Masters at Troy State or Bachelors at UMAS?

If at the end of 3 years and considering that the cost would be the same in your opinion:

Is it better to have a Masters at Troy State with a Bachelor's in Computer Science or is it more appealing to a potential employer to see a Bachelors from Washington State, UMAS, Touro, or some other college?

I have a question for you. I have tasted working for a high-tech start up company during the web craze and it was indeed good. What I really enjoyed was the aspect of helping customers use technolgoy to improve their business processes. I relied heavily on our tech department to insure I gave proper advice since I had no technology experience. I remember our search for sales engineers was never ending becuase it is hard to find polished communicators who also have tech expertise. This leads me to my question. I am wanting to become someone who can be employed as a sales engineer/software sales professional. I started a Discussion Group on Post-Career Jobs to get some insight and it has morphed into a discussoin about Troy state - good and bad. Some people are saying that the CS degree from Troy State is tainted. So here is the question:

If at the end of 3 years and considering that the cost would be the same in your opinion:

Is it better to have a Masters at Troy State with a Bachelor's in Computer Science or is it more appealing to a potential employer to see a Bachelors from Washington State or Touro?

I think that it is possible that I could have the Masters of Science - Management from Troy State in the same time and for less cost than just getting a bachelor's at Washington State.

Thanks for your insight. Regards, Dennis

 

Dennis,

What is the link to the discussion on Troy State?

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

Hey Jeremy,

I am not sure it this link will work so just in case it doesn't the Troy State discussion is in the

Distance Learning Discussions -> Post-Degree Career Forum

http://www.degreeinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=9242

Look forward to your insights!

 

Thinker,

I am a little confused on what you are trying to decide. What type of masters degree are you looking at from Troy St.? They don't really have any computer related degrees at masters level that are online right?

Call me crazy but (if I were an employer looking for an employee) if I were comparing resumes and two resumes had equal experience (probably first thing I would look at) then I would look at their educational background. If one had a BSCS from Troy State and an MSCS from some other school that was accredited and the other had a BSCS from Washington State or Touro and no masters level education, I would be opt to picking the guy w/ the MSCS.

Now, if I had an applicant who had a BSCS from Troy and another w/ a BSCS at Touro, considering I probably would not know either universities, I would ask to see both their transcripts and see which one matches what I am looking for.

Oh well, thats how I would go about hiring someone (maybe that's why I am not in charge of hiring people? heh).

Best Regards,
Bill

 

Just reread your post, Thinker.

You are looking at an MS in Management from Troy State (I understand now). What type of job are you looking for? Some type of technology consultant? I don't know what you need for that type of job; however, if you need atleast a bachelors in sometype of computer discipline I would think that you (having a BSCS and an MS in Management from Troy) would have a better chance than someone w/ just a BSCS from, say Touro (provided you have similar experience). The fact you have higher education and management skills I would opt for that combo than just a BS.

I guess it really depends on the type of job. A technology consultant position sounds like you wouldn't need that much background on the science or engineering of computers, but let's say you are trying to get a position for a software engineering position at Varian (semiconductor equipment manufacturer). They may require a BSCS at the least. They may not look at your management degree w/ too much interest. Instead, they may look at your BSCS transcript to see if you have atleast a year in calculus and college physics (to understand beam physics to program tuning algorithms).

This is my take on computer/tech jobs so take it w/ a grain of salt as well.

Hope this helps,
Bill

 

Dennis,

I am in the Troy State - Computer Science program too. I am going into my second term taking 7 credits. I will be taking IS 2244, HIS 1112 and TSU Orientation. I took Earth Science last semester. Overall my experience has been good.

I have been trying to find any message board that talked good or bad about the CS program or about TSU's distance learning program in general. To little avail. I appreciated the bits of conversation I have uncovered from your posts.

Jeremy

 

I am going with Washington State MIS

Ok, this has been really helpful. I think you all make very good points.

The MS in Management was somewhat of a Red Herring. I was trying to "begin with the end in mind" as Covey says in his book, 7 Habits. The question was geared towards investing 3 years and what would have the best outcome a MS/MBA from a RA accredited but not prestegious school or a Bachelor's at a more prestegious (read not as apparent a DL Degree)?

You have helped me realize that the real answer is different for each person. For me, since I am undecided if I want to teach, consult in high-tech, try law school, or go on to get an MBA at possibly a more traditional school I think my best option is to go to Washington State University. The clincher was that they are also AACSB which will keep all of my options open.

Keep the discussion going as everyone will have a different goal and your comments have helped me to make my decision.

 

I would think a BSCS from Touro University International (The leading internet university) would be a little more apparent a DL degree than Troy State University's wouldn't you?

Best Regards,
Bill

 

Jeremy,


I am in the TSU BSCS program too. I took IS2244 and Comp II last term. Comp II was a lot of writing. IS2244 was fairly easy (if you have any programming experience [even if it isn't C++]) you should do well in the course.

I am taking the orientation class this term, IS3345 (Func char. of digital comp), and CS3358 (Advanced C++). If can do well on this term I was thinking of making it 3 classes per term.


Best Regards,
Bill

 

Hi Bill,

I totally agree. I was using Troy as compared to Washington State no Touro. Congratulations on your pursuit. I am sure you will be happy with Troy State.