Thread: "Relatively easier" CS undergrad?

This may sound like an odd question, but are there any relatively "easier" comp sci undergrad programs available online from RA schools? And I mean "relatively", as in I know it will not be "easy" but I also am looking for something that won't blow my brains out. Or at least will help me put them back in. Some scrambling is expected.

I have a background in computer programming through the military, though I'm rusty because my job calls for general IT management instead of direct coding. Because of that I'm currently pursuing a BSBA CIS through Thomas Edison, but I find myself really wishing more and more that I'd just forged on for a CS degree early in my career. I'm still early in my BSBA studies (just finished math (trig) and about to begin my biz core) so I could conceivably switch. Alternately, I could pursue this as a second undergrad later on. It's a program that scares me a bit but it's also the one that I lusted after.

Is there such a thing as a "relatively easier" CS degree? Or maybe I should say "less intimidating"?

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Originally Posted by dcan

This may sound like an odd question, but are there any relatively "easier" comp sci undergrad programs available online from RA schools? And I mean "relatively", as in I know it will not be "easy" but I also am looking for something that won't blow my brains out. Or at least will help me put them back in. Some scrambling is expected.

I have a background in computer programming through the military, though I'm rusty because my job calls for general IT management instead of direct coding. Because of that I'm currently pursuing a BSBA CIS through Thomas Edison, but I find myself really wishing more and more that I'd just forged on for a CS degree early in my career. I'm still early in my BSBA studies (just finished math (trig) and about to begin my biz core) so I could conceivably switch. Alternately, I could pursue this as a second undergrad later on. It's a program that scares me a bit but it's also the one that I lusted after.

Is there such a thing as a "relatively easier" CS degree? Or maybe I should say "less intimidating"?

How about an "easier degree" and a CS undergrad certificate?

	Argosy University Argosy University Argosy offers online Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate in Business Administration, psychology, and HR-related degrees, with many specialty degrees, including organizational psychology, exercise psychology, HR, public administration, higher education administration, and many more. Argosy also offers the same degrees and more from 19 locations across the U.S., and is a leader in the distance/online education field. Argosy has one of the largest graduate student communities in the nation, and is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

	Ashford University Ashford University Ashford offers online MBA, bachelors, and masters in many fields, including Business, Accounting, Business Administration, International Business, Economics, Business Information Systems, Social and Criminal Justice, Communication, Early Childhood Education and Administration, Education and Public Policy, English, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Studies, Finance, Health Care Administration, HC Studies, Health and Human Services, History, Homeland Security and Emergency Mgmt, Human Resource Mgmt, Journalism, Communication, Operations Mgmt, Organizational Mgmt, Political Science, Psychology, Public Admin, Public Relations, Social Sciences, Sociology, Risk Management, Sports, Teacher Certification, Education, Health Care Administration, Organizational Management, Teaching & Learning with Technology, and Public Administration. The school is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

	Strayer University Strayer offers online Associate in Arts Degrees in Accounting, Acquisition & Contract Mgmt, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Economics, General Studies, Information Systems, and Marketing; Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, Acquisition & Contract Mgmt, Banking, Business Mgmt, E-Business, Economics, Finance, Hospitality & Tourism Mgmt, Human Resource Mgmt, International Business, Retail Management, and Marketing; Bachelor of Science Degrees in Information Systems, Criminal Justice and Legal Studies; Master of Business Administration (Accounting, Acquisition, Finance, Health Services Administration, Hospitality & Tourism Mgmt, Human Resource Mgmt, Information Systems Mgmt, International Business, Management, Marketing, Project Mgmt, Professional Studies, and Public Administration); Master’s Degrees in Accounting, Adult Education and Development, Educational Management, Human Resource and Organization Development, Human Resource Generalist, Health Services Administration, Information Systems, Public Administration, Public Accounting, and Technology in Education; Diploma Certificates in Accounting, Acquisition, Programming, Web Development, Internetworking Technology, Computer Security, Database Developer, Database Management, Security Administration, Networking, Homeland Security and Info Systems; Undergraduate Certificates in Acquisition & Contract Mgmt, Advanced Accounting, Business Management, E-Business, Introductory Accounting, Information Systems, and Small Business Mgmt & Entrepreneurship; and Executive Graduate Certificates in Accounting, Business Admin, and Information Systems. The school is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

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Originally Posted by Randell1234

How about an "easier degree" and a CS undergrad certificate?

Well, I'm doing the BSBA CIS route right now at TESC, and all but the biz core and some gen eds are knocked out by my CCAF comp sci AAS, so I consider the BSBA the "easier degree" for sure. But I feel like I'm taking the easy way out, like I will look back years from now and feel "I coulda been a contenda" if you know what I mean. Just that I didn't strive for what I could actually achieve and settled for second-best. It's gnawing at me.

I'm looking over the CS program at Troy and it looks easier than I remember from looking at it 10+ years ago -- but maybe that's just age talking. :\

*EDIT* To clarify, it turns out Troy has a CS and an "applied" CS. I was referring to the applied CS. The pure CS still looks tough.

