MS in Software Engineering

[Desai, Jignesh]

I hold MCA (Master in Computer Applications) degree from INDIA with good grades and have 2 years of work experience in JAVA, JSP, EJB etc.
I have got admission in MS Software Engineering in University of St. Thomas. This university is accredited but is private and has regional reputation only. I wanted to know whether this Software Engineering degree would add substantial value ( as an MS CS would ) and has good reputation in industry. Some background about the couse : 7 semester course covering topics like Software Engineering, Project Management, SQA/QC, DBMS, SAD, OOPS, Networking, Operating System, Microprocessor etc.
Following is some of the analysis i have done :
Pros of doing the course
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1) can be done along with the job thru evening/weekend classes.
2) will add to knowledge to some extent.
Cons of doing the course
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1) Masters in SE doesn't have many core CS topics as an MS CS.
So the overall utility/reputation of the course is a question.
2) University is private (though accredited) and is known only in Minnesota and near by places.
3) Will have to spend all the spare time and money for the course !!
I would be grateful if you can give some suggestions/comments about this course.
Thanks,
Jignesh

[John Coxey]

Jignesh Desai:
Are you currently working? Most employers help with the tuition costs for graduate school. I would definitely meet with the human resource folks at your company and see if they will help.
Tuition assistance for college seems like more and more of a standard benefit in the IT industry. So look into it.
John Coxey
([e-mail])

[William Barnes]

I some people actually like school, and are good at it, unlike me. You already have a Masters. I don't know if getting another degree would be that much of a help. (But what the hell do I know - should make that my signiture.) Good luck either way.

[Desai, Jignesh]

Thanks John and christopher for your reply.
I am already working and would be asking my employer to fund the education expendature. The MCA degree which i presently hold is considered equivalent to BS (CS) degree from US University. That's the reason of my being inclined for a Master's degree.
I would like to know your advise/opinion about the course and university. I wish to do it since holding a Master's degree from US university (other than the skill set) would improve long term career propects. But i am a bit concerned since the university doesn't have national reputation (although it is known in Minnesota) and the Software Engineering degree unlike Computer Science may not give a fillip in job prospects. Maybe i can workaround to some extent on these by carefully choosing 'core CS' courses as optional courses (like Networking, Operating System, OOPS etc) and a year down the road if situation permits move on to a better known university.
Thanks again for your advise.
Regards,
Jignesh