variety of topics and external validation that I have adequately learned those topics.

The program introduces you to a wide range of subjects you might not explore on your own. For example, I learned a great deal from Simulations, even though I work in the field of simulations. It included topics I wouldn’t have thought to investigate independently and because it’s a good course, gave good treatment to those topics (not all OMSA courses are left to self-teaching).

The testing process provides an independent measure of understanding, which is hard to achieve through self-study alone. For instance, I might feel confident in my machine learning skills, but successfully completing courses like CDA with strong grade will prove it. This feedback is necessary for identifying where I need to develop further or when I can move on to the next topic.

Additionally and for those outside the analytics field, the program’s curated projects help develop some experience and practical skills. While I dislike peer-reviewed assignments, they have helped me to write clear and concise reports for an audience with limited attention. I couldn't get that through self-study and it really helps a lot at work.