How to Ask Your Employer to Pay for Your Degree
Although tuition reimbursement is growing in popularity among employers, not every company offers that perk. However, you may still be able to approach your employer and see if they’re open to paying for a portion of your degree as part of your professional development. Investing in employee education can have a positive impact on the […]
The post How to Ask Your Employer to Pay for Your Degree appeared first on Coursera Blog.

New AI-focused computer science program prepares students for a rapidly evolving workforce
By Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer, Coursera
Today, I’m proud to announce we’re partnering with Clemson University, one of the nation’s top 100 universities, to offer a fully online Master of Science in Computer Science degree (MSCS).
In lieu of an application, any bachelor’s degree holder who earns a B average in two introductory Clemson courses on Coursera is automatically accepted with 20% of the degree already completed. To broaden opportunities for all learners, the tuition is $20,280, which is 35% less than the comparable hybrid program.
Accessible pathways to job-relevant degrees can open doors to fast-growing careers, such as software development, information security analysis, and computer research. In the Carolinas and Georgia, this degree prepares students for nearly 200,000 open jobs with an average salary of $114,600. Of those, jobs that prefer or require a master’s degree pay 12% more**.
“This Master of Science in Computer Science program is timely, industry-relevant, and thoughtfully designed to be approachable to learners from many backgrounds, for example those looking for opportunities for mid-career advancement. The modern and cutting-edge curriculum ensures that learners can succeed, whether they hold a formal computer science background or whether their computing background comes from prior real-world experience. We are excited to be able to partner with Coursera to offer this program at Clemson University,” said Brian Dean, Professor and C. Tycho Howle Director of the Clemson School of Computing.
The MSCS, which can be completed in 20-36 months, empowers working adults by blending flexibility with real-time collaboration. Students can watch lecture videos at any time while engaging with peers and tenure-track faculty in live course sessions and office hours.
This 10-course program features a:
- New AI-first curriculum. Leading faculty at this R1 research institution designed the MSCS to contain five AI courses, responding to the growing demand for AI skills.
- Strong emphasis on ethics. To ensure humans positively harness the power of AI, the program teaches students how to examine the implications of each AI system before exploring it further.
- Robust theoretical foundation and real-world skills. Students learn core software engineering principles needed to build reliable, scalable software systems before diving into advanced topics, including deep learning, data science, and data mining.
- Hands-on approach to learning. By completing complex projects in real-world computing environments, students actively apply their knowledge and build a substantial portfolio.
We’re honored to partner with Clemson on this affordable, accessible, and incredibly relevant degree. Together, we’ll educate future technical leaders, who will thoughtfully use AI to solve society’s most pressing challenges and create a positive impact.
Enrollment is scheduled to open today, May 1, 2024, with the first courses beginning in August 2024. To learn more, visit https://www.coursera.org/degrees/master-computer-science-clemson.
*Based on an analysis of application requirements for colleges and universities outlined here
**Source: Lightcast . (2023), Job Postings Report (Jan 2023 – Dec 2023). Retrieved March 2024.
. (2023), Job Postings Report (Jan 2023 – Dec 2023). Retrieved March 2024.
The post Clemson University partners with Coursera to launch first degree in South Carolina with no application* appeared first on Coursera Blog.


