Georgia Tech Launches Massive Online Master’s Degree

By Paul Thomson :: 11:27 PM

Earlier tonight, Georgia Institute of Technology, in cooperation with online education company Udacity and AT&T announced the availability of an online open Master’s degree in computer science that could cost students as little as $7000.

The school is billing the new program as a Massive Open Online Course, or MOOC. AT&T has offered to financially back a portion of the pilot program, which will begin in the next academic year.

“Georgia Tech’s vision is to define the technological research university of the 21st century,” said Rafael Bras, Vice President for academic affairs at the school. “We will explore technologies and instructional approaches that will improve our role as a leading provider of the best and most effective education in the state of Georgia, the nation and the world.”

Courses that make up the new computer science curriculum will be available free of charge via Udacity’s website, however only  students granted admission to Georgia Tech will receive academic credit. Students who are seeking a degree at the end of their coursework will be charged tuition based either on individual courses taken, or on the entire degree program.

Georgia Tech and Udacity will also arrange for a separate credential for students who successfully complete courses but do not qualify for full graduate-level standing.