	Argosy University Argosy University Argosy offers online Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate in Business Administration, psychology, and HR-related degrees, with many specialty degrees, including organizational psychology, exercise psychology, HR, public administration, higher education administration, and many more. Argosy also offers the same degrees and more from 19 locations across the U.S., and is a leader in the distance/online education field. Argosy has one of the largest graduate student communities in the nation, and is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

	Ashford University Ashford University Ashford offers online MBA, bachelors, and masters in many fields, including Business, Accounting, Business Administration, International Business, Economics, Business Information Systems, Social and Criminal Justice, Communication, Early Childhood Education and Administration, Education and Public Policy, English, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Studies, Finance, Health Care Administration, HC Studies, Health and Human Services, History, Homeland Security and Emergency Mgmt, Human Resource Mgmt, Journalism, Communication, Operations Mgmt, Organizational Mgmt, Political Science, Psychology, Public Admin, Public Relations, Social Sciences, Sociology, Risk Management, Sports, Teacher Certification, Education, Health Care Administration, Organizational Management, Teaching & Learning with Technology, and Public Administration. The school is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

How about focus on a CS masters?

I don't think something like that would be attainable. I have an AAS in comp sci but despite the name it is really "applied comp sci" from USAF tech school courses 17 years ago. 12.5 weeks starting with "how to turn on the computer" and going through structured design , Ada, COBOL, x86 assembly, and OS/DB/networking concepts. Oh yeah, and 7-level (NCO programmer) school that started focusing on team development and contracts. That is my "formal" training though obviously I'm effectively self-taught for the remainder of my career. I just figured it would not prepare me for what would presumably be a research master's degree that assumes a knowledge of compiler design , algorithm design , etc.

Or am I wide off the mark?

Thanks.

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Originally Posted by dcan

I don't think something like that would be attainable. I have an AAS in comp sci but despite the name it is really "applied comp sci" from USAF tech school courses 17 years ago. 12.5 weeks starting with "how to turn on the computer" and going through structured design , Ada, COBOL, x86 assembly, and OS/DB/networking concepts. Oh yeah, and 7-level (NCO programmer) school that started focusing on team development and contracts. That is my "formal" training though obviously I'm effectively self-taught for the remainder of my career. I just figured it would not prepare me for what would presumably be a research master's degree that assumes a knowledge of compiler design , algorithm design , etc.

Or am I wide off the mark?

Thanks.

How about start with the basics - what do you want to do with your degree?

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	AIU Online Aiken Technical College Online degree programs from AIU help you acquire industry-current credentials in your field of interest. Many of our online degree programs offer concentrations in some of today's most in-demand professional fields, empowering you to tailor your education to address your specific career goals. AIU offers degree programs in Business Administration, Education, Information Technology, Design, and Criminal Justice. AIU is regionally accredidated, the most widely accepted form of accredidation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

Originally Posted by Randell1234

How about start with the basics - what do you want to do with your degree?

Okay. I'm at the 17.5 year mark in my career and have an AAS to show for it. I want to complete a BS ASAP and then try to complete a grad degree as much as possible on DoD TA dollars before I retire. For various reasons I may not be able to use my GI Bill, or may only be able to use part of it.

Once I retire I expect to kill time as a contractor if necessary working in IT until I can land a GS position in IT and/or IT management. GS-12 is good for me, I don't need to be a political schmoozer building empires for promotion. I'm not looking to lead big developer teams or anything like that, and not looking to run a network. Just looking to be a resident IT/IA expert, interface coordinator, program manager, requirements analyst, "master data management", DBA, ERP, that sort of thing. For the military/gov't arena.

My original idea was to sprint through the BSBA and then pursue a grad degree along the lines of UMUC's data management degree. I also considered the NCU MBA /CS but I prefer a "known" school for the grad degree. I guess that is still a good approach when I write it all out, I just have the emotional pull of the CS angle as well.

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For something a little easier, look for applied CS programs, as well as CIS with maybe some extra electives thrown in (relative to your interests).

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Originally Posted by dcan

My original idea was to sprint through the BSBA and then pursue a grad degree along the lines of UMUC's data management degree. I also considered the NCU MBA/CS but I prefer a "known" school for the grad degree. I guess that is still a good approach when I write it all out, I just have the emotional pull of the CS angle as well.

That is kind of the plan I used. I CLEPed out of 50+ credits in 6 weeks to finish my BS so I could move right to my MS.

One thing to consider: If you earn "relatively average grades" from a "relatively easy" program, you may not be allowed entry into a Masters degree program. Pick a program and then burn through it. "Relatively easy" means that you won't learn much.

During the holidays, I stopped in at a local shop to pick up a gift for my wife. The young woman at the register remarked to me as she struggled with the register "I'm sorry, I just started here." I smiled. "No problem." I replied.

She poked at the touch screen. "I'm a Computer Science major, so you'd think I would be able to figure these things out."

I asked "Are they teaching you about user interface yet?" To which she replied "we're learning Java right now, although I'm thinking of switching to Python because everyone seems to be using it. I've never heard of User Interface, maybe I'll ask about that."

Phillip
Who used to think CS was pretty intimidating, back in the 80s when his best friend took 3 semesters of Calculus to get in to the same program

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