{"id":77594,"date":"2022-06-01T15:36:23","date_gmt":"2022-06-01T19:36:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/met\/?page_id=77594"},"modified":"2026-04-29T10:58:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T14:58:55","slug":"career-outlook","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/met\/programs\/computer-science-it\/career-outlook\/","title":{"rendered":"What Do My Career Options Look Like with a Master\u2019s in Computer Science from BU\u2019s Metropolitan College?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
Back to Programs<\/a>Computer Science & IT<\/a><\/div>\n

In the unlikely case you haven\u2019t heard, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is well underway. This is the digital revolution\u2014and, according to Klaus Schwab<\/a>, founder and executive chair of the World Economic Forum, \u201cWhen compared with previous industrial revolutions, the Fourth is evolving at an exponential rather than a linear pace. Moreover, it is disrupting almost every industry in every country. And the breadth and depth of these changes herald the transformation of entire systems of production, management, and governance.\u201d<\/p>\n

The speed at which technologic innovation is driving change is unprecedented\u2014and the pace of evolution in this realm is unlikely to flag. As one breakthrough leads to another, and as our world becomes more reliant on digital technology, the demand for skilled talent in computer science and information technology occupations is soaring. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook<\/em> reveals that through 2029, employment in these general areas will grow by 11 percent\u2014over half a million jobs\u2014which is much faster than the average for all other occupations. More specified roles, such as information security analyst, will see employment grow by over 30 percent. If you want to be a part of this revolution, the first step is to prepare yourself with the skills you need.<\/p>\n

As you research your education options, you will see a proliferation of boot camps\u2014short, intensive training workshops in areas such as data science, software development, coding, cybersecurity, and other popular areas of IT. While there are some perks to these\u2014they are short and relatively inexpensive\u2014obtaining a master\u2019s degree in computer science is likely to lead to a more rewarding ROI. After all, the set of skills you develop in a challenging and rigorous graduate degree program will give you the versatility to adapt and change with the progress of technology. A boot camp might prepare you for one trend, but will those skills be enough to build a solid career in computer science?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a big difference between training and education,\u201d says Dr. Lou Chitkushev<\/a>, associate dean and professor of computer science at Boston University\u2019s Metropolitan College (MET). \u201cThose in the business of education should not go after tools, but after concepts. You cannot sell information to students; it is everywhere. You have to teach them how to learn.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The MS in Computer Science at BU MET<\/h2>\n

With the Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS)<\/a> at BU\u2019s Metropolitan College, you earn your degree from an institution with deep industry ties and a stalwart regional reputation, mastering the foundations of applied computing in as few as 18 months (full time) or 24 months (part time). In addition, the BU MET\u2019s Computer Science master\u2019s degree program offers three concentration options for those seeking to hone specific skill-sets: Computer Networks<\/strong><\/a>, Data Analytics<\/strong><\/a>, or Security<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Historically, the BU MET Department of Computer Science is well established. Founded in 1979, it was the first computer science department at Boston University. Today, it is a major player within BU in its own right, with particular strengths in cybersecurity, applied data analytics, IT project management, software development, computer networks, and other high-impact areas. The department hosts the Mobile Computing & Security Lab, the Health Informatics Lab<\/a>, and career-boosting resources such as a job board<\/a> and TECH Talks<\/a>, networking events that give students an opportunity to hear from employers and industry experts on current trends, challenges, research, and employment opportunities.<\/p>\n