UW vs Columbia for MS

[galois]

Wondering if anyone can compare these two programs. I think UW's MS probably doesn't get much attention since its actually a Professional Masters Program (PMP) and only available to local candidates. It's one of those "not a road to the PhD" programs.

I'm here in Seattle now after joining a PhD program at another department at UW, but second guessing that decision, and considering bailing and just doing a masters in CS. UW's program is pretty flexible in that you can probably do it remotely without much trouble. Columbia offers their MS through the virtual CVN as a distance program which is also convenient.

Aside from price & time to graduate, does anyone have experience with classes from either program, and the actual quality of education? I worry that the PMP (which does not really have pre-reqs per class) will be too cushy. And I just have no idea what to think of the Columbia program as it's hard to find individual accounts of people who've done it.

[Gatech_ST]

It is very hard to tell without knowing your goal from getting masters. Professional masters usually emphasize technical training and in-demand skills in the industry while master science is more theoretically-oriented.