I am currently working on a CS degree, but am thinking of transferring. My current employer, who has a BS in CS from Michigan. He advised me to stay away from IT, calling it a useless degree. I trust him since he has the degree and has been in the industry for decades. I am just looking for any comments from professionals on how the various degrees are viewed. What I am looking for is a computer degree that will allow me to work at the highest level, and will pretty much guarantee me a shot at most computer related jobs. I don't ever want to be denied a job because my degree isn't good enough. Which is why I have stayed with CS.
OK - as an engineer, I can give you some basic facts. 1. For most non-PE (Professional Engineer) jobs, a BSEE, BSCS, or BSCE (computer engineering) are pretty much interchangeable. There are some specialties such as Systems and Controls, but they are all essential off-shoots of the EE degree. 2. A BSIT (Info Tech, not Industrial Tech) and BSBA with an MIS specialization are essentially interchangeable. Bottom line: If you want to be an engineer or computer scientist (albeit, at the lower level until you get 10+ years experience or a MSEE or better degree), forget the IT degree. I went and received my IT degree because I was already a Senior level EE and just needed a piece of paper. It took me nearly 2.5 years at to get my IT degree. It would have taken me about 5 to finish my EE degree (and that is with all of my lower divisional classes already done)
How are the different degrees viewed in the professional world? For instance, if a company was looking for an IT Director, are they more likely to hire the CS degree holder or the IT/IS degree holder? I guess what I am asking is how the degrees are rated in the professional world. Would CS be above IT or IT above IS?
If you are talking about a Director level postion, it probably wouldn't matter. I have yet to work with a Director who actually does the hand=on work anyway (that is not their job). -- their job is to manage. No - a BSCS is not better than a BSIT. They are two separate and distinct degrees which focus on different aspects. A BSCS curriculum - say at SJ State - is more of a software engineering degree. An IT degree is more of a infrastructure degree (such as what an CCNE or MCSE would do).
Okay, I believe you have answered my questions. It is hard to find online computer science degrees, but so many colleges offer online IT degrees. From the sounds of it, an IT degree is just as good as a CS degree. I am guessing the only area a CS degree would be better would be if you wanted to work as an engineer at IBM or Microsoft. Otherwise, IT is just as good for your everday computer career.
my 2 cents... a CS degree is more "theory".. abstract.. however a IT degree dealing with infrastructure is more "practical".. I have a masters in info systems.. but am getting another masters in IT coz I realised that with my 10+ years of experience in IT, I need more knowledge about physical hardware ( lan, wirelsss communicationse tc) which ONLY a IT degree can provide me..
I must admit that I am happy to hear this. I wanted to go with IT, since it is the more abundant choice, with many many colleges offering it online. Like I said, I want to work in the most abundant job positions such as Systems Analyst, Programmer, Network Administrator, and IT Associate.
The hyperdictionary has a definition that is generally consistent with the posts here: http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/Information+Technology Different schools sometimes define the fields rather differently. And sometimes different parts of a SINGLE school define the term "IT" rather differently. For example, the USQ Faculty of Business offer a Master's in IT, that focuses on Information Systems: http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/current/MITP.html. Meanwhile the Faculty of Sciences offers a Master's in IT that is more of a Computer Science degree: http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/current/MPIT.html.
It has been my experience that a CS degree will leave you open for all computer related jobs while an IT or IS degree will only be acceptable for a subset of the available jobs. Also, the perception I have run into is that many perceive the IT/IS degrees as easier or less rigorous. Lastly realize the titles are sometimes used interchangably. The Troy University CS degree is closer to a IT or IS degree.
I saw a lot of refererences to CS and IT degrees, but none on CIS. Since I have both an undergraduate and graduate degree in CIS I thought that I would weigh in. Whether its called IT, CS or CIS, I imagine that it depends on how the educational institution defines their particular program. The reason I chose a CIS degree was because of the focus on business education. Back when I was getting my undergraduate degree, the CS degree was primarily for students who wanted to be systems programmers and spent their time maintaining operating systems and programming in IBM 360 assembler. A lot has changed since then. By the time I went back for my graduate degree, the Masters level CIS was about as close to a techno-MBA as I could find. I've seen much concern in these discussion threads regarding the state of IT profession and the opportunities (or lack thereof) in the field. All I can say is that it has been both personally and professionally rewarding beyond my expectations. In a lot of ways, you get what you are willing to put into it and I'm have always given 150%.
A CS grad would never claim efficiencies greater than that of a shielded transformer. Just kidding. Welcome to the forum.
UMass Lowell, Here's an answer that might give you the advantages of both CS and IT. UMass Lowell offers a certificate in IT here... http://continuinged.uml.edu/certificates/fundinfotech.cfm Now, after you finish that, you can apply all of those credits toward their BSIT program, which is here... http://continuinged.uml.edu/online/BSonline.htm The beauty of this is threefold. First, you get a certificate to put on your resume long before you finish your bachelors. Second, the certificate is heavy on programming, and you can state that on your resume. If your previous studies or experience are adequate, they will let you substitute the first two intro classes with programming electives. Third, you will eventually earn a BS in IT, which will give you the IT title, but again, you can mention in your cover letter or directly on your resume your classroom training in programming. If the position requires an IT education, emphasize the IT curriculum you studied in the program. If it is a CS position, or a programming position, emphasize the programming classes you took and make sure you have a photocopy of your transcripts when you walk into the interview. Oh, let me qualify this response. I don't know much about the difference betweeen a "computer scientist" and a "programmer", so I am just assuming that computer scientists have more programming background than network engineers/IT specialists. Sorry if I got it all wrong and simply muddied the waters here.
CS is the best over IT and CIS. IT or CIS won't hurt you. In my experience of hiring and developing college grads the CS majors picked up new stuff quicker because they had all the "theory". IT and CIS tend to be more focus on todays technology. Things change and the CS degree is always an excellent foundation to any emerging technology. At the end of the day it still is all about real world experience. You have this and you already have experience. Most jobs say Computer Science or related and CIS/IT meet that requirement.
In line with the UML certificate --> degree path, here's something that's kind of cool... I am looking into doing it myself because the courses are self-paced, so I could take my time and do them in between other things, relatively cheap, and seem like they would give me a good background in CIS starting from an "advanced user, no programming" level. It's the Athabasca University 33-credit Certificate in CIS: -- COMP 200 Introduction to Computing and Information Systems -- COMP 266 Introduction to Web Programming and* COMP 268 Introduction to Computer Programming (Java) -- OR COMP 268 Introduction to Computer Programming (Java) and COMP 272 Data Structures and Algorithms (Java) -- COMP 314 Computer Organization -- COMP 315 Advanced Operating Systems -- COMP 347 Computer Networks I -- COMP 361 Systems Analysis and Design -- COMP 378 Introduction to Database Management -- ENGL 255 Introductory Composition or ADMN 233 Writing in Organizations -- MATH 209 Finite Mathematics -- One 300-level COMP or CMIS course Up to 15 credits can be transferred in. If you get this certificate and take the option of the two Java courses series, I think you will satisfy every single one of the 8 core requirements of the Excelsior BSCIS degree, including the upper-level credit requirement. It seems like it matches up perfectly, so getting the Athabasca certificate might be a great stepping stone to the Excelsior BSCIS. http://www.athabascau.ca/calendar/page03_29.html
Seems like a good option. The BS in CS from Troy University would seem to offer a better return on effort if the degree is the goal. Good luck!
NO offense, but I really hate that people suggest the troy state university degree. I really has no resemblence to a CS. It is not a good option if you want a real education. If you just want a degree then maybe its okay.
