I plan to apply for a master's degree in Computer Science in the US

[Thermor1993]

Hello,
I am an international student and am thrilled to have found this forum, which is filled with invaluable information and supportive members.

I plan to apply for a master's degree in Computer Science in the US, without having a bachelor's degree in computer science. I've noticed that some universities require applicants like my case to complete specific courses beforehand, such as Data Structures and Linear Algebra, and to submit transcripts with grades. I'm curious if courses taken from learning platforms like Sophia or Saylor are recognized by most universities. Are they potentially a better choice than Coursera, given that they come with ACE-recommended credits?

Additionally, since some institutions prefer applicants to have completed courses from a recognized university, would it be acceptable if I transferred credits earned from Sophia to a school like TESU or WGU? I'm uncertain if these schools would retain the original grades on the transcript.

I'm also trying to determine the most affordable and effective path.

I've reached out to one of the universities for clarification but am yet to receive a response. I'm eager to start the necessary courses, which is why I'm seeking guidance here.
I truly appreciate insights from anyone who has navigated a similar path. Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

[Tomas]

No, if they require those courses completed at regionally accredited university, that is where you need to complete it. If. done at Sophia, it will show at your TESU etc. transcript as transferred, it will not show as completed at TESU. (Moreover there is no grade for Sophia, just pass/fail.) Coursera same thing, apart from the fact that there is no ACE-recommended course for DS and LA at Coursera.

[davewill]

It really depends on where you want to take the Master's degree. I'm assuming you have a bachelor's degree, just not in CS. It sounds to me like you have two main choices:

1. Take the prerequisites from an RA school. This will be expensive.
2. Take the prerequisites from Sophia and Study.com, and transfer them to TESU.
2a. Take the alt credit and go ahead and graduate from TESU with a BACS, which may help with schools accepting your non-RA prereqs.

The first thing to do is pick out a short list of Master's programs you want to target, and find out what their requirements really are. If they say only RA credits for the prerequisites, then your choice is made.

[Tomas]

Today I have seen announcement on Coursera for new MSc in CS - from Heriot-Watt University. It's not that much more expensive than OMSCS (requirements of which your original post felt like being based on) and math is one of the modules included. But it is in Scotland, not US.