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So I just finished my MS in Bioinformatics at Johns Hopkins University and completed it 100% online. The program is meant for working professionals and there we

by dikdik 11y ago

So I just finished my MS in Bioinformatics at Johns Hopkins University and completed it 100% online. The program is meant for working professionals and there were also students taking classes both on-campus and online, and students taking all classes on-campus. I'm on the job hunt now, really hoping people do not frown on the degree. However, I would still look curiously at someone who received a doctorate online.

pc86 11y ago
You're probably in a great position in that your institution is very well known and well regarded, obviously not 100% online, and even the program is not 100% online. Unless you mention it or you've got concurrent employment several states away, it's unlikely anyone would know you completed it online. I'm not saying online PhDs should be the norm, or even shouldn't be questioned, but doing something for 30 hours a week over 5 years at a computer shouldn't on its face be worthless compared to doing the same thing for 60 hours a week over 2.5 years in a school building.
Nrsolis 11y ago
How did you like the JHU program? I'm genuinely curious about the rigor and experience with the school.
- dikdik 11y ago
  I enjoyed the program for the most part. I come from a life sciences background and found the biology based courses to be slightly boring/review. The CS courses were definitely challenging for me, I only had minor programming experience in Python going in. However, I would avoid doing it 100% online if possible. Courses that were review for me and/or did not require detailed discussion I would not mind taking online again. The harder courses are a different story, as well as courses that require extensive discussion. It is really difficult to troubleshoot complex problems over blackboard.
  - Nrsolis 11y ago
    I was looking at the CS Masters program. I have a strong desire to acquire a foundation in information security. I was looking at their cybersecurity program as an adjunct to the CS program. How was the actual administration of the program? I find that your experience with the administration can drastically alter your learning potential.
- deleted 11y ago
  [deleted]

by dikdik 11y ago

pc86 11y ago

You're probably in a great position in that your institution is very well known and well regarded, obviously not 100% online, and even the program is not 100% online. Unless you mention it or you've got concurrent employment several states away, it's unlikely anyone would know you completed it online. I'm not saying online PhDs should be the norm, or even shouldn't be questioned, but doing something for 30 hours a week over 5 years at a computer shouldn't on its face be worthless compared to doing the same thing for 60 hours a week over 2.5 years in a school building.

Nrsolis 11y ago

How did you like the JHU program? I'm genuinely curious about the rigor and experience with the school.

dikdik 11y ago
I enjoyed the program for the most part. I come from a life sciences background and found the biology based courses to be slightly boring/review. The CS courses were definitely challenging for me, I only had minor programming experience in Python going in. However, I would avoid doing it 100% online if possible. Courses that were review for me and/or did not require detailed discussion I would not mind taking online again. The harder courses are a different story, as well as courses that require extensive discussion. It is really difficult to troubleshoot complex problems over blackboard.
- Nrsolis 11y ago
  I was looking at the CS Masters program. I have a strong desire to acquire a foundation in information security. I was looking at their cybersecurity program as an adjunct to the CS program. How was the actual administration of the program? I find that your experience with the administration can drastically alter your learning potential.
deleted 11y ago
[deleted]