Degree to Advance in My Job - BSBA w/IT or MIS Degree - School Options?

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by Nodaclu, Nov 17, 2013.

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  1. Nodaclu

    Nodaclu New Member

    Hi there,

    I've recently been offered an Analyst position at my company, with the understanding that I will complete my degree and eventually move into an HRIS role.

    Because of the dual need to have an understanding of software/programming along with the need to communicate/collaborate with system architects and business partners, I'm looking at either an MIS degree or a BSBA with a concentration in IT/CIS.

    The company is willing to reimburse me for 75% of my tuition costs up to $5,000/year. I'd like to keep my costs down as much as possible, and with full time work, I'm realistically looking at attending on what would be considered 1/2 to 3/4 time (6-9 units per traditional semester).

    In a perfect world, I'd prefer an RA school (my early research turned up Old Dominion at $285/unit), but I'm willing to consider a DETC school as well (Columbia Southern has a BSBA program at $200/unit).

    I'm having a tough time finding additional options in that price/cost range however (under $300/unit), and I'm wondering if the forum members here can provide any additional suggestions or ideas.

    One other detail: I've attended 7(!) colleges and universities to this point (all traditional RA) and have completed 74 semester units.

    Thanks in advance for your help! :)
     
  2. Nodaclu

    Nodaclu New Member

    Anyone? :confused:
     
  3. major56

    major56 Active Member

    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 22, 2013
  4. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

  5. spmoran

    spmoran Member

    Understanding of programming, or a programmer?

    "Because of the dual need to have an understanding of software/programming along with the need to communicate/collaborate with system architects and business partners, I'm looking at either an MIS degree or a BSBA with a concentration in IT/CIS."

    Does this mean you will be hands on coding? Or just need to understand what coders do? If the latter, then check out Bellevue University's BS Business Information Systems degree. They took 96 of my semester hours, and the degree might be just what you are looking for.
     
  6. mcjon77

    mcjon77 Member

    Do you already have a bachelors degree? If so (even if it is non-technical), I would recommend AGAINST getting a second, tech-related bachelors, and would instead encourage you to get a masters degree. If you are going 1/2 time, you should be done in about 2-3 years depending on the number of courses required (usually 10-12) and whether you take summer courses.

    There are more than enough tech-related masters degree programs that do not require a tech-related bachelors. With the number of low cost state universities offering online degrees, this would be the way to go.
     
  7. Nodaclu

    Nodaclu New Member

    Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I really appreciate it!

    I'll know more in the weeks ahead, but right now, it looks like the latter, although I'll probably need to learn enough coding to understand the principles and make basic tweaks to the HRIS software we use. But I don't think I'll be doing any heavy-duty, rigorous coding.

    I'll definitely check out Bellevue. You're right, it does sound just like what I'm looking for. Thanks! :)

    No bachelors degree yet. This would be my first one.
     
  8. Nodaclu

    Nodaclu New Member

    Thank you to everyone. I really appreciate your thoughts.

    Right now it looks like the latter. I think I'll need to know programming concepts, and be able to do some code editing and give suggestions to system architects in a language they'll understand, but otherwise, I'm just going to have to understand our specific HRIS software inside and out.

     

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