Hello, I am a relative newbie at this forum. I have done research for 2 weeks regarding distance learning. I have researched this site as well as others and have still not found the school that is right for me. Of the 100's or so online programs, I have ruled out all of them except for just a handful. Some are close but for one reason or another are not perfect. I will explain why. For instance: NJIT - very expensive but otherwise perfect Excelsior - reasonable price, good selection of classes, however doesn't offer an actual BSCS degree UMass Lowell - same as Excelsior TESC - I would really rather take the courses than earn credits by testing, doesn't offer BSCS either. All of these are RA. Others that I didn't mention require a speech communication class of some kind which I will avoid if possible. I have taken English Comp 1 and 2 which is all that is required for some schools (including some RA schools). Ok, enough of that. I will now continue with some personal background. I have earned a total of 78 credits, most of which when I was in a pre-engineering program at a local college (which is RA by the way). So, I have earned most of the lower level credits required in most computer science programs. Therefore, should now be ready for the junior and senior level courses. However, my pre-engineering credits were earned between 8-12 years ago. My accumulative GPA is pretty good (3.5). So, my GPA really isn't an issue. For the last 3 1/2 years I have been a programmer/analyst for state government. I have had enough work experience in this field to know that I have the ability and the desire to make this my lifetime career (I have found my calling). Enough rambling! Now, these are the qualities that I am looking for in a distance learning computer science program: 1) School should be RA. 2) School should offer a BSCS degree and not only the several variations (BACS, BSCIS, BSIT, etc.) 3) School should accept Comp 1,2 rather than require Speech. 4) Of course, the school should accept most of my previously earned college credits. 5) Would prefer school to be affordable. Although, I am willing to get a student loan and go deep into debt if the school meets the above 1-4. I am aware that a school may not exist that meets all of the above requirements. If that is the case, I might consider one of the programs which is a slight variation to the BSCS. Also, I might accept a school that is not RA as long as it is somewhat respectable and if my employer will cover the cost of tuition. That's about it. If anyone has any suggestions or comments to make I would be GREATLY appreciative. Thanks, Brian
Why...? Why does the stipulation "should offer a BSCS degree and not only the several variations (BACS, BSCIS, BSIT)" matter? Personal? Work-related? --Orson
I think he is saying he wishes to do a CS program and not the IT or IS (different animals all together). Brian have you check out Troy State University (Im sorry, I do not have the URL. Do a google search)? They have a BS in CS. BR, Bill
I would not under any circumstance do a non-RA degree or something other than a BSCS. The two schools that I think fit the bill perfectly are Touro University International and Troy State University. TUI's program is more CS intensive but would also take longer to complete and is more expensive. I believe you could use a CLEP/DANTES test at TUI to test out of any Speech requirement. They have a good reputation for being student friendly and a solid school. TSU has the advantage of being a state university and has solid, if not prestigious, reputation. I hope this is helpful. Good luck in your search.
I disagree. There are circumstances where someone could complete a non-BSCS RA bachelor's degree, the prerequisites for an MSCS program, and an entire MSCS, in close to the same amount of time (and money) as just a BSCS. This was/is my situation, and this is what I chose to do. I should end up with a BA from TESC (both CS and Psychology majors), and an MSCS from Capitol College, in around the same amount of time (possibly a semester more) than it would have taken me to earn a traditional BSCS. I daresay that I'd rather have the BA from TESC, combined with the MSCS from Capitol (or I could have gone with Nova for a little more money and about the same amount of time), than just a BSCS from almost any school. I just can't see spending about the same time and money for a BSCS as for an MSCS, especially given that there isn't a lot of difference in the prestige of the schools involved. That's how it worked out, given my situation, but I'm sure that I'm not the only one. I just hate to see the "not under any circumstance" recommendation, when circumstances can vary so widely. For many people, and maybe even most people, the BSCS is the way to go. However, given the programs currently available I don't believe that it would have been in my best interest, and that has to be the case for at least some others as well. I am convinced that an MSCS, even from a "no name" RA school like Capitol, will provide much more utility than a BSCS. Even if the BSCS were from a prestigious school (which it wouldn't be), the MSCS probably trumps it, or at least matches it, and the MSCS will also satisfy the potential need for a master's degree when climbing a corporate ladder. Another point is that a master's degree can help justify a higher salary. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather have a BSCS from a prestigious school, combined with an MSCS from another prestigious school, but that just wouldn't have been practical for me. However, I am hoping to supplement the MS from Capitol with a complementary master's from a prestigious school (UT Austin), and I believe that the MS will give me a leg up in the admissions process, or at least put me on similar footing as those with a BS from a good school. I suspect that I would have a harder time getting in with just a BS from someplace like Touro or Troy State than I would with an MS from probably any RA school. In the words of Dennis Miller, "that's just my opinion, I could be wrong."
Hi Gary I think you make some very solid points. Also, I think I may have been less than precise in saying "never". I think for someone relatively new to the field a BACS or BSCIS can be an obstacle. A MSCS after said degree may overcome the issue. Someone with much industry experience probably would not have an issue either way. For me, a BSCIS would take about 1 year of parttime work to finish. The BSCS about 1-2 years of parttime work. The MSCS I believe would take 2-3 years of partime work. For someone with extensive programming experience or computer theory knowledge it might be less. For most the BACS or BSCIS would only be slightly shorter than at least a couple of the BSCS programs. If someone has already completed data structure and program classes it may be much shorter. Like you I am only presenting my opinion, and I am probably lax in not presenting a more detailed explanation of my choice. I hope this info has helped those who are looking at the different programs.
I understand, Dave. I would have to say that many, probably even most, people who are planning to take 30+ credits via actual coursework would be well served by a BSCS. There is something to be said for the BSIT, BSCIS, etc. degress though, especially those that incorporate a significant business component. It's really hard to make any sort of general recommendation, since it depends so much upon each individual's particular situation, including things like their state of residence. I only needed 15 credits of coursework to finish my BA but if I'd needed 30+ then I would have gone for a BSCS. Actually, I only needed those courses for the CS major (I already had over half of the CS credits that I needed); just 3 CLEP exams would have finished a BA with a Psych major, but I decided that an MS would look stronger combined with an undergrad CS major (though in retrospect I probably should have just done the 3 CLEP exams and started a grad program immediately). In fact, until I discovered how close I was to completing a degree from TESC, I'd planned to complete a BS residentially at Southwest Texas State University, which is only about 20 miles from me. I was actually about to start classes there last year when I figured out that I could get a BA and an MS in just a little more time than it would have taken for the BS. Anyway, I guess the point is that there are a lot of things to consider, so the decision should be made on an individual basis. I will say that when I see someone post that they want to take courses to complete a degree, since they don't like testing, and that they are looking for the strongest computer-related degree that they can get, then my first though is a BSCS program.
