Masters in Comp Sci for Accountant?

[mr_sandman]

I have been working in a Accounting and Finance field for the past 5 years, steadily progressing my career, I have an undergrad in BComm, got my CMA and am working on CFA Level II. I am not too happy about where my career has taken me, despite the nice pay, I am unsatisfied and don't believe my career will bring me much joy in the future. I've always had a passion for programming and computers, so I am thinking about going back to school to pursue either an MBA in IT specialization or MSc in Comp Sci. For someone such as myself who has not worked in Comp Sci nor have an undergrad in the field, what restrictions will I face if I were to for for MSc? I'm not interested in doing another undergrad because I don't want to waste 2 years doing liberal courses.

My mind is going in 10 directions but I figure I'll look into each direction one step at a time. I intend to go back to school in Fall 2013.

[crazi]

I have been working in a Accounting and Finance field for the past 5 years, steadily progressing my career, I have an undergrad in BComm, got my CMA and am working on CFA Level II. I am not too happy about where my career has taken me, despite the nice pay, I am unsatisfied and don't believe my career will bring me much joy in the future. I've always had a passion for programming and computers, so I am thinking about going back to school to pursue either an MBA in IT specialization or MSc in Comp Sci. For someone such as myself who has not worked in Comp Sci nor have an undergrad in the field, what restrictions will I face if I were to for for MSc? I'm not interested in doing another undergrad because I don't want to waste 2 years doing liberal courses.

My mind is going in 10 directions but I figure I'll look into each direction one step at a time. I intend to go back to school in Fall 2013.

How are you go directly to a Msc without any real programming experience? of course unless I got confused, and you're doing an undergrad first.

[siriuskao]

MSc in CS means you will learning and researching advanced topics in computer science. It's not gonna happen without a computer science undergrad or at least some courses in 3rd or 4th year undergrad CS. Even lesser MSc IS program will require some previous IT experience (e.g. MScIS at Athabasca)

[Kick_me]

You can get into many universities without retaking all of your undergrad.

http://www.cs.uwaterloo.ca/grad/admissions/applications

That being said, it defeats the purpose of doing the masters if you don`t have the foundation built up through undergrad courses. In my opinion, if you cannot afford to put in the time to get that foundation, getting a masters is a waste of time. If your goal to to become functional as a programmer, a masters in CS is not really the best option anyway. From what I've seen, work experience with a good team and self-study is the best way to improve as a programmer.

If you don't care about programming and just like working with computers, you don't need a masters of CS. If you are aiming for a management position, you will be better off doing something like your MBA alternative or a Masters of Management Science or and MIS degree.

[wellsronald18]

I echo the commenters, there's no way you'll get into a MSc program without some quality experience with programming. Why not just get a general MBA and then further your studies in IT on your own? Maybe pursue an IT executive education program (http://executive-education.bentley.edu/bentley-experience)? This will boost your resume as well as give you more knowledge in the field.