Hello, I'm interested in pursuing a degree in Computer Science to help me advance in my career. I'm currently a software architect for a large systems integration firm, and to move into the executive track I need a degree. Here's my background: 7 years in IT (progressed from tech to sys admin to developer to architect) author of 3 books on computer topics (available at Amazon.com) Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer What programs should I look at? I'd like to finish a degree soon, but I'm not expecting a miracle. I also require that the degree be accredited so I can have the option to get an Executive MBA from Southern Methodist University (SMU) here in Dallas. Thanks in advance for your help! -Rob
Good places to start are always Thomas Edison State (TESC), Charter Oaks (COSC) and Excelsior. And take a look at BA in 4 weeks http://www.geocities.com/ba_in_4_weeks/ For you I would also look at Texas Tech ($80/credit) and even SMU Advanced Computer Education Center http://www.engr.smu.edu/ce/smu/
Thanks Wow, those were good suggestions. Thanks. I knew about Tech's Master's program, and I've been looking at that...but I have to make sure I get a relevant CS/CIS degree first. Excelsior seems very interesting, and it looks like I've met half of the requirements toward a BS. Are Excelsior degress taken seriously? I mean, is the diploma something I could be proud to display on my wall (as opposed to a degree from, say, Kennedy-Western)? Thanks again! Rob
Re: Thanks I'm certainly not shy about hanging my Regents degree on the wall, though if I had my druthers it would say "MIT" or "Carnegie-Mellon" instead of "University of the State of New York" or "Excelsior". One caveat and one suggestion: As far as I know, Excelsior still offers no computer science degree per se (discrete math, design/analysis of algorithms, formal grammars/automaton theory, compiler design, etc.) although they do offer the CIS degree. If you are thinking about an MBA later, don't forget to check Excelsior's business degrees. One is a specialty in information systems management and the business core program might provide a better basis for graduate work in business. (When I did my Regents degree, my background was much like yours. I felt that there wasn't much marginal value to an IS/CIS degree since I already had the experience. I elected an operations management specialty.) Anyhow, here's a link. http://www.regents.edu/bus_bd.htm Good luck. TommyK BS Michigan State University, 1972 BOM Regents College, USNY (now Excelsior), 1997
I'm impressed with your experience, etc.. Why would you want to mess all that up by trying to think like an executive? But seriously, if you were in any environment other than a large company, your lack of a degree probably wouldn't be an impediment to your climb. Best of luck to you. Pete
Another Consideration With your extensive IT experience, you might be interested in going the "business focus" route. If so, consider Bellevue University. I'm finishing up a BS in Business Information Systems there in April. The program is very good. It's affordable, though not dirt cheap by any measure. The reputation is good - certainly not in the CMU or MIT category, of course. The clincher for me was the fact that they were generous with transfer credits and didn't insist on making me waste my time with a bunch of courses that I'd already taken. Check out the link, and if you have any questions don't hesitate to contact me. www.bellevue.edu
