I'm currently in an online MS Information Assurance program offered by Iowa State University. It's both more expensive than this offering (although not by a lot) and from a university with a lot less name recognition. I mean, besides that it's probably in Iowa.
So on the surface the GATech offering looks superior. However, I can't help but wonder how the "at-scale" model changes that. At IA State I'm "in" rather small classes and have very ready access to the instructor by email and phone. My work is also almost all graded by the instructor directly, most courses aren't big enough for a TA to have been hired. So I feel like it's a fairly personal experience, despite my physically being several states away and watching lectures recorded. I'm working on forming a committee for my thesis this semester so I'll be conversing directly with the faculty even more.
I wonder how an "at-scale" program like this, which seems to get built more on a MOOC model, will compare. Will it feel nearly as much like receiving direct instruction from an expert, which is what I would want a graduate program to be, or will it feel more like an off-the-shelf mass produced training package? That's a big concern to me.
Edit: I also feel like it's worth noting that my program confers an MS, with either thesis or creative component at student choice. I suspect this will be viewed more favorably by employers and others than an "OMS," even with a big name on it.
I looked quickly at some online master offering and you are exactly describing the struggle.
Some places seem to charge an enormous amount of money (>40k$) and some other a fairly small amount of money (<5k$).
Unrelated to the price, some are simply a glorified version of a Coursera MOOC with a non personalized experience while some other seem to offer a lot of 1:1 and side project opportunities directly with the TAs and teachers.
This field is in full revolution, but it feels like a lot of universities see this as an easy way to get a couple thousands extra dollar for only posting the lecture videos online.
So on the surface the GATech offering looks superior. However, I can't help but wonder how the "at-scale" model changes that. At IA State I'm "in" rather small classes and have very ready access to the instructor by email and phone. My work is also almost all graded by the instructor directly, most courses aren't big enough for a TA to have been hired. So I feel like it's a fairly personal experience, despite my physically being several states away and watching lectures recorded. I'm working on forming a committee for my thesis this semester so I'll be conversing directly with the faculty even more.
I wonder how an "at-scale" program like this, which seems to get built more on a MOOC model, will compare. Will it feel nearly as much like receiving direct instruction from an expert, which is what I would want a graduate program to be, or will it feel more like an off-the-shelf mass produced training package? That's a big concern to me.
Edit: I also feel like it's worth noting that my program confers an MS, with either thesis or creative component at student choice. I suspect this will be viewed more favorably by employers and others than an "OMS," even with a big name on it.